Chaihu Guizhi decoction ameliorates depression symptoms in chronic restraint stress-induced depressive rats by regulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids

Chaihu Guizhi decoction (CJY) is a classic formula with antidepressant effects; however, it remains unclear whether the antidepressant mechanism of CJY involves modulation of the gut microbiota and which specific bacterial genera are regulated. The present study investigated the effects of CJY on the gut microbiota in chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced depressive rats. The results showed that CJY treatment attenuated depressive-like behavior, repaired hippocampal neuronal damage, and increased neurotransmitter levels in CRS-induced depressive rats. CJY reshaped the gut microbiota spectrum by increasing the level of the key bacterial genera that alleviate depression, such as Lactobacillus, while decreasing the level of the key bacterial genera that exacerbate depression, such as Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Lachnoclostridium. In addition, CJY restored the gut flora dysbiosis-derived changes in the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and valeric acid. This study lays the foundation for identifying therapeutic targets for CJY and elucidating its underlying mechanisms from the perspective of the microbiota.