ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCEAnemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (AP) is a synergistic drug combination used to treat depression. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeuticeffects of AP requires further elucidation.AIM OF THE STUDYTo investigate the potential of AP in the treatment of depression and its mechanism of action.METHODS AND METHODSThe depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and treated with different doses of AP. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology methods were used to analyze the composition and potential targets of AP. Molecular docking, affinity ultrafiltration (AUF) and cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA) techniques were used to analyze the interaction between AP components and key targets. The therapeutic effects of AP active ingredients were explored in LPS-induced cell models.RESULTSAP ameliorated CUMS-induced despair behaviors, regulate M1/M2 phenotypic balance of microglia and reduced neuroinflammation. Then, A total of 10 brain components were identified in the mPFC of CUMS rats. Based on these chemical compositions, PTGS2 was found to be at the core of the regulatory network through network analysis. All components of AP had good interaction with PTGS2, among which Neomangiferin and PTGS2 had the strongest binding capacity. AP can decrease PTGS2 activity, decrease PGE2 production and EP2 expression downstream, and reduce inflammatory response. In LPS-induced BV2 cells, Neomangiferin regulated the imbalance of M1/M2 microglia, reduced the release of pro-inflammatory factors, and decreased the expression of PTGS2, PEG2, EP2, cAMP, and Epac1.CONCLUSIONAP improves the potential therapeutic benefits of depression by targeting the PTGS2 signaling pathway, thereby promoting the wider use of AP in depression.