Antidepressant effects of artemisinin and its derivatives: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled animal studies
Abstract
Depression imposes a substantial global disease burden. Current pharmacotherapies are often limited by a delayed onset of action, significant adverse effects, and high costs. Preclinical studies have indicated that artemisinin and its derivatives possess neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties and have demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in rodent models. However, no meta-analysis has yet been performed on these preclinical rodent studies. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of artemisinin in rodent models of depression-like behavior and to identify potential factors influencing the variability in treatment effects.
This study systematically searched four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure), including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to May 2026. All data were statistically analyzed using a random-effects model, yielding standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on rodent species, depression-like modeling methods, intervention timing, duration, and frequency. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test, funnel plots, and trim-and-fill analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate result robustness. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool, and the overall certainty of evidence was evaluated…
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