The Therapeutic Effect of the Chinese Herbal Medicine, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder via Reversal of Structural Abnormalities in the Cortex

Figure 2

Schematic representation of our hypothesis. (a) The TCM theory argues that a physiological and pathological deficiency of the kidney essence is pivotal in the pathogenic exuberance of yang and debilitation of brain marrow, which is closely related to pathogenesis of ADHD. (b) Rehmanniae radix preparata is a classical Chinese herbal medicine that benefits the kidney essence, fills brain marrow, and enriches the blood. As the most frequently prescribed herb for treating ADHD, Rehmanniae radix preparata improves learning and memory and inhibits spontaneous activity in animal models via central inhibition, antioxidation, and antiaging. (c) Catalpol, an important active ingredient of Rehmanniae radix preparata, has several pharmacological properties, such as protecting growth factors, alleviating energy metabolism failure, and reducing neuronal apoptosis in many other neuropsychiatric disorders. (d) Dysregulation of transcription factors (TFs) and regulatory proteins (RPs), energy metabolism failure, and neuronal apoptosis are linked to neuronal developmental disorders and result in structural abnormalities in the cortex, which is associated with ADHD. Therefore, we propose that Rehmanniae radix preparata and catalpol are promising natural medicines for the treatment of ADHD.