Open access peer-reviewed chapter

The Ambit of Phytotherapy in Psychotic Care

Written By

Abdulwakeel Ayokun-nun Ajao, Saheed Sabiu, Fatai Oladunni Balogun, Damilare Adedayo Adekomi and Sefiu Adekilekun Saheed

Submitted: 28 February 2018 Reviewed: 15 June 2018 Published: 17 October 2018

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.79547

From the Edited Volume

Psychosis - Biopsychosocial and Relational Perspectives

Edited by Floriana Irtelli

Chapter metrics overview

1,548 Chapter Downloads

View Full Metrics

Abstract

The rate of psychosis has drastically increased in recent years and the number of prescriptions for psychiatric medications has made an even bigger jump. With the worrisome side effects of the medications, which can pose serious health risks and make medication compliance difficult, coupled with the prohibitive cost for many patients, there is an obvious need for alternative solutions. This review presents the ambit of phytotherapy in psychotic care. Interestingly, the review revealed that, plant-based medicines are rich in phytonutrients of antipsychotic importance and may be effective as stand-alone treatments or supplementary to conventional interventions. Despite the emerging interest in phytotherapy for mental disorders, the majority of the formulations are yet to be clinically certified. However, simply disregarding them for this reason might be consequential and as such, for better and improved mental health, research into phytotherapeutic care for psychosis must remain to be continuously explored as a promising niche.

Keywords

  • hallucination
  • mental health
  • phytonutrient
  • phytotherapy
  • psychosis

1. Introduction

Feelings and perceptions like paranoia/hearing voices may be highly discomforting, worrying, and necessitate people to seek definitive aid. Generally, help have been offered medically, and mental illnesses or psychosis have always been diagnosed for such feelings. Many individuals always assume that psychosis occur in the manner as other ailments exist and may be accurately revealed by medical tests in the same way. However, this is not always the case and several theories are in place to significantly understand the causatives of mental disorders. The notion that psychosis is a typical symptom of illnesses, possibly caused by some chemical imbalance or infiltrations in the brain, is just one of these theories [1]. While the rate of psychosis has drastically increased in recent years, the number of prescriptions for psychiatric medications has made an even bigger jump [2, 3]. For instance, in the United States, the prescription and use of antidepressant drugs has increased by almost 400% between 1998 and 2008 [4]. With the worrisome side effects of the medications, which can pose serious health risks and make medication compliance difficult, coupled with the prohibitive cost for many patients, there is an obvious need for alternative solutions. Interestingly, in addition to medical and clinical care for psychosis, the significance of phytotherapy has also become well established over the past decade. For instance, phytotherapeutic formulations such as St John’s Wort and Kava have potentiated remarkable clinical evidence [5]. Also, the beneficial effects of peppermint aroma from plants on memory and alertness have offered new opportunities for research regarding cognitive decline [6]. Such formulations are direct efforts of the plant-based remedies that have been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years.

Although, attempts have been previously made on the review of the significance of traditional systems of medicines in the management of mental illnesses [5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11], a comprehensive review on the ambit of herbal remedies and the mechanism of actions of the anti-psychotic bioactive principles is still lacking till date. It is on this background, that, this review was conducted to identify the major psychotic disorders, the broad scope of phytotherapy in psychotic care and the mechanisms of action of anti-psychotic phytonutrients.

Advertisement

2. Major psychotic disorders and classifications

Psychotic disorder forms a diverse group of illness that are serious and often treatable [12]. Psychotic disorders affect the way a person may act or feel (loss of motivation, delusion, social withdrawal from others, depression, intense elation, ‘uncontrollable laughter or crying’, altered emotions), thinking (confused or disjointed thoughts, superficially-irrelevant thinking, unconsolidated connections between ideas, and incoherence), auditory and visual hallucination [13]. These itemized features make it difficult for the affected individuals to distinguish between what is real and not real. On the other hand, psychosis encompasses conditions that influence the mind where contact with reality has been lost [14].

According to the American Psychiatric Association [15], psychotic disorders can be classified into four basic groups including; non-affective psychotic disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective, schizophreniform, delusional, brief psychotic, shared psychotic, and psychotic disorder NOS), affective psychotic disorder (e.g. bipolar I and II disorder with psychotic features and major depressive disorder with psychotic feature), substance-induced psychotic disorder (e.g. alcohol-induced psychotic disorder and other substance-induced), and psychotic disorder to general medical condition [16, 17].

Schizophrenia is one of the most common and severe psychotic disorders. It is a cluster of disorders characterized by fundamental disturbances of thinking, perception and emotions. The onset of schizophrenia is often in young adulthood, and for those affected, the disorder often causes many years of intense suffering [12]. The course, sign and symptoms in affected individual are highly inconsistent, but for a smaller ratio, the disorder causes lifelong disabilities with deterioration in functional capacity [18]. However, an average of 1 in every 7 patients with schizophrenia have been able to recover from the ailment despite the improvement in available treatment options in the recent years [19]. Schizophreniform disorder is basically identical with schizophrenia except that the ailment period is at least 1 month, but full recovery in 6 months is required. Another difference is that decline in functioning is not required in diagnostic criteria of schizophreniform disorder, while decline in social and occupational function is one criteria of schizophrenia. The diagnosis is often provisional and diagnosis may be changed to schizophrenia, should symptoms remain longer than 24 weeks [20]. In schizoaffective disorder on the other hand, the full criteria of both the active phase of schizophrenia and a mood episode should be met. In the same illness period, a 14-day delusional or hallucinational feeling without obvious mood symptoms may be evident. Symptoms meeting criteria for a mood episode should be present for the duration of the disorder [21]. The delusional disorder is often characterized by non-bizarre delusions and mostly last for almost 4 weeks. However, with the exception of the presence of tactile and olfactory hallucinations, other active-phase signs of schizophrenia should not be present, particularly if they are delusional-related. Besides the delusional impacts, normal behavior is always observed and functioning is not markedly impaired [15]. Unlike others, the brief psychotic occurrence is accompanied by sudden onset of psychotic symptoms (disorganized speech, delusions, catatonic behavior, hallucinations,) which persist for at least 24 hours but usually not exceeding 4 weeks. After this, a full remission and return to an optimal level of functioning is normally achieved [22, 23]. Furthermore, a variant of the non-affective psychotic disorders, the shared psychotic ailment, occurs rarely and is normally characterized by delusional experience in one individual when in a close relationship with an established delusional person [24]. Also, with the psychotic disorder NOS, the symptoms of psychosis are evident, but a specific diagnosis of any psychotic disorder cannot be made. There may be inadequate information to make a specific diagnosis, the information is contradictory, or symptoms fail to fulfill full criteria for a specific psychotic disorder. According to Arciniegas [17], diagnosis may be assigned for example if; a postpartum psychosis fails to meet criteria for a specific psychotic ailment, symptoms of psychosis have existed not beyond 4 weeks but yet to be remitted, occurrence of persistent auditory hallucinations void of any other psychotic feature, existence of persistent non-bizarre delusions with episodes of overlapping mood, evidence of uncertainty as to whether symptoms of psychosis are primary or substance use related or of general medical issues [12].

Unlike the non-affective disorders, the bipolar I disorder is an affective type of psychosis, characterized with manic or mixed episodes, usually accompanied with major episodes of depression. Symptoms of psychosis, which have to be hallucinations/delusions, can occur during manic, mixed and severe depressive episodes [25, 26] Typical mood-congruent psychotic symptoms during manic episodes include grandiosity and persecutory delusions linked to some special features of the person. Mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms include persecutory delusions without grandiose themes or delusions of thought insertion, thought broadcasting or being controlled [27]. The bipolar II disorder diagnosis means that person has had at least one hypomanic, but no manic or mixed episodes, and one major depressive episode. Bipolar II disorder may also include psychotic symptoms during the severe depressive episodes. Bipolar I disorder leads to hospitalizations, need for treatment, and decline in daily functioning more often compared with bipolar II disorder [28, 29]. Similarly, the major depressive disorder with psychotic features is diagnosed when the criteria for major depressive disorder episode are met and delusions or hallucinations occur within the episode. Mood-congruent delusions or hallucinations are consistent with the depressive themes (delusions of guilt, delusions of deserved punishment, nihilistic delusions etc.). Mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations do not have any apparent relationship to depressive themes (persecutory delusions, delusions of thought insertion, delusions of control etc.) [30]. For the substance-induced psychotic disorders, the victim is characterized by prominent hallucinations or delusions that are judged to be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (drug of abuse, a medication, or a toxin exposure). Substance-induced psychotic disorders are distinguished from the substance-induced delirium (clear consciousness), from substance intoxication or withdrawal with perceptual disturbances (more persistent, clinically relevant symptoms, and the individual is void of insight) and from primary psychotic disorders [31]. The onset of substance use typically precedes the onset of psychotic symptoms, and the symptoms should disappear within 1 month after the substance use has ceased. Psychotic symptoms may occur during withdrawal or intoxication of these substances: cannabis, inhalants, hypnotics, hallucinogens, amphetamine, opioids, cocaine, alcohol, anxiolytics, phencyclidine and sedatives [32]. Some medications (e.g. antiparkinsonian medications, corticosteroids, anticholinergic agents, antimalarial medications and chemotherapeutic agents) can also trigger symptoms of psychosis. The clinical picture of psychosis varies depending on the substance [12]. For the one resulting from a general medical condition, the victim feels hallucinated or delusioned. These symptoms can be judged to result from the direct physiological impacts of a general medical condition, and they are not explained by any other mental disorder [33]. Clear temporal association should be found between the general medical issue and the onset of psychotic disturbance. Additionally, there must be literature evidence on the particular medical condition causing psychotic symptoms [34]. Examples of general medical conditions that can cause psychotic symptoms include temporal lobe epilepsy, brain lesions and tumors, central nervous system infections and any severe medical condition requiring treatment in intensive care unit [34, 35]. Delirium is a condition characterized by disturbance of consciousness and cognition which may have psychotic symptoms as an associated feature [36, 37]. The etiology of delirium varies, including substance-induced delirium and delirium due to underlying general medical issues. Irrespective of the cause, associated challenges emanate within the shortest time possible and usually not consistent during the course of the day [37, 38, 39].

Advertisement

3. Conventional treatment and management options

Many of the drugs that have been introduced for the treatment of psychotic disorders are known to interfere with the normal physiological actions of several of the brain neurotransmitters and their receptors. The major brain neurotransmitters that have been implicated in psychiatric disorders are: neuropeptides, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholinesterase, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the hospital, many psychotic patients that are not confined to the bed and medication may be given and/or administered at a central point rather than having a ‘drug round’. In psychiatric units, patient’s compliance may be a problem and it is often necessary to ensure that drug is taken [40, 41]. Occasionally, a patients’ paranoia may extend to the drugs they are given. They may think the staff members attending to them are trying to poison them [42].

Traditionally, antipsychotic drugs are classified as typical (classical) or atypical. The typical antipsychotic drugs are generally those that have been use for many years and common examples include; chlorpromazine, flupentixol, fluphenazine, haloperidol, and thioridazine [43]. The atypical antipsychotic drugs on the other hand, are more recent additions to the repertoire of drugs available. These drugs (e.g. amisulpride, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, zotepine) produce fewer adverse effects (e.g. tremor) on the motor system and may also help patients who do not respond to typical antipsychotic drugs [44].

Advertisement

4. Mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs

Almost all antipsychotic drugs have many different pharmacological actions that it is very difficult to relate any one action to a therapeutic effect [45, 46]. Effective antipsychotic drugs share the ability to inhibit the physiological actions of dopamine D2 receptors in the brain [47]. Collectively, the drugs are quite useful in controlling the states of agitation observed/found in acute schizophrenia, mania and some other forms of delirium and in paranoia. Their exact mode of action in these conditions remains unknown but most of them block the action of dopamine on D2 receptors in the mesolimbic system of the brain and this seems crucial to their sedative and antipsychotic properties [48]. These drugs also inhibit the action of dopamine on chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brain and are thus antiemetic. Furthermore, drugs such as haloperidol prevent the action of the dopaminergic nerves that run from the substantia nigra to the corpus striatum. Disruption of physiological action of this system causes Parkinsonism and these drugs may cause various disorders of movement and posture [49].

Advertisement

5. Phytotherapy and the conventional therapies for psychosis

5.1. Conventional therapy

Contrary to phytotherapy that involves the use of medicinal plants, conventional therapy for psychosis is majorly by the use of medications. Others include cognitive therapy treatment, counseling, family or support group, the use of mood stabilizers etc. Cognitive therapy centers on identifying different patterns of thought (perception about situation) that brings about undesirable action or feelings. In some countries of the world particularly United Kingdom and United States, this kind of therapy is embraced (sometimes in combination with medications) as the most effective way of treating psychosis or psychosis-related disorder such as schizophrenia, depression and or substance abuse. Additionally, family or support group form of psychosis therapy deals with the informal measure of treatment by a way of caring or providing support to people or family members suffering from the menace geared towards knowing how they fare on the various treatment or medications being exposed to and perhaps discussion on whether there is need for a change if medication is presenting havoc than alleviating the situation.

5.2. Medications as a form of therapy for psychosis

The discovery of chlorpromazine in the mid-1900s (1953) for the treatment of psychosis or related ailments led to the emergence of other conventional or typical antipsychotics such as perphenazine (marketed in 1957), trifluoperazine (1958), fluphenazine (1960), haloperidol (1966), thiothixene (1968), loxapine (1978), flupentixol (1983) usually referred as the first line or first generation antipsychotics [45]. These traditional agents aside exhibiting different level of potencies such as low (e.g. chlorpromazine), intermediate (perphenazine), high (haloperidol) are embraced and adopted for short or long-term use against acute or chronic psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective and or delusional disorders, psychotic-depressive ailments, dementia etc.). Antipsychotics or neuroleptics (derived from the combination of neuron and ‘lepsis’ to mean ‘take hold of nervous system’) ordinarily acts by blocking the Dopamine D2 receptors (protein) domicile in the limbic system and striatum, thus, producing adverse effects such as the development of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs), hyperprolactemia (elevated level of prolactin in the blood), neuroleptic malignant with Tardive dyskinesia, sexual dysfunction, restlessness, stiffness and shaking of the joints etc. among common names or features of these effects [50, 51].Moreover, the coming of the newer or modern or second generation antipsychotic drugs (Table 1) otherwise referred to as atypical antipsychotics have in a way in recent times in clinical medicine replaced the use of first generation (FG) counterpart owing to their ability to lower some of the side effects known with FG. They exert these actions by proffering less affinity for D2 receptor, higher affinities for other neuroreceptors such as serotonin (e.g. 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A etc.) and norepinephrine (α1, α2 subtypes) as well as regulate glutamate receptor-mediated functions and behaviors among others [51, 52]. However, it is interesting to note that with issues relating to pharmacological effect, efficacy, safety, tolerability, cost effectiveness and adverse effects, it is important to weigh the pros and cons between both sides in terms of the above enumerated factors. In fact, there are reports that these newer generation drugs are more expensive, although the benefits they rendered outweighs the financial implications and are of less consequence as highlighted by clinicians and policy makers [51]. Similarly, despite revelations of side effects such as weight gain attributed to some modern class of antipsychotics such as Clozapine and Olanzapine but evidence as to why this is so is still unclear. Above all, in a review by Gardner and others [45] at comparing the superiority between typical and atypical antipsychotics taking into consideration above factors, they affirm the supremacy of the atypical antipsychotics over the old ones as evidenced in a number of cited reports (though accompanied with limitations) but still, generated huge number of prescriptions and acceptance globally [53, 54, 55].

AntipsychoticsBrand nameYear of first market
ClozapineClozaril1991
OlanzapineZyprexa1996
QuetiapineSeroquel1998
RisperidoneRisperdal2004
ZiprasidoneZeldox2009
AripiprazoleAbilify2013
AsenapineSaphris2009
Iloperidone*Zomaril2009
BlonanserinLonasen2009
Lurasidone*Latuda2010

Table 1.

Modern antipsychotics.

Not yet approved by Food, Drug and Administration (FDA, US).


5.3. Phytotherapy in psychotic care

Herbal medicine or phytotherapy according to World Health Organization (WHO) means herbal (medicinal plant) product containing the active components of plant parts or materials or both combined. In recent times, the use of medicinal plants in complementary and alternative medicine has continued to receive wider publicity in many quarters of the world. In fact 80% of the entire global population makes use of one form of traditional medicine in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases facing them while also being incorporated within their national healthcare system. Psychosis, a mental condition resulting in the ability of an individual to witness distorted or total loss of contact with reality is considered among the neuropsychiatric disorders according to WHO with 13–49% of individual worldwide being affected by them at a particular stage within their life time [13]. Many medicinal plants and orthodox medicines are embraced and used in the management of this derangement [13, 45, 56], despite the numerous adverse effects including but not limited to restlessness, sexual dysfunction, extrapyramidal (EPSs) such as tardive dyskinesia (persistent tongue, mouth and jaw movement), malignant syndrome etc. attributed to these chemical moieties [51]. Interestingly, it is worthy of mention that out of several medicinal plants with reported antipsychotic effect [13, 11], very few, such as Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Yokukansan (TJ-54), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Kava-kava (Piper methysticum) have been developed as agents with reported use for phytotherapy while being functioning as antidote against prominent psychiatric ailments (depressive, somatic, psychotic, anxiety, sleep) [5, 57] with the latter four agents among the first 10 best-selling herbal formulations in the US [13] and Africa in the management of neurological diseases [58], although, there are reports of agent like St John’s wort inducing psychosis [59, 60]. In fact, despite their wide usage and preference over conventional antipsychotic drugs with varying adverse effects [61], psychiatric patients have continued to adopt herbal therapy for the management of psychosis [11]. The respective list of selected medicinal plants commonly used in psychotic care and the most prominently implicated phytonutrients of antipsychotic significance are presented in Tables 2 and 3.

FamilySpeciesPartsFolkloric usageScientific validationToxicityPhytonutrients
AlliaceaeAgapanthus campanulatus F.M. LeightonRootDecoction of the root is taken orally [62]Extract exhibited serotonin, noradrenalin, and dopamine transporter inhibitors [63, 64].No recordFlavonoid [64]
AmaryllidaceaeBoophane disticha (L.f.) herbLeaves and bulbsDecoctions of bulb scales given to sedate violent, psychotic patents [65]Affinity to the serotonin transporter protein [66]; It also inhibited serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine transporters [64]No recordAlkaloids (buphanidrine and buphanamine) [64]
AnacardiaceaeSpondias mombin L.LeavesLeaves extract is used traditionally [67]The aqueous extract prolonged the sleeping time and decreased the stereotyped behavior [67]Non-toxic [67]Tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides. Phenols, saponins, phlobatannins and alkaloids [67]
ApocynaceaeRauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.RootThe root is ground into powder and taken with pap or decoctions orally taken [68]Decreased locomotor behavior [69]Non-toxic [70]Beta-carboline alkaloid, alstonine [69]
ApocynaceaeRauvolfia tetraphylla L.LeavesNo recordSignificant affinity for 5-HT2A and DA-D2 receptors [71]Non-toxic [71]11demethoxyreserpiline (3) and 10-demethoxyreserpiline (4), α-yohimbine (5) and reserpiline [71]
AsclepiadaceaeGomphocarpus physocarpus E. MeyLeavesPowdered leaf is used to sedate psychotic patient [65]The extract inhibited monoamine oxidase [72]No recordCarbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, steroids/terpenoids, alkaloids and phenols [73]
AsclepiadaceaeXysmalobium undulatum (L.) Aiton.f.RootRoots administered [74]Extracts exhibited SSRI activity [64]No toxicity [75]Flavonoid (xysmalorin and uzarin) [64]
EuphorbiaceaeSecurinega virosa (Roxb ex. Willd) Baill.Leaves and rootDecoction of the leaves and roots [76]The extract exhibited significant effect on D1 receptor by inhibiting grooming and climbing behaviors in rats [76].Non- toxic [77]Alkaloids, saponin, flavonoid, and tannin [76]
FabaceaeAfzelia Africana SmithStem barkFresh stembark of Lophira alata and A. africana are powdered together. The powder is then infused in water for 2 h and given to the patient to drink and bath [78]The extract reduced the locomotive activity, rearing and sniffing in rats [78]Non -toxic [79]Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoid, phytosterols and glycosides [79]
FabaceaeAmblygonocarpus andongensisStem barkAqueous extract of the stem bark is taken orally [80]The extract reduced the psychotic behavior characterized by anorexia and agitation in rats [81]Mildly toxic and has reducing effects on weight [80]No record
FabaceaeArachis hypogaea LLeaves and stemAqueous extract of the leaves taken orally [82]It has sedative effect [83]No recordsLinalool [83]
FabaceaeLonchocarpus cyanescens (Schumach and Thonn.) Benth.LeavesIt is used in combination with another recipe of plant origin [84]The extract inhibited stereotype behavior and spontaneous motor activity [84]No recordsAlkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, cyanogenetic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and tannins [84]
LamiaceaeOcimum sanctum L.LeavesExtract from the leaves is taken orally [85]Attenuation of locomotory activity and dopamine levels [85]Non-toxic [86]Eugenol, cardinene, cubenol, borneol, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitric acid, steric acid, vallinin, vicenin, vitexin, vllinin acid, orientin, circineol, gallic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, phosphorus and iron [87]
LamiaceaeMentha aquatica L.LeavesMixed with leaves of Tagetes minuta L. burned and the smoke is inhaled [88]Leaf extracts exhibited SSRI activity and MAO-B inhibitory activity [63, 89]No recordFlavones and flavanone derivatives [90]
LiliaceaeAllium cepa LinnBulbPaste [91].Onion paste inhibited dopaminergic neurotransmission and possibly blocks dopamine D2 receptor [91]Non-toxic [92]Phenolic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanin, sterols, vitamins, pectin and peptides [91].
OchnaceaeLophira alata Banks ex. Gaertn.f.Stem barkFresh stembark is powdered with Afzelia africana stembark. It is then infused in water for 2 h and given to the patient to drink and bath [78].The extract reduced locomotive activity and rearing in rats [78]Non-toxic [79]Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoid, phytosterols and glycosides [79]
PiperaceaePiper guineense Schum & ThonnFruitNo recordSignificant reduction on rearing, locomotor activity and dips in mice [93]Non-toxic [94]β-Sesquiphellandrene, limonene, linalool [93]
RutaceaeRuta graveolens L.LeavesDecoction of the leaves and oil extract are used [95]It exhibited MAO inhibitory activity [89]No toxicity [96]Furocoumarins, furoquinolines and acridone alkaloids [89].
SolanaceaeDatura stramonium L.Leaves and seedsInformation not provided [65, 97]The seeds and leaves of D. stramonium are used to sedate psychotic patients [98]Toxic [97]Alkaloids, tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides [97]

Table 2.

Medicinal plants list of plant with antipsychotic potential, their ethnopharmacology, toxicity and mechanism of actions.

Active compoundMechanism of actionReferences
Ursolic acid (terpene)Activation of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors[99]
Reserpiline(alkaloid)inhibition binding to DA-D2 and 5-HT2A receptors[71]
α-Yohimbine (alkaloid)inhibition binding to DA-D2 and 5-HT2A receptors[71]
Methylaplysinopsin (alkaloid)Inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and displacement serotonin from its receptors[100]
Polygalasaponins (saponin)Affinity for dopamine and serotonin receptors[101]
Yuanzhi-1 (triterpenoid saponin)Uptake of inhibitor that block dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin transporters[102]
Geranial, neral and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, citronellal, geranyl-acetate, β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene-oxide, and 1,8 cineole (terpene)Nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding properties in human brain tissue, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties and inhibition of enzyme GABA transaminase, leading to increased GABA activity[103, 104]
Tropane (alkaloid)Muscarinic acetylcholinesterase receptor antagonist[105]
Purine (alkaloid)Receptor interactions, specifically involving DA D1 receptor signaling[106]
Isoquinoline (alkaloid)Opioid receptor binding[107]
Pyridine (alkaloid)Agonist nicotinic acetylcholinesterase receptor binding[108]
Physostigmine (alkaloid)Cholinesterase inhibitor and direct agonistic nicotinic acetylcholinesterase receptor binding[109]
Pilocarpine (alkaloid)Muscarinic acetylcholinesterase receptor agonist[105]
Reserpine (alkaloid)Irreversible blockage of norepinephrine and dopamine[110]
β-Sesquiphellandrene (terpene)Inhibition of dopamine neurotransmission at D1/D2 receptors[93]
Buphanidrine and buphanamine (alkaloids)Affinity to the serotonin transporter (SERT) protein[66]
Xysmalorin and uzarin (flavanoids)Affinity for SERT in the binding assay.[64]
Atropine (alkaloid)CNS depressants and competitively antagonize muscarinic cholinergic receptors.[111]
Scopolamine (alkaloid)CNS depressants and competitively antagonize muscarinic cholinergic receptors.[111]
Agathisflavone and amentoflavone (flavanoid)Affinity for GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor[110]

Table 3.

Psychoprotective bioactive metabolites.

Taken together, a unified mechanism of actions of the antipsychotic phytonutrients could be proposed as presented in Figure 1. This may be conceptualized to potentiate either (a) modulatory role on dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, (b) regulation of serotonin reuptake/transporters, (c) inhibitory effect on the specific activity of monoamine oxidase, or (d) regulation of the specific activities of acetylcholinesterase and Gama-aminobutyric acid transaminase. Plants endowed with these metabolites (Figure 1) may unilaterally or synergistically be employed with other conventional antipsychotic therapies to achieve optimal results in alleviating the ill episodes of the different forms (depression, hallucination, schizophrenia, etc.) of psychosis related disorders.

Figure 1.

A unified mechanism of actions of antipsychotic phytonutrients. MP, medicinal plants.

Advertisement

6. Conclusion

Conclusively, considering the potential benefits of medicinal plants in antipsychotic care, it may be evidently suggested that, there is a need for an inclusive integrative approach to manage and treat psychosis. One of such strategies may be to embrace traditional systems of medicine with the use of medicinal plants. This is mainly due to the plants being endowed with antipsychotic phytonutrients and demonstrating significant results in the management of mental health disorders. However, embracing herbal formulations in combination with conventional pharmaceuticals may provide better outcome with a view to targeting different aspects of mental being alertness. Although this concept may be controversial, research into phytotherapeutic care for psychosis is a promising niche for further studies.

References

  1. 1. Cooke A, Basset T, Bentall R, Boyle M, Cupitt C, Dillon J. Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. London: British Psychological Society; 2014
  2. 2. Twenge JM. The age of anxiety? Birth cohort change in anxiety and neuroticism, 1952-1993. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2000;79(6):1007-1021
  3. 3. Pratt LA, Brody DJ. Depression in the U.S. household population, 2009-2012. NCHS Data Brief No. 172. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2014. pp. 1-8
  4. 4. Pratt LA, Brody DJ, Gu Q. Antidepressant use in persons aged 12 and over: United States, 2005-2008. NCHS Data Brief No. 76. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2011
  5. 5. Sarris J. Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review. Phytotherapy Research. 2007;21:703-716
  6. 6. Moss M, Hewitt S, Moss L, Wesnes K. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. The International Journal of Neuroscience. 2008;118(1):59-77
  7. 7. Beaubrun G, Gray GE. A review of herbal medicines for psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric Services. 2000;51(9):1130-1134
  8. 8. Larzelere MM, Wiseman P. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Primary Care; Clinics in Office Practice. 2002;29(2):339-360
  9. 9. Ernst E. Herbal remedies for anxiety—A systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(3):205-208
  10. 10. Carlini EA. Plants and the central nervous system. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 2003;75(3):501-512
  11. 11. Ajao AA, Alimi AA, Olatunji OA, Balogun FO, Saheed SA. A synopsis of antipsychotic medicinal plants in Nigeria. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 2018;73(1):33-41. DOI: 10.1080/0035919X.2017.1386138
  12. 12. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Psychosis and Schizophrenia in Adults: Treatment and Management: Updated Edition 2014. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK); 2014. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 178.) 2, Psychosis and Schizophrenia in adults. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK333029/
  13. 13. Ahmed A, Simmons Z. Pseudobulbar affect: Prevalence and management. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. 2013;9:483-489
  14. 14. Smith L, Nathan P, Juniper U, Kingsep P, Lim L. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychotic Symptoms: A Therapist’s Manual. Centre for Clinical Interventions: Perth, Australia; 2003. ISBN I-876763-23-x
  15. 15. American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000
  16. 16. Jablensky A. The diagnostic concept of schizophrenia: Its history, evolution, and future prospects. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2010;12(3):271-287
  17. 17. Arciniegas DB. Psychosis. Continuum: Lifelong learning in neurology. Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry. 2015;21(3):715-736
  18. 18. Insel TR. Rethinking schizophrenia. Nature. 2010;468:187-193
  19. 19. Jääskeläinen E, Juola P, Hirvonen N, McGrath JJ, Saha S, Isohanni M, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of recovery in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2013;39(6):1296-1306
  20. 20. Ruggero CJ, Carlson GA, Kotov R, Bromet EJ. 10-Year diagnostic consistency of bipolar disorder in a first-admission sample. Bipolar Disorders. 2010;12(1):21-31
  21. 21. Heckers S. Diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 2014;12(1):1-3
  22. 22. Kennedy S. Full remission: A return to normal functioning. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. 2014;27(4):233-234
  23. 23. Romera I, Perez V, Gilaberte I. Remission and functioning in major depressive disorder. Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría. 2013;41(5):263-268
  24. 24. Kiran C, Chaudhury S. Understanding delusions. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2013;18(1):3-18
  25. 25. Abrams DJ, Rojas DC, Arciniegas DB. Is schizoaffective disorder a distinct categorical diagnosis? A critical review of the literature. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2013;4(6):1089-1109
  26. 26. Ostergaard SD, Leadholm AK, Rothschild AJ. Persistent delusional theme over 13 episodes of psychotic depression. Acta Neuropsychiatria. 2013;25(6):370-373. DOI: 10.1017/neu.2013.33
  27. 27. Kimhy D, Goetz R, Yale S, Corcoran C, Malaspina D. Delusions in individuals with schizophrenia: Factor structure, clinical correlates, and putative neurobiology. Psychopathology. 2005;38(6)
  28. 28. Levy B, Manove E. Functional outcome in bipolar disorder: The big picture. Depression Research and Treatment. 2012. Article ID 949248, 12 pages
  29. 29. Parial S. Bipolar disorder in women. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2005;57(2):S252-S263
  30. 30. Goes FS, Zandi PP, Miao K, McMahon FJ, Steele J, Willour VL. Mood-incongruent psychotic features in bipolar disorder: Familial aggregation and suggestive linkage to 2p11-q14 and 13q21-33. The American Journal of Psychology. 2007;164:236-247
  31. 31. Perala J, Kuoppasalmi K, Pirkola S, Harkanen T, Saarni S, Tuulio-Henriksson A. Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder and delirium in the general population. The British Journal of Psychology. 2010;197:200-206
  32. 32. Giannini AJ. An approach to drug abuse, intoxication and withdrawal. American Family Physician. 2010;61(9):2763-2774
  33. 33. Canino G, Alegría M. Psychiatric diagnosis—Is it universal or relative to culture? The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines. 2008;49(3):237-250
  34. 34. Keshavan MS, Kaneko Y. Secondary psychoses: An update. World Psychiatry. 2013;12(1):4-15
  35. 35. Teeple RC, Caplan JP, Stern TA. Visual hallucinations: Differential diagnosis and treatment. Prim care comp the. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2009;11(1):26-32
  36. 36. Bhat R, Rockwood K. Delirium as a disorder of consciousness. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 2007;78(11):1167-1170
  37. 37. Martins S, Fernandes L. Delirium in elderly people: A review. Frontiers in Neurology. 2012;3:101
  38. 38. Fong TG, Tulebaev SR, Inouye SK. Delirium in elderly adults: Diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Nature Reviews. Neurology. 2009;5(4):210-220
  39. 39. Cerejeira J, Mukaetova-Ladinska EB. A clinical update on delirium: From early recognition to effective management. Nursing Research and Practice. 2011;2011:875196
  40. 40. Latha KS. The noncompliant patient in psychiatry: The case for and against covert/surreptitious medication. Mens Sana Mono. 2010;8(1):96-121
  41. 41. Kane JM, Kishimoto T, Correll CU. Non-adherence to medication in patients with psychotic disorders: Epidemiology, contributing factors and management strategies. World Psychiatry. 2013;12(3):216-226
  42. 42. Lake CR. Hypothesis: Grandiosity and guilt cause paranoia; paranoid schizophrenia is a psychotic mood disorder; a review. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2008;34(6):1151-1162
  43. 43. Mailman RB, Murthy V. Third generation antipsychotic drugs: Partial agonism or receptor functional selectivity? Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2010;16(5):488-501
  44. 44. Correll CU, Detraux J, De Lepeleire J, De Hert M. Effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on risk for physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):119-136
  45. 45. Gardner DM, Baldessarini RJ, Waraich P. Modern antipsychotic drugs: A critical overview. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2005;172(13):1703-1711
  46. 46. Miller R. Mechanisms of action of antipsychotic drugs of different classes, refractoriness to therapeutic effects of classical neuroleptics, and individual variation in sensitivity to their actions: Part I. Current Neuropharmacology. 2009;7(4):302-314
  47. 47. Boyd KN, Mailman RB. Dopamine receptor signaling and current and future antipsychotic drugs. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. 2012;212:53-86
  48. 48. Howes O, Egerton A, Allan V, McGuire P, Stokes P, Kapur S. Mechanisms underlying psychosis and antipsychotic treatment response in schizophrenia: Insights from PET and SPECT imaging. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2009;15(22):2550-2559
  49. 49. Mazzoni P, Shabbott B, Cortés JC. Motor control abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine. 2012;2(6):a009282
  50. 50. Kane JM, Marder SR. Psychopharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 1993;19(2):287
  51. 51. Stroup TS, Lieberman JA, Swartz MS, McEvoy JP. Comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2000;2(4):373-379
  52. 52. Kinon BJ, Lieberman JA. Mechanisms of action of atypical antipsychotic drugs: A critical analysis. Psychopharmacology. 1996;124(1-2):2-34
  53. 53. DeLeon A, Patel NC, Crismon ML. Aripiprazole: A comprehensive review of its pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and tolerability. Clinical Therapeutics. 2004;26:649-666
  54. 54. Kishi T, Matsuda Y, Nakamura H, Iwata N. Blonanserin for schizophrenia: Systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, controlled trials. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2013;47:149-154
  55. 55. Jaeschke RR, Sowa-Kucmab M, Czyszyn-Trzewik P, Misztak P, Datka. Lurasidone: The 2016 update on the pharmacology, efficacy and safety profile. Pharmacological Reports. 2016;68:748-755
  56. 56. Kinda PT, Zerbo P, Guenné S, Compaoré M, Ciobica A, Kiendrebeogo M. Medicinal plants used for neuropsychiatric disorders treatment in the Hauts Bassins region of Burkina Faso. Medicine. 2017;4(32):1-21
  57. 57. Miyaoka T, Motohide R, Kristian F, Masaleda L, Kawakami K, Tsuchie K, Fukushima M, Tomoko K, Jun Horiguchi H. Yokukansan (TJ-54) for the treatment of very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis: An open-label study. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2013.01.007
  58. 58. Romeiras MM, Duarte MC, Indjai B, Catarino L. Medicinal plants used to treat neurological disorders in West Africa: A case study with Guinea-Bissau Flora. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 2012;3(7):1028-1036
  59. 59. Shimizu K, Nakamura M, Isse K, Nathan PJ. First-episode psychosis after taking an extract of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort). Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 2004;19:275-276
  60. 60. Gurok MG, Mermi O, Kilic F, Canan F, Kuloglu M. Psychotic episode induced by St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum): A case report. Journal of Mood Disorders. 2014;4(1):38-40
  61. 61. Witte S, Loew D, Gaus W. Meta-analysis of the efficacy of the acetonic kava-kava extract WS® 1490 in patients with non-psychotic anxiety disorders. Phytotherapy Research. 2005;19:183-188
  62. 62. Laydevant F. Religious or sacred plants of Basutoland. Bantu Studies. 1932;6:65-69
  63. 63. Nielsen ND, Sandager M, Stafford GI, Van Staden J, Jäger AK. Screening of indigenous plants from South Africa for affinity to the serotonin reuptake transport protein. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2003;94:159-163
  64. 64. Pedersen ME, Szewczyk B, Stachowicz K, Wieronska J, Andersen J, Stafford GI, van Staden J, Pilc A, Jäger AK. Effects of South African traditional medicine in animal models for depression. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008;28, 119(3):542-548
  65. 65. Van Wyk B, Gericke N. Peoples Plants. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 2000
  66. 66. Sandager M, Nielsen ND, Stafford GI, Van Staden J, Jäger AK. Alkaloids from Boophane disticha with affinity to the serotonin transporter in rat brain. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005;98:367-370
  67. 67. Ayoka AO, Akomolafe RO, Iwalewa EO, Akanmu MA, Ukponmwan OE. Sedative, antiepileptic and antipsychotic effects of Spondias mombin L.(Anacardiaceae) in mice and rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006;103(2):166-175
  68. 68. Fetrow C, Avila J. Professional’s Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Pennsylvania: Springhouse Corporation; 1999. pp. 4-7
  69. 69. Bisong SA, Brown R, Osim EE. Comparative effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria and chlorpromazine on locomotor behaviour and anxiety in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2010;132(1):334-339
  70. 70. Amole OO, Yemitan OK, Oshikoya K. Anticonvulsant activity of Rauvolfia Vomitoria (Afzel). African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2009;3:319-322
  71. 71. Gupta S, Khanna VK, Maurya A, Bawankule DU, Shukla RK, Pal A, Srivastava SK. Bioactivity guided isolation of antipsychotic constituents from the leaves of Rauwolfia tetraphylla L. Fitoterapia. 2012;83(6):1092-1099
  72. 72. Stafford GI, Pedersen ME, van Staden J, Jäger AK. Review on plants with CNS-effects used in traditional South African medicine against mental diseases. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008;119:513-537
  73. 73. Munsamy A, Naidoo Y. Laticifers in the leaves and stems of Gomphocarpus physocarpus: Distribution, structure and chemical composition. Planta Medica. 2015;81(16):12
  74. 74. Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham AB. Zulu Medicinal Plants: An Inventory. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press; 1996
  75. 75. Vermaak I, Enslin GM, Idowu TO, Viljoen AM. Xysmalobium undulatum (uzara)—Review of an antidiarrhoeal traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2014;156:135-146
  76. 76. Magaji MG, Yakubu Y, Magaji RA, Yaro AH, Hussaini IM. Psychopharmacological potentials of Methanol leaf extract of Securinega virosa Roxb (Ex Willd) Baill in mice. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 2014;17:855-859
  77. 77. Lorke D. A new approach to acute toxicity testing. Archives of Toxicology. 1983;54:275-287
  78. 78. Ibrahim JA, Muazzam I, Jegede IA, Kunle OF, Okogun JI. Ethno-medicinal plants and methods used by Gwandara tribe of Sabo Wuse in Niger state, Nigeria, to treat mental illness. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines. 2007;4(2):211-218
  79. 79. Iniaghe LO, Magaji MG, Nmeka O. Evaluation of antipsychotic properties of aqueous extract of Lophira alata (Ochnaceae) and Afzelia africana (Leguminosae) stem barks in rats. Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Applied Science Research. 2015;4(3):19-25
  80. 80. Ebbo AA, Elsa AT, Etuk EU, Ladan MJ, Saganuwan AS. Weight reducing and anti-amphetamine effects of aqueous extract of Amblygonocarpus andongensis in Wistar albino rat. Journal of Research in Biosciences. 2008;4(2):39-43
  81. 81. Ebbo AA, Elsa AT, Etuk EU, Ladan MJ, Saganuwan SA. Antipsychotic effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Amblygonocarpus andongensis in Wistar albino rats. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research. 2010;4(11):1033-1038
  82. 82. Al-Snafi AE. Therapeutic properties of medicinal plants: A review of medicinal plants with central nervous effects (part 1). International Journal of Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2015;5(3):177-192
  83. 83. Zu X, Zhang Z, Xiong G, Liao T, Qiao Y, Li Y, Geng S, Li X. Sedative effects of Arachis hypogaea L. stem and leaf extracts on sleep-deprived rats. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2013;6(2):601-605
  84. 84. Sonibare MA, Umukoro S, Shonibare ET. Antipsychotic property of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Schumach and Thonn.) Benth. (Fabaceae) in rodents. Journal of Natural Medicines. 2012;66(1):127-132
  85. 85. Sharma K, Parle M, Yadav M. Evaluation of antipsychotic effect of methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on laboratory animals. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2016;6(05):171-177
  86. 86. Singh S, Majumdar DK. Toxicological studies of the fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum Linn.(Tulsi). New Botanist. 1994;21:139-146
  87. 87. Kadian R, Parle M. Therapeutic potential and phytopharmacology of tulsi. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences. 2012;3:1858-1867
  88. 88. Arnold H-J, Gulumian M. Pharmacopoeia of traditional medicine in Venda. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1984;12:35-74
  89. 89. Stafford GI, Pedersen PD, Jäger AK, Van Staden J. Monoamine oxidase inhibition by southern African traditional medicinal plants. South African Journal of Botany. 2007;73:384-390
  90. 90. Burzanska-Hermann Z, Rzadkowska-Bodalska H, Olechnowicz-Stepien W. Isolation and identification of flavonoid compounds of Mentha aquatica L. herb. Roczniki Chemii. 1977;51:701-709
  91. 91. Kadian R, Parle M. Evaluation of antipsychotic effect of Allium cepa. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014;12(3):1146-1159
  92. 92. Ogunmodede OS, Saalu LC, Ogunlade B, Akunna GG, Oyewopo AO. An evaluation of the hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials of onion (Allium cepa L.) on alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. International Journal of Pharmacology. 2012;8(1):21-29
  93. 93. Oyemitan IA, Olayera OA, Alabi A, Abass LA, Elusiyan CA, Oyedeji AO, Akanmu MA. Psychoneuropharmacological activities and chemical composition of essential oil of fresh fruits of Piper guineense (Piperaceae) in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2015;26(166):240-249
  94. 94. Okoye CN, Ochiogu IS, Agina OA, Ukamaka UE, Nwachukwu NO, Udeani IJ, Ifeanyi GE, Susan OD. Effect of methanolic fruit extract of Piper guineense on serum biochemical parameters and histomorphology of the liver and kidney of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). Notulae Scientia Biologicae. 2017;9(1):48-53. DOI: 10.15835/nsb919899
  95. 95. Van Wyk B-E, Van Oudtshoorn B, Gericke N. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Briza Publications; 1997
  96. 96. Tarique M, Siddiqui HH, Khushtar M, Rahman MA. Protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens Linn. leaves on indomethacin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. 2016;7(1):38-43
  97. 97. Soni P, Siddiqui AA, Dwivedi J, Soni V. Pharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as a potential medicinal tree: An overview. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2012;2(12):1002-1008
  98. 98. Khanra S, Khess CRJ, Srivastava N. Chronic non-fatal Datura abuse in a patient of schizophrenia: A case report. Addictive Behaviors. 2015;43:39-41
  99. 99. Machado DG, Neis VB, Balen GO, Colla A, Cunha MB, Pizzolatti MJ, Prediger RD, Rodrigues ALS. Antidepressant-like effect of ursolic acid isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis L. in mice: Evidence for the involvement of the dopaminergic system. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 2012;103(2):204-211
  100. 100. Kochanowska-karamyan AJ, Mark TH. Marine indole alkaloids: Potential new drug leads for the control of depression and anxiety. Chemical Reviews. 2010;110(8):4489-4497
  101. 101. Chung IW, Moore NA, Oh WK, O’neill MF, Ahn JS, Park JB, Kang UG, KIMYS. Behavioural pharmacology of polygalasaponins indicates potential antipsychotic efficacy. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 2002;71(1-2):191-195
  102. 102. Jin Z, Nana G, Xiao-rong L, Yu T, Jie X, Hong-Xia C, Rui X, Yun-feng L. The antidepressant-like pharmacological profile of yuanzhi-1, a novel serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. European Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2015;25(4):544-556
  103. 103. Tittel G, Wagner H, Bos R. Chemical composition of the essential oil from Melissa. Planta Medica. 1982;46:91-98
  104. 104. Perry N, Court G, Bidet N, Court J, Perry E. European herbs with cholinergic activities: Potential in dementia therapy. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 1996;11:1063-1069
  105. 105. Lozano VC, Armengaud C, Gauthier M. Memory impairment induced by cholinergic antagonists injected into the mushroom bodies of the honeybee. Journal of Comparative Physiology. 2001;187:249-254
  106. 106. Andretic R, Kim YC, Jones FS, Han KA, Greenspan RJ. Drosophila D1 dopamine receptor mediates caffeine-induced arousal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2008;105:20392-20397
  107. 107. Gritsai OB, Dubynin VA, Pilipenko VE, Petrov OP. Effects of peptide and non-peptide opioids on protective reaction of the cockroach Periplaneta americana in the “hot camera”. Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology. 2004;40:153-160
  108. 108. Tan J, Galligan JJ, Hollingworth RM. Agonist actions of neonicotinoids on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed by cockroach neurons. Neurotoxicology. 2007;28:829-842
  109. 109. Van den Beukel I, Van Kleef R, Oortgiesen M. Differential effects of physostigmine and organophosphates on nicotinic receptors in neuronal cells of different species. Neurotoxicology. 1998;19:777-787
  110. 110. Curb JD, Schneider K, Taylor JO, Maxwell M, Shulman N. Antihypertensive drug side effects in the hypertension detection and follow-up program. Hypertension. 1988;113(2):1151-1155
  111. 111. Halpern JH, Sewell RA. Hallucinogenic botanicals of America: A growing need for focused drug education and research. Life Sciences. 2005;78(5):519-526

Written By

Abdulwakeel Ayokun-nun Ajao, Saheed Sabiu, Fatai Oladunni Balogun, Damilare Adedayo Adekomi and Sefiu Adekilekun Saheed

Submitted: 28 February 2018 Reviewed: 15 June 2018 Published: 17 October 2018