The interplay between herbal medicines and gut microbiota in metabolic diseases

Abstract

Globally, metabolic diseases are becoming a major public health problem. Herbal medicines are medicinal materials or preparations derived from plants and are widely used in the treatment of metabolic diseases due to their good curative effects and minimal side effects. Recent studies have shown that gut microbiota plays an important role in the herbal treatment of metabolic diseases. However, the mechanisms involved are still not fully understood. This review provides a timely and comprehensive summary of the interactions between herbal medicines and gut microbiota in metabolic diseases. Mechanisms by which herbal medicines treat metabolic diseases include their effects on the gut microbial composition, the intestinal barrier, inflammation, and microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids and bile acids). Herbal medicines can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Blautia), reduce the abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Escherichia–Shigella), protect the intestinal barrier, and alleviate inflammation. In turn, gut microbes can metabolize herbal compounds and thereby increase their bioavailability and bioactivity, in addition to reducing their toxicity. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines on metabolic diseases are closely related to their interactions with the gut microbiota. In addition, some methods, and techniques for studying the bidirectional interaction between herbal medicines and gut microbiota are proposed and discussed. The information presented in this review will help with a better understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of herbal medicines and the key role of gut microbiota.

The Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MN-Gup on Glucose Metabolism, Gut Microbiota, and Their Metabolites in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

“…Although slight increases in potentially pathogenic genera such as Aerococcus and Kurthia were observed post-MN-Gup treatment [ 35 , 36 ], correlation analyses revealed minimal association with the phenotypic outcomes, suggesting an overall microbiome stability. Notably, reductions in harmful bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Staphylococcus correlated with decreased blood glucose levels [ 37 , 38 ], aligning with our results [ 39 , 40 ]. In summary, MN-Gup intervention effectively modulated the gut microbiota composition in T2DM mice, promoting beneficial taxa, while reducing the harmful ones, thus contributing to improved metabolic parameters.…”

Edible exosome-like nanoparticles from portulaca oleracea L mitigate DSS-induced colitis via facilitating double-positive CD4+CD8+T cells expansion

“…Studies have shown that the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella is significantly elevated in patients with IBD compared to healthy controls [ 53 ]. However, reducing the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella has been found to protect the intestinal barrier and alleviate colitis [ 54 ]. In our present study, we observed a significant increase in the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella in the DSS group compared to the healthy control group, while the PELNs treatment dramatically decreased its abundance.…”

Effects of plant natural products on metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and the underlying mechanisms: a narrative review with a focus on the modulation of the gut microbiota

“…Plant natural products involve multiple pathways, multiple targets and few side effects. Plant natural products exert their effects in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD not only by regulating lipogenic pathways, downregulating inflammatory pathways, improving insulin sensitivity, and ameliorating oxidative stress but also by regulating the gut microbiota and its metabolites, for example, via the gut-liver axis ( Wang L. et al., 2023 ).…”