Abstract
Extracts from cherry blossom plants have been reported to have various biological effects on human cells. Although scholars have conducted in-depth research on the product development and functional component analysis of cherry blossoms (CB), there are few studies on its anti-aging effects, especially on the brain. In our study, using d-galactose (D-gal) induced aging mice as an animal model, we found that cherry blossom extract (CBE) treatment reshaped the perturbations of the gut microbiota caused by aging, including up-regulation of Akkermansia abundance and down-regulation of Clostridiales abundance. Furthermore, CBE restored histopathological changes and modulated hippocampal metabolites in aging mice. Mechanistically, CBE activates glial cells, including astroglia and microglia, down-regulates the expression level of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in the brain, and then improves the aging condition of the brain. These alterations help to stimulate 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) expression and neuroinflammation, thereby alleviating aging-induced damage to brain neurons and deposition of harmful factors. Therefore, we speculate that CBE may have a good anti-aging effect in vivo by regulating intestinal microbiota and glial cells.
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