Daidzein alleviates CRS-induced depression-like behavior by regulating neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity via microbiota-gut-brain axis

Depression is one of the most serious psychological disorders worldwide. Increasing evidences has highlighted that targeting gut microbiota and their metabolites may provide novel therapeutic candidates. Daidzein, a naturally occurring isoflavone compound that interacts with colonic bacteria, exert multiple neuroprotective effects. However, the antidepressant effects of daidzein remain poorly understood, and the underlying mechanisms, especially mediated by the gut microbiome, require further explored. Here, we observed the ameliorating effect of daidzein on depression-like phenotypes in chronically stressed mice and the potential mechanism of relieving depression by regulating gut microbiota.