Prucalopride, a serotonin type 4 receptor agonist, induces fast anxiolytic/antidepressant effects and concomitant changes in the gut microbiota

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects around 20% of people globally and is often comorbid with anxiety. This study investigates prucalopride, a serotonin type 4 receptor (5-HT₄R) agonist approved for constipation, as a fast-acting anxiolytic/antidepressant using a mouse model of stress, based on corticosterone (CORT) administration. Behavioral effects of prucalopride (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg/day) were compared to fluoxetine, a common SSRI, over 7 (subchronic) and 28 (chronic) days. Prucalopride showed faster and more significant improvements in emotionality scores than fluoxetine, reversing CORT-induced behavioral changes within 7 days. Gut microbiota analysis revealed CORT-induced changes at the subchronic timepoint. While chronic prucalopride did not alter microbial alpha diversity, it significantly shifted microbial composition (beta-diversity). Notably, prucalopride restored levels of the genus Ruminococcus, which were depleted by CORT. Our findings highlight prucalopride's rapid anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects and its impact on gut microbiota, supporting the potential of 5-HT₄R-targeting molecules as therapeutic options for psychiatric disorders.