DMY alleviated depression-like phenotypes in reserpine-treated rats, apparently through coordinated regulation of gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and neuroinflammatory responses, supporting its potential as a dietary strategy for depression management.
DMY alleviated anhedonia, behavioral despair, and cognitive dysfunction in a reserpine-induced rat model of depression.
DMY reduced circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and hippocampal neuronal damage, and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression.
DMY restored gut microbial diversity and composition in the depression model.
DMY partially normalized bile acid and short-chain fatty acid profiles.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from DMY-treated donors reproduced antidepressant-like behavioral effects and restored key microbial metabolites.
The authors conclude that DMY may alleviate depression-like phenotypes through coordinated regulation of gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and neuroinflammatory responses.
This study tested dihydromyricetin (DMY), a natural plant flavonoid, in rats made depressed with the drug reserpine. DMY-treated rats showed fewer depression-like behaviors, including reduced loss of pleasure-seeking, less behavioral despair, and better cognitive performance. They also had lower levels of inflammatory molecules in the blood, less damage to neurons in the hippocampus (a brain region involved in mood and memory), and higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that supports brain cell health. DMY also shifted the gut microbiome back toward a healthier pattern and partly normalized gut-derived chemicals such as bile acids and short-chain fatty acids. To test whether the gut bacteria were actually driving the benefit, the researchers transplanted fecal microbiota from DMY-treated rats into other rats. Those recipients showed antidepressant-like behavior and restored microbial metabolites, which suggests the gut microbiota helps mediate DMY's effects. This research suggests that DMY may influence mood through the gut-brain connection and could be a candidate for dietary approaches to depression. However, the work was done in rats using a drug-induced model of depression, so it is not yet known whether the same effects would occur in people.
Wang Z, Lu Y, Zhao Y, Li H, Liao X, Li J, et al.. (2026). Dihydromyricetin Alleviates Reserpine-Induced Depression by Modulating the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c05330