Psychobiotics, a newly identified category of probiotics primarily targeting the gut-brain axis, exhibit tremendous potential in improving sleep quality. In this study, the clinical trial was registered in advance (identifier: NO. ChiCTR2300067806). Forty participants who were diagnosed with stress-induced insomnia were chosen and randomly divided into two groups: one received CCFM1025 at a dose of 5 × 109 CFU (n = 20), while the other was administered a placebo (n = 20), over a period of four weeks. The results revealed that compared to the placebo group (pre: M = 10.10, SD = 2.292; post: M = 8.650, SD = 2.793; pre vs. post: F (1, 38) = 15.41, p = 0.4316), the CCFM1025-treated group exhibited a significant decrease in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores from baseline (pre: M = 11.60, SD = 3.169; post: M = 7.750, SD = 3.697, F (1, 38) = 15.41, p = 0.0007). Furthermore, the administration of CCFM1025 was associated with a more pronounced reduction in stress marker concentrations. This effect could potentially be linked to changes in serum metabolites induced by the probiotic treatment, notably daidzein. In conclusion, B. breve CCFM1025 demonstrates promise as a psychobiotic strain for enhancing sleep quality.
Keywords: HPA axis; daidzein; insomnia; probiotics; sleep; stress.