Zhao Ruohan, Wang Jingwen, Chung Sookja Kim, Xu Baojun
Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Life Sciences, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong 519087, China.
Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
Pharmacol Res. 2025 Feb;212:107566. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107566. Epub 2024 Dec 31.
Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders, and due to its high prevalence and mortality rates, it imposes a significant disease burden. Contemporary treatments for depression involve various synthetic drugs, which have limitations such as side effects, single targets, and slow onset of action. Unlike synthetic medications, phytochemicals offer the benefits of a multi-target and multi-pathway mode of treatment for depression. In this literature review, we describe the pharmacological actions, experimental models, and clinical trials of the antidepressant effects of various phytochemicals. Additionally, we summarize the potential mechanisms by which these phytochemicals prevent depression, including regulating neurotransmitters and their receptors, the HPA axis, inflammatory responses, managing oxidative stress, neuroplasticity, and the gut microbiome. Phytochemicals exert therapeutic effects through multiple pathways and targets, making traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) a promising adjunctive antidepressant for the prevention, alleviation, and treatment of depression. Therefore, this review aims to provide robust evidence for subsequent research into developing phytochemical resources as effective antidepressant agents.
抑郁症是最常见的心理障碍之一，由于其高患病率和死亡率，它带来了重大的疾病负担。当代抑郁症治疗方法涉及各种合成药物，这些药物存在副作用、单一靶点和起效缓慢等局限性。与合成药物不同，植物化学物质为抑郁症提供了多靶点和多途径的治疗方式。在这篇文献综述中，我们描述了各种植物化学物质抗抑郁作用的药理作用、实验模型和临床试验。此外，我们总结了这些植物化学物质预防抑郁症的潜在机制，包括调节神经递质及其受体、下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺（HPA）轴、炎症反应、管理氧化应激、神经可塑性和肠道微生物群。植物化学物质通过多种途径和靶点发挥治疗作用，使中药成为预防、缓解和治疗抑郁症的有前景的辅助抗抑郁药。因此，本综述旨在为后续将植物化学物质资源开发为有效抗抑郁药的研究提供有力证据。
