RESUMO
With the rapid development of economy and lives, people suffer from more and more chronical stress than before. Stress may affect cognitive function in brain, and even cause a depressive disorder, including impaired learning memory, depression, dysmnesia and so on. However, the pathogenesis remains unclear. Present study shows that it may result from neurotransmitter disorders, free radical damage, neuronal apoptosis, immune system suppression and other factors. Recently, the usage of traditional herbs has provided us a prospective alternative in the treatment of depression because of their better compliance and lower side effects. This review introuduces the effects of several natural antioxidants (curcumin, procyanidins etc.) on regularing depression and learning-memory, as well as the mechanism.