Nrf2: An all-rounder in depression

The balance between oxidation and antioxidant is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Once disrupted, it can lead to various pathological outcomes and diseases, such as depression. Oxidative stress can result in or aggravate a battery of pathological processes including mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, auto-phagical disorder and ferroptosis, which have been found to be involved in the development of depression. Inhibition of oxidative stress and related pathological processes can help improve depression. In this regard, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the antioxidant defense system may play a pivotal role. Nrf2 activation can not only regulate the expression of a series of antioxidant genes that reduce oxidative stress and its damages, but also directly regulate the genes related to the above pathological processes to combat the corre-sponding alterations. Therefore, targeting Nrf2 has great potential for the treatment of depression. Activation of Nrf2 has antidepressant effect, but the specific mechanism remains to be elucidated. This article reviews the key role of Nrf2 in depression, focusing on the possible mechanisms of Nrf2 regulating oxidative stress and related pathological processes in depression treatment. Meanwhile, we summarize some natural and synthetic com-pounds targeting Nrf2 in depression therapy. All the above may provide new insights into targeting Nrf2 for the treatment of depression and provide a broad basis for clinical transformation.

Automated summary

The balance between oxidation and antioxidant is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, and disrupting this balance can lead to various pathological outcomes and diseases, including depression. This article focuses on the key role of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in depression and its regulatory mechanisms in oxidative stress and related pathological processes. The activation of Nrf2 has potential for the treatment of depression by regulating antioxidant genes and combating corresponding alterations.