Cordycepin Produces An Antidepressant Effect Via Activating Synaptic Plasticity / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Available antidepressants are based on the tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitor which were discovered more than sixteen years ago.These antidepressants were found to promote serotonin or noradrenaline function in the brain to produce a antidepressant effect.Although newer agents are more specific,but unfortunately,the issues of slower effect,low-response rate and side-effect are still unsolved.Cordycepin is the main effective component of Cordyceps Militaris which has been used as a Chinese herb and food for hundreds of years.This review summarizes the antidepressant effect and the involved mechanisms of Cordycepin,and provides a novel concept on the research and development of antidepressants by using Chinese herb.