Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of sal...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/488 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849733300505018368 |
|---|---|
| author | Dana Gabriela Budala Ionut Luchian Dragos Ioan Virvescu Teona Tudorici Vlad Constantin Zinovia Surlari Oana Butnaru Dan Nicolae Bosinceanu Cosmin Bida Monica Hancianu |
| author_facet | Dana Gabriela Budala Ionut Luchian Dragos Ioan Virvescu Teona Tudorici Vlad Constantin Zinovia Surlari Oana Butnaru Dan Nicolae Bosinceanu Cosmin Bida Monica Hancianu |
| author_sort | Dana Gabriela Budala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers to serve as non-invasive indicators for psychological distress. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key salivary biomarkers, cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), chromogranin A (CgA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs), in relation to anxiety, depression, and stress. A comprehensive literature search (2010–2025) was conducted using multiple databases and relevant MeSH terms. The review reveals consistent associations between these salivary analytes and stress-related disorders, reflecting changes in neuroendocrine activity, immune response, and neuroplasticity. Cortisol and sAA mirror acute stress reactivity, while cytokines and CRP indicate chronic inflammation. BDNF and miRNAs provide insight into neuroplastic dysfunction and gene regulation. Despite promising results, limitations such as variability in sampling methods and biomarker specificity remain. In conclusion, salivary biomarkers offer a promising avenue for early detection, monitoring, and personalization of treatment in mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: Cortisol and alpha-amylase serve as the principal markers of acute stress response, whereas cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, together with CRP, indicate chronic inflammation associated with extended emotional distress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bca0caaeb9e845d28b4f4f802fbc42e9 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-bca0caaeb9e845d28b4f4f802fbc42e92025-08-20T03:08:05ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-06-0147748810.3390/cimb47070488Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and StressDana Gabriela Budala0Ionut Luchian1Dragos Ioan Virvescu2Teona Tudorici3Vlad Constantin4Zinovia Surlari5Oana Butnaru6Dan Nicolae Bosinceanu7Cosmin Bida8Monica Hancianu9Department of Dentures, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Dentures, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Fixed Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Biophysics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Dentures, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Dentures, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaAnxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health disorders often associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and immune systems, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system. Recent research highlights the potential of salivary biomarkers to serve as non-invasive indicators for psychological distress. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on key salivary biomarkers, cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), chromogranin A (CgA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and salivary microRNAs (miRNAs), in relation to anxiety, depression, and stress. A comprehensive literature search (2010–2025) was conducted using multiple databases and relevant MeSH terms. The review reveals consistent associations between these salivary analytes and stress-related disorders, reflecting changes in neuroendocrine activity, immune response, and neuroplasticity. Cortisol and sAA mirror acute stress reactivity, while cytokines and CRP indicate chronic inflammation. BDNF and miRNAs provide insight into neuroplastic dysfunction and gene regulation. Despite promising results, limitations such as variability in sampling methods and biomarker specificity remain. In conclusion, salivary biomarkers offer a promising avenue for early detection, monitoring, and personalization of treatment in mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: Cortisol and alpha-amylase serve as the principal markers of acute stress response, whereas cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, together with CRP, indicate chronic inflammation associated with extended emotional distress.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/488salivabiomarkersstressanxietydepressioncortisol |
| spellingShingle | Dana Gabriela Budala Ionut Luchian Dragos Ioan Virvescu Teona Tudorici Vlad Constantin Zinovia Surlari Oana Butnaru Dan Nicolae Bosinceanu Cosmin Bida Monica Hancianu Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Current Issues in Molecular Biology saliva biomarkers stress anxiety depression cortisol |
| title | Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress |
| title_full | Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress |
| title_fullStr | Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress |
| title_short | Salivary Biomarkers as a Predictive Factor in Anxiety, Depression, and Stress |
| title_sort | salivary biomarkers as a predictive factor in anxiety depression and stress |
| topic | saliva biomarkers stress anxiety depression cortisol |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/7/488 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danagabrielabudala salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT ionutluchian salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT dragosioanvirvescu salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT teonatudorici salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT vladconstantin salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT zinoviasurlari salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT oanabutnaru salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT dannicolaebosinceanu salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT cosminbida salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress AT monicahancianu salivarybiomarkersasapredictivefactorinanxietydepressionandstress |