Abstract
- Background
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a prominent, aromatic evergreen bushy shrub native to the Mediterranean basin and sub-Himalayan regions, boasting a long and rich history in traditional folk medicine. Historically, traditional practitioners have utilized rosemary preparations as a natural antispasmodic, mild analgesic, and restorative remedy for intercostal neuralgia, headaches, migraines, insomnia, emotional distress, and depressive states. Contemporary pharmacological investigations have increasingly focused on elucidating its extensive neuropharmacological profile. Preclinical evidence establishes that rosemary possesses significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, antinociceptive, and robust neuroprotective properties, alongside clinically relevant modulatory effects on human mood, learning, memory, pain perception, anxiety, and sleep architecture. This comprehensive review was designed to synthesize current literature examining the neuropharmacological actions of diverse rosemary extracts and isolated active constituents on central nervous system (CNS) disorders, delineate their underlying molecular mechanisms, and outline directions for future preclinical and clinical therapeutic discovery.
- Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted across major English-language electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, with no publication time limitations. The search strategy utilized targeted keywords and Boolean combinations, including 'Rosmarinus officinalis', 'rosemary', 'nervous system', 'depression', 'memory', 'Alzheimer's disease', 'epilepsy', 'addiction', 'neuropathic pain', and 'disorders'. All relevant primary research articles, review abstracts, and academic texts encompassing both in vitro cellular models and in vivo animal investigations were systematically evaluated and integrated into the review.
- Results
The synthesized literature authenticates rosemary as a valuable botanical resource exhibiting multifaceted therapeutic properties targeting neurological and psychiatric conditions:
Analgesic & Anti-inflammatory Efficacy: Rosemary extracts consistently demonstrate potent peripheral and central antinociceptive properties, effectively mitigating inflammatory pain pathways and reducing systemic tissue inflammation.
Anxiolytic & Mood Regulation: Phytochemical constituents exert pronounced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioral adaptations, modulating emotional reactivity and mitigating stress-related affective disturbances.
Cognitive Enhancement & Memory Boosting: Administration of rosemary significantly enhances learning parameters and memory retention, mediated through cholinergic preservation, antioxidant defense upregulation, and synaptic plasticity support.
Targeted Biomolecules & Drug Discovery: The review highlights key isolated constituents—specifically carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and specialized essential oil fractions—as the primary pharmacologically active agents capable of inspiring novel, low-adverse-effect therapeutics for individuals suffering from complex nervous system disorders.
- Conclusions
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) emerges as a scientifically validated, high-value botanical source possessing profound anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, and memory-boosting properties. By providing deep insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of isolated active constituents like carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, this comprehensive evaluation lays a strong foundational framework for future drug discovery initiatives aimed at alleviating nervous system disorders with minimized side effect profiles.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7491497/