The protective effect of hypericin on postpartum depression rat model by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulating glucocorticoid metabolism

•Clarified the mechanism of hypericin on PPD via neuroinflammatory pathways.•Anti-depressive effects of synthetic and natural antidepressants were compared.•Assessment of animal behavior shows that hypericin can improve PPD condition.•Neuroinflammatory factors, hippocampal neuron damage were investigated.•The changes in ER expression and glucocorticoid metabolism levels were evaluated.