From molecular to clinical: research progress of multidimensional analysis and individualized treatment strategies of Chinese and Western medicine for heterogeneity of depression

Due to the differences in individual constitution and living environment of patients with depression, they are often accompanied with various complications, so there are significant differences in clinical manifestations and drug efficacy evaluation. Commonly used antidepressants are prone to cause serious adverse reactions, including cerebral hemorrhage, erectile dysfunction, withdrawal reaction, suicidal ideation, and increased behavioral risk. Based on the theories of traditional Chinese and Western medicines, this review comprehensively analyzes and summarizes the different types of depression and individual differences after administration, discusses in depth its different pathogenesis, and emphasizes the indispensability of studying the heterogeneity of depression for individualized treatment of patients. In addition, this paper also summarizes the strategies of Chinese and Western medicines in different stages of depression, providing guidance for scientific and detailed evaluation of patients, the treatments of different symptoms, the theoretical basis for the in-depth and comprehensive interpretation of the mechanism of depression, and the future directions for the clinical treatment of depression with the combined applications of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medicines.