Prophylactic effects of Lacticaseibacillus casei and its postbiotic on anxiety and learning behavior in rats
PHARMANUTRITION, cilt.35, sa.100477, ss.1-12, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 35 Sayı: 100477
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.phanu.2026.100477
- Dergi Adı: PHARMANUTRITION
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), BIOSIS, EMBASE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-12
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Gut microbiota may regulate brain function through the gut-brain axis. Probiotics have been shown to influence emotional, cognitive behaviors, including anxiety and social interaction, by altering microbial composition and signaling pathways. Postbiotics are non-viable microbial cells or their metabolities that can exert health benefits similar to probiotics. This study hypothesized that Lacticaseibacillus casei (L. casei) and its postbiotic derivatives could alleviate anxiety and improve learning behaviors and by modulating oxidative stress and neurochemical pathways. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were divided into control, L. casei and postbiotic (mediators of L. casei) groups and received daily oral supplemantation for 42 days. Behavioral tests were performed between days 33–42 and the animals were sacrificed after tests. Prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala tissues were collected for histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses. Behavioral tests, including Elevated Plus Maze(EPM), Novel Object Recognition(NOR), Forced Swimming Test(FST), and Morris Water Maze(MWM), revealed that both probiotic and postbiotic supplemantation reduced anxiety-like behaviors (e.g.,EPM open arm time, p = 0.024; FST immobility time, p = 0.008) and enhanced memory performance (e.g.,NOR, p = 0.031;MWM target quadrant time, p = 0.021). Biochemically, L. casei and postbiotic significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p = 0.009, p = 0.003, respectively) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p = 0.041, p = 0.033, respectively). Although seratonin expression changes were not significant, behivioral improvements were evident. These findings suggest that L. casei and its postbiotics can be used as potential agents for anxiety reduction and cognitive enhancement through their antioxidative and neuromodulatory effects. This study emphasizes the therapeutic approach of postbiotics as an alternative to live probiotics in neurobehavioral modulation.