Abstract
The involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different central nervous system (CNS) diseases suggests that this neurotrophin may represent an interesting and reliable therapeutic target. Accordingly, the search for new compounds, also from natural sources, able to modulate BDNF has been increasingly explored. The present review considers the literature on the effects of botanicals on BDNF. Botanicals considered were Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, Coffea arabica L., Crocus sativus L., Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Olea europaea L. (olive oil), Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Rhodiola rosea L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Vitis vinifera L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. The effect of the active principles responsible for the efficacy of the extracts is reviewed and discussed as well. The high number of articles published (more than one hundred manuscripts for 14 botanicals) supports the growing interest in the use of natural products as BDNF modulators. The studies reported strengthen the hypothesis that botanicals may be considered useful modulators of BDNF in CNS diseases, without high side effects. Further clinical studies are mandatory to confirm botanicals as preventive agents or as useful adjuvant to the pharmacological treatment.
Highlights
One of the most complete forms of plasticity was described by Donald Hebb in 1949 who proposed an explanation for the adaptation of neurons during cognition and memory; this theory was later summarized by the famous sentence “neurons that fire together, wire together” [1]
We provide an upgrade of the current literature on the ability of some well-known botanicals to modulate Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the brain
The growing interest in the use of botanicals as modulators of the central nervous system (CNS) diseases is proved by the large amount of scientific papers we retrieved and reviewed on this topic (Figure 2)
Summary
One of the most complete forms of plasticity was described by Donald Hebb in 1949 who proposed an explanation for the adaptation of neurons during cognition and memory; this theory was later summarized by the famous sentence “neurons that fire together, wire together” [1]. Administration of CDRI-08 (80 mg/kg, i.p., 2 weeks) significantly increased the mRNA and the protein levels of proBDNF in the hippocampus of young rats (PND 32) This effect paralleled the upregulation of the unmethylated CpG islands 1 and improved the object recognition memory [32]. Using the same regime of treatment, CDRI-08 facilitated memory acquisition in the fear-conditioning paradigm and increased the expression of BDNF exon IV transcript in the hippocampus of PND 30 rats [33] On this basis, even if clinical studies are needed, preclinical results indicate that Bacopa monnieri extract administration modulates a BDNF effect that may underline its ability as an antidepressant and procognitive agent. Animals must find a submerged platform at the end of one of the six arms of the maze, aided by the fixed visually cues on the walls of the room
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
