Effects of MMP8 inhibitors on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced neuroinflammation and depressive-like behavior：exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms

M8I effectively alleviates CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors by modulating the TNF-α/TNFR1/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and suppressing astrocytes and microglia activation, thereby attenuating inflammatory responses, oxidative stress pathways, and apoptosis-related processes. These findings provide novel insights into M8I as a potential therapeutic strategy for depression and futher elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects.