Polysaccharide extracted from WuGuChong reduces high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice by regulating the composition of intestinal microbiota

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a severe public health threat worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with obesity and its related metabolic complications. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of polysaccharide extracted from WuGuChong (PEW) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, and the potential mechanisms involving modulation of the gut microbiota composition. Methods: Mice were fed a normal chow diet and a high-fat diet with or without PEW (300 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Body weight, obesity-related metabolic disorders, and gut microbiota were examined at the end of the experiment. Results: PEW supplementation reduces body weight, adipose hypertrophy, liver steatosis, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice, as well as maintains intestinal epithelium integrity. High-throughput 16S rRNA analysis demonstrates that PEW supplementation alters the composition of gut microbiota. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria are increased in HFD-fed mice, which are reversed by PEW supplementation to approximately the control levels. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PEW may be used as a bioactive ingredient to prevent obesity and its related metabolic disorders by modulating the composition of gut microbiota.

Protective Effect of Homogeneous Polysaccharide from Wuguchong(HPW) on Intestinal Mucositis Induced by 5- Fluorouracil in Mice

“…After HPW intervention, the content of total SCFAs, acetic acid and butyric acid increased, indicating that microbial activity gradually recovered. Some studies have shown that Bacteroides can participate in the metabolism of polysaccharides to form succinic acid, which can be used as a single carbon source to produce such as acetic acid and other SCFAs [57].In our previous study, it was found that supplementation with polysaccharide from Wuguchong could modify the obesity status of mice fed with high fat and high sugar by increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreasing that of Firmicutes [13].Therefore, we hypothesized that the beneficial interaction between HPW and Bacteroidetes in mice might be one of the reasons for the increase of SCFAs in the current study. Some intestinal probiotics can degrade xylose and glucose in polysaccharides into propionic acid [58].…”

“…It has the function of invigorating spleen and eliminating food accumulation, clearing heat and eliminating infantile malnutrition. Previous studies have found that polysaccharide extracted from WuGuChong (PEW) could be used as a bioactive ingredient to prevent obesity [13]. Meanwhile, in this study, we tentatively explored the role of PEW in regulating intestinal microbial composition and maintaining intestinal epithelial integrity, which can reduce the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in high-fat fed mice, and improve the expression of tight junction proteins.On the other hand, fatty acid extract of Wuguchong has been proved to promote wound healing on the surface of the body and promote the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells [14].…”

“…The crude extract of polysaccharides from Wuguchong was prepared by water extraction and alcohol precipitation according to our previous method [13].Simply put, dried insect powder is boiled three times in 95 % alcohol in a Soxhlet reflux machine to remove excess lipids. Solid-liquid ratio of 20 mg/L,110℃, kept slightly boiling, coaqueous extraction for 6 h.The concentrated solution was precipitated with 3 times ethanol for 2-3 days, the supernatant was poured, frozen and dried into powder, and the crude polysaccharide extract was obtained.…”

“…In this study, the polysaccharides were further purified and homogeneous polysaccharide of Wuguchong(HPW) was obtained by gel column chromatography, and its protective effect on intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil was studied in mice.HPW protects the mechanical and immune barriers of the small intestine by improving the morphology of small intestinal villi, promoting goblet cell proliferation and tight junction protein expression.In addition, in the current study, we also assessed the amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)in the feces of mice.Based on previous studies [13], we speculated that HPW may protect chemotherapeutic drug-induced intestinal mucosal damage through intestinal flora and metabolic pathways, so as to achieve the function of promoting nutrient absorption.…”

Targeting Gut Microbiota With Natural Polysaccharides: Effective Interventions Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Diseases

“…Natural polysaccharides derived from Raphanus sativus display anti-obesity property in HDF-fed mice, and by reversing HFD-induced intestinal microbial dysbiosis via reducing the ratio of Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes , and increasing Verrucomicrobia ( Do et al, 2021 ). Natural polysaccharides derived from WuGuChong ameliorate HDF-induced obesity in mice through decreasing the ratio of gut microbiota, Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes and the abundance of Proteobacteria ( Wang et al, 2020 ). Polysaccharides derived from Hirsutella sinensis mycelium show anti-obesogenic effect in HFD-fed mice by modulating the gut microbiota composition, especially by enriching the gut bacteria, Parabacteroides goldsteinii .…”