Current standing of plant derived flavonoids as an antidepressant

Depression, a multifactorial brain disorder, is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Several strategies have been developed to counteract the main symptoms and disorders. However, the treatments are usually associated with different side effects or poor effect. For that reason, new necessary approaches are emerging; among them, natural products are good alternatives since no interactions have been described up to now. Flavonoids have been related to antidepressant effects in cell lines and animal models by their action on the amine mechanisms protecting the neuroendocrine and immune systems. The current review includes an approach of some of the main results related to the action of flavonoids on depression found in the literature and a short view of the possible mechanisms involved. Thus, it highlights the potential emerging candidates with strong antidepressant effects which could be effective new compounds. •Depression is a multifactorial brain disorder.•Poor results are achieved with classical treatments with heterogenic clinical results.•Natural products are an alternative for depression treatment.•Flavonoid antidepressant effects are mainly related to the increase in the bioamine content.