Evaluation of Antidepressant Effects of Zhuyeqing Liquor Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder in contemporary society, which severely impairs an individual's psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Zhuyeqing liquor (ZYQL), a well-known traditional functional liquor in China, has not yet been evaluated for its antidepressant effects as a whole. In this research, we found that ZYQL stimulated egg-laying in nematodes and improved their lifespan, pharyngeal pumping rate, and body bends. Subsequently, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis to identify biomarkers and underlying molecular mechanisms in fluoxetine-treated groups. Ten biomarkers related to depression were screened and validated. These ten genes showed consistent responses to ZYQL and six traditional Chinese medicine ingredient extracts (TCMIE). Furthermore, these six TCMIEs reduced fat content and enhanced antioxidant activity. This study provides key biomarkers for evaluating the antidepressant effects of active ingredients and evaluates the antidepressant potential of ZYQL.