Integrated Metabolomics and Gut Microbiome Analysis Reveals the Efficacy of a Phytochemical Constituent in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

ScopeCinnamaldehyde (CAH), a phytochemical constituent isolated from cinnamon, is gaining attention due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CAH in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods and ResultsIntegrated metabolomics and gut microbiome analysis are performed for 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced UC rats. The effect of CAH on colonic inflammation, lipid peroxidation, metabolic profiles, and gut microbiota is systematically explored. It finds that CAH improves the colitis‐related symptoms, decreases disease activity index, increases the colon length and body weight, and alleviates histologic inflammation of UC rats. These therapeutic effects of CAH are due to suppression of inflammation and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, multi‐omics analysis reveals that CAH treatment cause changes in plasma metabolome and gut microbiome in UC rats. CAH regulates lipid metabolic processes, especially phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Meanwhile, CAH modulates the gut microbial structure by restraining pathogenic bacteria (such as Helicobacter) and increasing probiotic bacteria (such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus).ConclusionsThese results indicate that CAH exerts a beneficial role in UC by synergistic modulating the balance in gut microbiota and the associated metabolites, and highlights the nutritional and medicinal value of CAH in UC management.

Intracellular Polysaccharides of Eurotium cristatum Exhibited Anticolitis Effects in Association with Gut Tryptophan Metabolism

“…Recently, traditional medicine and functional foods have been proven to play the potential role in modulating gut microbiota metabolism against UC with no or few side effects. − Some studies showed that the intake of highly soluble fiber foods could regulate the intestinal tryptophan metabolism and enhance intestinal barriers with very low or absent side effects. ,− Polysaccharides, a great source of dietary fibers, have garnered the attention of researchers based on their remarkable biological activities in treating many diseases including intestinal diseases. , Our previous study also demonstrated that polysaccharides obtained from Fu brick tea exhibited superior anticolitis effects by enhancing the tryptophan catabolites such as IAA to repair gut barriers . Fu brick tea undergoes fermentation facilitated by a prominent fungus known as Eurotium cristatum (E.…”