Microbiota basis of antidepressant effects of Zhi-zi-chi Decoction: <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> and gut microbiota metabolism.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Zhi-zi-chi Decoction (ZZCD) is a classical antidepressant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula. However, the microbiological basis of its antidepressant effects remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial basis of ZZCD.

Methods

The bacteria that exhibit enhanced growth in ZZCD extracts were identified through in vitro culture. A depressed rat model was subsequently established to assess the antidepressant effects of the bacteria. A GC-MS-based metabolomics approach and molecular docking simulation were employed to investigate the potential mechanism of the antidepressant effects of the bacteria from the perspective of changes in the metabolic profile of the gut microbiota. Finally, the antioxidant effects of gut microb

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702427 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature