Postbiotics as Emerging Memory-Enhancing Agents: Molecular Mechanisms along the Gut–Brain–Synapse Axis

Patrycja Obrycka^1,*, Nikodem Oślizło², Agnieszka Frątczak¹, Maja Ickiewicz¹, Patrycja Paszenda¹, Jasmin Sobala¹, Julia Soczyńska¹, Sławomir Woźniak³
1 Student Scientific Group of Heart Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
2 Student Scientific Group of Modern Cardiac Therapy at the Department of Interventional Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
3 Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Anatomy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
* Corresponding Author: Patrycja Obrycka. Email: email
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Gut Microbiota-Derived Molecules and Cellular Mechanisms in Host Health and Disease)

BIOCELL https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2026.084626

Received 26 April 2026; Accepted 24 June 2026; Published online 10 July 2026

Download PDF

Abstract

Growing evidence indicates that the gut–brain axis plays a central role in cognitive regulation, with microbial metabolites acting as important mediators of neuronal function. This review examines how postbiotics—bioactive compounds produced by microorganisms, including short-chain fatty acids, indole derivatives, bacterial peptides, and extracellular vesicles—may influence memory-related processes and cognitive resilience. Particular attention is given to the molecular and intracellular mechanisms through which postbiotics interact with host targets, including G-protein–coupled receptors, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and epigenetic regulators. Activation of these pathways modulates signaling cascades such as mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K–Akt), and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), which are associated with synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, neurogenesis, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor activity. The review also highlights the role of postbiotics in regulating neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and blood–brain barrier integrity. Despite promising findings, the precise intracellular mechanisms remain incompletely understood and require further investigation to support future therapeutic strategies for cognitive disorders.

Keywords

Postbiotics; gut–brain axis; microbial metabolites; synaptic plasticity; brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); hippocampus; epigenetic modulation; short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs); neuroinflammation; intracellular signaling pathways

Downloads
- Full-Text PDF
Citation Tools
- BibTex
- EndNote
- RIS

192

View
62

Download
0

Like

Proteomics analysis provides novel biomarkers and therapeutic target candidates in the treatment of the Huang-Pu-Tong-Qiao formula in an AD rat model
QIAN CHEN, XIN LEI, GUANHUA HU,...
TianmaGouteng yin attenuates ischemic stroke-induced brain injury by inhibiting the AGE/RAGE pathway
LUOJUN ZHENG, LUAN WENG, DIWEN...
Bushen Yizhi Formula regulates the IRE1α pathway to alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress in an Alzheimer’s disease rat model
XIRU XU, YUAN FANG, BIAO ZHANG,...
Ketone bodies and inflammation modulation: A mini-review on ketogenic diet’s potential mechanisms in mood disorders
YAN ZHENG, SIHUI MA, KATSUHIKO...
Microglial TRPV1 in epilepsy: Is it druggable for new antiepileptic treatment?
JIAO HU, JIALU MO, XIANGLIN CHENG

Postbiotics as Emerging Memory-Enhancing Agents: Molecular Mechanisms along the Gut–Brain–Synapse Axis

Abstract

Keywords

192

62

0

Further Information

Guidelines

Follow Us

Join Us

Contact Us

WhatsApp:

Share Link