Depression, a complex global disorder with unmet therapeutic needs, imposes profound societal burdens. Yueju Pill (YJP), a classic TCM formula targeting 'six stagnations', synergistically integrates f Show more
Depression, a complex global disorder with unmet therapeutic needs, imposes profound societal burdens. Yueju Pill (YJP), a classic TCM formula targeting 'six stagnations', synergistically integrates five herbs (Atractylodes, Cyperus, Ligusticum, Gardenia and Massa Medicata) to restore Qi-blood homeostasis. Contemporary evidence delineates its multitarget antidepressant efficacy: normalising monoaminergic neurotransmission and the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, potentiating neurotrophic support (BDNF/eEF2) for neuroplasticity, antagonising neuroinflammation via microglial M1-to-M2 polarisation and NF-κB/MAPK inhibition, mitigating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and enhancing synaptic plasticity through glial/neuronal gene regulation (e.g., GADD45g/PHGDH). This synthesis of TCM principles with mechanistic evidence positions YJP as a holistic, systems-level therapeutic candidate, advocating for rigorous clinical validation and integration into precision psychiatry. Show less
Exercise is a potent modulator of mental health, with accumulating evidence highlighting its ability to produce structural and functional changes in the brain. This review synthesizes findings across Show more
Exercise is a potent modulator of mental health, with accumulating evidence highlighting its ability to produce structural and functional changes in the brain. This review synthesizes findings across neurobiological, molecular, and systemic domains to explain how exercise improves outcomes in mood, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. We examine how exercise stimulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), regulates monoaminergic systems (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine), modulates inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, and promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The review also explores systemic mechanisms including the gut-brain axis, myokine signaling (e.g., irisin, cathepsin B), and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Furthermore, we discuss how exercise influences key psychological mechanisms, including emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and cognitive reappraisal, offering a translational bridge between physiology and psychotherapy. Understanding these overlapping mechanisms can guide clinicians in prescribing exercise as an evidence-based adjunct or standalone therapy for mental health disorders. This model of exercise as medicine has the potential to enhance both accessibility and efficacy of mental health care. Implications for clinical integration, mechanistic research, and policy development are discussed. Show less