Upregulation of A20 and TAX1BP1 contributes to the anti-neuroinflammatory and antidepressant effects of bavachalcone

•Bavachalcone improved LPS-induced depressive-like behavior in mice.•Bavachalcone exerted an inhibitory effect on the activation of microglia in the brain of mice.•Bavachalcone inhibited LPS-induced TRAF6 expression and NF-κB activation in BV2 cells and brain of mice.•Bavachalcone upregulated the expression of A20 and TAX1BP1 and increased their interaction effect.•Downregulation of A20 and TAX1BP1 expression attenuated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of bavachalcone.