Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GOLDGUT-HNU082 Alleviates CUMS-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors in Mice by Modulating the Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Levels

Emerging evidence links depressive disorders to the gut microbiota via the gut-brain axis. Probiotics, which are microorganisms that modulate the gut microbiota, have shown promising results in alleviating depression and are increasingly recognized as functional food components with potential health benefits. This study examines the effects of <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> GOLDGUT-HNU082 (Lp082), a probiotic strain with potential applications in functional foods, on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression in mice. Behavioral tests, measurements of the neurotransmitters and inflammatory cytokines in the serum and colon tissue, and the metagenomic sequencing of the gut microbiota were used to investigate potential mechanisms. The results demonstrated that Lp082 significantly alleviated depressive-like behaviors in CUMS mice, restored the balance of key neurotransmitters like serotonin (5-HT), reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, and enhanced brain neuroplasticity by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. Additionally, Lp082 altered the composition of the gut microbiota in CUMS mice and promoted the growth of <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, improving metabolic pathways related to neurotransmitter synthesis. These findings indicate that Lp082, as a potential functional food ingredient, alleviates depressive-like behaviors in mice by reshaping the gut microbiota, offering new insights into the use of probiotics in functional foods for mental health management.