POMC and major depressive disorder: To test whether DD had a rapid and stable anti-anxiety effect, two rodent models of depression (LH and CMS models) were used to verify whether the antidepressant effects of daidzein were associated with the rectification of HPA axis hyperactivity (represented by increased serum levels of ACTH and corticosterone) and the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.