Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis and Its Active Components in Treatment of Tourette Syndrome： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20252204
- VernacularTitle:钩藤及其有效成分治疗抽动障碍的研究进展
- Author:
Jiayu WANG
1
;
Pan ZHENG
1
;
Shaoyu LI
2
;
Feng CHEN
1
Author Information
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine School，Henan University of Chinese Medicine，Zhengzhou 450046，China
2. Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis;
Tourette syndrome;
nervous system;
mechanism of action;
clinical application
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(8):337-346
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Tourette syndrome （TS） is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children， clinically characterized primarily by motor and/or vocal tics. Its pathogenesis is associated with hyperactivity of the dopaminergic system in the basal ganglia， and current medical treatments are limited by adverse reactions and unsatisfactory efficacy. In traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， TS is classified under categories such as "liver wind" and "convulsions"， and is considered to be closely related to liver dysregulation. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis （URCU） is a commonly used wind-dispelling herb. URCU has a clearly defined origin and a rich chemical composition， with alkaloids as its major active constituents， including rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Its plasma components include multiple prototype alkaloids， which exhibit metabolic differences and phenomena such as enterohepatic circulation. Its brain-entering components possess blood-brain barrier permeability， and their distribution is associated with pharmacological effects. In recent years， increasing numbers of studies have focused on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of the active components of URCU in the treatment of TS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms by which URCU and its main active constituents exert therapeutic effects on TS from the following aspects： regulation of monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters to improve neurotransmitter system imbalance， neuroprotection and intervention in neuroinflammation-related pathways； antioxidant effects through activation of antioxidant signaling pathways， and immunomodulatory functions influencing immune cells and the gut microbiota. In addition， the clinical application of compound formulas containing URCU in the treatment of TS is summarized， with the aim of providing new perspectives for further research on the pharmacological mechanisms of URCU and the treatment of TS.
