Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood and anhedonia as core symptoms. Its global prevalence continues to rise, imposing a substantial disease burden on society. The pathological mechanisms encompass multiple facets,  including neuroinflammation, impaired neuroplasticity and hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)  axis, and imbalance of monoamine neurotransmitters. Active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) demonstrate unique therapeutic value in antidepressant treatmentowing to their multi-target, multi-pathway integrative  modulatory advantages. This review systematically summarizes the molecular pathways underlying the antidepressant effects  of TCM active ingredients, with a focus on neuroinflammation intervention and other related mechanisms, and outlines the mechanisms of classical antidepressant TCM formulations, providing a theoretical basis for modern research on TCM-based antidepressant therapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, Depression, Neuroinflammation, Molecular mechanism