Gut microbiota modulation accounts for the neuroprotective properties of anthocyanins

Abstract

High-fat (HF) diets are thought to disrupt the profile of the gut microbiota in a manner that may contribute to the neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral changes observed in obesity. Accordingly, we hypothesize that by preventing HF-diet induced dysbiosis it is possible to prevent neuroinflammation and the consequent neurological disorders. Anthocyanins are flavonoids found in berries that exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory properties in the context of obesity. Here, we demonstrate that the blackberry anthocyanin-rich extract (BE) can modulate gut microbiota composition and counteract some of the features of HF-diet induced dysbiosis. In addition, we show that the modifications in gut microbial environment are partially linked with the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of BE. Through fecal metabolome analysis, we unravel the mechanism by which BE participates in the bilateral communication between the gut and the brain. BE alters host tryptophan metabolism, increasing the production of the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid. These findings strongly suggest that dietary manipulation of the gut microbiota with anthocyanins can attenuate the neurologic complications of obesity, thus expanding the classification of psychobiotics to anthocyanins.

Multidisciplinary Role of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Brain Regeneration and Cancers: From Crossing the Blood–Brain Barrier to Treatment

“…Improvements in life expectancy of the majority of citizens worldwide has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to predict that by 2040, neurodegenerative diseases will surpass cancer as the second reason of death after cardiovascular diseases in such aged populations . As per a 2017 report, neurological diseases cost the United States of America about $800 billion annually and this number is expected to increase even further over the coming years as the percentage of aged citizens increases …”

Anthocyanins as Antidiabetic Agents—In Vitro and In Silico Approaches of Preventive and Therapeutic Effects

“…Also, in a recent study, blackberry anthocyanin-rich extract was found to modulate gut-microbiota composition. Blackberry extract increased Pseudoflavonifractor when the animals were fed with the control (low fat) diet and increased Oscillobacter independently of the diet fat content [ 212 ].…”

The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Role of Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites for the Prevention and Treatment of Brain Disorders

“…Since gut microbiome seems to be a critical element in the communication between the gastrointestinal system and CNS, the ability of anthocyanins to modulate microbiota–gut–brain axis needs to be further scrutinized. Several studies have already unveiled the polyphenols effect on microbiota–gut–brain connection in the context of different neurological diseases [ 58 , 173 , 174 , 185 , 186 , 187 , 188 ]. Ho et al showed the impact of the diversity of gut bacteria on the synthesis of flavonoid metabolites, which may affect the alpha-synuclein misfolding, a crucial process in PD onset, and the development of motor dysfunction in a Drosophila model of α-synucleinopathy [ 185 ].…”

“…Also, 3-hydroxycinnamic acid derived from successive anthocyanin metabolic events has relevant anti-depressive effect, eventually through anti-inflammatory mechanisms [ 190 ]. Importantly, a blackberry anthocyanin-rich extract attenuates the neurologic complications of obesity through the modulation of the gut microbiota composition, with the consequent impact on tryptophan metabolism and on the release of kyanurenic acid, a neuroprotective metabolite [ 188 ]. These results suggest that dietary manipulation of the gut microbial environment, via anthocyanins administration, could delay or restrict the progression of several CNS disorders.…”