Product Description
Gastrodin is a chemical compound which is the glucoside of gastrodigenin. It has been isolated from the orchid Gastrodia elata and from the rhizome of Galeola faberi. It can also be produced by biotransformation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde by Datura tatula cell cultures.
AI Product Description
*The following content is generated by AI and is for reference only.
Gastrodin, chemically known as 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol beta-D-glucopyranoside, is a primary bioactive phenolic glycoside isolated from the rhizomes of Gastrodia elata Blume, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely utilized for centuries. Its molecular formula is C13H18O7, and it carries the CAS registry number 20687-59-4. This compound serves as a critical standard marker for quality control in pharmaceutical preparations derived from Gastrodia elata.
Pharmacologically, Gastrodin exhibits a broad spectrum of therapeutic activities, primarily centered on the central nervous system. It is renowned for its neuroprotective effects, demonstrating significant potential in treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy, migraine, vertigo, and cognitive decline associated with aging or ischemic injury. The mechanism involves modulating neurotransmitter levels, particularly enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission while inhibiting excitatory amino acids like glutamate, thereby stabilizing neuronal membrane potentials and reducing seizure activity. Furthermore, Gastrodin possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help mitigate oxidative stress-induced cellular damage in brain tissues.
Beyond neurological applications, research suggests Gastrodin may offer cardiovascular benefits by improving microcirculation and protecting against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the commercial sector, it is extensively used as an active ingredient in dietary supplements and nutraceuticals aimed at supporting brain health, memory enhancement, and stress relief. The compound is also a key reference standard in analytical chemistry for verifying the purity and content of Gastrodia elata extracts in both domestic and international markets. Due to its high solubility in water and stability, Gastrodin is readily incorporated into various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. As global interest in natural medicines grows, Gastrodin stands out as a scientifically validated agent bridging traditional herbal wisdom with modern pharmacological understanding, offering promising avenues for developing novel therapies against complex neurodegenerative conditions.