Polysaccharide Regulation of Intestinal Flora: A Viable Approach to Maintaining Normal Cognitive Performance and Treating Depression

Abstract

The intestinal tract of a healthy body is home to a large variety and number of microorganisms that will affect every aspect of the host’s life. In recent years, polysaccharides have been found to be an important factor affecting intestinal flora. Polysaccharides are widely found in nature and play a key role in the life activities of living organisms. In the intestinal tract of living organisms, polysaccharides have many important functions, such as preventing the imbalance of intestinal flora and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Moreover, recent studies suggest that gut microbes can influence brain health through the brain-gut axis. Therefore, maintaining brain health through polysaccharide modulation of gut flora deserves further study. In this review, we outline the mechanisms by which polysaccharides maintain normal intestinal flora structure, as well as improving cognitive function in the brain via the brain-gut axis by virtue of the intestinal flora. We also highlight the important role that gut microbes play in the pathogenesis of depression and the potential for treating depression through the use of polysaccharides to modulate the intestinal flora.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus-Derived Exopolysaccharide Attenuates D-Galactose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Brain Injury and Modulates Gut Microbiota in a Mouse Model

“…Polysaccharides and the production of SCFAs by the gut microbiota have been reported to improve mucus secretion and increase tight-junction protein expression [ 72 , 73 ]. Metabolites produced by gut microbiota have also been shown to improve cognitive function through modulation of the brain–gut axis [ 74 ]. A polysaccharide derived from Polygonatum sibiricum has been reported to reduce hippocampal oxidative stress, activation of NF-κB, inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide, and chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in models [ 75 ].…”

Assessing causal relationships between gut microbiota and psoriasis: evidence from two sample Mendelian randomization analysis

“…Given the importance of gut flora, alterations in its composition have been associated with the pathogenesis of numerous acute and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, and depression [40][41][42][43] . For instance, studies have shown that 7-11% of patients diagnosed with IBD also have psoriasis, primarily linked to gastrointestinal www.nature.com/scientificreports/ inflammation 44 .…”

A review of the pharmacological action and mechanism of natural plant polysaccharides in depression

“…Some researchers have pointed out that the mechanism is achieved through the modulation of brain function, biological and immune barriers. The polysaccharide molecules in natural products can usually be used in multiple targets with significant therapeutic effects and fewer side effects ( Wang et al, 2022b ). However, there are fewer reports on the relationship between polysaccharides and depression.…”