Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)

This study aims to evaluate the potential disease prevention and treatment functions of four types of traditional Chinese fermented Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP) by analyzing their nutritional active components and their effects on the gut microbiota. Raw soybeans and the four SSPs were administered...

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Main Authors: Lin Zhang, Huo Su, Siqi Wang, Yujie Fu, Manyuan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/4/671
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author Lin Zhang
Huo Su
Siqi Wang
Yujie Fu
Manyuan Wang
author_facet Lin Zhang
Huo Su
Siqi Wang
Yujie Fu
Manyuan Wang
author_sort Lin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to evaluate the potential disease prevention and treatment functions of four types of traditional Chinese fermented Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP) by analyzing their nutritional active components and their effects on the gut microbiota. Raw soybeans and the four SSPs were administered as dietary supplements to normal SD rats for 6 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 0, 2, and 6 to assess changes in the gut microbiota. Our results revealed that different fermentation methods resulted in variations in soybean isoflavone content. Fermented soybeans promoted the growth of beneficial microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid production in the gut microbiota, such as <i>Christensenellaceae_R_7_group</i>, compared to unfermented soybeans. Supplementation with SSPs fermented with different processes increased the diversity of the rat gut microbiota, except for the fermented group of qingwenjiedu decoction (QW). The dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Artemisia Annuae Herba and Mori Folium (QS) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, while the dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Ephedrae Herba and Perillae Folium (MZ) showed antidepressant effects. In the neurotransmitter analysis, MZ reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, the fermented group without Chinese medicine (DD) decreased dopamine levels, and both QS and QW increased norepinephrine levels. Correlation analysis highlighted connections between gut microbiota, neurotransmitters, and chemical levels. The results indicate that SSPs may contribute uniquely to health by maintaining intestinal balance and improving neurological disorders while predicting a potential association between neurotransmitters and gut microbiota by correlation analysis.
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spelling doaj-art-bb814c20b51e4b91953f0a6253c8f9002025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-02-0114467110.3390/foods14040671Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)Lin Zhang0Huo Su1Siqi Wang2Yujie Fu3Manyuan Wang4Beijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaThis study aims to evaluate the potential disease prevention and treatment functions of four types of traditional Chinese fermented Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP) by analyzing their nutritional active components and their effects on the gut microbiota. Raw soybeans and the four SSPs were administered as dietary supplements to normal SD rats for 6 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at weeks 0, 2, and 6 to assess changes in the gut microbiota. Our results revealed that different fermentation methods resulted in variations in soybean isoflavone content. Fermented soybeans promoted the growth of beneficial microorganisms associated with short-chain fatty acid production in the gut microbiota, such as <i>Christensenellaceae_R_7_group</i>, compared to unfermented soybeans. Supplementation with SSPs fermented with different processes increased the diversity of the rat gut microbiota, except for the fermented group of qingwenjiedu decoction (QW). The dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Artemisia Annuae Herba and Mori Folium (QS) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, while the dominant gut microbiota in the fermented group of Ephedrae Herba and Perillae Folium (MZ) showed antidepressant effects. In the neurotransmitter analysis, MZ reduced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, the fermented group without Chinese medicine (DD) decreased dopamine levels, and both QS and QW increased norepinephrine levels. Correlation analysis highlighted connections between gut microbiota, neurotransmitters, and chemical levels. The results indicate that SSPs may contribute uniquely to health by maintaining intestinal balance and improving neurological disorders while predicting a potential association between neurotransmitters and gut microbiota by correlation analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/4/671fermentation processesfunctional foodintestinal homeostasisneurotransmitter regulation
spellingShingle Lin Zhang
Huo Su
Siqi Wang
Yujie Fu
Manyuan Wang
Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
Foods
fermentation processes
functional food
intestinal homeostasis
neurotransmitter regulation
title Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
title_full Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
title_fullStr Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
title_full_unstemmed Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
title_short Gut Microbiota and Neurotransmitter Regulation: Functional Effects of Four Traditional Chinese Fermented Soybean (Sojae Semen Praeparatum)
title_sort gut microbiota and neurotransmitter regulation functional effects of four traditional chinese fermented soybean sojae semen praeparatum
topic fermentation processes
functional food
intestinal homeostasis
neurotransmitter regulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/4/671
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