Plant-based Bioactive Compounds for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders - A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Anxiety disorders are prevalent, affecting 16.6% globally, and involve complex neurobiological factors.
• Key brain regions like the amygdala and neurotransmitter systems (serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA) are implicated in anxiety.
• Oxidative stress and specific brain receptors (NMDA, CCK) also contribute to anxiety pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of plant-based bioactive compounds as potential treatments for anxiety disorders.
• To investigate the mechanisms of action for these compounds, including Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid modulation and monoamine regulation.
• To highlight ethnopharmacology as a source for novel anxiety therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on anxiety pathophysiology and treatment.
• Analysis of research on plant-derived compounds with potential anxiolytic effects.
• Exploration of ethnopharmacological data linking herbal medicine to anxiety management.

Main Results:

• Conventional anxiety treatments like SSRIs and benzodiazepines have limitations, including side effects and dependency.
• Plant-based compounds show promise as alternatives or adjuncts, targeting GABA and monoamine systems.
• Ethnopharmacology provides a basis for identifying effective herbal remedies for anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Plant-derived bioactive compounds represent a promising area for developing novel anxiety treatments.
• Targeting neurotransmitter systems and utilizing ethnopharmacological knowledge can lead to more effective and safer anxiety therapies.
• Further research into these natural compounds could offer significant benefits for patients with anxiety disorders.