Quite interesting results are shown by research into a number of remedies popular in the “non-traditional” medicine of several Asian countries (Japan, China, Korea) used for the therapy of nervous system disorders. The practice of their application and laboratory tests demonstrate a strong anti-aggressive effect. And we are talking not only about a general sedative effect. These remedies seem capable of restoring the correct functioning of the violence inhibition mechanism.
The first of these remedies is kamishoyosan (or Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan), which is a blend of 10 herbs very frequently prescribed in Asian countries for certain disorders. A recent study of its application in mice demonstrated a clear anti-aggressive effect, which is linked to the activation of serotonin 1A receptors and an overall improvement in the functioning of the serotonergic system responsible for the inhibition of violence. Of course, the exact mechanism of such an effect is not yet known; this needs to be clarified in future research. However, shogaol, which is contained in ginger—one of the components of the mixture—acts as a partial agonist of 1A receptors (a drug that activates them).
Another remedy with a similar effect is yokukansan (or YiganSan), which is a blend of 7 herbs. In its case, it has already been determined that the anti-aggressive effect is provided by the Uncaria herb, specifically its component—geissoshizinin methyl ether. This substance also works as an agonist of serotonin 1A receptors. The application of the mixture itself, as well as the herb extract and the active substance separately, showed no influence on the activity of the test subjects despite a significant anti-aggressive effect; that is, it is certainly not a matter of a simple general sedative effect.
The idea of pharmacological therapy for violent behavior through the restoration of the correct functioning of the serotonergic system and the violence inhibition mechanism has long revolved around the use of serotonin 1A and 1B receptor agonists. And it is possible that this therapy could be achieved even without synthesizing new chemical compounds, since such compounds are already present in a whole range of natural medicinal plants; it is only necessary to study their influence on the violence inhibitor.
In one of these or another natural remedy, there should be a substance that provides a sufficiently selective anti-aggressive effect without affecting unrelated neurophysiological functions. It is also possible that some of these remedies could be used without extracting a specific active substance, but in the form of an extract, tincture, or decoction, and this would be sufficient to produce a selective effect. Of course, all this still needs to be experimentally verified, but research in this direction has good prospects for the development of anti-aggressive agents, while also significantly reducing their cost and simplifying the process.
Furthermore, such research could once again confirm the concept of the violence inhibitor and greatly popularize it among the masses. Let us not forget that millions of people suffer daily from domestic and family violence, and in many cases, the source of the violence lives with them. This means the problem of victims of domestic violence could be solved quite simply—by adding tinctures and extracts of readily available herbs to the perpetrator’s food and drinks. If such an approach proves effective, these remedies could generally become widely used in the therapy of violent behavior.
