Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Microglia-neuron Interaction to Treat Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Depression： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260531
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控小胶质细胞-神经元互作治疗糖尿病合并抑郁症的机制进展
- Author:
Shuxia YAO
1
;
Hui YANG
1
;
Yuhong WANG
2
;
Hu TAN
1
;
Jian LIU
1
Author Information
1. The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410007， China
2. Hunan Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention & Treatment of Depressive Diseases， Changsha 410208， China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
diabetes mellitus complicated with depression;
microglia;
neuron;
traditional Chinese medicine;
mechanism
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(20):281-292
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The co-occurrence of diabetes mellitus complicated with depression （DD） is a clinically prevalent comorbidity characterized by complex pathogenesis and challenging therapeutic management， severely impairing patients' quality of life. Recent research indicates that dysregulation in microglia-neuron interaction plays a pivotal role in the pathological progression of DD. Sustained hyperglycemia can activate central microglia， promoting the activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3（NLRP3） inflammasome and the release of abundant pro-inflammatory cytokines， such as interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， which trigger neuroinflammation. This cascade leads to hippocampal neuronal damage， impaired synaptic plasticity， and neurotransmitter imbalances， ultimately exacerbating depressive-like behaviors. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） offers advantages in preventing and treating DD through its multi-component， multi-target， and holistic regulatory approach. TCM can intervene in excessive microglial activation and their aberrant interactions with neurons by modulating neurotrophic signaling pathways such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）/tyrosine receptor kinase B （TrkB）， suppressing neuroinflammation， preserving neuronal structure and function， regulating synaptic plasticity， and improving glucose and lipid metabolism， thereby exerting synergistic therapeutic effects. Focusing on the role of microglia-neuron interaction in the pathological progression of DD， this review systematically elaborates on the research progress of TCM in regulating this interactive process， providing new perspectives and potential targets for the clinical prevention and treatment of DD.
