Anxiety and depression are the major psychological disorders globally,
increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality and considerably leading to a
socioeconomic burden by 2030. Both disorders impact day-to-day life via several
symptoms (fear, insomnia, anorexia, irritability, loss of concentration, and inability to
think). The available treatment strategy for psychological disorders has shown major
adverse effects, which limits its use and paves the way for the development of the
herbal drug-based novel drug. Natural compounds are offered as the most contented
option because they possess very least side effects, are easily available, and are of low
cost with high therapeutic activity. In the present chapter, we focus on the
pharmacology of a plant polyphenol, Rosmarinic acid (RA), against psychological
disorders. Specific plant constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosmarinic acid) help
treat anxiety and depression by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators.
Other important targets, such as neurotransmitters (noradrenaline, 5-HT, and
dopamine), neuroendocrine (Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis), brain-derived
neurotrophic factor, T-type calcium channels, mitogen kinase protein-1, and
phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase 1 and 2 protein, are also involved in the
pathophysiology of psychological disorders (anxiety and depression). Thus, in this
chapter, we have illustrated the pharmacology of RA in major psychological disorders,
including anxiety and depression.
Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Psychological disorders, Rosmarinic acid.
