NPJ science of foodJul 10, 2026

Dietary proanthocyanidins improve age-related memory loss and brain inflammation in accelerated aging mice through gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and serotonin precursor

Gut-Brain Axis Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jul 14, 2026

Abstract

Proanthocyanidin (PC) supplementation significantly improved spatial learning and memory in a thyroxine-induced accelerated aging-like mouse model.

PC supplementation is associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and increased levels of fecal short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate and propionate.
Improvements in cognitive function correlate with enhanced intestinal barrier function and increased expression of colonic tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1).
Regulation of serotonin-related pathways was observed alongside the cognitive benefits linked to PC supplementation.
Hippocampal neuroinflammatory responses were reduced, indicating a potential neuroprotective effect of PC.

Simplified

Age-related cognitive impairment is a major public health concern associated with neuroinflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Proanthocyanidins (PC), a class of dietary polyphenols, have been suggested to modulate the gut-brain axis. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which PC alleviate cognitive deficits in a thyroxine-induced accelerated aging-like mouse model. PC supplementation significantly improved spatial learning and memory, as assessed by the Morris water maze. These effects were accompanied by modulation of gut microbiota composition and altered fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate and propionate. PC also improved intestinal barrier function, increased colonic tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) expression, and regulated 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)/serotonin (5-HT)-related pathways. In parallel, hippocampal neuroinflammatory responses were attenuated. Collectively, these findings suggest that the neuroprotective effects of PC are associated with a gut microbiota-SCFAs-5-HTP/5-HT axis. This study highlights the potential of dietary proanthocyanidins as a nutritional strategy for mitigating cognitive impairment under thyroxine-induced accelerated aging-like conditions.

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PubMed

Dietary proanthocyanidins improve age-related memory loss and brain inflammation in accelerated aging mice through gut bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and serotonin precursor

Abstract

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