Evidence has demonstrated that some pathways involved in oxidative stress and inflammation are altered in depressive disorder， but the exact mechanism is still unclear. The nuclear factor erythroid-2- related factor 2（Nrf2） is the common transcription factor of the inflammatory response and antioxidant pathways， which may lead to an intrinsic imbalance between the two and thus play a key role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorder. This article reviews the research progress of the role of Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidative stress and immuno-inflammatory regulation in the etiology and treatment mechanism of depression， so as to provide new theoretical basis for further development of the etiology of this disease.