Gut bacteria blend put to the test against low mood
NCT ID NCT06905223
First seen Sep 17, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are testing whether a daily synbiotic formula called MQU10 can improve mood and well-being in adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. The formula combines 20 billion CFU of food-grade probiotic strains with prebiotic compounds. Thirty adults aged 18 and older with mild symptoms take the supplement, and clinicians rate their improvement over six weeks using standard mood scales. The study also tracks safety and how participants rate their own change.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a synbiotic blend of probiotic strains and prebiotic compounds
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a low-risk, food-based supplement that helps lift mood in people with mild depressive symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study of 30 people, so any hint of benefit could be chance and may not hold up in larger trials. Supplements can also cause digestive upset, and they are not a substitute for proven depression care.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2025
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals aged 18 or above * Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score between 5 to 14 * Literate and can complete the self-report questionnaires * Able to understand the consent and sign the informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence; * A current or past history of bipolar disorder, manic or hypomanic episodes, schizophrenia, personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intellectual disability, neurodegenerative disorders (e. g, Parkinson's disease) or organic mental disorder * Requiring immediate psychiatric care (e. g, imminently suicidal subjects) or have attempted suicide in the past 3 months * Use of antipsychotics, antidepressants or sedatives, unless on a stable dose in the last 4 weeks * History of severe organ failure, renal failure on dialysis, HIV infection * Active malignancy within 5 years * History of major surgery on the gastrointestinal tract, except cholecystectomy and appendectomy in the past 5 years * Night shift work * History of antibiotic use within 4 weeks * History of allergy to probiotics or lactose leading to a severe allergic reaction * Known pregnancy or lactating
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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GenieBiome Limited
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Healthymind Centre
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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