gastrodin

Gastrodin is a natural small molecule and the main bioactive component of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Gastrodia elata (Tianma). Chemically, it is the glucoside of gastrodigenin (4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol). Gastrodin exerts significant pharmacological effects on the central nervous system, including sedation, improvement of sleep quality, neuroprotection, and analgesia. It has demonstrated efficacy in treating neurological disorders such as migraine, epilepsy, cognitive impairment, emotional disorders (such as anxiety and depression), neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer's disease), and neurasthenia. Additional pharmacological activities include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vascular protective effects; blood sugar lowering; lipid regulation; analgesic; anticancer; and antiviral properties. Mechanistically, gastrodin modulates multiple signaling pathways such as Nrf2/ARE (antioxidant response), NF-κB (anti-inflammatory), PI3K/AKT/mTOR (cell survival/neuroprotection), AMPK (metabolic regulation), and may influence neurotransmitter systems including serotoninergic pathways. Gastrodin can be extracted from G. elata or synthesized chemically or via biosynthesis.

Brand names

gastrodin

Other names

4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol glucosideTianma active ingredientGAS