International Research in Chinese Medicine

Objective To observe the effects of Gupi decoction and Ganmai Dazao decoction on depression-like behavior in CUMS model mice, and to explore the multi-target mechanism based on the perspective of “brain-gut axis”. Methods Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and open field test were used to evaluate behavior. ELISA was used to detect serum 5-HT, TNF-α and IL-10. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Fecal short-chain fatty acids were determined by GC-MS. Results GMDZ-GP significantly increased sucrose preference rate, shortened the immobility time of forced swimming, and prolonged the time of staying in the central area. It upregulated the serum level of 5-HT, decreased the level of TNF-α and increased the level of IL-10. Microbiota analysis showed that GMDZ-GP restored Shannon diversity and increased the content of butyric acid and propionic acid. Conclusion GMDZ-GP integrates the brain-gut axis through the "microbiota-metabolism-inflammation-neuroplasticity" network to exert multi-target antidepressant effect.

Guipi decoction combined with ganmai dazao decoction; Depression; Microbiota-gut-brain axis; Gut microbiota