Research Progress on Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides in Ameliorating Depression in Mice

Abstract

Depression is a psychiatric disorder with a complex pathogenesis. It involves multiple factors such as neuroinflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, neurotrophic factor deficiency, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Currently, clinically used drugs for depression typically have a single target and can cause severe adverse reactions. However, natural polysaccharides exhibit diverse pharmacological activities and can act on multiple targets. This indicates natural polysaccharides have the potential of being a promising source for the development of new antidepressant drugs. As the main active component of Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) have attracted significant attention due to their prominent immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. GLP exerts antidepressant effects through a multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism. This prompt GLP can be a natural antidepressant candidate with great development potential. This study aims to systematically elaborate on the potential molecular mechanisms by which GLP improve behavioral performance in mouse models of depression, thereby providing a theoretical basis for its subsequent in-depth research and clinical application.