Department of Biology, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530, USA.
Med Sci Monit. 2009 Nov;15(11):RA256-62.
Dietary supplements are widely used for desired effects on memory, insomnia, mood and anxiety. This review focuses on supplements which have anxiolytic or mild relaxation properties and enhance mood. For example, Kava (Piper methysticum) is reported to have anaxiolytic actions and to reduce tension through skeletal muscle relaxation. Dried passion flower (genus Passiflora) is reported to reduce insomnia and hysteria. Skullcap (genus Scutellaria), hops (Humulus lupulus), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root are all herbs reported as anaxiolytic calming agents. Further, extracts of Magnolia and Phellondendron bark are mild sedatives. Supplements such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), theanine, tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) are reported to promote relaxation. In general, these supplements appear to act as GABA receptor agonists or to boost GABA levels, although Kava inhibits both norephinephrine uptake and sodium and potassium channels and 5-HTP may act through elevation of serotonin. While questions remain in the literature regarding the medicinal value of these supplements in treating mood and anxiety disorders, based on cellular and animal studies as well as human clinical trials the literature supports a role for these preparations as useful alternatives in the management of the stress and anxiety of everyday life.
膳食补充剂被广泛用于改善记忆、失眠、情绪和焦虑等方面。本综述主要关注具有抗焦虑或轻度放松特性并能改善情绪的补充剂。例如，卡瓦（Piper methysticum）被报道具有抗焦虑作用，并通过骨骼肌肉放松来减轻紧张感。干燥的西番莲（Passiflora 属）被报道可以减少失眠和歇斯底里。黄芩（Scutellaria 属）、啤酒花（Humulus lupulus）、柠檬香脂（Melissa officinalis）和缬草根（Valeriana officinalis）都是被报道具有抗焦虑镇静作用的草药。此外，厚朴和黄皮树树皮的提取物也是温和的镇静剂。γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）、茶氨酸、色氨酸和 5-羟色氨酸（5-HTP）等补充剂被报道能促进放松。总的来说，这些补充剂似乎作为 GABA 受体激动剂或提高 GABA 水平发挥作用，尽管卡瓦抑制去甲肾上腺素摄取以及钠和钾通道，而 5-HTP 可能通过提高血清素起作用。虽然关于这些补充剂在治疗情绪和焦虑障碍方面的药用价值，文献中仍存在一些问题，但基于细胞和动物研究以及人类临床试验，文献支持这些制剂作为日常生活中应对压力和焦虑的有用替代品。
