Acupuncture treatment alleviated the depressive-like behavior in CUMS rats. Acupuncture treatment decreased levels of iNOS and NO in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in CUMS rats. Acupuncture treatment reduced expressions of COX-2 and PGE2 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in CUMS rats. Acupuncture treatment inhibited NF-κB activation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in CUMS rats.