Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment

Abstract Depression, a major global health issue, is closely associated with imbalances in gut microbiota and altered intestinal functions. This study investigates the antidepressant potential of a composite of Geniposide (GP) and Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC), focusing on its effects on the gut-b...

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Main Authors: Tianyu Zou, Xiang Tang, Haiping Wang, Xiaolong Shang, Xiaoyu Liang, Xuemiao Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07934-y
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author Tianyu Zou
Xiang Tang
Haiping Wang
Xiaolong Shang
Xiaoyu Liang
Xuemiao Ma
author_facet Tianyu Zou
Xiang Tang
Haiping Wang
Xiaolong Shang
Xiaoyu Liang
Xuemiao Ma
author_sort Tianyu Zou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Depression, a major global health issue, is closely associated with imbalances in gut microbiota and altered intestinal functions. This study investigates the antidepressant potential of a composite of Geniposide (GP) and Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC), focusing on its effects on the gut-brain axis. Utilizing network pharmacology, GP was identified as a key compound targeting the BCL2 gene in depression management. Experimental approaches, including a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in mice, cellular assays, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), were used to evaluate the composite’s effectiveness. Results indicate that GP activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway by upregulating BCL2, enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, and balancing gut flora. These mechanisms contribute to its positive effects on hippocampal function and depressive-like behaviors in mice, suggesting that the GP-NCC composite could be a promising avenue for developing depression therapies that target gut health.
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spelling doaj-art-d0ca796a0c4b49d6a740c35b50fc01502025-08-20T02:19:57ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-04-018112210.1038/s42003-025-07934-yNanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatmentTianyu Zou0Xiang Tang1Haiping Wang2Xiaolong Shang3Xiaoyu Liang4Xuemiao Ma5Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Encephalopathy, Shenzhen Luohu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shenzhen Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Abstract Depression, a major global health issue, is closely associated with imbalances in gut microbiota and altered intestinal functions. This study investigates the antidepressant potential of a composite of Geniposide (GP) and Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC), focusing on its effects on the gut-brain axis. Utilizing network pharmacology, GP was identified as a key compound targeting the BCL2 gene in depression management. Experimental approaches, including a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in mice, cellular assays, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), were used to evaluate the composite’s effectiveness. Results indicate that GP activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway by upregulating BCL2, enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, and balancing gut flora. These mechanisms contribute to its positive effects on hippocampal function and depressive-like behaviors in mice, suggesting that the GP-NCC composite could be a promising avenue for developing depression therapies that target gut health.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07934-y
spellingShingle Tianyu Zou
Xiang Tang
Haiping Wang
Xiaolong Shang
Xiaoyu Liang
Xuemiao Ma
Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
Communications Biology
title Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
title_full Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
title_fullStr Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
title_full_unstemmed Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
title_short Nanocrystalline cellulose-geniposide complex enhances gut-brain axis modulation for depression treatment
title_sort nanocrystalline cellulose geniposide complex enhances gut brain axis modulation for depression treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07934-y
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