Metabolites analysis of plantamajoside based on gut microbiota-drug interaction

Oral administration of astilbin mitigates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice by modulating the gut microbiota

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced acute liver injury (ALI) is characterized by extensive oxidative stress, and the clinical interventions for this adverse effect remain limited. Astilbin is an active compound found in the rhizome of Smilax glabra Roxb. with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Due to its low oral bioavailability, astilbin can accumulate in the intestine, which provides a basis for the interaction between astilbin and gut microbiota (GM). In the present study we investigated the protective effects of astilbin against APAP-induced ALI by focusing on the interaction between astilbin and GM. Mice were treated with astilbin (50 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 7 days. After the last administration of astilbin for 2 h, the mice received APAP (300 mg/kg, i.g.) to induce ALI. We showed that oral administration of astilbin significantly alleviated APAP-induced ALI by altering the composition of GM and enriching beneficial metabolites including hydroxytyrosol (HT). GM depletion using an "antibiotics cocktail" or paraoral administration of astilbin abolished the hepatoprotective effects of astilbin. On the other hand, administration of HT (10 mg/kg, i.g.) caused similar protective effects in APAP-induced ALI mice. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver tissue revealed that HT inhibited reactive oxygen species and inflammation-related signaling in APAP-induced ALI; HT promoted activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway to combat oxidative stress following APAP challenge in a sirtuin-6-dependent manner. These results highlight that oral astilbin ameliorates APAP-induced ALI by manipulating the GM and metabolites towards a more favorable profile, and provide an alternative therapeutic strategy for alleviating APAP-induced ALI.

Gut microbiome-derived hydrolases-an underrated target of natural product metabolism

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in studying gut microbiome-derived hydrolases in relation to oral drug metabolism, particularly focusing on natural product drugs. Despite the significance of natural product drugs in the field of oral medications, there is a lack of research on the regulatory interplay between gut microbiome-derived hydrolases and these drugs. This review delves into the interaction between intestinal microbiome-derived hydrolases and natural product drugs metabolism from three key perspectives. Firstly, it examines the impact of glycoside hydrolases, amide hydrolases, carboxylesterase, bile salt hydrolases, and epoxide hydrolase on the structure of natural products. Secondly, it explores how natural product drugs influence microbiome-derived hydrolases. Lastly, it analyzes the impact of interactions between hydrolases and natural products on disease development and the challenges in developing microbial-derived enzymes. The overarching goal of this review is to lay a solid theoretical foundation for the advancement of research and development in new natural product drugs and personalized treatment.

Plantago asiatica L. polysaccharides: Physiochemical properties, structural characteristics, biological activity and application prospects: A review

Plantago asiatica L. (PAL), a traditional herb, has been used in East Asia for thousands of years. In recent years, polysaccharides extracted from PAL have garnered increased attention due to their outstanding pharmacological and biological properties. Previous research has established that PAL-derived polysaccharides exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, antimicrobial, immune-regulatory, intestinal health-promoting, antiviral, and other effects. Nevertheless, a comprehensive summary of the research related to Plantago asiatica L. polysaccharides (PALP) has not been reported to date. In this paper, we review the methods for isolation and purification, physiochemical properties, structural features, and biological activities of PALP. To provide a foundation for research and application in the fields of medicine and food, this review also outlines the future development prospects of plantain polysaccharides.