The Pharmacological Effects of Gastrodin and the Progress in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders.

Gastrodia elata Blume, a traditional medicinal herb primarily used in Asian countries such as China, has long been valued for treating headaches, dizziness, spasms, epilepsy, strokes, forgetfulness, and other ailments. Gastrodin, a glycoside analog and major bioactive component of Gastrodia elata Blume, has garnered significant scientific attention owing to its extensive pharmacological effects. It is commonly obtained through plant extraction, chemical synthesis, and biosynthesis. Gastrodin exhibits remarkable modulatory effects on the central nervous system (CNS), with promising applications in epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and affective and cognitive disorders. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of gastrodin has been extensively reviewed. As a small molecule drug, this study focused on its efficiency and molecular mechanisms in treating CNS disorders, aiming to elucidate its interactions with disease targets. This study provides valuable insights for its development and addresses the drawbacks of unclear pharmacological mechanisms in traditional Chinese medicine.