Modulation of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis by Berberine Resulting in Improved Metabolic Status in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

Phytobiotics in poultry: revolutionizing broiler chicken nutrition with plant-derived gut health enhancers

As the global population continues to expand, the demand for broiler chicken production to supply safe and high-quality meat is increasing. To meet this ever-growing demand, broiler chickens with enhanced growth performance are being developed, but they often face challenges related to oxidative stress, which can adversely affect gut health. Phytobiotics, which are plant-derived feed additives known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, immune-modulating, and growth-promoting properties, have emerged as promising natural alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. This review consolidates recent advancements in the use of phytobiotics-derived products from leaves, roots, seeds, flowers, and their extracts in broiler diets reared under standard experimental conditions, without the introduction of stressors. The focus is on elucidating the key mechanisms through which phytobiotics improve gut health, including their effects on gut morphology, integrity, microflora composition, antioxidant capacity, and immune function. The review highlights the potential of phytobiotics to revolutionize broiler nutrition by acting as natural enhancers of gut health. Research findings reveal that phytobiotics significantly improve intestinal health, and boost growth performance, offering a sustainable approach to managing to gut dysfunction. These findings indicate a potential shift in how gut-health related challenges in broilers can be addressed, moving towards natural phytobiotic therapy. However, several challenges persist. Optimizing the dosage of phytobiotics, ensuring consistent performance, and overcoming the limitations related to their extraction and application are key areas requiring further investigation. The review emphasizes the importance of continued research to refine phytobiotic formulations, explore synergistic effects, and incorporate advanced technologies such as AI-driven methods and precision nutrition to tailor feeding strategies more effectively. Additionally, the development of innovative delivery systems, such as nanoencapsulation, is suggested as a way to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of phytobiotics. By highlighting the potential of phytobiotics to revolutionize broiler nutrition, this review supports the poultry industry's shift towards antibiotic-free and sustainable dietary solutions, offering new perspectives on the future of broiler chicken production.

Berberine-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 and its mechanism for controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive pathway review

INTRODUCTION

A growing number of studies have thus far showed the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and the intestinal microbiome homoeostasis. As reported, the gut microflora can be significantly different in patients with type 2 DM (T2DM) compared to those in healthy individuals.

METHODS

The authors collected the relevant articles published until 2022 and these are carefully selected from three scientific databases based on keywords.

DISCUSSION

This review highlights research on the anti-diabetic properties of berberine (BBR)-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), as a glucose-lowering factor and a balance regulator in the microbial flora of the intestines, which plays an important role in adjusting the signalling pathways affecting insulin secretion.

RESULTS

Considering the anti-diabetic characteristics of the BBR-induced GLP-1, BBR makes a promising complementary treatment for reducing the clinical symptoms of DM by reducing the hyperglycaemia. Berberin might be a safe and effective drug for T2DM with little or no adverse effects.

Asiaticoside improves depressive-like behavior in mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress through modulation of the gut microbiota

Background

Asiaticoside, the main active ingredient of Centella asiatica, is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound. Previous studies have suggested that asiaticoside possesses neuroprotective and anti-depressive properties, however, the mechanism of its anti-depressant action not fully understood. In recent years, a growing body of research on anti-depressants has focused on the microbiota-gut-brain axis, we noted that disruption of the gut microbial community structure and diversity can induce or exacerbate depression, which plays a key role in the regulation of depression.

Methods

Behavioral experiments were conducted to detect depression-like behavior in mice through sucrose preference, forced swimming, and open field tests. Additionally, gut microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in mouse feces were analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A (5-HT1A) expression in mice was assessed by western blotting. Changes in serum levels of inflammatory factors, neurotransmitters, and hormones were measured in mice using ELISA.

Results

This study revealed that oral administration of asiaticoside significantly improved depression-like behavior in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. It partially restored the gut microbial community structure in CUMS mice, altered SCFA metabolism, regulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and inflammatory factor levels, upregulated BDNF and 5-HT1A receptor protein expression, and increased serum serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) concentration. These findings reveal that asiaticoside exerts antidepressant effects via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Conclusions

These results suggested that asiaticoside exerts antidepressant effects through the microbiota-gut-brain axis in a CUMS mouse model.

Banxia Xiexin Decoction Alleviated Cerebral Glucose Metabolism Disorder by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota in APP/PS1 Mice

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) alleviates cerebral glucose metabolism disorder by intestinal microbiota regulation in APP/PS1 mice.

METHODS

Forty-five 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were divided into 3 groups using a random number table (n=15 per group), including a model group (MG), a liraglutide group (LG) and a BXD group (BG). Fifteen 3-month-old male C57BL/6J wild-type mice were used as the control group (CG). Mice in the BG were administered BXD granules by gavage at a dose of 6 g/(kg•d) for 3 months, while mice in the LG were injected intraperitoneally once daily with Liraglutide Injection (25 nmol/kg) for 3 months. Firstly, liquid chromatography with tandem-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the active components of BXD granules and the medicated serum of BXD. Then, the cognitive deficits, Aβ pathological change and synaptic plasticity markers, including synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), were measured in APP/PS1 mice. Brain glucose uptake was detected by micropositron emission tomography. Intestinal microbial constituents were detected by 16S rRNA sequencing. The levels of intestinal glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and cerebral GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), as well as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (PI3K/Akt/GSK3β) insulin signaling pathway were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

BXD ameliorated cognitive deficits and Aβ pathological features (P<0.01). The expressions of SYP and PSD95 in the BG were higher than those in the MG (P<0.01). Brain glucose uptake in the BG was higher than that in the MG (P<0.01). The intestinal microbial composition in the BG was partially reversed. The levels of intestinal GLP-1 in the BG were higher than those in the MG (P<0.01). Compared with the MG, the expression levels of hippocampal GLP-1R, Akt, PI3K and p-PI3K in the BG were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of GSK3β were reduced (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

BXD exhibited protective effects against Alzheimer's disease by regulating the gut microbiota/GLP-1/GLP-1R, enhancing PI3K/Akt/GSK3β insulin signaling pathway, and improving brain glucose metabolism.

Shaoyao Decoction reduced T lymphocyte activation by regulating of intestinal flora and 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Shaoyao Decoction (SYD) is a widely recognized herbal formula utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. Although it has demonstrated significant effectiveness in clinical practice for treating ulcerative colitis, the precise mechanisms by which it operates remain largely elusive.

METHODS

The active ingredients of SYD were obtained by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), which were used to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism based on TCMSP (Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform) and PANTHER (Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships) classification system. In a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, mRNA sequencing, 16S rDNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics techniques were used to elucidate the mechanisms of SYD, and immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to test the key targets. In addition, QGP-1 and H9 cells were performed to validate the discoveries from the animal experiments.

RESULTS

In the mouse model of DSS-induced colitis, SYD effectively alleviated symptoms such as bloody stool, tissue damage, inflammation, intestinal flora dysbiosis and abnormal gene expression. Analyses of both differential expressed genes in colonic tissue and predicted 16S rDNA genes, as well as the analyses of targeted genes from TCMSP based on the active ingredients in UPLC-MS/MS of SYD, uncovered the enrichment of pathways involved in the biosynthesis and degredation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Interestingly, SYD suppressed the relative abundance of key genes in 5-HT synthesis, Tph1(Tryptophan hydroxylase 1) and Ddc (Dopa decarboxylase), in faeces from DSS-induced mice, leading to a reduction in the concentration of fecal 5-HT. Moreover, SYD augmented the production of butyric acid. Subsequently, increasing butyric acid influenced the metabolism of 5-HT in the organism through G protein-coupled receptor 43 by impeding its synthesis, facilitating its transport and degredation. These findings were additionally corroborated in a model utilizing enterochromaffin cell (QGP-1 cells). Furthermore, reduced levels of 5-HT hindered the activation of T lymphocytes (H9 cells) via the PKC (Protein kinase C) and NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa-B) signaling pathways, by means of HTR1A (5-HT receptor 1A) and HTR3 (5-HT receptor 3). Additionally, diminished secretion of 5-HT resulted in reduced secretion of associated cytokines, thereby alleviating inflammation in the colon.

CONCLUSION

Through modulation of T lymphocyte activation mediated by 5-HT metabolism in the local colon via the intestinal flora and its metabolite, SYD effectively mitigated colonic inflammation in DSS-induced mice.

Effects of effective microorganisms on the physiological status, intestinal microbiome, and serum metabolites of Eriocheir sinensis

The compound known as effective microorganisms (EMs) is widely used in aquaculture to improve water quality, but how they affect the health of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is unclear, especially in terms of intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites. In this study, we fed juvenile crabs with an EM-containing diet to explore the effects of EM on the physiological status, intestinal microbiome, and metabolites of E. sinensis. The activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly enhanced by EM, indicating that EM supplementation effectively enhanced the antioxidant capacity of E. sinensis. Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the main intestinal microbes in both the control and EM groups. Linear discriminant effect size analysis showed that Fusobacteriaceae, Desulfovibrio, and Morganella were biomarkers in the control group, and Exiguobacterium and Rhodobacteraceae were biomarkers in the EM group. Metabolomics analysis revealed that EM supplementation increased cellular energy sources and decreased protein consumption, and oxidative stress. Together, these results indicate that EM can optimize the intestinal microbiome and serum metabolites, thereby benefiting the health of E. sinensis.

Natural compounds as obesity pharmacotherapies

Obesity has become a serious global public health problem, affecting over 988 million people worldwide. Nevertheless, current pharmacotherapies have proven inadequate. Natural compounds have garnered significant attention due to their potential antiobesity effects. Over the past three decades, ca. 50 natural compounds have been evaluated for the preventive and/or therapeutic effects on obesity in animals and humans. However, variations in the antiobesity efficacies among these natural compounds have been substantial, owing to differences in experimental designs, including variations in animal models, dosages, treatment durations, and administration methods. The feasibility of employing these natural compounds as pharmacotherapies for obesity remained uncertain. In this review, we systematically summarized the antiobesity efficacy and mechanisms of action of each natural compound in animal models. This comprehensive review furnishes valuable insights for the development of antiobesity medications based on natural compounds.

Neuroprotective potential of berberine against acetamiprid induced toxicity in rats: Implication of oxidative stress, mitochondrial alterations, and structural changes in brain regions

Acetamiprid (ACMP) is an extensively used neonicotinoid pesticide to control sucking and chewing insects and is known to cause nontarget toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of berberine (BBR)-a polyphenolic alkaloid- on ACMP-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctioning, and structural changes in different rat brain regions. The male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, that is, control, BBR-treated (150 mg/kg b.wt), ACMP-exposed (21.7 mg/kg b.wt) and BBR + ACMP co-treated; and were dosed intragastrically for 21 consecutive days. Results of the biochemical analysis showed that BBR significantly ameliorated ACMP-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation along with a marked increase in endogenous antioxidants and lowered AChE activity in rat brain regions. Inside mitochondria, BBR significantly attenuated the toxic effects of ACMP by increasing the activity of mitochondrial complexes. Findings of polymerase chain reaction also demonstrated the modulatory effects of BBR against ACMP-mediated downregulation of ND1, ND2, COX1, and COX4 subunits of mitochondrial complexes. The histopathological and ultrastructural examination also validated the biochemical and transcriptional alterations following toxicity of ACMP exposure and the protective potential of BBR against ACMP-induced neurotoxicity. Thus, the present study indicates the promising ameliorative potential of BBR against ACMP-induced neurotoxicity via its antioxidative and modulatory activities.

Berberine influences multiple diseases by modifying gut microbiota

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and is commonly found in Coptis chinensis Franch. It has low bioavailability, but it can interact with gut microbiota and affect a variety of diseases. The effects of BBR in diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, liver diseases, intestinal diseases, mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases are all thought to be related to gut microbiota. This review systematically and comprehensively summarize these interactions and their effects, and describes the changes of gut microbiota after the intervention of different doses of berberine and its potential clinical consequences, in order to provide a basis for the rational application of BBR in the future clinical treatment.

Gut Microbiota and Aging: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine

The changing composition of gut microbiota, much like aging, accompanies people throughout their lives, and the inextricable relationship between both has recently attracted extensive attention as well. Modern medical research has revealed that a series of changes in gut microbiota are involved in the aging process of organisms, which may be because gut microbiota modulates aging-related changes related to innate immunity and cognitive function. At present, there is no definite and effective method to delay aging. However, Nobel laureate Tu Youyou's research on artemisinin has inspired researchers to study the importance of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM, as an ancient alternative medicine, has unique advantages in preventive health care and in treating diseases as it already has formed an independent understanding of the aging system. TCM practitioners believe that the mechanism of aging is mainly deficiency, and pathological states such as blood stasis, qi stagnation and phlegm coagulation can exacerbate the process of aging, which involves a series of organs, including the brain, kidney, heart, liver and spleen. Our current understanding of aging has led us to realise that TCM can indeed make some beneficial changes, such as the improvement of cognitive impairment. However, due to the multi-component and multi-target nature of TCM, the exploration of its mechanism of action has become extremely complex. While analysing the relationship between gut microbiota and aging, this review explores the similarities and differences in treatment methods and mechanisms between TCM and Modern Medicine, in order to explore a new approach that combines TCM and Modern Medicine to regulate gut microbiota, improve immunity and delay aging.

Internal and external modulation factors of the orexin system (REVIEW)

Orexin-A and -B (identical to hypocretin-1 and -2) are neuropeptides synthesized in the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area, and orexin neurons project their axon terminals broadly throughout the entire central nervous system (CNS). The activity of orexins is mediated by two specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), termed orexin type1 receptor (OX1R) and orexin type2 receptor (OX2R). The orexin system plays a relevant role in various physiological functions, including arousal, feeding, reward, and thermogenesis, and is key to human health. Orexin neurons receive various signals related to environmental, physiological, and emotional stimuli. Previous studies have reported that several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators influence the activation or inhibition of orexin neuron activity. In this review, we summarize the modulating factors of orexin neurons in the sleep/wake rhythm and feeding behavior, particularly in the context of the modulation of appetite, body fluids, and circadian signaling. We also describe the effects of life activity, behavior, and diet on the orexin system. Some studies have observed phenomena that have been verified in animal experiments, revealing the detailed mechanism and neural pathway, while their applications to humans is expected in future research.

Berberine Ameliorates Obesity by Inducing GDF15 Secretion by Brown Adipocytes

Berberine (BBR), which is a compound derived from the Chinese medicinal plant Coptis chinensis, promotes weight loss, but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we show that BBR increases the serum level of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), which is a stress response cytokine that can reduce food intake and lower body weight in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. The body weight and food intake of DIO mice were decreased after BBR treatment, and the weight change was negatively correlated with the serum GDF15 level. Further studies show that BBR induced GDF15 mRNA expression and secretion in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of DIO mice and primary mouse brown adipocytes. In addition, we found that BBR upregulates GDF15 mRNA expression and secretion by activating the integrated stress response (ISR) in primary mouse brown adipocytes. Overall, our findings show that BBR lowers body weight by inducing GDF15 secretion via the activation of the ISR in BAT.

Berberine alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction in glucolipid metabolism disorder hamsters by modulating gut microbiota and gut-microbiota-related tryptophan metabolites

BACKGROUND

Barberry plants can be considered as useful additives and functional compounds in various industries, especially in the food industry. Berberine (BBR), the most important functional compound in the barberry roots, has recently been used to treat obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier play an important role in the development of glucolipid metabolism disorders (GLMDs). However, the association of gut microbiota metabolism disorder and the intestinal barrier dysfunction effect of BBR in GLMDs remains elusive.

RESULTS

The results showed that administration of BBR could increase the number of colonic glands and goblet cell mucus secretion, improve the intestinal barrier function, and reduce the serum glycolipid level in GLMD hamsters. Interestingly, BBR was metabolized into 12 metabolites by gut microbiota, and the main metabolic pathways were oxidation, demethylation, and hydrogenation. In addition, BBR significantly improved the species diversity and uniformity of gut microbiota and promoted the proliferation of beneficial microbiota. Furthermore, the levels of tryptophan metabolites, such as indole, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetaldehyde, indole-3-pyruvic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid were significantly altered by BBR. Both the intestinal tight junction proteins and intestinal immune factors were altered by BBR.

CONCLUSION

BBR could alleviate intestinal barrier dysfunction of GLMDs by modulating gut microbiota and gut-microbiota-related tryptophan metabolites, which may be one of the pharmacological mechanisms for the treatment of GLMDs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Aberrant branched-chain amino acid accumulation along the microbiota-gut-brain axis: Crucial targets affecting the occurrence and treatment of ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although increasing evidence illustrated that the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut is closely related to the occurrence of various complex diseases. Limited effort has been made to explore the influence of intestinal flora on the risk of ischaemic stroke. The present study aims to identify microbiota and specialized microbiota metabolites related to the occurrence and treatment of ischaemic stroke.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The role of microbiota in the occurrence and the treatment of ischaemic stroke was evaluated on ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), pseudo-germ-free and faecal transplantation animals. The target microbiota and specialized metabolites were identified by comparing their distribution in flora and metabolomic profiles in ischaemic stroke patients and animals with compared with healthy controls. The effects and mechanisms involved of the targeted metabolites in ischaemic stroke were explored in ischaemia/reperfusion rats, hypoxia/reoxygenation PC12 cells and LPS-induced inflammatory BV2 cells.

KEY RESULTS

Both ischaemic stroke patients and I/R rats had significant accumulation of branched-chain amino acids, which were closely associated with gut microflora dysbiosis and the development of ischaemic stroke. Lactobacillus helveticus (L.hel) and Lactobacillus brevis (L.bre) are identified as the microbiota most affected by ischaemia/reperfusion modelling and treatment. L.hel and L.bre colonization exhibited significant neuroprotective activity and could greatly alleviate the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids. In addition, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) accumulation was shown to exacerbate microglia-induced neuroinflammation by activating AKT/STAT3/NF-κB signalling.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Our findings demonstrated the crucial role of intestinal flora and microbiota metabolites in the occurrence and treatment of ischaemic stroke.

The role of berberine in Covid-19: potential adjunct therapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a global diastrophic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Covid-19 leads to inflammatory, immunological, and oxidative changes, by which SARS-CoV-2 leads to endothelial dysfunction (ED), acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure (MOF). Despite evidence illustrating that some drugs and vaccines effectively manage and prevent Covid-19, complementary herbal medicines are urgently needed to control this pandemic disease. One of the most used herbal medicines is berberine (BBR), which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and immune-regulatory effects; thus, BBR may be a prospective candidate against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review found that BBR has anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects with mitigation of associated inflammatory changes. BBR also reduces the risk of ALI/ARDS in Covid-19 patients by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory signaling pathways. In conclusion, BBR has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects. Therefore, it can be utilized as a possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent. BBR inhibits the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 and attenuates the associated inflammatory disorders linked by the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. Indeed, BBR can alleviate ALI/ARDS in patients with severe Covid-19. In this sense, clinical trials and prospective studies are suggested to illustrate the potential role of BBR in treating Covid-19.

A budding concept with certain microbiota, anti-proliferative family proteins, and engram theory for the innovative treatment of colon cancer

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial chronic disease. Patients with IBD have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer which has become a major health concern. IBD might exert a role of engrams for making the condition of specific inflammation in the gut. Dysregulation of immune cells induced by the command of engrams might be crucial in the pathogenesis of damages in gut epithelium. The anti-proliferative (APRO) family of anti-proliferative proteins characterized by immediate early responsive gene-products that might be involved in the machinery of the carcinogenesis in IBD. Herein, it is suggested that some probiotics with specific bacteria could prevent the development and/or progression of the IBD related tumors. In addition, consideration regarding the application of studying APRO family proteins for the comprehension of IBD related tumors has been presented. It is hypothesized that overexpression of Tob1, a member of APRO family proteins, in the epithelium of IBD could suppress the function of adjacent cytotoxic immune cells possibly via the paracrine signaling.

The mechanism of berberine alleviating metabolic disorder based on gut microbiome

With socioeconomic advances and improved living standards, metabolic syndrome has increasingly come into the attention. In recent decades, a growing number of studies have shown that the gut microbiome and its metabolites are closely related to the occurrence and development of many metabolic diseases, and play an important role that cannot be ignored, for instance, obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease and others. The correlation between gut microbiota and metabolic disorder has been widely recognized. Metabolic disorder could cause imbalance in gut microbiota, and disturbance of gut microbiota could aggravate metabolic disorder as well. Berberine (BBR), as a natural ingredient, plays an important role in the treatment of metabolic disorder. Studies have shown that BBR can alleviate the pathological conditions of metabolic disorders, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of gut microbiota: gut microbiota could regulate the absorption and utilization of berberine in the body; meanwhile, the structure and function of gut microbiota also changed after intervention by berberine. Therefore, we summarize relevant mechanism research, including the expressions of nitroreductases-producing bacteria to promote the absorption and utilization of berberine, strengthening intestinal barrier function, ameliorating inflammation regulating bile acid signal pathway and axis of bacteria-gut-brain. The aim of our study is to clarify the therapeutic characteristics of berberine further and provide the theoretical basis for the regulation of metabolic disorder from the perspective of gut microbiota.

Interactions between gut microbiota and berberine, a necessary procedure to understand the mechanisms of berberine

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has been found in many plants, such as Coptis chinensis Franch and Phellodendron chinense Schneid. Although BBR has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, its oral bioavailability is extremely low. In recent years, gut microbiota has emerged as a cynosure to understand the mechanisms of action of herbal compounds. Numerous studies have demonstrated that due to its low bioavailability, BBR can interact with the gut microbiota, thereby exhibiting altered pharmacological effects. However, no systematic and comprehensive review has summarized these interactions and their corresponding influences on pharmacological effects. Here, we describe the direct interactive relationships between BBR and gut microbiota, including regulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolism by BBR and metabolization of BBR by gut microbiota. In addition, the complex interactions between gut microbiota and BBR as well as the side effects and personalized use of BBR are discussed. Furthermore, we provide our viewpoint on future research directions regarding BBR and gut microbiota. This review not only helps to explain the mechanisms underlying BBR activity but also provides support for the rational use of BBR in clinical practice.

Effects of paternal high-fat diet and maternal rearing environment on the gut microbiota and behavior

Exposing a male rat to an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) influences attractiveness to potential female mates, the subsequent interaction of female mates with infant offspring, and the development of stress-related behavioral and neural responses in offspring. To examine the stomach and fecal microbiome's potential roles, fecal samples from 44 offspring and stomach samples from offspring and their fathers were collected and bacterial community composition was studied by 16 small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. Paternal diet (control, high-fat), maternal housing conditions (standard or semi-naturalistic housing), and maternal care (quality of nursing and other maternal behaviors) affected the within-subjects alpha-diversity of the offspring stomach and fecal microbiomes. We provide evidence from beta-diversity analyses that paternal diet and maternal behavior induced community-wide shifts to the adult offspring gut microbiome. Additionally, we show that paternal HFD significantly altered the adult offspring Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, an indicator of obesogenic potential in the gut microbiome. Additional machine-learning analyses indicated that microbial species driving these differences converged on Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. These results suggest that differences in early-life care induced by paternal diet and maternal care significantly influence the microbiota composition of offspring through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, having implications for adult stress reactivity.

Berberine alleviates monosodium glutamate induced postnatal metabolic disorders associated vascular endothelial dysfunction in newborn rats: possible role of matrix metalloproteinase-1

Excessive food additives Monosodium glutamate (MSG) results in metabolic disorders with increased Cardiovascular diseases CVD. We aimed to emphasise berberine (BBR) effect on MSG induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated endothelial dysfunction. Newborn rats were divided into control group, MSG group (4 mg/g) each other day for the first 14 days of life and MSG + BBR group that was given MSG then BBR in dose 150 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks. Body weight, food intake, systolic blood pressure, biochemical metabolic and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Aortic tissue homogenate Endothelin -1 (ET-1) and matrix metalloproteinase -1 (MMP-1) assessment, in addition to histological and EM examination were done. Newborn rats MSG exposure results in typical adult life MetS and oxidative stress with significant increase in ET-1 and MMP-1with aortic vasculopathy. BBR significantly improved all the disturbed parameters; suppress increased body weight (BW), food intake (FI) and partly improved the aortic vasculopathy lesions, holding a promise for BBR as a defending agent against MSG metabolic and vascular disorders.HIGH LIGHT MSGMSG is frequently consumed as a flavour enhancer especially between children and adolescentExcessive utilisation MSG is associated MS with vascular endothelial dysfunctionMMP-1 may be involved in atherosclerotic plaque formationBBR has beneficial outcome for metabolic disorders induced by MSG among newly born ratsBBR has a role in management vascular inflammation and remodelling.

Suppression of Berberine and Probiotics (in vitro and in vivo) on the Growth of Colon Cancer With Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Butyrate Production

Background and Objective

An increasing number of evidence has revealed that the gut microbiome functions in immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and homeostasis and is considered to be crucial due to its balance between human health and diseases such as cancer, leading to the emergence of treatments that target intestinal microbiota. Probiotics are one of them. However, many challenges remain regarding the effects of probiotics in cancer treatment. Berberine (BBR), a natural extract of Rhizoma Coptidis and extensively used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, has been found to have antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro by many recent studies, but its definite mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of BBR and probiotics on the growth of colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and the regulatory influence on the gut microbiome and butyrate production.

Methods

Colon cancer cell line HT29 was used to establish a xenograft model of nude mice and an in vitro model. A total of 44 nude mice and HT29 cells were divided into control, model, model + BBR, model + probiotics, and model + combination of BBR with probiotics (CBPs). Live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus powder (LCBLEP) was used as a probiotic preparation. LCBLEP was cultured in the liquid medium under anaerobic conditions (the number of viable bacteria should reach 1 × 10⁸CFU), and the supernatant was collected, and it is called probiotic supernatant (PS). Model + BBR and model + probiotics groups were treated with BBR and LCBLEP or PS for 4 weeks in vivo or 48, 72, and 96 h in vitro, respectively. Tumor volume or cell proliferation was measured. Gut microbiota was pyrosequenced using a 16S rDNA amplicon. HDAC1 mRNA level in HT29 cells and sodium butyrate (SB) expression in the serum of mice was detected by QPCR and ELISA.

Results

The treatment of BBR and CBP reduced the growth of neoplasms in mice to a different extent (p > 0.05), especially at 14 days. The inhibitory effect of LCBLEP on tumor growth was more significant, especially at 11-21 days (p < 0.05). Inhibition of BBR on in vitro proliferation was concentration-dependent. The suppression of 75% probiotic supernatant (PS) on the proliferation was the most significant. The supplement of LCBLEP significantly increased the richness and evenness of the gut microbe. BBR dramatically increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, with reduced Ruminococcus, followed by the LCBLEP. The LCBLEP reduced the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia, and the CBP also promoted the relative level of Bacteroidetes but reduced the level of Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia. BBR and LCBLEP or CBP improved the alpha and beta diversity and significantly affected the biomarker and metabolic function of the gut microbe in nude mice with colon cancer. The level of HDAC1 mRNA was reduced in HT29 cells treated with BBR or PS (p < 0.05), the mice treated with BBR revealed a significantly increased concentration of SB in serum (p < 0.05), and the inhibitory effect of SB on the proliferation of HT29 cells was stronger than panobinostat and TSA.

Conclusion

Although the combination of BBR and probiotics has no advantage in inhibiting tumor growth compared with the drug alone, BBR can be used as a regulator of the intestinal microbiome similar to the probiotics by mediating the production of SB during reducing the growth of colon cancer.

Changes in Rats' Gut Microbiota Composition Caused by Induced Chronic Myocardial Infarction Lead to Depression-Like Behavior

Depression is common among patients who have chronic myocardial infarction (CMI). Despite their frequency, depression and CMI are bidirectional related conditions, each is a risk for the other, and they often co-exist, suggesting shared or interacting pathomechanisms. Accumulating data revealed the effects of gut microbiota in terms of regulating depression via the gut–brain axis. Thus, we investigated the role of gut microbial dysbiosis in CMI-induced depression-like behavior. Hierarchical cluster analysis of sucrose preference test (SPT) results was adopted to classify the CMI rats into depression-like behavior (CMI + Dep) or non-depression-like behavior (CMI + Non-Dep) phenotypes. First, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analysis showed both β-diversity and relative abundance of several gut bacteria significantly differed between the CMI + Dep and CMI + Non-Dep rats. Next, transplantation of fecal microbiota from CMI + Dep rats visibly altered the relative abundance of gut microbiota and also induced depression-like behavior in the antibiotics-treated pseudo-germ-free rats. In conclusion, these findings suggested that dysbiosis in gut microbial composition contributed to the onset of CMI-induced depression-like behavior and that exogenous regulation of gut microbiota composition could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CMI and related depression-like behavior.

Effects of Berberine on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Mild Metabolic Disorders Induced by Olanzapine

Secondary metabolic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may be attributed to olanzapine. It is important to prevent mild metabolic disorders progressing to metabolic syndrome. This study aims to investigate the effects of berberine on intestinal flora in patients with mild metabolic disorders induced by olanzapine. A total of 132 patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective psychosis that had been treated with olanzapine for at least 9 months were randomly assigned ([Formula: see text] = 66 each) to receive berberine or placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Metabolic assessments and intestinal flora were quantified at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Incidence rates of adverse reactions were recorded. FPG, FPI, HOMA-IR, HbA1, TG, BMI, and WC were significantly lower in patients who received berberine compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment ([Formula: see text]< 0.05). The abundance of firmicutes and coliform were significantly lower and the abundance of bacteroides significantly higher in patients who received berberine compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment ([Formula: see text]< 0.05). In patients who received berberine, the abundance of firmicutes was significantly decreased, and the abundance of bacteroides was significantly increased, and in patients who received placebo, the abundance of firmicutes was significantly increased post-treatment, compared to baseline (both [Formula: see text]< 0.05). In conclusions, berberine may regulate intestinal flora and metabolism in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and mild metabolic disturbances induced by olanzapine.

Multi-target regulation of intestinal microbiota by berberine to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications are major public health problems that seriously affect the quality of human life. The modification of intestinal microbiota has been widely recognized for the management of diabetes. The relationship between T2DM, intestinal microbiota, and active ingredient berberine (BBR) in intestinal microbiota was reviewed in this paper. First of all, the richness and functional changes of intestinal microbiota disrupt the intestinal environment through the destruction of the intestinal barrier and fermentation/degradation of pathogenic/protective metabolites, targeting the liver, pancreas, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), etc., to affect intestinal health, blood glucose, and lipids, insulin resistance and inflammation. Then, we focus on BBR, which protects the composition of intestinal microbiota, the changes of intestinal metabolites, and immune regulation disorder of the intestinal environment as the therapeutic mechanism as well as its current clinical trials. Further research can analyze the mechanism network of BBR to exert its therapeutic effect according to its multi-target compound action, to provide a theoretical basis for the use of different phytochemical components alone or in combination to prevent and treat T2DM or other metabolic diseases by regulating intestinal microbiota.

The rich pharmacological activities of Magnolia officinalis and secondary effects based on significant intestinal contributions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Magnolia officinalis Cortex (M. officinalis) is a traditional herbal drug widely used in Asian countries. Depending on its multiple biological activities, M. officinalis is used to regulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, relieve cough and asthma, prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and treat depression and anxiety.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

We aimed to review the abundant form of pharmacodynamics activity and potential mechanisms of action of M. officinalis and the characteristics of the internal processes of the main components. The potential mechanisms of local and distance actions of M. officinalis based on GI tract was provided, and it was used to reveal the interconnections between traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Published literatures about M. officinalis and its main components were collected from several scientific databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Web of Science etc. RESULTS: M. officinalis was shown multiple effects including effects on digestive system, respiratory system, central system, which is consistent with traditional applications, as well as some other activities such as cardiovascular system, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and so on. The mechanisms of these activities are abundant. Its chief ingredients such as magnolol and honokiol can be metabolized into active metabolites in vivo, which can increase water solubility and bioavailability and exert pharmacological activity in the whole body. In the GI tract, M. officinalis and its main ingredient can regulate GI hormones and substance metabolism, protect the intestinal barrier and affect the gut microbiota (GM). These actions are effective to improve local discomfort and some distal symptoms such as depression, asthma, or metabolic disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Although M. officinalis has rich pharmacological effects, the GI tract makes great contributions to it. The GI tract is not only an important place for absorption and metabolism but also a key site to help M. officinalis exert local and distal efficacy. Pharmacodynamical studies on the efficacies of distal tissues based on the contributions of the GI tract hold great potential for understanding the benefits of M. officinalis and providing new ideas for the treatment of important diseases.

Serum Metabolome Mediates the Antiobesity Effect of Celastrol-Induced Gut Microbial Alterations

The antiobesity effect of celastrol has been reported in numerous studies, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. It is widely accepted that gut dysbiosis is closely related to obesity. The potential effect of celastrol on microbiota is worth exploring. In this study, the celastrol-induced weight loss was validated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, with the detection of reported phenotypes including a reduction in food intake, augments in dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism, and adipose thermogenesis. The anti-inflammatory effect of celastrol was also proved based on the alterations in serum cytokines. Antibiotic interference showed that gut microbiota contributes to celastrol-induced weight loss. Several key bacteria were identified using shotgun metagenomic sequencing to display the alterations of the intestinal microbiome in obese mice treated with celastrol. Meanwhile, the fecal and serum metabolic profiles were generated by pseudotargeted metabolomics, and changes in some critical metabolites related to appetite and metabolism were detected. Importantly, we applied in silico bidirectional mediation analysis to identify the precise connections among the alterations in gut microbes, serum metabolome, and host phenotypes induced by celastrol treatment for the first time. Therefore, we concluded that the celastrol-induced microbial changes partially contribute to the antiobesity effect via the serum metabolome. The mass spectrometry data are deposited on MetaboLights (ID: MTBLS3278).

Multi-Pharmacology of Berberine in Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Diseases: Potential Contribution of Gut Microbiota

Atherosclerosis (AS), especially atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs), and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) are major public health issues worldwide that seriously threaten human health. Exploring effective natural product-based drugs is a promising strategy for the treatment of AS and metabolic diseases. Berberine (BBR), an important isoquinoline alkaloid found in various medicinal plants, has been shown to have multiple pharmacological effects and therapeutic applications. In view of its low bioavailability, increasing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota may serve as a target for the multifunctional effects of BBR. Under the pathological conditions of AS and metabolic diseases, BBR improves intestinal barrier function and reduces inflammation induced by gut microbiota-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Moreover, BBR reverses or induces structural and compositional alterations in the gut microbiota and regulates gut microbe-dependent metabolites as well as related downstream pathways; this improves glucose and lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. These findings at least partly explain the effect of BBR on AS and metabolic diseases. In this review, we elaborate on the research progress of BBR and its mechanisms of action in the treatment of AS and metabolic diseases from the perspective of gut microbiota, to reveal the potential contribution of gut microbiota to the multifunctional biological effects of BBR.

The effect of berberine adjunctive treatment on glycolipid metabolism in patients with schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Previous studies have shown that berberine can improve metabolic disturbances in non-psychiatric patients, but no clinical research has been conducted in schizophrenia. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eligible patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomized to receive placebo or berberine (900mg/day) as an adjunctive treatment for eight weeks. Peripheral glycolipid metabolism parameters were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Sixty-five patients were included, and forty-nine patients completed the 8-week trial. Berberine led to significant declines in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting serum insulin, and insulin resistance(all p<0.05) compared with placebo. Baseline body mass index and serum prolactin concentration could predict the effect of berberine on insulin resistance. Berberine adjunctive treatment may reduce the risk of glycolipid metabolic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia.

Berberine alleviates lipid metabolism disorders via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I in gut and liver

This study is to investigate the relationship between berberine (BBR) and mitochondrial complex I in lipid metabolism. BBR reversed high-fat diet-induced obesity, hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in mice. Fatty acid consumption, β-oxidation and lipogenesis were attenuated in liver after BBR treatment which may be through reduction in SCD1, FABP1, CD36 and CPT1A. BBR promoted fecal lipid excretion, which may result from the reduction in intestinal CD36 and SCD1. Moreover, BBR inhibited mitochondrial complex I-dependent oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis of liver and gut, but no impact on activities of complex II, III and IV. BBR ameliorated mitochondrial swelling, facilitated mitochondrial fusion, and reduced mtDNA and citrate synthase activity. BBR decreased the abundance and diversity of gut microbiome. However, no change in metabolism of recipient mice was observed after fecal microbiota transplantation from BBR treated mice. In primary hepatocytes, BBR and AMPK activator A769662 normalized oleic acid-induced lipid deposition. Although both the agents activated AMPK, BBR decreased oxygen consumption whereas A769662 increased it. Collectively, these findings indicated that BBR repressed complex I in gut and liver and consequently inhibited lipid metabolism which led to alleviation of obesity and fatty liver. This process was independent of intestinal bacteria.

Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota

The gastrointestinal microbiota is a multi-faceted system that is unraveling novel contributors to the development and progression of several diseases. Berberine has been used to treat obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and metabolic diseases in China. There are also clinical trials regarding berberine use in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and endocrine diseases. Berberine elicits clinical benefits at standard doses and has low toxicity. The mechanism underlying the role of berberine in lipid‐lowering and insulin resistance is incompletely understood, but one of the possible mechanisms is related to its effect on the gastrointestinal microbiota. An extensive search in electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Sciences, Science Direct) was used to identify the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the berberine treatment. The aim of this review was to summarize the pharmacologic effects of berberine on animals and humans by regulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota.

New insights into the links between anti-diabetes drugs and gut microbiota

In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the intestinal flora is out of balance and accompanied by leaky gut. The flora is characterized by an increase in mucus-degrading bacteria and a decrease in fiber-degrading bacteria. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as the major fiber-degrading bacteria fermentation, not only ameliorate the leaky gut, but also activate GPR43 to increase the mass of functional pancreatic β-cells and exert anti-inflammation effect. At present, the gut microbiota is considered as the potential target for anti-diabetes drugs, and how to reverse the imbalance of gut microbiota has become a therapeutic strategy for T2DM. This review briefly summarizes the drugs or compounds that have direct or potential therapeutic effects on T2DM by modulating the gut microbiota, including biguanides, isoquinoline alkaloids, stilbene and C7N-aminocyclic alcohols.

Dietary supplementation with berberine improves growth performance and modulates the composition and function of cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers

This study investigated the effect of berberine (BBR) on growth performance and composition and function of cecal microbiota in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old female broilers were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicates of 20 birds. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet as negative control (NC), basal plus 200 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium and 250 mg/kg nasiheptide as an antibiotic positive control (PC), and basal plus 250 mg/kg BBR. On day 21, 42, and 63, one chicken from each replicate was randomly selected for blood collection and cecal sampling. The 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the community composition and function of cecal microbiota. Dietary supplementation with antibiotics or BBR increased the final body weight (BW) at day 63 and the average daily gain (ADG) during 1 to 21 d compared with the NC (P < 0.05). Supplementation with BBR improved the average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 22 to 42 d, 43 to 63 d, and 1 to 63 d (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency, indicated by feed to gain ratio (F/G), increased with PC during day 1 to 21 compared with NC (P < 0.05). The plasma concentrations of total protein at 42 d and uric acid at 21 d were increased, whereas creatine concentration at 63 d was decreased by BBR treatment (P < 0.05). The Chao 1 and Shannon index representing microbial α-diversity was reduced by BBR treatment (P < 0.05). The abundances of phylum Firmicutes and genera Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium, Clostridiales, and Intestinimonas were decreased, whereas the abundances of phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides were increased with BBR treatment. Functional prediction of microbiota revealed that BBR treatment enriched pathways related to metabolism, organismal systems, and genetic information processing, especially DNA replication. The abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, and genera Bacteroides and Lactobacillus in cecal contents were positively correlated with broiler growth performance. These results demonstrated dietary BBR supplementation improved the growth performance of yellow-feathered broilers, and was closely related to the significant changes in cecal microbiota composition.

Therapeutic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine to improve metabolic diseases via the gut microbiota

Metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia are associated with the dysfunction of gut microbiota. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have shown considerable effects in the treatment of metabolic disorders by regulating the gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Studies have shown that TCMs significantly affect glucose and lipid metabolism by modulating the gut microbiota, particularly mucin-degrading bacteria, bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties, lipopolysaccharide- and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and bacteria with bile-salt hydrolase activity. In this review, we explored potential mechanisms by which TCM improved metabolic disorders via regulating gut microbiota composition and functional structure. In particular, we focused on the protection of the intestinal barrier function, modulation of metabolic endotoxemia and inflammatory responses, regulation of the effects of SCFAs, modulation of the gut-brain axis, and regulation of bile acid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism as therapeutic mechanisms of TCMs in metabolic diseases.

Therapeutic effect of berberine on metabolic diseases: Both pharmacological data and clinical evidence

The increased incidence of metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) has seriously affected human health and life safety worldwide. It is of great significance to find effective drugs from natural compounds to treat metabolic diseases. Berberine (BBR), an important quaternary benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, exists in many traditional medicinal plants. In recent years, BBR has received widespread attention due to its good potential in the treatment of metabolic diseases. In order to promote the basic research and clinical application of BBR, this review provides a timely and comprehensive summary of the pharmacological and clinical advances of BBR in the treatment of five metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and gout. Both animal and clinical studies have proved that BBR has good therapeutic effects on these five metabolic diseases. The therapeutic effects of BBR are based on regulating various metabolic aspects and pathophysiological procedures. For example, it can promote insulin secretion, improve insulin resistance, inhibit lipogenesis, alleviate adipose tissue fibrosis, reduce hepatic steatosis, and improve gut microbiota disorders. Collectively, BBR may be a good and promising drug candidate for the treatment of metabolic diseases. More studies, especially clinical trials, are needed to further confirm its molecular mechanisms and targets. In addition, large-scale, long-term and multi-center clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BBR in the treatment of these metabolic diseases.

Berberine as a Potential Multi-Target Agent for Metabolic Diseases: A Review of Investigations for Berberine

Berberine (BBR) is a botanic alkaloid extracted from Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), which has various properties, compassing anti-hyperglycemia, anti-obesity, anti-inflammation, and improves insulin resistance, etc. Several researches have confirmed that BBR has effective actions in treating glycolipid metabolic abnormalities. BBR is also beneficial in regulating intestinal flora. Metabolic diseases are strongly associated with metabolic disorders, which are growing in the population and dramatically impacting human health, which also have been considered as a leading cause of diseases and death globally. This review is to evaluate the metabolic properties of BBR, and its potential application to the treatment of metabolic diseases by its effective actions on metabolic disorders.

Berberine and its structural analogs have differing effects on functional profiles of individual gut microbiomes

The understanding of the effects of compounds on the gut microbiome is limited. In particular, it is unclear whether structurally similar compounds would have similar or distinct effects on the gut microbiome. Here, we selected berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid, and 16 structural analogs and evaluated their effects on seven individual gut microbiomes cultured in vitro. The responses of the individual microbiomes were evaluated by metaproteomic profiles and by assessing butyrate production. We show that both interindividual differences and compound treatments significantly contributed to the variance of metaproteomic profiles. BBR and eight analogs led to changes in proteins involved in microbial defense and stress responses and enrichment of proteins from Verrucomicrobia, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla. It also led to a decrease in proteins from the Firmicutes phylum and its Clostridiales order which correlated to decrease proteins involved in the butyrate production pathway and butyrate concentration. Three of the compounds, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and ethoxysanguinarine, activated bacterial protective mechanisms, enriched Proteobacteria, increased opacity proteins, and markedly reduced butyrate production. Dihydroberberine had a similar function to BBR in enriching the Akkermansia genus. In addition, it showed less overall adverse impacts on the functionality of the gut microbiome, including a better maintenance of the butyrate level. Our study shows that ex vivo microbiome assay can assess differential regulating effects of compounds with subtle differences and reveals that compound analogs can have distinct effects on the microbiome.

High intake of chicken and pork proteins aggravates high-fat-diet-induced inflammation and disorder of hippocampal glutamatergic system

High-fat diets have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, which are also largely related to the type and amount of dietary proteins. However, to our knowledge, it is little known how dietary proteins affect neurodegenerative changes. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary proteins in a high-fat diet on hippocampus functions related to enteric glial cells (EGCs) in Wistar rats that were fed either 40% or 20% (calorie) casein, chicken protein or pork protein for 12 weeks (n=10 each group). Inflammatory factors, glutamatergic system, EGCs, astrocytes and nutrient transporters were measured. A high-chicken-protein diet significantly increased the levels of systemic inflammatory factors, Tau protein and amyloid precursor protein mRNA level in the rat hippocampus. The type and level of dietary proteins in high-fat diets did not affect the gene expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and α-synuclein (P>.05), indicating a negligible effect on astrocyte activity. However, the high-protein diets up-regulated glutamate transporters compared with the low-protein diets (P<.05), while they reduced the γ-aminobutyric acid content in high-chicken and -pork-protein diets (P<.05). Thus, compared with a low-protein diet (20%), a high-chicken or -pork-protein diet (40%) under a high-fat background could alter the balance between glutamatergic system and neurotransmitter and have a stronger effect on the interactions between hippocampal glutamatergic system and EGCs.

Gut Microbiota Associations with Metabolic Health and Obesity Status in Older Adults

Emerging evidence links the gut microbiota with several chronic diseases. However, the relationships between metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity and the gut microbiome are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate associations between gut microbiota composition and diversity and metabolic health status in older adults (n = 382; median age = 69.91 [± 5 years], male = 50.79%) with and without obesity. Gut microbiome composition was determined by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Results showed that alpha diversity and richness, as indicated by the Chao1 index (p = 0.038), phylogenetic diversity (p = 0.003) and observed species (p = 0.038) were higher among the metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO) individuals compared to their metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO) counterparts. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinct differences between the MHNO and MUNO individuals on the phylogenetic distance scale (R² = 0.007, p = 0.004). The main genera contributing to the gut composition among the non-obese individuals were Prevotella, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae. Prevotella, Blautia, Bacteroides, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae mainly contributed to the variation among the obese individuals. Co-occurrence network analysis displayed different modules pattern among different metabolic groups and revealed groups of microbes significantly correlated with individual metabolic health markers. These findings confirm relationships between metabolic health status and gut microbiota composition particularly, among non-obese older adults.

Abnormal gut microbiota composition contributes to cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Both diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are age-related disorders, and numerous studies have demonstrated that patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction (CD) and Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting shared or interacting pathomechanisms. The present study investigated the role of abnormal gut microbiota in diabetes-induced CD and the potential underlying mechanisms. An intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin administered for 5 consecutive days was used for establishing a diabetic animal model. Hierarchical cluster analysis of Morris water maze (MWM) performance indices (escape latency and target quadrant crossing) was adopted to classify the diabetic model mice into CD and Non-CD phenotypes. Both β-diversity and relative abundance of several gut bacteria significantly differed between the CD and Non-CD groups. Further, fecal bacteria transplantation from Non-CD mice, but not from CD mice, into the gut of pseudo-germ-free mice significantly improved host MWM performance, an effect associated with alterations in β-diversity and relative abundance of host gut bacteria. Collectively, these findings suggest that abnormal gut microbiota composition contributes to the onset of diabetes-induced CD and that improving gut microbiota composition is a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetes and related comorbidities.

The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review

This study provides a critical overview of experimental studies in vitro, in humans, and in animals that evaluated the efficacy of Berberine and its effect on management of obesity and the related metabolic consequences. As a result of this review, we summarized the effects of Berberine in different models and the related mechanism of actions. In preclinical models, Berberine demonstrates that it affects gut microbiota by reducing diversity of microbes starting at a dosage of 100 mg/kg/day. Moreover, in animal models, Berberine explicates an action on glucose through the inhibition of α-glycosidase at a dose of 200 mh/kg/day. Berberine is also known to be effective against differentiation of adipocytes through a decrease in LXRs, PPARs, and SREBPs expression at 150 mg/kg/day. Other mechanism ascribed to Berberine are related to its inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis through the Phospheoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), Glucose-6-phosphate (G6Pase) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, Berberine (associated to Red Yeast Rice) is effective in decreasing lipid levels in rats, which consequently lowers the change of weight gain at dosage of 40 mg/kg to 380 mg/kg/day. All the above preclinical data are confirmed in human studies where Berberine can modulate the diversity of gut microbes at the dose of 500 mg/day. In addition, Berberine is found to have a beneficial impact on gene regulation for the absorption of cholesterol at a daily dose of 300 mg in humans, an amelioration on glucose accumulation at 1.0 g daily dose was also observed. For all these reasons, this review gives an important good account of the impact of Berberine in obesity treatment and prevention.

Berberine pharmacology and the gut microbiota: A hidden therapeutic link

Berberine is a natural pentacyclic isoquinoline alkaloid that has been isolated as the principal component of many popular medicinal plants such as the genus Berberis, Coptis and Hydrastis. The multifunctional nature of berberine as a therapeutic agent is an attribute of its diverse effects on enzymes, receptors and cell signalling pathways. Through specific and general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, its polypharmacology has been established. Intriguingly, this is despite the poor bioavailability of berberine in animal models and hence begging the question how it induces its reputed effects in vivo. A growing evidence now suggest the role of the gut microbiota, the so-called the hidden organ, as targets for the multifunctional role of berberine. Evidences are herein scrutinised to show that the structural and numerical changes in the gut microbiota under pathological conditions are reversed by berberine. Examples in the pharmacokinetics field, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory disease conditions, etc. are used to show the link between the gut microbiota and the polypharmacology of berberine.

Berberine attenuated olanzapine-induced metabolic alterations in mice: Targeting transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 and 3 channels

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels are emerging therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders. Berberine, which is a modulator of TRPV1, has proven antiobesity and antidiabetic potentials. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of berberine in olanzapine-induced alterations in hypothalamic appetite control, inflammation and metabolic aberrations in mice targeting TRPV1 channels. Female BALB/c mice (18-23 g) were treated with olanzapine (6 mg/kg, p.o.) for six weeks to induce metabolic alterations, while berberine (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and metformin (100 mg/kg, p.o) were used as test and standard interventions respectively. Weekly assessment of feed-water intake, body temperature and body weight was done, while locomotion was measured at the end of week 1 and 6. Serum glucose and lipid profile were assessed by biochemical methods, while other serum biomarkers were assessed by ELISA. qPCR was used to quantify the mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Olanzapine treatment significantly increased the feed intake, weight gain, adiposity index, while reduced body temperature and locomotor activity which were reversed by berberine treatment. Berberine treatment reduced serum ghrelin and leptin levels as well decrease in hypothalamic mRNA expression of orexigenic neuropeptides, inflammatory markers and ghrelin receptor in olanzapine-treated mice. Olanzapine treatment increased expression of TRPV1/TRPV3 in the hypothalamus which was significantly decreased by berberine treatment. Our results suggest that berberine, by TRPV1/TRPV3 modulation, attenuated the olanzapine-induced metabolic alterations in mice. Hence berberine supplementation in psychiatric patients could be a preventive approach to reduce the metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics.

Berberine in the treatment of metabolism-related chronic diseases: A drug cloud (dCloud) effect to target multifactorial disorders

Berberine (BBR) is a multi-target drug (MTD) that has proven effective in the treatment of metabolism-related chronic diseases (CDs). However, the mode of action (MOA) of BBR remains to be clarified. At a cellular level, the inhibitory effect of BBR on mitochondrial enzymes is probably responsible for many of its biological activities, including the activation of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and insulin receptor (InsR); these biological activities contribute to ameliorate peripheral blood metabolic profiles, e.g. by reducing plasma lipids and glucose levels, thus improving signs and symptoms of metabolic disorders. In this perspective, BBR acts as a targeted therapy. However, it also exerts pleiotropic systemic activities on some root causes of CDs that include antioxidant / anti-inflammatory effects and modifications of gut microbiota composition and metabolism, which may also contribute to its disease-modifying effects. After reviewing the different MOA of BBR, here we propose that BBR acts through a drug-cloud (dCloud) mechanism, as different to a drug-target effect. The dCloud here is defined as a group of terminal molecular events induced by the drug (or/and related metabolites), as well as the network connections among them. In this scenario, the therapeutic efficacy of BBR is the result of its dCloud effect acting on symptoms/signs as well as on root causes of the diseases. The dCloud concept is applicable to other established MTDs, such as aspirin, metformin, statins as well as to nutrient starvation, thus providing a novel instrument for the design of effective therapies against multifactorial metabolism-related CDs.

Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1132 Strain and Its Mutant with Different Bacteriocin-Producing Behaviour Have Various in Situ Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Healthy Mice

The production of bacteriocin is considered to be a probiotic trait of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, not all strains of LAB harbour bacteriocin genes, even within the same species. Moreover, the effects of bacteriocins on the host gut microbiota and on host physiological indicators are rarely studied. This study evaluated the effects of the bacteriocin-producing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain JCM1132 and its non-producing spontaneous mutant, L. acidophilus CCFM720, on the physiological statuses and gut microbiota of healthy mice. Mice that received the bacteriocin-producing strain JCM1132 exhibited reduced water and food intake. Furthermore, the administration of these strains induced significant changes in the compositional abundance of faecal microbiota at the phylum and genus levels, and some of these changes were more pronounced after one week of withdrawal. The effects of CCFM720 treatment on the gut microbiota seemed to favour the prevention of metabolic diseases to some extent. However, individuals that received JCM1132 treatment exhibited weaker inflammatory responses than those that received CCFM720 treatment. Our results indicate that treatment with bacteriocin-producing or non-producing strains can have different effects on the host. Accordingly, this trait should be considered in the applications of LAB.

Inhibition of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes by select phytochemicals

Current research indicates that changes in gut microbiota can impact the host, but it is not always clear how dietary and environmental factors alter gut microbiota. One potential factor is antimicrobial activity of compounds ingested by the host. The goal of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of common plant secondary metabolites against pure cultures of paired, structurally and phylogenetically distinct gastrointestinal bacteria of human or bovine origin: Prevotella bryantii B₁4, Bacteroides fragilis 25285, Acetoanaerobium (Clostridium) sticklandii SR and Clostridioides difficile 9689. When growth media were amended with individual phytochemicals (the alkaloids: berberine, capsaicin, nicotine, piperine and quinine and the phenolic: curcumin), growth of each species was inhibited to varying degrees at the three greatest concentrations tested (0.10-10.00 mg mL^-1). The viable cell numbers of all the cultures were reduced, ≥4-logs, by berberine at concentrations ≥1.00 mg mL^-1. Quinine performed similarly to berberine for B₁4, 25285, and SR at the same concentrations. The other phytochemicals were inhibitory, but not as much as quinine or berberine. Nicotine had activity against all four species (≥2-log reduction in viable cell number at 10.00 mg mL^-1), but had stronger activity against the Gram-positive bacteria, SR and 9689, (≥4-log reductions at 10.00 mg mL^-1). In conclusion, the phytochemicals had varying spectra of antimicrobial activity. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ingested phytochemicals have the ability to differentially impact gut microbiota through antimicrobial activity.

Coptidis Rhizoma: a comprehensive review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

CONTEXT

Coptidis rhizome (CR), also known as Huanglian in Chinese, is the rhizome of Coptis chinensis Franch., C. deltoidea C.Y. Cheng et Hsiao, or C. teeta Wall (Ranunculaceae). It has been widely used to treat bacillary dysentery, diabetes, pertussis, sore throat, aphtha, and eczema in China.

OBJECTIVES

The present paper reviews the latest advances of CR, focusing on the botany, phytochemistry, traditional usages, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and toxicology of CR and its future perspectives.

METHODS

Studies from 1985 to 2018 were reviewed from books; PhD. and MSc. dissertations; the state and local drug standards; PubMed; CNKI; Scopus; the Web of Science; and Google Scholar using the keywords Coptis, Coptidis Rhizoma, Huanglian, and goldthread.

RESULTS

Currently, 128 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from CR. Alkaloids are the characteristic components, together with organic acids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids and quinones. The extracts/compounds isolated from CR cover a wide pharmacological spectrum, including antibacterial, antivirus, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer and cardioprotective effects. Berberine is the most important active constituent and the primary toxic component of CR.

CONCLUSIONS

As an important herbal medicine in Chinese medicine, CR has the potential to treat various diseases. However, further research should be undertaken to investigate the clinical effects, toxic constituents, target organs and pharmacokinetics, and to establish criteria for quality control, for CR and its related medications. In addition, the active constituents, other than alkaloids, in both raw and processed products of CR should be investigated.

Abnormal gut microbiota composition contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in db/db mice

It is well recognized that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an age-related metabolic disease, emerging gradually as a major global health burden that has gained public attention. Meanwhile, increasing attention is paid to the crucial role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and therapeutic mechanisms of metabolic disorders, especially T2DM. In this study, we used C57 BL/KS db/db male mice as a T2DM murine model. We found that the β-diversity and relative abundances of gut bacteria were obviously altered in db/db mice, associated with a significant increase in Verrucomicrobia at six levels (phylum, class, order, etc.) and family S24-7 and a significant decrease in Bacteroidaceae at family, genus, and species levels, as well as Prevotellaceae at family and genus levels. Furthermore, fecal bacteria from db/db and m/m mice transplanted into pseudo-germ-free mice showed a significant change in the metabolic parameters, including the body weight, fasting blood glucose, fluid and food intake, and alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. Taken together, these findings suggest that abnormalities in the composition of the gut microbiota might contribute to the development of T2DM and that potential therapeutic strategies improving gut microbiota might provide beneficial effects for individuals with T2DM and age-related glucose intolerance.

Abnormal gut microbiota composition contributes to cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8 mice

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by cognitive dysfunction and aging is an important predisposing factor; however, the pathological and therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood. Recently, the role of gut microbiota in Alzheimer’s disease has received increasing attention. The cognitive function in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice was significantly decreased and the Chao 1 and Shannon indices, principal coordinates analysis, and principal component analysis results were notably abnormal compared with that of those in senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Moreover, 27 gut bacteria at six phylogenetic levels differed between SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice. In a separate study, we transplanted fecal bacteria from SAMP8 or SAMR1 mice into pseudo germ-free mice. Interestingly, the pseudo germ-free mice had significantly lower cognitive function prior to transplant. Pseudo germ-free mice that received fecal bacteria transplants from SAMR1 mice but not from SAMP8 mice showed improvements in behavior and in α-diversity and β-diversity indices. In total, 14 bacteria at six phylogenetic levels were significantly altered by the gut microbiota transplant. These results suggest that cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8 mice is associated with abnormal composition of the gut microbiota. Thus, improving abnormal gut microbiota may provide an alternative treatment for cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease.