Schisandra chinensis ameliorates depressive‐like behaviors by regulating microbiota‐gut‐brain axis via its anti‐inflammation activity

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the antidepressant actions of the composition fractions of Schisandra chinensis using LPS‐induced mice. Animals were treated with total extracts (SCE), lignans (SCL), polysaccharides (SCPS), and essential oil (SCVO), and then subjected to behavioral tests. The forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used as predictive animal models of antidepressant activity. Total extracts and lignans significantly decreased the duration of immobility in FST and TST. We found that treatment with SCE and SCL could significantly decrease the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines both in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS). This was confirmed by the histopathological examination of the colon. The RT‐PCR results demonstrated that SCE and SCL could greatly inhibit the TLR4/NF‐κB/IKKα signaling pathway. In addition, the concentrations of Butyric acid and Propionic acid were upregulated by the administration, and the decreased diversity of intestinal microbiota and alterations of the relative proportions of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phylum members, Barnesiella and Lactobacillus genus members in LPS‐induced mice were restored as well. All results suggested that lignans is the effective fraction of S.chinensis to ameliorating depressive disorders, which its anti‐inflammation activity possibly involved in the bidirectional connection between gut microbiota and brain.

Saccharina japonica Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Depression/Anxiety-Like Behavior by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in Dextran Sodium Sulfate Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mice

“…In this study, the SJE treated group, especially the low-dose group, significantly alleviated the DSS-induced depressive/anxious behavior. Some plant extracts, such as Schisandra Chinensis ( 30 ), and okra seeds ( 4 ) have also shown similar effects and suggested that the major bioactive substances were polyphenols, flavonoids, lignans, saponins and other small molecules. SJE also contains a variety of bioactive substances, such as brown algae polyphenols and lignans, which have potential therapeutical effects on the DSS-induced depressive behavior in mice.…”

Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Depression

“…Schisandra chinensis [311], helicid [312], panaxynol [313], and safflower extract [314] regulated various factors in the NF-κB and toll-like receptor 4-nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathways. The honey fungus Armillaria mellea [315] reduced TNF-α and IL-1β [316].…”

“…Radix polygalae increased autophagy and reduced neuroinflammation [317]. Schisandra chinensis [311], Cistanche tubulosa [318], and Sophora alopecuroides [319] promoted diverse intestinal microbiome.…”

Pharmacological Applications and Action Mechanisms of Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Pig Production

“…NF-κB activation results in tissue changes characteristic of inflammation. Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) and Schisandra chinensis lignans (SCL) can greatly inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB/IKKα signaling pathway, and indicate that Schisandra chinensis ameliorates depressive-like behaviors by regulating microbiota-gut-brain axis via its anti-inflammation activity ( 173 ). Astilbe Chinensis ethanol extracts (ACE) inhibit LPS or thioglycollate (TG)-induced inflammation by blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway in macrophages ( 174 ).…”