Current Issues

Depression is a multifactorial psychiatric disorder with profound global public health implications, often marked by complex neurobiological alterations including neurotransmitter imbalances, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and impaired neuroplasticity. Despite the availability of conventional antidepressants, limitations such as delayed onset of action, adverse effects, and poor patient adherence have necessitated the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. Herbal medicines, long utilized in traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Unani, offer a promising avenue due to their multi-targeted mechanisms, favorable safety profiles, and historical use. Phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins found in herbs have demonstrated antidepressant activity through modulation of neurotransmission, neurotrophic signaling, and oxidative pathways. Advanced drug delivery systems (DDS), including lipid-based carriers, nanoparticles, and liposomes, have emerged as powerful tools to enhance pharmacokinetics, brain targeting, and controlled release of herbal actives. This review critically examines the neurobiology of depression, highlights well-studied herbal candidates, discusses pharmacokinetic barriers, and emphasizes the role of modern DDS in improving therapeutic outcomes. It also explores combination therapy strategies and the growing relevance of personalized herbal medicine in psychiatric care.

Keyword: Depression; Herbal Medicine; Phytoconstituents; Advanced Drug Delivery Systems (DDS); Nanoparticle