Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis
Depression is commonly associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as constipation, which can potentially intensify depressive symptoms. The interplay between these conditions is believed to be facilitated by the gut-brain axis, which suggests a complex bidirectional interaction. Current t...
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Brain Research Bulletin |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036192302500019X |
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| author | Yi Chen Peihua Shen Qi Li Shun Seng Ong Yunzhi Qian Hai Lu Ming Li Tianshu Xu |
| author_facet | Yi Chen Peihua Shen Qi Li Shun Seng Ong Yunzhi Qian Hai Lu Ming Li Tianshu Xu |
| author_sort | Yi Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Depression is commonly associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as constipation, which can potentially intensify depressive symptoms. The interplay between these conditions is believed to be facilitated by the gut-brain axis, which suggests a complex bidirectional interaction. Current treatments, such as antidepressants and prokinetics, are often associated with side effects and high recurrence rates, highlighting the need for effective treatments targeting both depression and constipation. This study was designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in conjunction with Tongbian decoction (TB) for the management of both depression and constipation, while also investigating the underlying mechanisms through the lens of the gut-brain axis. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was employed to induce a comorbidity model of depression and constipation in mice, followed by the administration of EA, EA + TB, and fluoxetine (FLX). The findings of the study demonstrated that the antidepressant effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in combination with Tongbian decoction (TB) were more pronounced than those of EA alone. The EA + TB treatment significantly ameliorated depression and anxiety-like behaviors, restored cognitive function, and enhanced gastrointestinal motility in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. Furthermore, EA + TB reduced intestinal inflammation, restored neuronal morphology, increased the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in both the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and colon, elevated the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)—a molecule that acts as a gut-brain connector—and promoted the synthesis and production of serotonin (5-HT) in both the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Contrastingly, FLX showed limited efficacy in improving constipation. In conclusion, EA + TB regulates the TPH2/5-HT pathway via the gut-brain axis, demonstrating synergistic regulation of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems, with favorable antidepressant and prokinetic effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d7bcdfea0c44df1af0cfa466a3c54b6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1873-2747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Research Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj-art-1d7bcdfea0c44df1af0cfa466a3c54b62025-02-07T04:46:43ZengElsevierBrain Research Bulletin1873-27472025-02-01221111207Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axisYi Chen0Peihua Shen1Qi Li2Shun Seng Ong3Yunzhi Qian4Hai Lu5Ming Li6Tianshu Xu7Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; School of Elderly Care Services and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USADepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.Depression is commonly associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as constipation, which can potentially intensify depressive symptoms. The interplay between these conditions is believed to be facilitated by the gut-brain axis, which suggests a complex bidirectional interaction. Current treatments, such as antidepressants and prokinetics, are often associated with side effects and high recurrence rates, highlighting the need for effective treatments targeting both depression and constipation. This study was designed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in conjunction with Tongbian decoction (TB) for the management of both depression and constipation, while also investigating the underlying mechanisms through the lens of the gut-brain axis. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was employed to induce a comorbidity model of depression and constipation in mice, followed by the administration of EA, EA + TB, and fluoxetine (FLX). The findings of the study demonstrated that the antidepressant effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in combination with Tongbian decoction (TB) were more pronounced than those of EA alone. The EA + TB treatment significantly ameliorated depression and anxiety-like behaviors, restored cognitive function, and enhanced gastrointestinal motility in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. Furthermore, EA + TB reduced intestinal inflammation, restored neuronal morphology, increased the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) in both the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and colon, elevated the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)—a molecule that acts as a gut-brain connector—and promoted the synthesis and production of serotonin (5-HT) in both the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Contrastingly, FLX showed limited efficacy in improving constipation. In conclusion, EA + TB regulates the TPH2/5-HT pathway via the gut-brain axis, demonstrating synergistic regulation of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems, with favorable antidepressant and prokinetic effects.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036192302500019XElectroacupunctureTongbian decoctionCUMSConstipationTPH25-HT |
| spellingShingle | Yi Chen Peihua Shen Qi Li Shun Seng Ong Yunzhi Qian Hai Lu Ming Li Tianshu Xu Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis Brain Research Bulletin Electroacupuncture Tongbian decoction CUMS Constipation TPH2 5-HT |
| title | Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis |
| title_full | Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis |
| title_fullStr | Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis |
| title_short | Electroacupuncture and Tongbian decoction ameliorate CUMS-induced depression and constipation in mice via TPH2/5-HT pathway of the gut-brain axis |
| title_sort | electroacupuncture and tongbian decoction ameliorate cums induced depression and constipation in mice via tph2 5 ht pathway of the gut brain axis |
| topic | Electroacupuncture Tongbian decoction CUMS Constipation TPH2 5-HT |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036192302500019X |
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