Better detoxifying effect of ripe forsythiae fructus over green forsythiae fructus and the potential mechanisms involving bile acids metabolism and gut microbiota

Abstract

Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the fruit of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl. (Lianqiao), is one of the most fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM), mainly due to its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. There are two types of FF, the greenish fruits that start to ripen (GF) and the yellow fruits that are fully ripe (RF), called “Qingqiao” and “Laoqiao” referred to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, respectively. It undergoes a complex series of changes during the maturation of FF. However, the clinical uses and preparation of phytopharmaceuticals of FF have not been distinguished to date. Moreover, there is limited information on the study of the difference in pharmacological activity between RF and GF. In this study, a rat model of bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cholestasis was used to compare the differences in their effects. RF was found to have better results than GF in addressing toxic bile acids (BAs) accumulation and related pathological conditions caused by BDL. The underlying mechanism may be related to the interventions of gut microbiota. The results of the present study suggest that the better detoxifying effect of RF than GF may be indirectly exerted through the regulation of gut microbiota and thus the improvement of BAs metabolism.

Distribution of active ingredients and quality control of Forsythia suspensa with AP‐MALDI mass spectrometry imaging

“…One study revealed that ripe fruits are better in detoxifying effect than green ones and the potential mechanisms involve bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota. 20 It is also reported that ripe fruits have more phillygenin than green ones and may be more suitable for treating cancers. 21 Unfortunately, except for a few studies, the clinical effects of ripe and green fruits are not correlated with active ingredients because of the lack of ingredient variation data.…”

“…However, there are also evidences that support the usage of ripe fruits. One study revealed that ripe fruits are better in detoxifying effect than green ones and the potential mechanisms involve bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota 20 . It is also reported that ripe fruits have more phillygenin than green ones and may be more suitable for treating cancers 21 .…”