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How saffron and probiotics can help relieve depression caused by chronic stress

tabnews August 11, 2024
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Greg Howard
11 August 2024



Image source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key findings

  • The study in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, found that saffron significantly improved depressive behavior in mice
  • The combination of saffron with the probiotic Lactococcus lactis WHH2078 (called WHHMOOD) further improved depressive behavior and intestinal health in stressed mice
  • WHHMOOD lowered stress hormone levels, increased serotonin levels in the brain, and improved microbial diversity in the gut, suggesting it may be a promising treatment for depression.
Depression is a common mental illness whose prevalence is increasing every year. Recent research has highlighted the importance of the gut-brain axis, particularly serotonin metabolism (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT), in the development of depression. A study conducted by Zhejiang Province in Hangzhou examined the synergistic effects of probiotics and natural mental health products on depression[1]. In this study, researchers used Lactococcus lactis WHH2078, a probiotic shown to alleviate depression in mice by modulating gut microbiome composition and 5-HT metabolism. They investigated the effects of three natural products – saffron, L-theanine, and phosphatidylserine – on depressive behavior in mice exposed to chronic stress. These natural products were administered individually and in combination over four weeks. The study examined depressive behavior, hippocampal 5-HT, and serum corticosterone levels. The results showed that saffron significantly improved depressive behavior in mice, as shown by several behavioral tests. Saffron also reversed the decline in 5-HT levels and the increase in corticosterone levels caused by CRS. Based on these promising results, researchers combined saffron with WHH2078 and developed a new formulation called WHHMOOD™. They then investigated the effects of WHHMOOD on mice with depressive behaviors. WHHMOOD showed significant improvements in several behavioral tests. It reduced the time of immobility in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, increased the time spent in the central area in the open field test, and reduced serum corticosterone levels. In addition, WHHMOOD improved gut microbial dysbiosis caused by CRS by increasing gut microbial diversity and adjusting the abundance of certain bacterial genera such as Ligilactobacillus, Candidatus Arthromitus, and Erysipelatoclostridium. Compared with WHH2078 alone, WHHMOOD treatment significantly increased movement distance and hippocampal 5-HT levels in mice. These results suggest that WHHMOOD has prophylactic effects on depressive behaviors in CRS mice, making it a promising agent for improving depression symptoms. The study builds on previous research that has shown the potential of probiotics to influence mental health via the gut-brain axis. For example, a study using Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 showed that depression symptoms decreased in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) after an 8-week intervention, although changes in gut microbiota composition were not significant.[2]Another study found that Lactobacillus helveticus WHH1889 improved depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in mice by modulating 5-HT metabolism and gut microbiome composition[3]. The current study is consistent with and extends these findings by examining the combined effects of probiotics and natural products. By demonstrating that WHHMOOD can alleviate depressive behaviors and improve gut microbiota composition, the research offers a new avenue to develop effective treatments for depression. This approach could potentially provide a more holistic and synergistic way to treat depression and complement traditional pharmacological treatments that focus primarily on monoaminergic mechanisms[4]. In summary, the study conducted by Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, highlights the potential of combining probiotics with natural products to alleviate depression. WHHMOOD, a combination of Lactococcus lactis WHH2078 and saffron, showed significant improvements in depressive behavior and gut microbiota composition in CRS mice. These results suggest that such combinations may be promising agents for alleviating depression symptoms, providing a new direction for future research and treatment development.


MedicineMental HealthBiochemistry


References

Main study

1) Prophylactic effect of supplementation of a combination of Lactobacillus lactis WHH2078 and saffron on depressive-like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic stress.

Published on August 10, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.17289

Related studies

2) Psychophysiological effects of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 in patients with major depressive disorder: A preliminary 8-week open-label study.

3) Administration of Lactobacillus helveticus WHH1889 improves depression and anxiety symptoms induced by chronic, unpredictable, mild stress in mice.



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