萜类化合物缓解精神障碍的分子机制

Mechanism of terpenoids relieving mental disorders

从芳香植物中提取出的以萜类化合物为首的挥发性小分子,药用价值历史悠久,尤其是对于精神疾病的缓解作用在现代多项临床及动物学研究中都得到了证实。这些挥发性萜类小分子作用靶点类似于某些精神疾病药物,影响多种神经递质(5-羟色胺/谷氨酸盐等),且较于传统药物而言,作用温和,可以借吸入方式通过嗅觉系统绕过血脑屏障直接影响大脑,调节不同情绪和行为。在此,我们对这些挥发性小分子通过嗅觉作用于多种精神疾病的潜在机制进行系统性的分析与总结,以期为挥发性小分子药物走向医疗、治疗的道路提供更多科学证据。

The volatile aromatic small molecules with terpenoids as the drug lead, which are extracted from aromatic plants, had a long history of medicinal applications. Especially the treatment of aromatic small molecules for mental illness have been confirmed in modern multiple studies from animal to clinic models. The targets of these volatile small molecules are similar to conventional antipsychotic drugs, affecting a variety of neurotransmitters （5- hydroxytryptamine/glutamate, etc. ）. Compared to traditional medicines, these molecules with moderate effects can be inhaled and penetrated into blood-brain barrier（BBB）. In this way, they can directly affect the brain to regulate different emotions and behaviors through the olfactory system to bypass the BBB. Here, we systematically analyzed and summarized the potential mechanisms of these volatile small molecules through olfactory system to treat different mental illness. We aimed to provide scientific evidence and its associated molecular mechanisms to support their medical efficacy.