College of Food Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China.
College of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China.
J Food Biochem. 2021 May;45(5):e13737. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13737. Epub 2021 Apr 20.
Areca nut and Fuzhuan brick tea, a type of natural plant products, have obvious effects of fat reduction and weight loss; however, there is no report on their synergistic effect. This study investigated the effects of Fuzhuan brick tea supplemented with different concentrations of areca nut (5% (LAF), 10% (MAF), and 20% (HAF)) on serum and gut microbiota in Kunming (KM) mice. The results showed that Fuzhuan brick tea supplemented with areca nuts (AFTs) could reduce weight, prevent the accumulation of fat, inhibit the increase in the levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood glucose, free fatty acid, insulin, and total bile acid, alleviate the decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and regulate the composition of gut microbiota by high-fat diet intervention. The HAF group with 20% areca nut content showed the best effect. These results could provide a novel approach to prevent obesity and hyperlipidemia. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of areca nut and tea is widespread in Asia and other regions. As a controversial raw material, the damage due to areca nut to oral mucosa health has often aroused public concern and heated discussion; however, its medicinal value has been confirmed in terms of its pharmacological effects in various aspects. Fuzhuan brick tea, a type of traditional postfermented dark tea, has been confirmed to exert effects of antiobesity. Therefore, the areca nut and Fuzhuan brick tea, as a type of natural plant products, have obvious effects of fat reduction and weight loss; however, their synergistic effect has not been reported. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the effects of the Fuzhuan brick tea supplemented with areca nuts (AFTs) on serum and gut microbiota in mice. On the premise of exerting their beneficial effects (especially in terms of easing food stagnation and eliminating indigestion) and reducing their toxic and side effects, the effects of AFTs on health were further clarified, which could provide a novel direction for the development and utilization of areca nut. Moreover, our research would increase public understanding of areca nut and provide guidance to the Fuzhuan brick tea processing industry.
槟榔和茯砖茶都是天然植物产品，具有明显的减脂和减肥效果；然而，目前尚未有关于它们协同作用的报道。本研究探讨了不同浓度的槟榔添加茯砖茶（5%（LAF）、10%（MAF）和 20%（HAF））对昆明（KM）小鼠血清和肠道微生物群的影响。结果表明，槟榔添加茯砖茶（AFTs）可减轻体重、防止脂肪堆积、抑制血清甘油三酯、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血糖、游离脂肪酸、胰岛素和总胆汁酸水平升高、缓解高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平降低，并通过高脂肪饮食干预调节肠道微生物群组成。含 20%槟榔的 HAF 组效果最佳。这些结果为预防肥胖和高脂血症提供了一种新方法。实际应用：食用槟榔和茶在亚洲和其他地区非常普遍。作为一种有争议的原料，槟榔对口腔黏膜健康的损害经常引起公众关注和热议；然而，其在各个方面的药理作用已得到证实。茯砖茶，一种传统的后发酵黑茶，已被证实具有抗肥胖作用。因此，作为一种天然植物产品，槟榔和茯砖茶具有明显的减脂和减肥效果；然而，目前尚未有关于它们协同作用的报道。据我们所知，这项研究首次探讨了茯砖茶添加槟榔（AFTs）对小鼠血清和肠道微生物群的影响。在发挥其有益作用（特别是在缓解食积和消除消化不良方面）和降低其毒性和副作用的前提下，进一步阐明了 AFTs 对健康的影响，为槟榔的开发利用提供了新的方向。此外，我们的研究将增加公众对槟榔的认识，并为茯砖茶加工行业提供指导。
