A Review on Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Activities of Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are prevalent mental health disorders that significantly impact individuals' quality of life and pose a substantial socioeconomic burden. While current pharmaceutical treatments, such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can be effective, they often have side effects, risk of dependence, and delayed therapeutic onset. Medicinal plants have gained interest as potential alternative or complementary treatments for anxiety and depression due to their fewer adverse effects, better patient acceptability, and multiple bioactive constituents offering multi-target mechanisms of action. Passiflora incarnata, Valeriana officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, and Lavandula angustifolia have demonstrated notable anxiolytic properties through modulation of neurotransmitter systems, including GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. Hypericum perforatum, Rhodiola rosea, Withania somnifera, and Curcuma longa have shown antidepressant effects via diverse mechanisms like monoamine reuptake inhibition, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory actions. Compared to conventional pharmaceuticals, medicinal plants generally offer a favorable safety profile, though caution is warranted regarding herb-drug interactions. Clinical evidence, while promising, is sometimes limited by variability in active constituents and methodological challenges, underscoring the necessity for more rigorous, large-scale clinical trials and standardized preparations. Future research should focus on elucidating precise pharmacological mechanisms, optimizing formulations, and integrating phytotherapy with mainstream mental health care to maximize therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks.