Herbal biomolecules acting on central nervous system

Abstract The operation of the central nervous system (CNS) has been a mystery until recently when its structures are being linked to activity and/or pathologies. The drugs that influence the CNS were seen as spiritual manipulators, and often times they were used to invite the spirit into the human body. Researches have proven that these myths are unfounded and have provided explanations for the observed effect of the agents on the brain and human behavior. Most of the agents used to influence the brain in prescience ages were derived from plants. These actions of plant-related substances were termed as mystical. Science has unraveled the causes of the actions of plants on the CNS. The substances in plants that influence the brain are the biomolecules it contained. This chapter examines these biomolecules and their effects and mechanism of action. The biomolecules could produce stimulant, depressive, antidepressant, cognitive, toxic, and dependence effect on the brain. Substances like caffeine, cocaine, tobacco, ergot, opioids, etc., have been well studied to obtain an explanation for their effects on the brain and behavior. This review also revealed that biomolecules that influence the CNS does so by: acting as an agonist or antagonist at receptor sites, releasing neurotransmitters, inhibiting enzymes that are involved in neurotransmitter physiology, altering intracellular enzyme or protein levels, altering ion level in the brain, interacting with gamma aminobutyric acid receptors at different sites, or acting as precursor/false precursor for the synthesis of neurotransmitters. These effects could be beneficial or harmful to the human body. Some may result in the amelioration of disease or cure of CNS disease conditions. The beneficial effects of herbal biomolecules are indeed enormous and have contributed to the advancement of CNS science and the quantity of life of human race.