title: Gastrodia elata and epilepsy: Rationale and therapeutic potential.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata) is a traditional Chinese herb used for centuries in folk medicine. Due to the claimed anticonvulsant properties of G. elata, it is expected that this herb continues to be a target of research, aiming to deepen the available knowledge on its biological activity and safety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current review aims to discuss the most recent advances on the elucidation of the phytochemical composition and anticonvulsant potential of G. elata.
  
  
  METHODS
  Available literature was reviewed from PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Science Direct, using combinations of the following keywords: Gastrodia elata, tianma, epilepsy, anticonvulsant and pharmacokinetics. Abstracts and full texts were evaluated for their clarity and scientific merit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G. elata rhizome, as well as specific phenolic compounds isolated from this herb, have demonstrated anticonvulsant potential in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models. The pharmacological mechanisms potentially involved in the anticonvulsant activity have been extensively studied, being similar to the known mechanisms claimed for the available antiepileptic drugs. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of the main bioactive component of G. elata (gastrodin) has also been studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to its recognised therapeutic properties, G. elata has gained an increasing interest within the scientific community and, therefore, new medicinal preparations containing G. elata rhizome itself or its bioactive components are expected to be developed in the coming years. Moreover, specific phytochemical constituents isolated from G. elata may also be considered to integrate programs of discovery and development of new anticonvulsant drug candidates.
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Amílcar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d'Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: gilberto@fcsaude.ubi.pt.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001592:Benzyl Alcohols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D031668:Gastrodia / Q000737:chemistry*; D005960:Glucosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001592:Benzyl Alcohols; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005960:Glucosides; D010636:Phenols; C045345:gastrodin
keywords: Anticonvulsant properties; Epilepsy; Gastrodia elata; Gastrodin; Phenolic compounds