Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Depression Based on Signaling Pathway Regulation： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20241612
- VernacularTitle:基于信号通路调控探讨中医药干预抑郁症的研究进展
- Author:
Jinjiang XU
1
;
Li WU
1
;
Qi ZHANG
1
;
Yasheng DENG
1
;
Jingjing XIE
1
;
Haobin CHEN
1
;
En ZHAO
1
;
Man ZHANG
2
;
Jianye DAI
3
Author Information
1. Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine， Nanning 530001， China
2. The First Affiliated Hospital Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine， Nanning 530200， China
3. Fangchenggang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine， Fangchenggang 538000， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
depression;
signaling pathway;
neurobiology;
Chinese medicine;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(5):319-328
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels， but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex， and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression， involving multiple pathways， including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （TLR4/NLRP3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （MAPK/ERK）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B （BDNF/TrkB）， cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein （cAMP/PKA/CREB）， and others. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes， regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems， involving liver Qi stagnation， heart spirit deficiency， kidney essence depletion， and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver， strengthening the spleen， calming the heart， and replenishing essence， with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan， Zishui Qinggan Yin， and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi， such as salidroside， ginsenoside Rb1， astragaloside， and muscone. External TCM treatments， primarily acupuncture， aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui， Shenting， and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally， massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression， aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.
