Polygala tenuifolia - Chinese Senega, Yuan Zhi

The methanol fraction of an ethanolic extract from the roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. showed antagonistic action on neurotoxicity induced by glutamate and serum deficiency in PC12 cells. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of six new triterpenoid saponins, onjisaponins V - Z, and Vg (1 - 6), together with ten known saponins (7 - 16). The structures of 1 - 6 were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Screening results indicated that compounds 1 - 16 showed neuroprotective effects against serum deficiency and glutamate at the concentration of 10-5 mol/L.

"Triterpenoid Saponins with Neuroprotective Effects from the Roots of Polygala tenuifolia" Planta Medica 2008; 74: 133-141

http://0-www.thieme-connect.com.library.ne.../s-2008-1034296

* amnesia

* anxiety, often combined with the herbs Kava, Passionflower, Schisandra and Zizyphus

* constrained emotions

* dream-disturbed sleep, often combined with the herb Schisandra

* excessive brooding

* fear, often combined with the herb Schisandra

* forgetfulness

* insomnia, often combined with the herb Schisandra

* mental disorientation

* neuresthenia, often combined with the herb Schisandra

* palpitations, often combined with the herbs Kava, Passionflower, Schisandra and Zizyphus

* pent-up emotional states

* restlessness

Interesting, I wonder what the mechanism of protection from glutamate toxicity is? Is it an NMDA receptor antagonist? NMDA receptor antagonists include things like ethanol, K, PCP, DXM, Ibogaine etc. Not only this, but some NDMA antagonists have other actions on GABA, 5HT and opioid receptors.

More research needed.