From Grasses to Trees: Aromatic Plants as Natural Antidepressants Insights from Poaceae, Zingiberaceae, Lauraceae, and Rutaceae Families

抄録

This review synthesizes current findings on aromatic plants from the Poaceae, Zingiberaceae, Rutaceae, and Lauraceae families and their potential as plant-based bioresources for mental health applications. These families are rich in essential oils and secondary metabolites, including linalool, limonene, citronellal, and curcumin, which play key roles in mood regulation, oxidative stress control, and other neurochemical pathways. A systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2003–2025) examined preclinical and emerging clinical studies on the neuroprotective and mood-modulating effects of their extracts and essential oils.

The analysis highlights essential phytochemicals, proposed mechanisms of action, and variability in biological responses linked to plant species, chemical composition, and signaling pathways. Aromatic plants from these families demonstrate antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects, primarily through modulation of monoaminergic and GABAergic systems and regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways. However, most conclusions rely on preclinical data with limited clinical validation. Further research is needed to standardize chemical composition, optimize cultivation and harvesting practices, and establish safety and efficacy for broader agricultural and therapeutic applications.