Nervous breakdown is one of the most common and debilitating mental disorders of our time. While conventional treatments include psychotropic drugs, behavioural therapies and innovative treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, some researchers are now looking at natural compounds such as hesperidin, a flavonoid found in Daflon, to treat the condition. But can Daflon really cure nervous breakdown?
When should you take Daflon?
Daflon is a drug in the vasculoprotective and venotonic class, used to improve blood circulation in the veins and protect capillaries. It is prescribed as part of the symptomatic treatment of haemorrhoid attacks and disorders associated with poor venous or lymphatic circulation, such as heavy legs, pain and impatience.
Daflon contains two main active ingredients: diosmin and hesperidin. Diosmin, present at a level of 450 mg in a 500 mg tablet, is a flavonoid known for its beneficial effects on venous circulation. Hesperidin, a flavonoid found in smaller quantities (50 mg in a 500 mg tablet), is widely studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
Daflon tablets are commonly used for two main indications:
- Haemorrhoid attacks: Daflon helps relieve the symptoms associated with haemorrhoids by reducing inflammation and stimulating venous return.
- Venous insufficiency: for people suffering from poor venous circulation, such as heavy legs and oedema, this medicine helps to improve circulation, thereby reducing discomfort and associated symptoms.
What is hesperidin?
Hesperidin is a flavonoid, a natural compound found mainly in citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties have aroused growing interest in the field of neuropharmacology. This flavonoid is used in medicines such as Daflon, which is mainly prescribed for venous disorders, but its effects on the brain and central nervous system are being explored more and more.
How does hesperidin affect the central nervous system?
Hesperidin has shown promising effects in protecting neurons against oxidative stress and inflammation. These two processes play a key role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders and mood disorders such as nervous breakdown. Hesperidin acts mainly via molecular pathways such as the Nrf2/ARE pathway, responsible for activating the brain’s antioxidant defences.
In addition, studies have shown that hesperidin is capable of increasing the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein essential to the survival of neurons, which is often reduced in depressed patients. Finally, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α has also been observed, which could contribute to an improvement in depressive symptoms.
The effects of hesperidin on depression
Preclinical research in animal models shows that hesperidin has antidepressant effects by reducing immobility in forced swimming tests, a commonly used indicator of depression in rodents. This action is partly due to hesperidin’s ability to modulate serotonin receptors (5-HT1A), a pathway well known for its antidepressant effects.
Another key mechanism is the activation of the PKA/CREB/BDNF pathway, which promotes neuroplasticity, i.e. the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganise its neuronal connections in response to stress or inflammation. By boosting this capacity, hesperidin could help restore neuronal functions impaired by depression.
Despite the encouraging results of preclinical studies, few clinical studies have been carried out on the direct effect of hesperidin in the treatment of depression in humans. Further research is therefore needed to confirm its efficacy and assess the long-term safety of hesperidin in patients suffering from nervous breakdown. However, given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hesperidin could well become a promising natural adjunct to existing therapies for depression.
Its cognitive benefits also need to be explored, as hesperidin also appears to improve memory and cognitive function, which could be a valuable asset in the treatment of mood disorders associated with cognitive deficits.
Sources
- The benefits of hesperidin in central nervous system disorders, based on the neuroprotective effect Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Volume 159, March 2023, 114222 - Atoki, A. V., Aja, P. M., Shinkafi, T. S., Ondari, E. N., & Awuchi, C. G. (2023). Hesperidin plays beneficial roles in disorders associated with the central nervous system: a review. International Journal of Food Properties, 26(1), 1867-1884. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2023.2236327
