A combination of cecum microbiome and metabolome in CUMS depressed rats reveals the antidepressant mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines: A case study of Xiaoyaosan

Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a representative and classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), has been used for thousands of years for treating depression. The anti-depression effect of XYS has been demonstrated both clinically and experimentally. However, it is still unclear that whether XYS could regulate the abnormalities of gut microbiota and metabolites of cecum induced by depression, and in which way. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of the anti-depressant effects of XYS from the perspective of cecal microbiota and metabolites.