The combination of gut microbiota and metabolomics reveals the effects of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis on microbiota and metabolic profile in Alzheimer's disease rats

BACKGROUND Polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis (SPJ) can attenuate the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating changes in gut microbiota and its metabolites, but the mechanism of action is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-AD effects and regulatory mechanisms of SPJ in an Aβ 25–35 -induced AD model from the perspective of the ‘microbe–gut–brain’ axis. RESULTS The results showed that SPJ improved spatial learning memory ability, pathological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region and intestinal barrier integrity, and modulated the composition and abundance of gut microbiota in AD rats. Meanwhile, SPJ also regulated phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, and linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, phenylalanine, and arachidonic acid metabolism in AD rats. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a correlation between gut microbes and metabolites. CONCLUSION In short, via the ‘microbe–gut–brain’ axis, SPJ ameliorates cognitive deficits, spatial memory loss, and neuroinflammation in AD rats. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.