Rong XinQian, Zhu LingFeng, Shu QingLong
College of traditional Chinese medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Jul;13(7):e0303924. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03039-24. Epub 2025 May 27.
and are traditional Chinese medicines known for their tonifying effects, which are linked to the metabolism of their polysaccharide components in the gut. However, the role of gut microbiota in the degradation of these polysaccharides to butyric acid remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the degradation of polysaccharides from and by healthy mice fecal microbiota, focusing on butyric acid production and the associated microbial gene expression. We conducted an analysis of the degradation of homogeneous polysaccharides. from and using fecal microbiota cultures derived from healthy mice. The fecal microbiota was cultured with the polysaccharides for 48 hours, after which the degradation liquid was collected for butyric acid quantification and metatranscriptome analysis of the microbiota. The degradation of polysaccharide resulted in a significant increase in butyric acid levels compared to those produced from polysaccharide or fructooligosaccharide (control). Differential gene expression analysis indicated an upregulation of carbohydrate-active enzymes and genes associated with butyrate production during the degradation of polysaccharides. Additionally, the findings suggested that synergistic interactions between polysaccharide-degrading and butyrate-producing bacteria play a crucial role in the microbiota's response to specific polysaccharides. This study highlights the potential of polysaccharides to enhance butyric acid production through specific gut microbiota interactions, suggesting their beneficial effects on gut health and metabolism. Further research may provide insights into the therapeutic applications of these traditional medicines in modulating gut microbiota and improving health outcomes.IMPORTANCEThis study significantly advances our understanding of the role of gut microbiota in the metabolism of traditional Chinese medicinal polysaccharides, specifically those from and . By demonstrating that polysaccharide enhances butyric acid production more effectively than polysaccharide or fructooligosaccharides, the research highlights the potential of these natural compounds in modulating gut health. The identification of upregulated carbohydrate-active enzymes and butyrate production genes provides valuable insights into the microbial mechanisms underlying polysaccharide degradation. This work not only contributes to the field of microbiome research but also supports the development of functional foods and therapeutics aimed at enhancing gut health through targeted polysaccharide consumption.
[具体药材名称1]和[具体药材名称2]是具有滋补功效的传统中药，其与肠道中多糖成分的代谢有关。然而，肠道微生物群在将这些多糖降解为丁酸过程中的作用仍不清楚。本研究旨在调查健康小鼠粪便微生物群对[具体药材名称1]和[具体药材名称2]多糖的降解情况，重点关注丁酸的产生及相关微生物基因表达。我们对来自[具体药材名称1]和[具体药材名称2]的均匀多糖的降解进行了体外分析，使用源自健康小鼠的粪便微生物群培养物。将粪便微生物群与多糖培养48小时，之后收集降解液用于丁酸定量和微生物群的宏转录组分析。与[具体药材名称2]多糖或低聚果糖（对照）产生的丁酸水平相比，[具体药材名称1]多糖的降解导致丁酸水平显著增加。差异基因表达分析表明，在[具体药材名称1]多糖降解过程中，碳水化合物活性酶和与丁酸盐产生相关的基因上调。此外，研究结果表明，多糖降解菌和丁酸盐产生菌之间的协同相互作用在微生物群对特定多糖的反应中起关键作用。本研究强调了[具体药材名称1]多糖通过特定肠道微生物群相互作用增强丁酸产生的潜力，表明其对肠道健康和新陈代谢的有益作用。进一步的研究可能会为这些传统药物在调节肠道微生物群和改善健康结果方面的治疗应用提供见解。重要性本研究显著推进了我们对肠道微生物群在传统中药多糖代谢中的作用的理解，特别是来自[具体药材名称1]和[具体药材名称2]的多糖。通过证明[具体药材名称1]多糖比[具体药材名称2]多糖或低聚果糖更有效地增强丁酸产生，该研究突出了这些天然化合物在调节肠道健康方面的潜力。对上调的碳水化合物活性酶和丁酸盐产生基因的鉴定为多糖降解的微生物机制提供了有价值的见解。这项工作不仅有助于微生物组研究领域，还支持旨在通过有针对性地食用多糖来增强肠道健康的功能性食品和治疗方法的开发。
