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.
