Cannabinoids have a major therapeutic value in a variety of disorders. The concepts of cannabinoids are difficult to develop, but they can be used and are advantageous for a number of diseases that are not sufficiently managed by existing treatments. Nanoconjugation and encapsulation techniques have been shown to be effective in improving the delivery and the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs that are poorly soluble in water. Because the bioavailability of cannabinoids is low, the challenge is to explore different administration methods to improve their effectiveness. Because cannabinoids cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), they modify the negative effects of inflammatory processes on the BBB and may be a key factor in the improvement of BBB function after ischemic disease or other conditions. This review discusses various types of cannabinoid administration, as well as nanotechnologies used to improve the bioavailability of these compounds in CNS diseases.

Atranorin (ATR) is one of lichens’ many known secondary metabolites. Most current studies have investigated the various effects of ATR in vitro and only sporadically in vivo. The latest data indicate that ATR may have anxiolytic/antidepressive effects. This study aimed to analyze the potential of ATR in a depression-like state in male Wistar rats. Pregnant females were stressed by restricting their mobility in the final week of pregnancy three times a day for 45 min each, for three following days. After birth, progeny aged 60 days was stressed repeatedly. The male progeny was divided into three groups as follows: CTR group as a healthy control (n = 10), DEP group as a progeny of restricted mothers (n = 10), and ATR group as a progeny of restricted mothers, treated daily for one month with ATR (n = 10; 10 mg/kg of body weight, p.o.). Our results show that ATR acts as an antioxidant and markedly changes animal behavior. Concomitantly, hippocampal neurogenesis increases in the hilus and subgranular zone, together with the number of NeuN mature neurons in the hilus and CA1 regions. Our results indicate a potential antidepressant/anxiolytic effect of ATR. However, further studies in this area are needed.

The incidence of anxiety and depression disorders is increasing worldwide. There is an increasing incidence of hard-to-treat depression with various aspects of origin. Almost 80% of people prefer to use natural remedies and supplements as their primary healthcare solution. Not surprisingly, around one-third of drugs were inspired by nature. Over the past three decades, the use of such remedies has increased significantly. Synthetic antidepressants may cause various negative side effects, whereas herbal medicines are favored because of their ability to relieve symptoms with minimal to no side effects and lower financial burden. This review provides an overview of herbs and biologically active compounds used to treat depression.

Since postnatal neurogenesis was revealed to have significant implications for cognition and neurological health, researchers have been increasingly exploring the impact of natural compounds on this process, aiming to uncover strategies for enhancing brain plasticity. This review provides an overview of postnatal neurogenesis, neurogenic zones, and disorders characterized by suppressed neurogenesis and neurogenesis-stimulating bioactive compounds. Examining recent studies, this review underscores the multifaceted effects of natural compounds on postnatal neurogenesis. In essence, understanding the interplay between postnatal neurogenesis and natural compounds could bring novel insights into brain health interventions. Exploiting the therapeutic abilities of these compounds may unlock innovative approaches to enhance cognitive function, mitigate neurodegenerative diseases, and promote overall brain well-being.

Gyrophoric acid (GA) is a secondary metabolite of various lichens. It exhibits various biological activities in vitro, but only one study has been carried out in vivo. Because our previous study showed that GA stimulates neurogenesis in healthy rats, the current study aimed to explore the potential of GA during stress-induced depressive-like states in male Wistar rats. In the experiment, pregnant females were used. In the last week of pregnancy, females were subjected to restraint stress. After birth, progeny aged 60 days were stressed repeatedly. The males were divided into three groups: control animals (CTR; n = 10), males with a depression-like state (DEP; n = 10), and GA-treated animals (GA; n = 10). GA males were treated with GA (per os 10 mg/kg) daily for one month, starting from the 60th postnatal day. Our results indicate that GA acts as an antioxidant, as shown by a lowered ROS level in leukocytes (p < 0.01). Moreover, it prolonged the time spent in open arms in the elevated plus maze (p < 0.001). Concomitantly, the stimulation of proliferative activity in hippocampal regions was seen (hilus p < 0.01; subgranular zone p < 0.001) when compared with DEP males. Additionally, the number of mature neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus increased markedly (p < 0.01), indicating the role of GA in the maturation process of neurons. Thus, our study points to the potential anxiolytic/antidepressant activity of GA. However, future studies are needed in this complex area.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite their relatively low incidence. Advances in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification have emphasized the integration of histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features, fundamentally transforming diagnostic and prognostic frameworks in neuro-oncology. This manuscript aims to provide an overview of CNS tumor biology, focusing on key diagnostic markers, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and emerging therapeutic strategies. It further describes recent advances in multi-omics approaches and artificial intelligence, which enable deeper characterization of tumor heterogeneity and support the development of precision medicine strategies. Finally, current and emerging therapeutic modalities, including combination therapies, targeted treatments, and novel molecular targets, are examined with emphasis on overcoming resistance mechanisms and improving clinical outcomes. Overall, the integration of molecular biology, advanced diagnostics, and innovative therapeutic approaches represents a critical step toward personalized management of CNS tumors and improved patient survival.