Abstract
Rehmanniae radix preparata is extracted from wine-steaming the Rehmannia root, a scrophulariaceae plant. It has been used for thousands of years with effects of nourishing kidney-yin, benefiting essence and filling marrow based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Rehmanniae radix preparata has antioxidant, antisenescence, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. It is the most popular Traditional Chinese medicinal compound (TCMC) used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapy. However, few studies have been conducted exploring the effects and potential mechanisms of Rehmanniae radix preparata alone on ADHD. Recent studies have shown that Rehmanniae radix preparata inhibits spontaneous activity in mice, improves learning and memory in rats following thalamic arcuate nucleus injury, and exhibits antidepressant effects. Catalpol, an active component of Rehmanniae radix preparata, elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and attenuates neuronal apoptosis and energy metabolism failure. ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity-impulsivity and impairments in learning and memory. Its pathomechanism is closely related to structural abnormalities in the cortex that is mediated by dysfunction in neuronal development, apoptosis, and energy metabolism. We hypothesize that Rehmanniae radix preparata may be effective at treating ADHD by alleviating neurodevelopmental abnormalities, neuronal apoptosis, and energy metabolism failure.
Highlights
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common cognitive and behavioral disorder diagnosed during childhood, and often continues into adolescence and adulthood
It is noteworthy that these findings about pathogenesis are in line with the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of ADHD, which is characterized by systematology and holism
Extensive research [19] shown that catalpol exerts effects in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cerebral ischemia (CI), and neural senescence via neuroprotection, alleviating energy metabolism failure, and preventing neuronal apoptosis
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common cognitive and behavioral disorder diagnosed during childhood, and often continues into adolescence and adulthood. Methylphenidate (MPH) is a first-line therapeutic psychostimulant drug that significantly improves inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity [5]; some evidence suggests that it can induce obsessive–compulsive behavior [6], depression, and anxiety [7]. It is noteworthy that these findings about pathogenesis are in line with the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of ADHD, which is characterized by systematology and holism This improves the scientific hypothesis that TCM can have therapeutic benefits in ADHD, and suggests that TCM is a promising alternative treatment for ADHD due to its multitarget therapeutics with higher efficacy and lower toxicity. Extensive research [19] shown that catalpol exerts effects in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cerebral ischemia (CI), and neural senescence via neuroprotection, alleviating energy metabolism failure, and preventing neuronal apoptosis These properties correlate with the pathogenesis of ADHD.
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