An Overview on Medicinal Plants with Potential Antidepressant Activity

Life Sciences-Biotechnology for prospective medical science

Abstract

The application of complementary and herbal medicine in treating depression and mental disorders is currently on the rise globally. Depression is one of the most common challenges faced by medical practitioners due to its dynamics and variation between patients. The mental depression range is estimated to be 7.1 % among adults, 13.1% between 18 to 25 years of age, and 3 % among children. The prevalence rate is also higher amongst females compared to male. The cost of treating mental disorders and other mental challenges is rising. Many families are opting to use plant products and natural herbs as a cheaper and better tolerated alternative to their conditions, since the conventional drugs available in the market to treat depression are showing adverse life threatening side effects like suicidal tendency especially in adolescence because their brain is still maturing. So this article reviews medicinal plants with potential antidepressant activities; it considers the effects, mechanism of action, the appropriate dosage, and precautions that should be exercised when using these plant products. Phytochemicals in these plants show spectrum of application and teasing out these for its specific antidepressant properties is essential, so in this regard I have given emphasis to the chemical constituents which play an important role in the treatment of depression. Many researchers are working on the treatment of this condition using plant materials and poly herbal formulation. There are many publications in this field, which is not enough to treat depression hence more outcomes should come to light with the purpose of this study.