The polysaccharides from the fruits of Lycium barbarum ameliorate high-fat and high-fructose diet-induced cognitive impairment via regulating blood glucose and mediating gut microbiota

Intervention with Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 weeks could significantly prevent cognitive deficits in mice fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet.

• Cognitive improvements were evidenced by reduced latency and increased crossing parameters in the Morris water maze test.
• LBPs enhanced levels of key proteins associated with synaptic function and reduced glial cell activation in the hippocampus.
• Treatment with LBPs altered gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing harmful bacteria.
• Increased levels of short-chain fatty acids and expression of related receptors were observed after LBPs treatment.
• LBPs intervention also prevented insulin resistance, obesity, and colonic inflammation.
• A significant correlation was found between neuroinflammation, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids.

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