Natural bioactives in mental health: mechanistic insights and clinical prospects for depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, imposing a substantial burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and society. Despite advances in pharmacological and psychological treatments, many patients experience inadequate responses, adverse effects, or limited access to care. Consequently, there is growing interest in natural bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and microbiome-derived metabolites, as potential complementary or alternative therapeutic approaches. Emerging evidence suggests that these compounds may modulate key biological pathways implicated in affective disorders, such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter signaling, neuroplasticity, and gut–brain axis communication. However, significant challenges remain in translating promising preclinical findings into clinically effective interventions. This research topic aims to bridge the gap between molecular mechanisms, experimental studies, and clinical applications, providing a comprehensive overview of the current evidence and future directions for the development of natural bioactive compounds in the prevention and management of depression and anxiety.Depression and anxiety disorders remain leading causes of disability worldwide, yet many patients do not achieve adequate outcomes with current treatments. Natural bioactive compounds have emerged as promising candidates due to their effects on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuroplasticity, and gut–brain axis signaling. However, a major challenge is the translational gap between promising preclinical findings and clinically validated interventions. Recent advances in nutritional psychiatry, microbiome science, multi-omics technologies, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine offer new opportunities to bridge this gap. This Research Topic aims to integrate mechanistic, translational, and clinical evidence to accelerate the development of effective, evidence-based natural therapeutics. We are particularly interested in:- Molecular mechanisms underlying depression and anxiety- Neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation- Gut–brain axis and microbiome-derived metabolites- Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction- Neuroplasticity and neurogenesis- Epigenetic regulation- Natural polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, cannabinoids, omega-3 fatty acids- Nutraceuticals and functional foods- Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability- Translational animal models- Biomarker discovery- Precision nutrition and personalized medicine- Clinical trials and evidence synthesis- Regulatory and safety considerations Topic editors: Terezia Kiskova-Simkova, Elisabetta Coppi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85181/natural-bioactives-in-mental-health-mechanistic-insights-and-clinical-prospects-for-depression-and-anxiety