Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a neuropsychiatric disease characterized by an abundance of undesired ideas and
thoughts associated with recurrent episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. Alterations in the circuits,
including the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and limbic system, regulate mood and cause variation in several crucial
neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate. Imbalances in dopamine levels
have been implicated in the manic phase, while variance in serotonin is linked to depressive episodes. The precise
pathophysiology of bipolar disorder is still unknown. Though different treatments are available, like lithium,
risperidone, valproic acid, etc., which are widely used, they come with certain limitations, including narrow
therapeutic index, hypothyroidism, weight gain, extrapyramidal symptoms, etc. The interest in herbal-
based treatments for bipolar disorder arises from the desire for alternative, potentially more natural, and
holistic approaches with fewer side effects. The current review focuses on the potential effects of herbal drugs
and their derivatives to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Keywords:
Bipolar disorder, herbal drugs, neurotransmitters, pharmacological mechanisms, depression, anxiety.
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