Plant-Based Antidepressants: An Overview of Bioactive Compounds and Screening Strategies

Depression is a complicated mental illness that affects mood, cognition, and neuroendocrine function. Despite the widespread use of synthetic antidepressants, their limited efficacy, delayed onset of action, and adverse effects underscore the need for safer and more effective substitutes. Therefore, it appears vital to find effective treatments with sufficient efficacy, fewer side effects, and a cheaper cost. Phytoconstituents, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic acids, exhibit antidepressant potential by altering monoaminergic neurotransmission, reestablishing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. All of these pathways were found to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. All things considered, though, plant-based substances provide a promising foundation for the methodical and scientific creation of next-generation antidepressant therapies. Keywords: Depression; Antidepressants, medicinal plants, herbal medicine, bioactive compounds