ArticleNPJ science of food2025
L-theanine-targeted prefrontal cortex improves CUMS-induced depression via the gut-short-chain fatty acids-brain axis.
Article in NPJ science of food, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Alterations of short-chain fatty acids in depression and effects of probiotics/prebiotics interventions on levels and clinical symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Microbiota-Derived SCFAs Mediate the Synergistic Antidepressant Effects of Dajianzhong Decoction and Ketamine via FFAR2-NLRP3-IL-1β Signaling.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Depression has emerged as a major global public health issue. L-theanine exerts notable anxiolytic and antidepressant effects mediated by its blood-brain barrier permeability as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of its key role remains elusive. In this study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) reduced serum neurotransmitter levels in mice, impaired prefrontal cortex (PFC) and colonic barrier function, which induced depressive-like behaviors. L-theanine, especially at a dose of 800 mg/kg, down-regulated gut-brain inflammatory pathways (TLR9/NLRP3/Caspase-1) and restored barrier integrity (ZO-1 and Occludin), reversing CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior. This therapeutic effect was primarily attributed to L-theanine-mediated reshaping of gut microbiota (increased of Lactobacillus and Roseburia) and the restoration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs, especially acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid) synthesis and their receptor functions. In summary, the Gut-SCFAs-Brain axis may serve as a potential pathway for L-theanine to improve depression.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.