A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress

Abstract Strains of Roseburia inulinivorans, Bacteroides uniformis, and Eubacterium rectale have exhibited multi-pathway therapeutic efficacy against anxiety and depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. However, the combined therapeutic effects of these strains rem...

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Main Authors: Chen Meng, Siyuan Feng, Zikai Hao, Hong Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00779-7
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author Chen Meng
Siyuan Feng
Zikai Hao
Hong Liu
author_facet Chen Meng
Siyuan Feng
Zikai Hao
Hong Liu
author_sort Chen Meng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Strains of Roseburia inulinivorans, Bacteroides uniformis, and Eubacterium rectale have exhibited multi-pathway therapeutic efficacy against anxiety and depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. However, the combined therapeutic effects of these strains remain to be elucidated. Behavioral tests showed that a mixture of these strains reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the mixtures decrease the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria within the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the mixture increased the levels of butyric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids in the gut and decreased pro-inflammatory factors in serum. It also lowered diamine oxidase, histamine in brain tissue, increased DL-kynurenine, and reduced cortisol secretion by the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. In summary, the mixture significantly alleviated anxiety and depression-like behaviors.
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spelling doaj-art-08c472b3ccf2444e8420e548ea59dec22025-08-20T04:01:53ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-07-0111111310.1038/s41522-025-00779-7A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stressChen Meng0Siyuan Feng1Zikai Hao2Hong Liu3Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityGraduate School of Medicine, Kyoto UniversityKey Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of TechnologyInstitute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang UniversityAbstract Strains of Roseburia inulinivorans, Bacteroides uniformis, and Eubacterium rectale have exhibited multi-pathway therapeutic efficacy against anxiety and depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. However, the combined therapeutic effects of these strains remain to be elucidated. Behavioral tests showed that a mixture of these strains reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the mixtures decrease the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria within the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the mixture increased the levels of butyric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids in the gut and decreased pro-inflammatory factors in serum. It also lowered diamine oxidase, histamine in brain tissue, increased DL-kynurenine, and reduced cortisol secretion by the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. In summary, the mixture significantly alleviated anxiety and depression-like behaviors.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00779-7
spellingShingle Chen Meng
Siyuan Feng
Zikai Hao
Hong Liu
A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
title A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
title_full A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
title_fullStr A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
title_full_unstemmed A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
title_short A combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
title_sort combination of potential psychobiotics alleviates anxiety and depression behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00779-7
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