Effects of black rice anthocyanins on the behavior and intestinal microbiota of mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress

Abstract

In order to study the effect of black rice anthocyanins (BRACs) on the behavior and intestinal microbiota of depression model mice, depression model mice were induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The anhedonia of BRACs treated mice was evaluated by sucrose preference test. The open field experiment was used to analyze the behavior of the mice. The species differences of intestinal microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequence. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the body weight and sugar water consumption rate of mice in the model group were significantly decreased, and the voluntary activities were significantly weakened. The species richness and diversity of intestinal microbiota of mice in the model group were significantly decreased. The levels of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level were increased, the levels of Firmicutes were decreased, and the levels of Lactobacillus at the genus level were decreased. Compared with model group, the body weight and sugar water consumption of mice in BRACs treated group were significantly increased, the autonomous activity was significantly increased and the difference was extremely significant, the species richness and diversity of intestinal microbiota increased, and the levels of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased, while the levels of Firmicutes increased. The level of lactic acid bacteria increased at the genus level. In summary, BRACs achieve antidepressant effects by regulating intestinal microbiota homeostasis.