肉苁蓉为列当科植物肉苁蓉Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma 或管花肉苁蓉C. tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight的干燥带鳞叶的肉质茎，具有补肾阳、益精血、润肠通便等功效，为著名的补益中药。现代药理学研究证 实，肉苁蓉具有显著的神经保护作用，其抗抑郁作用也于近年来得到证实，但其抗抑郁活性物质基础及机制尚 未得到充分阐明。我们依据肉苁蓉的传统功效进行了抑郁活性及体内外代谢研究，在此进行研究思路总结，为 后期肉苁蓉抗抑郁功效相关药物开发提供数据和参考。

Cistanches Herba is officially recorded as the dried succulent stems of Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma and C. tubulosa (Schrenk) R. Wight used for the treatment of kidney deficiency, impotence, female infertility, morbid leucorrhea, profuse metrorrhagia, and senile constipation. Pharmacological investigations have indicated that Cistanches Herba possesses a broad range of biological activities including antioxidative, neuroprotective, and cardioactive effects. Recently, Cistanches Herba has been identified for its antidepressant effect, however, its substancial base and pharmacological mechanism were not clearly elucidated yet. In this paper, the antidepressant effect of Cistanches Herba, and its gastrointestinal metabolism were reviewed. It would provide data and reference for the development of drugs related to the antidepressant effect.

国家科技部重点研发计划中医药现代化研究重点专项（2017YFC1702400）：中药肉苁蓉大品种开发与产业化，负责人：姜勇