The role of traditional Chinese medicine in alleviating neuropsychiatric disorders via the gut microbiota.

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and major depressive disorder, has been rising annually, imposing a significant burden on social and economic development. Although current therapeutic interventions can mitigate symptoms, a comprehensive understanding of the complex etiologies underlying these disorders remains elusive. This suggests that exploring the mechanisms of these disorders from a holistic perspective may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is primarily composed of natural compounds, often associated with fewer side effects, and its holistic treatment philosophy. These advantages have led to its widespread use in alleviating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the specific mechanisms through which orally administered TCM interacts with the nervous system to exert therapeutic effects remain undefined. Numerous studies have suggested that these effects may be linked to gastrointestinal absorption and metabolism, particularly the interactions between TCM and gut microbiota. On one hand, TCM can regulate the balance of the gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in the progression of many neuropsychiatric diseases. On the other hand, TCM is metabolized by gut microbiota into key bioactive molecules, which then exert their alleviating effects on neuropsychiatric disorders through specific signaling pathways. This review will elucidate the interactions between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and neuropsychiatric disorders through the perspectives of neurological, immune, and endocrine-metabolic pathways. Furthermore, it will summarize the current clinical applications and therapeutic potentials of single TCM herbs, herbal formulas, and bioactive compounds, based on the microbiota-gut-brain axis theory, in alleviating major neuropsychiatric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]