In an unpredictable chronic mild stress model of depression, icariin restrains activation of the nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and elevation of IL-1β and caspase-1 protein levels in the rats’ hippocampus, as well as activation of NF-ĸB signaling and increase of oxidative-nitrosative stress markers [28]. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP3 and major depressive disorder.