Bacterial species involved in the conversion of dietary flavonoids in the human gut

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the conversion of dietary flavonoids and thereby affects their health-promoting effects in the human host. The identification of the bacteria involved in intestinal flavonoid conversion has gained increasing interest. This review summarizes available information on the so far identified human intestinal flavonoid-converting bacterial species and strains as well as their enzymes catalyzing the underlying reactions. The majority of described species involved in flavonoid transformation are capable of carrying out the O-deglycosylation of flavonoids. Other bacteria cleave the less common flavonoid-C-glucosides and/or further degrade the aglycones of flavonols, flavanonols, flavones, flavanones, dihydrochalcones, isoflavones and monomeric flavan-3-ols. To increase the currently limited knowledge in this field, identification of flavonoid-converting bacteria should be continued using culture-dependent screening or isolation procedures and molecular approaches based on sequence information of the involved enzymes.

Microbiota changes in a pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia mouse model

“…Flavonoids may contribute to the pathogenesis of pediatric leukemia as a natural topoisomerase II inhibitor through the cleavage of the MLL gene (Strick, Strissel, Borgers, Smith, & Rowley, ). Flavonoids may also have a beneficial effect on host health (Braune & Blaut, ), although this effect is poorly explored. In addition, flavonoids may benefit cancer prevention and oncotherapy in leukemias as well (Spagnuolo et al, ).…”

Differential effects of dietary flavonoids on adipogenesis

“…This bacterial conversion of flavonoids may have potential health consequences for the host. Therefore, the differences in intestinal microbiota composition among different species may result in different profiles of flavonoid metabolites with different bioactivity [156]. This emphasizes the importance of studying the pharmacokinetic profile of the various flavonoids in human subjects.…”

A metagenomic analysis of the modulatory effect of Cyclocarya paliurus flavonoids on the intestinal microbiome in a high‐fat diet‐induced obesity mouse model

“…Worthy of note, an oral intake of quercetin significantly influenced the composition of intestinal microbiota, reduced the F/B ratio and inhibited the growth of certain intestinal bacteria that are closely associated with diet‐induced obesity, such as Erysipelotrichaceae , Bacillus and Eubacterium cylindroides . Meanwhile, as a result of low bioavailability, the majority of CPF remain in the intestinal tract where they may be further metabolized by intestinal bacteria . Therefore, CPF might exert an anti‐obesity effect on the host via their important interactions with intestinal microbiota.…”