Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is mainly derived from the dried tuber of the Papaveraceae plant Corydalis, also called Corydalis B, which is a drug with analgesic, hypnotic, sedative and other effects. Methamphetamine (METH) belongs to the central nervous stimulant and is a highly addictive drug. It is an urgent problem to study the mechanism of methamphetamine neurotoxicity and to search for the therapeutic targets of the METH addiction. This review is aimed to discuss the pharmacological mechanism and the protective effects of l-THP on METH-induced neurotoxicity, and to explore the therapeutic prospects of l-THP for METH addiction to provide an innovative application of l-THP in clinic. It was found that exposure to METH leads to the compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior, which is ultimately resulted in METH addiction and neurotoxicity. L-THP has the inhibitory effects on the incidence, maintenance and relapse of METH addiction. L-THP can effectively enhance the plasticity of nerve cells and improve the function of nerve cells where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its pathways play a protective role. Therefore, l-THP has the potential to become an important therapeutic drug for METH addiction and neurotoxicity.

左旋四氢巴马汀（l-THP）主要来源于罂粟科植物延胡索的干燥块茎，又称延胡索B，是一种具有镇痛、催眠、镇静等作用的药物。甲基苯丙胺（METH）属于中枢神经兴奋剂，是一种极易上瘾的药物。研究甲基苯丙胺的神经毒性机制并寻找甲基苯丙胺成瘾的治疗靶点是一个紧迫的问题。本综述旨在探讨l-THP对METH诱导的神经毒性的药理机制和保护作用，探讨l-THP对METH成瘾的治疗前景，为l-THP在临床上的创新应用提供思路。研究发现，接触 METH 会导致强迫性的寻药和吸毒行为，这最终导致 METH 成瘾和神经毒性。L-THP对METH成瘾的发生、维持和复发具有抑制作用。L-THP能有效增强神经细胞的可塑性，改善神经细胞的功能，其中脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）及其通路起保护作用。因此，l-THP 有可能成为 METH 成瘾和神经毒性的重要治疗药物。