# Natural Compounds and Their Potential in Eating-Related Aspects of Mental Health Disorders

## TL;DR

This paper reviews natural compounds from specific plants that may help treat eating disorders and mental health issues, offering new drug development possibilities.

## Contribution

The paper identifies and summarizes the potential of specific natural compounds and mixtures for mental health and eating-related disorders.

## Key findings

- Natural compounds from Rosmarinus officinalis, Ginkgo biloba, and others show promise for mental health and eating disorders.
- Compound mixtures and individual ingredients may offer new treatment and drug development opportunities.
- Methodological advancements are proposed to improve the efficacy of these natural compounds.

## Abstract

Background and Objectives: Mental health and healthy eating are inextricably linked by bi-directional interaction. As pharmacological interventions for eating disorders and mental illness have limited efficacy and are associated with significant side effects, natural compounds traditionally used in these fields represent an extremely rich source for potential future drugs. This review aims to summarise complex and/or specific pharmacological and clinical effects of mixed compositions and individual compounds derived from Rosmarinus officinalis, Ginkgo biloba, and Bupleurum chinense as well as from Berberis vulgaris and other berberine (BBR)-containing plants, which have been traditionally used for eating and mental health purposes. Results and Conclusions: The data on favoured natural compounds and main ingredients of compound mixtures presented here could provide new impetus for preventive or targeted supplementary treatment, potential drug development, and the design of new compound congeners with improved target spectrum and potency in mental health disorders and eating-related issues. Contemporary methodological development steps in this direction are then proposed.