Hydrastis canadensis is a flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family of plants. Hydrastis canadensis is commonly called goldenseal. The plant is used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic effects and these may include significant effects on the central nervous system. A number of studies have investigated the effects of hydrastis canadensis on animal models of depression. For example, in one study, researchers administered dried root extracts of hydrastis canadensis to mice before exposing them to experimental stress. The results of the study showed that the root extracts were significantly effective at reducing the depressive-like behaviour in the animals. Phytochemical analysis of the root extract revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins, which may have been responsible for the antidepressant effects. One of the alkaloids present in hydrastis canadensis that may be responsible for its mood elevating effects is berberine. Berberine has been shown to have particular effects that could elevate mood.
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