Phytomedicines in preclinical and clinical research on antipsychotics-induced EPS/EPS-like behaviors: therapeutic effects and neurobiological mechanisms - Report - MDSpire

Phytomedicines in preclinical and clinical research on antipsychotics-induced EPS/EPS-like behaviors: therapeutic effects and neurobiological mechanisms

  • By

  • Ziwen Wang

  • Huicong Shi

  • Chengbin Guan

  • Xin-Min Li

  • Haiyun Xu

  • June 19, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Herbal Medicines in the Prevention and Treatment of EPS

Background

Extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) is a significant side effect of antipsychotic medications, leading to movement disorders that can severely impact patient quality of life. The management of EPS is challenging, as current treatments often do not fully prevent these symptoms. Understanding alternative therapies, such as herbal medicines, is crucial.

Data Highlights

Most studies reviewed are animal studies demonstrating that herbal medicines can prevent or improve EPS-like behaviors. Some clinical research indicates beneficial effects of herbal medicines on EPS in patients with schizophrenia.

Key Findings

  • Herbal medicines have shown potential in preventing and treating EPS induced by antipsychotic drugs.
  • Neurobiological mechanisms include regulating monoaminergic neurotransmission and alleviating oxidative stress.
  • Herbal treatments may help maintain mitochondrial function and suppress neuroinflammation.
  • Combination therapy of herbal medicines with antipsychotics may enhance treatment efficacy for EPS.
  • Existing clinical research supports the use of phytomedicines alongside traditional antipsychotic therapies.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the use of phytomedicines while monitoring for efficacy and safety.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that herbal medicines could play a role in the prevention and management of EPS.

Related Resources & Content

  1. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Prevalence and associated factors of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms in the Tigray region
  2. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Systematic review of animal studies on the use of herbal medicine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
  3. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Assessing the metabolic impact of aripiprazole versus risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial
  4. Tardive Dyskinesia - StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
  5. Extrapyramidal Side Effects - StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
  6. Frontiers in Psychiatry — The consequences of antipsychotic medication use for people living with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  7. Phytomedicines in Preclinical and Clinical Research on Antipsychotics-induced EPS/EPS-like Behaviors: Therapeutic Effects and Neurobiological Mechanisms
  8. Tardive Dyskinesia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
  9. Extrapyramidal Side Effects - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
  10. A European perspective on tardive dyskinesia - ScienceDirect
  11. Comparative Efficacy and Acceptability of Treatment Strategies for Antipsychotic-Induced Akathisia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis | Schizophrenia Bulletin | Oxford Academic
  12. "Ginkgo biloba for Tardive Dyskinesia and Plasma MnSOD Activity: Associ" by Dongmei Wang, Yang Tian et al.

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