Research progress on mechanism of curcumin in treatment of depression
- VernacularTitle:姜黄素治疗抑郁症作用机制研究进展
- Author:
Lin WANG
1
;
Qi-fei PAN
;
Wen-juan LONG
;
Jia-rong DU
;
Zhong-yang HU
;
Xin-yao LI
;
Yi-shu CHEN
;
Dong-dong QIN
;
Xiao-man LYU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: curcumin; depression; mechanism of action; neu-rotransmitters; oxidative stress; neuroinflammation; HPA axis; neuroplasticity
- From: Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1618-1623
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Depression is a prevalent mental and emotional disor-der that often results in significant emotional disturbances,cog-nitive dysfunction,and memory impairments.It is characterized by a high incidence rate,a substantial disability burden,and limited therapeutic efficacy.Currently,the long-term use of medications for the treatment of depression can result in a range of adverse reactions,highlighting the urgent need to explore no-vel approaches that can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms while minimizing side effects.Curcumin,a natural polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric,demonstrates considerable potential in the prevention and treatment of depres-sion,owing to its diverse array of biological activities.In recent years,numerous studies have investigated the use of curcumin for the treatment of depression.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action underlying curcumin's efficacy in treating depression.Specifically,it focu-ses on its ability to improve neurotransmitter imbalances,restore neural plasticity,alleviate neural damage,mitigate dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,regulate in-flammatory factors and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways,and inhibit oxidative stress.This review is intended to offer in-sights and methodological references for basic research on curcu-min,as well as for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.
