Depressive disorder (a subclass of mental disorders) is characterized by persistent affective symptoms. Without timely therapeutic intervention, it leads to clinical deterioration manifested as reduced quality of life and may increase suicide risk in severe cases. Given its complex etiology, intertwined with intrinsic factors such as genetics and environment, and impacted by various issues such as first-pass effect and blood-brain barrier, the therapeutic efficacy of many antidepressant medications is limited for patients. Therefore, by delving into the exploration of novel antidepressant drugs and biomaterials, this review aims to offer fresh perspectives that may facilitate the discovery of innovative antidepressant medications and enhance their therapeutic outcomes. Notably, the review highlights polymers’ crucial role in enhancing antidepressants’ pharmacological efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties by optimizing their parameters, and they will undoubtedly become powerful tools in improving antidepressive outcomes in future research.

Microcos paniculata L. (ML) is an edible herbal tea plant with regional differences in flavor and bioactive quality. However, the chemical and microbial factors associated with these differences remain unclear. This study integrated HS-GC-Orbitrap-MS/MS, 16S rRNA sequencing, sensory evaluation, color analysis, and antioxidant assays to characterize ML samples from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan, China. Guangdong samples were characterized by the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and superior antioxidant capacity, whereas Yunnan samples showed the best sensory performance, particularly for aroma and taste attributes. A total of 133 volatile constituents were tentatively identified, mainly comprising olefins and cycloolefins, aromatic compounds, terpenes, alcohols, and ketones. Chemometric analysis revealed clear origin-dependent separation and identified 12 differential volatile compounds, including p-cymene, L-limonene, α-phellandrene, dimethyl sulfide, and ethylbenzene. Bacterial community analysis showed distinct origin-associated patterns, and several bacterial taxa were correlated with characteristic volatile compounds and quality traits. Functional prediction and multivariate correlation analysis suggested potential associations among environmental factors, bacterial communities, volatile metabolites, and antioxidant properties. These findings provide a foodomics-based framework for understanding geographical quality variation in ML and offer potential markers for origin traceability and quality evaluation of edible herbal tea resources.