Formononetin ameliorates depression-like behaviors through rebalancing microglia M1/M2 polarization and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome: involvement of activating PPARα-mediated autophagy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The dysregulation of neuroinflammation triggered by imbalance of microglia M1/M2 polarization is a key pathogenic factor and closely associated with occurrence of depression. Formononetin (FMN), a natural non-steroidal isoflavonoid, has been confirmed to exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory efficacy, but the impact of FMN on depression and the underlying antidepressant mechanisms are still not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate whether the antidepressant effect of FMN is involved in modulating microglia polarization, and if so, what are the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive mice were used to study antidepressant mechanisms of FMN. Microglia cell line BV2 stimulated by LPS was employed to investigate pharmacol

SUBMITTER: Peng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12023581 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature