USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION: AN TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION

Studies with medicinal plants are growing due to their ability to produce molecules with therapeutic potential, being used for various therapeutic purposes. Many biological activities attributed to plants have been confirmed, such as those acting in the central nervous system used to treat and/or prevent psychosocial disorders as anxiety and depression. In this context, the aim of this study was to perform a technological prospection of the use of medicinal plants for the treatment and/or prevention of anxiety disorders using a mapping of patent databases in the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patents Office (EPO) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The international classification most common in this survey was A61K, which is related to preparations with medical, dental or sanitary aims. Majority of deposited patents was made in the last five years. Japan and China are the most common trustees.