Therapeutic Potential of Plant Alkaloids as Antidepressant

Depression represents an assorted mood disorder, which has been recognized as a global issue. According to statistics, the life style of millions of individuals is distorted by mental or behavioral disorder. Prompt medicinal intervention is extremely required in major depression as millions of patients are reported for suicidal attempt each year. In clinics, several synthetic agents are in practice for the treatment of various types of depression, but their uses have been facing several limitations like slow onsite of action, efficacy in wide-range patients, side effects/toxicity etc. Unlike synthetic therapeutics, phytopharmaceuticals are extensively used world-wide due to their diverse applications, efficacious, and minimum side effects which lead to patient compliance. The alkaloids are indeed the most widely distributed and studied plant secondary metabolites that have established therapeutic history. This book chapter is primarily based on preclinical studies of various isolated alkaloids, their underlying possible mechanism(s) where discussed, structural edges and future directions towards clinical trials for the discovery of new effective and acceptable antidepressants.

Keywords: Alkaloids, Antidepressant effects, Better pharmacokinetic profile, Candidates for clinical trials, Diverse efficacy, Future therapies, Lead compounds, Medicinal Plants, Natural antidepressant, Patient compliance, Preclinical studies, SAR studies, Underlying mechanisms, Various classes, Various families.