Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels
Background/Objectives: Mental disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression are linked to alterations in neuroplasticity and neuroprotection within the central nervous system. While conventional drugs are widely used, medicinal plants are emerging as a promising alternative due to their p...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Jose Luis Estela-Zape Valeria Sanclemente-Cardoza Lizeth Dayana Noreña-Buitrón Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora |
| author_facet | Jose Luis Estela-Zape Valeria Sanclemente-Cardoza Lizeth Dayana Noreña-Buitrón Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora |
| author_sort | Jose Luis Estela-Zape |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Mental disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression are linked to alterations in neuroplasticity and neuroprotection within the central nervous system. While conventional drugs are widely used, medicinal plants are emerging as a promising alternative due to their potential therapeutic effects on neuronal function. This study aimed to explore and analyze the impact of medicinal plants on neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in relation to mental disorders using biomodels. Methods: Data were collected from Scopus, Dimensions, and PubMed by using the search terms “Medicinal plants”, “Neuronal Plasticity”, and “Mental Disorder” in accordance with the guidelines of the PRISMA checklist. Results: A total of twenty-three relevant studies were selected to investigate the association between medicinal plants and mental disorders, focusing on factors such as administered doses and the modulation of neurotransmitters in the context of neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. This review highlights the complexity of study designs, target populations, and methodologies. Of the studies, 86% investigated depression, while 13% focused on anxiety. Regarding neurotransmitter modulation, 47% found that medicinal plants influenced serotonin levels, followed by 27% which found that they affected dopamine; according to the remaining studies, medicinal plants impacted norepinephrine, GABA, and acetylcholine. These findings emphasize the importance of precise dosing and neurotransmitter modulation, suggesting that targeted interactions with neural systems may help clarify the specific effects of these plants on mental health. Conclusions: Research on the effects of medicinal plants on psychiatric disorders in animal models suggests their potential to support neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. Positive impacts on mental health are indicated through the modulation of cytokines, neurotransmitters, and specific signaling pathways. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-13de67544e59413b9ba9bd776f0121b2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-13de67544e59413b9ba9bd776f0121b22025-08-20T02:28:27ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-03-0115436610.3390/brainsci15040366Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in BiomodelsJose Luis Estela-Zape0Valeria Sanclemente-Cardoza1Lizeth Dayana Noreña-Buitrón2Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora3Faculty of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, ColombiaFaculty of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, ColombiaFaculty of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, ColombiaFaculty of Health, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali 760035, ColombiaBackground/Objectives: Mental disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression are linked to alterations in neuroplasticity and neuroprotection within the central nervous system. While conventional drugs are widely used, medicinal plants are emerging as a promising alternative due to their potential therapeutic effects on neuronal function. This study aimed to explore and analyze the impact of medicinal plants on neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in relation to mental disorders using biomodels. Methods: Data were collected from Scopus, Dimensions, and PubMed by using the search terms “Medicinal plants”, “Neuronal Plasticity”, and “Mental Disorder” in accordance with the guidelines of the PRISMA checklist. Results: A total of twenty-three relevant studies were selected to investigate the association between medicinal plants and mental disorders, focusing on factors such as administered doses and the modulation of neurotransmitters in the context of neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. This review highlights the complexity of study designs, target populations, and methodologies. Of the studies, 86% investigated depression, while 13% focused on anxiety. Regarding neurotransmitter modulation, 47% found that medicinal plants influenced serotonin levels, followed by 27% which found that they affected dopamine; according to the remaining studies, medicinal plants impacted norepinephrine, GABA, and acetylcholine. These findings emphasize the importance of precise dosing and neurotransmitter modulation, suggesting that targeted interactions with neural systems may help clarify the specific effects of these plants on mental health. Conclusions: Research on the effects of medicinal plants on psychiatric disorders in animal models suggests their potential to support neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. Positive impacts on mental health are indicated through the modulation of cytokines, neurotransmitters, and specific signaling pathways.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/366medicinal plantsneuroplasticityneurotransmittersmental disordersphytochemistry |
| spellingShingle | Jose Luis Estela-Zape Valeria Sanclemente-Cardoza Lizeth Dayana Noreña-Buitrón Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels Brain Sciences medicinal plants neuroplasticity neurotransmitters mental disorders phytochemistry |
| title | Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels |
| title_full | Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels |
| title_fullStr | Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels |
| title_short | Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Mental Disorders: Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection in Biomodels |
| title_sort | utilization of medicinal plants in mental disorders neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in biomodels |
| topic | medicinal plants neuroplasticity neurotransmitters mental disorders phytochemistry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/366 |
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