How Saffron and Probiotics May Help Reduce Depression from Chronic Stress

Greg Howard
11th August, 2024

How Saffron and Probiotics May Help Reduce Depression from Chronic Stress

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, found that saffron significantly improved depressive-like behaviors in mice
  • Combining saffron with the probiotic Lactococcus lactis WHH2078 (called WHHMOOD) further improved depressive behaviors and gut health in stressed mice
  • WHHMOOD reduced stress hormone levels, increased serotonin in the brain, and enhanced gut microbial diversity, suggesting it could be a promising treatment for depression
Depression is a widespread psychiatric condition, with its prevalence rising each year. Recent research has highlighted the importance of the gut-brain axis, particularly serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) metabolism, in the development of depression. A study conducted by Zhejiang Province in Hangzhou explored the synergistic effects of probiotics and natural mental health-improving products on depression[1]. In this study, researchers used Lactococcus lactis WHH2078, a probiotic previously 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 behaviors in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS). These natural products were administered individually and in combination over four weeks. The study assessed depressive behaviors, hippocampal 5-HT, and serum corticosterone levels. The findings revealed that saffron significantly improved depressive-like behaviors in mice, as indicated by multiple 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, the researchers combined saffron with WHH2078, creating a new formulation called WHHMOOD™. They then evaluated the effects of WHHMOOD on mice with depressive-like behaviors. WHHMOOD demonstrated significant improvements in several behavioral tests. It reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test, increased the time spent in the central area in the open field test, and lowered serum corticosterone levels. Furthermore, WHHMOOD improved CRS-induced gut microbial dysbiosis by enhancing gut microbial diversity and adjusting the abundances of specific bacterial genera, such as Ligilactobacillus, Candidatus Arthromitus, and Erysipelatoclostridium. Compared to WHH2078 alone, WHHMOOD treatment significantly increased travel distance and hippocampal 5-HT levels in mice. These results suggest that WHHMOOD has prophylactic effects on depressive-like behaviors in CRS mice, making it a promising agent for improving depression symptoms. The study builds on prior research that has shown the potential of probiotics to influence mental health through the gut-brain axis. For instance, a study on Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 demonstrated reductions in depression symptoms 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 aligns with these findings and expands on them by exploring the combined effects of probiotics and natural products. By demonstrating that WHHMOOD can alleviate depressive-like behaviors and improve gut microbiota composition, the research provides a new avenue for developing effective treatments for depression. This approach could potentially offer a more holistic and synergistic way to manage depression, complementing traditional pharmacological treatments that primarily focus on monoaminergic mechanisms[4]. In summary, the study conducted by Zhejiang Province in Hangzhou 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-like behaviors and gut microbiota composition in CRS mice. These findings suggest that such combinations could serve as promising agents for improving depression symptoms, offering a new direction for future research and treatment development.

MedicineMental HealthBiochem

References

Main Study

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

Published 10th August, 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 Trial.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113731

3) Ingestion of Lactobacillus helveticus WHH1889 improves depressive and anxiety symptoms induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice.

https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2022.0052

4) Emerging mechanisms and treatments for depression beyond SSRIs and SNRIs.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2015.03.011


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