Anxiolytic and Antidepressant‐Like Effects of a Probiotic Mixture HMLH123 Potentially via the Serotonergic Pathway in Wistar Rats

Mar 23, 2026Behavioural neurology

Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressant-Like Effects of the Probiotic Mix HMLH123 Possibly Through the Brain's Serotonin System in Rats

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Abstract

Administration of probiotic mixture HMLH123 significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze (EPM), indicating anxiolytic-like effects.

Probiotic mixture HMLH123 was tested on 60 male Wistar rats to evaluate its effects on anxiety and depression.
The treatment resulted in reduced immobility time and increased swimming behavior in the forced swim test (FST), suggesting modulation of the serotonergic system.
No synergistic interaction with fluoxetine was observed, indicating that the probiotic mixture may work independently.
Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications of the probiotic mixture.

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Anxiety and depression are a major health problem worldwide with increasing prevalence and limitations in pharmacologic treatment. The gut-brain axis has emerged as a potential therapeutic target, with probiotics showing promise in the regulation of mental health. To evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of a probiotic mixture HMLH123 and its pharmacologic interaction with fluoxetine, 60 male Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups that received either vehicle, fluoxetine (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), probiotic mixture HMLH123 200 μL to a concentration of 10 CFU/mL (Lactiplantibacillus sp. LH01, Lactiplantibacillus sp. LH02, and Lactiplantibacillus sp. LH3), or a combination of fluoxetine and probiotic mixture HMLH123. Behavioral assessments included the locomotor activity test (LAT), the elevated plus maze (EPM), and the forced swim test (FST). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Administration of probiotic mixture HMLH123 or in combination with fluoxetine significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM, indicating anxiolytic-like effects. In the FST, groups treated with probiotic mixture HMLH123 showed reduced immobility time and increased swimming behavior, suggesting a possible modulation of the serotonergic system. These findings support the potential of probiotic mixture HMLH123 as a preclinical alternative approach for the treatment of anxiety and depression. While no synergistic interaction with fluoxetine was observed, treatment with the probiotic mixture showed positive effects independently. Further research should explore its mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications as a standalone intervention. 9

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Anxiolytic and Antidepressant‐Like Effects of a Probiotic Mixture HMLH123 Potentially via the Serotonergic Pathway in Wistar Rats

Abstract

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