Pharmacological Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Central Nervous System: A Narrow Update

Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases seriously affect human life and health, currently, drugs used to treat CNS diseases mainly include receptor modulators and neurotransmitter inhibitors, which possess considerable side effects; accordingly, there is a need for efficacious drugs for clinical therapy. Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have a wide range of pharmacological effects on the CNS, especially as anti-CNS diseases. TCMs can enhance both non-specific and specific immune functions. Some TCMs can improve the adaptability of the body, enhance the body's resistance to various harmful stimuli, regulate pathological processes, and reverse the disordered function. TCMs and their active ingredients exhibit diverse pharmacological effects, including anti-neuritis, anti-oxidative stress regulation, and inhibition of cell apoptosis, with mechanisms possibly related to the regulation of the CNS function and restoring cell metabolism disorders. Based on literature from recent years, we summarize the neuroprotective effects of TCMs from the perspective of core pathological changes in the CNS and clinical applications. In addition, we integrated the progress of experimental research with regard to the pharmacological effects of TCMs on CNS. Current pharmacological investigations examining TCMs on CNS diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), were reviewed to provide a reference and new concepts for further developing TCMs.