The regulatory effects of Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San on fecal metabolome and gut microbiota in depression model rats / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San(CSGS)on fecal metabolome and gut microbiota in depression model rats. Methods: The UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics approach was used to investigate the regulatory effect of CSGS on the depression- related 16 fecal metabolites, such as nicotinic acid and hupoxianthine. Meanwhile, the 16S rRNA analysis was performed to investigate the regulator effects of CSGS on the microbiota in 3 phylum levels(Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria)and 11 genus levels(Candidatus arthromitus, Oscillibacter, etc.). Results: The change rate of body weight (P< 0.01), the number of rearing and crossing(P< 0.01)and the sucrose preference(P< 0.01)in the depression rat group presented a significant decrease compared with control group. While rats in the CSGS group and fluoxetine group showed a significant increase in the body weight(P< 0.01), the number of rearing and crossing(P< 0.01), and the sucrose preference(P< 0.01)compared with model group. In addition, the decreased level of Firmicutes was positively regulated by CSGS but not fluoxetine, and the increased Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria levels were also down-regulated by CSGS. Meanwhile, the abnormal levels of 3 genera of the gut microbiota with high abundance of Oscillibacter and low abundance of Lactobacillus and Christensenella, were all regulated to a nearly normal level by CSGS. Conclusion: CSGS could reverse changes of fecal metabolome in depression model rats by positive regulation, and CSGS likely exerts its antidepressant effect via regulating the gut microbiota, at least partially, to alter the related metabolites.