Angelica sinensis is commonly called Dong Quai or female ginseng. Dong Quai is a traditional Chinese medicine, and the plant that contains a number of phytochemicals that give it particular pharmacological effects which include an ability to modulate correct female reproductive function. However, the phytochemicals in Dong Quai may also provide it with mood elevating properties that include the ability to treat anxiety and depression. The phytochemistry of the plant is complex, but a number of phytochemicals have been isolated and identified. Dong Quai contains flavonoids, trace elements, vitamins and amino acids, as well as a volatile oil. This oil contains a number of components that may explain the mood elevating properties of the plant including a group of chemicals called phthalides. Phthalides may have particular effects on the central nervous system and experiments with animals suggest that they may be able to alter mood and improve negative emotional states in animals exposed to stress.
The root of Dong Quai is used medicinally for its healing properties. One component of the plant is a group of chemicals called phthalides, which are found in the volatile oil it produces. The key phthalides in Dong Quai are ligustilide (E and Z), butylidenephthalide (E and Z), butylphthalide, senkyunolide A-I, senkyunolide P, senkyunolide K, levistolide A, riligustilide, tokinolide B, and neocnidilide. The phthalides may have particular anti-inflammatory effects and this may explain their ability to module the central nervous system, as stress related inflammation in the brain is a primary cause of mood disorders. Ligustilide may also be neuroprotective, perhaps because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Image is of the chemical structure of ligustilide.
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Wei, W. L., Zeng, R., Gu, C. M., Qu, Y. and Huang, L. F. 2016. Angelica sinensis in China-A review of botanical profile, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and chemical analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 190: 116-141
Feng, Z., Lu, Y., Wu, X., Zhao, P., Li, J., Peng, B., Qian, Z. and Zhu, L. 2012. Ligustilide alleviates brain damage and improves cognitive function in rats of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 144(2): 313-321
