Aging is an inevitable process of life. This process involves a series of degenerative changes in tissues and organ functions with advancing age. Studies on aging and anti-aging medicines have made significant progress in recent years. Therefore, anti-aging drugs are a current and prominent issue in gerontology. The aging process reflects a confluence of in vivo and in vitro factors. Aging is closely related to type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and AD. Aging is also related to the decreased regeneration of cells, viscera deficiency, increased free radicals, body poisoning, and lack of rhythm when eating (Lopez-Otin et al., 2013). Aging is an inevitable process, but delaying this process is now possible.

Several historical Chinese herbal pharmacopeias describe that Cistanches Herba possesses anti-aging properties. PhGs and oligosaccharides are two types compounds isolated from Cistanches Herba that are the main active ingredients of this plant. In vivo studies established an aging mouse model caused by D-galactose. The mice were divided into normal control, model, Vitamin E and total glycoside groups, and all groups received different doses of various materials. The results suggested that the glycosides exhibited protective effects on the hippocampal ultrastructure, and glycosides may play a role in the delay of aging and the prevention and treatment of senile dementia via anti-oxidation (Wang X. et al., 2015). Xu et al. investigated the protective effect of Cistanches Herba alcohol extract on hepatic mitochondria and established an aging rat model caused by D-galactose. Rats were administered Cistanches Herba alcohol extract for 6 weeks. The results indicated that Ca²⁺-ATP enzyme activity was enhanced, and the MDA content in the hepatic mitochondria was reduced. These results further suggested that the Cistanches Herba alcohol extract effectively protected hepatic mitochondria in the D-galactose aging rat model (Xu et al., 2007). Xu and Liu (2008) examined the anti-aging effect of PhGs isolated from Cistanches Herba. The results confirmed that the PhGs improved learning and memory, exhibited antioxidant activity, and boosted the immune system. The results also demonstrated that the PhGs exhibited anti-aging effects via enhancement of anti-oxidation. The mechanism may be related to the free radical scavenging ability of PhGs. Polysaccharides of Cistanches Herba exhibit the same function as PhGs on anti-aging (Xu et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2011). Zhang et al. (2014) also investigated a Cistanches Herba extraction 2014 and found that this extract extended life span. The results of studies on echinacoside and acteoside suggest that these components exhibit positive anti-aging effects (Zhang et al., 2008; Xie et al., 2009). Many studies of anti-aging involve Cistanches Herba, but these works are limited because the anti-aging mechanism is not known. There are three possible pathways to anti-aging, including improving immunity function and kidney aging, anti-lipid peroxidation. Immune theory of aging said that the decline of immune function is closely related to the aging organism. Thus, the immune function of the body can indirectly reflect the aging organism in a certain extent. The raised index of thymus and spleen, increased content of IFN-γin serum and decreased content of IL-6, increased capacity of peritoneal macrophage phagocytic and lymphocyte proliferation response always can improve the immunity aging, and then delay the organism aging. The expression of p53 from human fibroblastic cell down-regulated significantly in a dose dependent manner after treatment with echinacoside, and which may be correlated with the up-regulation of SIRT1. The PhGs can scavenge different ROS, including. O2–, H₂O₂ and ⋅OH, effectively and protect DNA damage through scavenging ⋅OH. In addition, the PhGs also can increase the content of RNS- NO, and then reduce the lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the real effective components of Cistanches Herba and what a role in anti-aging are important and appealing future research directions.

Cistanches Herba exhibits anti-oxidative, free radical-scavenging and anti-apoptotic activity via different mechanisms. Recent studies demonstrated the anti-oxidant activity of Cistanches Herba, particularly in the clearing of all types of free radicals in vivo and in vitro, improvement in the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes in the body, and inhibition of the formation of lipid peroxide, MDA, and brown fat (Wang et al., 2001; Wu and Fu, 2004; Luo et al., 2012; Song, 2013). Current studies demonstrated that cell apoptosis or programmed cell death is determined by heredity and is related to oxidation (Martin, 2011). Deng used the MTT assay to examine cell survival rate, agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA, and flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis. The results suggested that the echinacoside extracted from Cistanches Herba exhibited protective effects on TNFα-induced SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis (Deng et al., 2005). Nerve cell protection exhibits a close connection with the reduction of active oxygen levels in cells, inhibition of caspasc-3 activity and maintenance of a high-energy state of mitochondrial membrane potential. Bao et al. (2010) investigated an extract of Cistanche tubulosa and discussed its anti-oxidant ability. These researchers conducted an in vitro study to compare the anti-oxidative properties of methanol and ethanol extracts. The results suggested that the two extracts exhibited high anti-oxidant ability, and 70% ethanol was the best extraction agent of C. tubulosa to ensure improved anti-oxidant activity (Bao et al., 2010). The PhGs from Cistanches Herba are considered the effective ingredients for anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activity in recent studies. The anti-oxidant mechanism is mainly related to the radical-scavenging activity. PhGs compounds, which are mostly provided with different amounts of phenolic hydroxyl, can be used as hydrogen donor to reductive radicals, and then reach to the purpose of radical scavenging. The Cistanches Herba scavenge the free radicals mainly in two ways, including directly involving in the removal of free radicals or blocking their production and regulating the anti-oxidant enzymes related to the free radical metabolism in vivo, such as SOD, CAT and GPX (Ko and Leung, 2007). For another, the Glycosides of Cistanches Herba can prevent the apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons by inhibiting the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8. Therefore, the good oxidation resistance and anti-aging ability of Cistanches Herba may be applied to cosmetics. This application may be a new research direction in the future.

Learning and memory are advanced functions of the brain, and these functions are important factors in determining intelligence. Learning and memory impairment is a common symptom in different types of encephalopathy, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in childhood, adolescent chorea, lobar atrophy disease, neurosis, senile cerebral arteriosclerosis, and dementia. Medicinal research demonstrated that the impairment of learning and memory is closely related to the impairment of synaptic transmission in the brain and the metabolism of neurotransmitters, other substances, and energy in the brain (Chen, 1993). Modern pharmacological studies determined that Cistanches Herba significantly improves learning and memory, and PhGs are the active chemical ingredients of this effect.

Traditional Chinese medicine shows that learning and memory dysfunction exists in the Yang deficiency model of the spleen and kidney. Therefore, these two models are more suitable for the study of tonics in traditional Chinese medicine. Gao et al. (2005) examined the effects of Cistanches Herba glycosides on the learning and memory of kidney Yang deficiency mice. The results of this study demonstrated that the Yang deficiency symptoms of each dose group improved, and the number of animal deaths decreased significantly. However, the jumping latency of each dose group after hydrocortisone administration was significantly prolonged, and the number of errors during a 5-min period was reduced. Therefore, glycosides improved the learning and memory of kidney Yang deficiency mice induced by hydrocortisone and reduced the death rate of these animals (Gao et al., 2005). The current researchers established a scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment mouse model to investigate the effects of the PhGs of Cistanches Herba. The results demonstrated that the PhGs of Cistanches Herba enhanced learning and memory (Li, 2011; Liu et al., 2011). Choi et al. (2011) also demonstrated that Cistanches Herba enhanced learning and memory via the induction of nerve growth factor. Vary factors related to cerebrovascular disease induce vascular dementia. This condition is an acquired intelligence-damaging syndrome of cognitive impairment, which is a primary type of senile dementia. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease occurs frequently in many cerebrovascular diseases induced by vascular dementia. Traditional medicine and modern pharmacology demonstrated that PhGs play an active role in neuroprotection (Feng et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2013; Zhu et al., 2013; Zhang, 2014). The reason why Cistanches Herba extract can improve learning and memory is partly due to neuronal cell differentiation, neurite outgrowth and presynaptic formation promoted. Cistanches Herba also improved cognitive behavior related to memory ability. Therefore, Cistanches Herba is a potential candidate for cognitive enhancement owing to its action as a nerve growth factor modulator. However, extensive research is necessary to discover the neuroprotective mechanism deeply. Further studies to determine the specific type of PhGs are expected to play a leading role in improving learning and addressing memory impairment.

Alois Alzheimer originally described AD in 1906 based on his observations of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and vascular anomalies during the autopsy of August Deter, a patient who died with severe cognitive defects. AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affected more than 30 million people worldwide in 2010 (Williams et al., 2011). The pathogenesis of this disease is complex and not completely understood. However, several potential causative factors were proposed, including cholinergic neurons, Aβ toxicity, tau protein, insulin, and free radical damage. Considerable attention was devoted recently to inflammation, insulin, oxidative imbalance, and gene mutation hypotheses (Verma et al., 2016) (Figure 3). Numerous drugs reduce the symptoms of AD, but no cure has been developed. Drugs that treat AD currently include six major classes: cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists, neurotrophic factors, drugs that promote nerve cell metabolism, neuroprotective agents, and traditional Chinese medicine (Deardorff and Grossberg, 2016).

Studies of traditional Chinese medicine suggest that Cistanches Herba has positive effects on the treatment of AD. An in vitro study of the effects of Cistanches Herba in quinolinic acid-reduced AD mouse model determined that the content of MDA and calciumin brain tissue was reduced, the activity of SOD and GSH-Px improved, and the activity of acetylcholinesterase E and the apoptosis rate of brain cells was depressed. These results suggest that the glycosides of Cistanches Herba enhance learning and memory and protect the brain from damage. The mechanism may be related to the enhanced free removal of enzyme activity, reduced lipid oxidation reaction, lower brain tissue calcium content and the inhibition of apoptosis of brain cells induced by QA (Liu et al., 2005). Liu et al. established an AD mouse model in 2006 using a one-time microinjection of β-AP_25-35, which reduced β-AP deposition in the brain. Repeated administration of glycosides of Cistanche for 10 days reduced the MDA content and apoptosis rate of brain cells, improved SOD and GSH-Px, weakened Bax expression, and enhanced Bc-l2 expression. Bax weakening and enhanced Bc-l2 may induce the enhanced free removal of enzyme activity, reduced lipid oxidation reaction and inhibition of apoptosis of brain cells (Liu et al., 2006). Luo et al. also used the AD mouse model induced by the subcutaneous injection of aluminum chloride and demonstrated that Cistanches Herba enhanced learning and memory. The mechanism is closely connected with anti-oxidation (Luo et al., 2007). The previously mentioned models of AD were established using different methods. However, the results consistently illustrated that Cistanches Herba glycosides significantly improved learning and memory impairments in the brain. Studies also suggested that the underlying mechanism of these glycosides related to anti-oxidative actions, enhancement of free radical scavenging activity and inhibition of brain cell apoptosis. Luo, Gao and Wu et al. (Luo et al., 2010, 2013; Ying et al., 2014) conducted similar experiments and revealed that various components of Cistanches Herba, including glycosides, extract, echinacoside, and acteoside, exhibit active anti-AD effects to varying degrees (Supplementary Table S1). The mechanisms related to anti-AD including free radical scavenging activity enhancement, lipid peroxidation improvement, apoptosis inhibition, the production of active oxygen decrease and apoptotic signal pathway regulating. Additionally, previous research have studied the mechanism from the point of proteomics that the echinacoside can reduce the over-expression of biliverdin reductase B, which suggest that the anti-oxidative activity of echinacoside can reduce the increasing of biliverdin reductase B induced by oxidative stress and protect the dopaminergic neurons from oxidative stress injury. However, the real cause of AD and the resistance mechanism of Cistanches Herba need us spend more efforts to explore.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and a consequent reduction in striatal dopamine levels in the brain. PD is one of the most common diseases in the elderly. The clinical manifestations of this disease include hypokinesia, skeletal muscle tension, and resting muscle tremor. British doctor James Ba Jinsen (Parkinson) first described this unusual group of symptoms in 1817, and the disorder was eventually named after him. PD is second only to AD as the most common degenerative disease, which exhibits an incidence rate of 1–2% of people aged 65 years and older and increases with advancing age. Neuropathological hallmarks of PD were described extensively, but its etiology is not defined. Genetic and environmental factors may play a pivotal role in the causes of PD. Previous studies demonstrated that oxidative stress, a cellular dysfunction between the production and scavenging of free radicals, was the primary mechanism of the associated with neuronal death (Liu et al., 2014; Wen and Wang, 2014; Huang, 2015; Lin et al., 2015; Ma, 2015; Ou et al., 2015; Peng and Bai, 2015; Wen and Xu, 2015). The most extensively used of PD mouse model is produced via the systemic administration of the neurotoxin MPTP. MPTP is switched on by monoamine oxidase B within non-dopaminergic cells, predominantly glial cells, to its active metabolite 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺), which enters dopaminergic neurons through the dopamine transporter. The accumulation of MPP⁺ in the substantia nigra pars compacta neurons inhibits complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which ultimately leads to cell death (Geng et al., 2007). The in vivo study demonstrated that campneoide and tubuloside B of Cistanches Herba protected neurons from MPP⁺-induced apoptosis (Pu et al., 2001; Sheng et al., 2002). Geng et al. (2004) investigated the neuroprotective effects of PhGs from Cistanches salsa against MPTP-induced dopaminergic toxicity in C57 mice and demonstrated that echinacoside improved the behavioral defects of PD mice. The PhGs could be attractive candidates against some typical neurological diseases, such as PD. Chen et al. investigated the echinacoside of Cistanches salsa and demonstrated that this natural phenol may be useful in PD prevention and treatment (Chen et al., 2007).

Parkinson’s disease has received significant attention, but this disease is not fully understood. Cure is not available because of the complex etiology and pathogenesis of PD, and the therapeutic tool for this disease is primarily drug treatment. However, long-term drug use likely results in serious side effects. Therefore, a treatment that combines Chinese and Western medicines is important. Further research on PD pathogenesis and therapeutic tool is necessary to reduce the side effects of drugs and obtain good treatment effects.