Research progress on plant-derived bioactive compounds and late-life depression: from neuroprotective mechanisms to dietary patterns.

Late-life depression (LLD) represents a critical public health challenge, exerting a profound and detrimental impact on the health of older adults. Currently, dietary intervention is increasingly valued in the field of mental health. Various active components abundant in plant-based foods show great potential in preventing and alleviating depressive symptoms in the older adults. This narrative review aims to summarize the neuroprotective effects of major plant-derived bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids and other components, which are related to LLD. It also listed alkaloids and polysaccharides as potential plant-derived bioactive compounds for LLD. It focuses on elucidating the research progress of their mechanisms and dietary patterns, thereby providing a theoretical basis for dietary intervention in treating older adults who are over 60 years old. Future trials should integrate multi-omics and quantitative evaluation to inform personalized LLD dietary interventions.