Modulation of Gut-Brain Axis by Probiotics: A Promising Anti-depressant Approach

Title:Modulation of Gut-Brain Axis by Probiotics: A Promising Anti-depressant Approach

Volume: 19 Issue: 7

Author(s): Koumudhi Rajanala, Nitesh Kumar and Mallikarjuna Rao Chamallamudi*

Affiliation:

• Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal-576104, Karnataka,India

Keywords: Gut microbiota, gut-brain axis (GBA), depression, probiotics, prebiotics, food supplement.

Abstract: The human digestive system is embedded with trillions of microbes of various species and genera. These organisms serve several purposes in the human body and exist in symbiosis with the host. Their major role is involved in the digestion and conversion of food materials into many useful substrates for the human body. Apart from this, the gut microbiota also maintains healthy communication with other body parts, including the brain. The connection between gut microbiota and the brain is termed as gut-brain axis (GBA), and these connections are established by neuronal, endocrine and immunological pathways. Thus, they are involved in neurophysiology and neuropathology of several diseases like Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), depression, and autism. There are several food supplements such as prebiotics and probiotics that modulate the composition of gut microbiota. This article provides a review about the role of gut microbiota in depression and supplements such as probiotics that are useful in the treatment of depression.

Cite this article as:

Rajanala Koumudhi, Kumar Nitesh and Chamallamudi Rao Mallikarjuna *, Modulation of Gut-Brain Axis by Probiotics: A Promising Anti-depressant Approach, Current Neuropharmacology 2021; 19 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666201215142520