Chinese herbal medicine Zanthoxyli pericarpium (ZP), derived from the dried pericarp of Zanthoxylum schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc. or Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim., contains diverse bioactive constituents including volatile oils, alkaloids, amides, flavonoids and their glycosides, coumarins, and lignans. With a long history of clinical application in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ZP is renowned for its warming middle energizer, analgesic, insecticidal, and anti-pruritic properties. Recent studies have highlighted its remarkable therapeutic potential in brain health management, particularly the pharmacological effects of ZP and its active components on cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, anti-depressant activity, Alzheimer’s disease intervention, and pain relief, which have garnered significant scientific attention. This review comprehensively summarizes the neuroactive components, quality control methodologies, analytical techniques, brain health-improving pharmacological mechanisms, and associated therapeutic targets of ZP, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for its clinical application in preventing and treating brain health-related disorders.

Long-term consumption of a high-salt and high-fat western diet (WD) is closely associated with the development of metabolic diseases. Literature suggests that Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume (LR) may regulate intestinal flora to improve adverse reactions and even metabolic diseases caused by WD. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of LR on serum biochemical indexes and intestinal flora structure in mice fed WD. The experimental groups were divided into regular feed group (SD), WD feed group (WD), regular feed+ (18 g/kg) high-dose LR group (SRH), WD feed+(6 g/kg) low-dose LR group (WRL), WD feed + (12 g/kg) medium-dose LR group (WRM) and WD feed + (18 g/kg) high-dose LR group (WRH). Body weight was measured weekly throughout the experiment. After 10 weeks, the serum and colon contents were collected for analysis. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in mouse serum were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Additionally, microbial diversity in colon contents was assessed through 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. There were no significant changes in body weight, serum Glu, ALT, AST, TG, TC, and LDL-C of SRH mice. The abundance of Alloprovettella in the gut microbiota was increased, and the abundance of Lachnospiraceae was decreased. The body weight, Glu, ALT, AST, TG, TC, LDL-C of WD mice were increased significantly. The abundance of Erysipelotrichia, Proteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria in the gut microbiota were increased, and the abundance of Rikenellaceae, Alisipes, and Ruminococcaceae were decreased. Compared with WD mice, the body weight and serum AST content in WRL group (WD feed +6 g/kg LR i.g.), WRM group (WD feed +12 g/kg LR i.g.), and WRH group (WD feed+18 g/kg LR i.g.). were significantly decreased, ALT and TG in WRL group were significantly decreased, TC and LDL-C in WRM and WRH groups were significantly increased. The abundance of Ruminococcaceae was increased in WRL group, while the abundance of Bacilli and Lactobacillaceae were decreased. The abundance of Akkermansia, Deltaproteobacteria, Desulfovibrionaceae and Lachnoclostridlum in the intestinal flora of WRH group were increased with decreasing of Erysipelotrichia. In conclusion, drinking low concentrations of LR (less than 6 g/kg) can improve WD-induced intestinal microflora disorder, thus regulating triglycerides and transaminases. However, high concentrations of LR can aggravate WD-induced hypercholesterolemia, which may be related to increased abundance of cholesterol-related flora such as Desulfovibrionaceae. This experiment provides a scientific basis for different dietary groups to drink different concentrations of LR in a healthy way, and provides a new experimental idea for clinical research on the prevention of metabolic diseases caused by poor diet, such as hypercholesterolemia.