Regulation effects of indigestible dietary polysaccharides on intestinal microflora: An overview

Abstract

The human intestinal contains rich and diverse microbiota that utilizes a variety of polysaccharides. The intestinal microflora extends the metabolic functions of the body, obtaining energy from indigestible dietary polysaccharides. It is not only a highly competitive environment but also a comprehensive collaboration for these polysaccharides, as the microbiota work to maximize the energy harvested from them through the intestine. Indigestible dietary polysaccharides help to manage colon health and host health by affecting the gut microbial population. These polysaccharides also influence the metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota by stimulating the formation of SCFAs. Most of these metabolic activities affect host physiology because the epithelium absorbs secondary metabolites and end products or transports them to the liver, where they could exert other beneficial effects. This article reviews the carbohydrates existing in the human intestine, the regulating actions of indigestible polysaccharides on intestinal microflora, and the molecular basis of the degradation process of these polysaccharides. Practical applications Large deals of researches have shown that indigestible polysaccharides possess an outstanding regulation effect on the intestinal microflora, which indicates that indigestible polysaccharides have the potential to be used as prebiotics in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries. However, it is not clear how gut microbiota metabolizes these dietary polysaccharides, and how the resulting gut metabolites may further affect the intestinal microflora population and metabolism. This paper reviews the indigestible dietary polysaccharides existing in the human intestine, the regulation of polysaccharides on gut microbiota, and the molecular basis of the degradation process of these polysaccharides. This review helps to better understand the relationship between indigestible dietary polysaccharides and intestinal microflora, which will provide powerful evidence for the potential use of these polysaccharides as functional foods.

Immunosuppressive activity is attenuated by Astragalus polysaccharides through remodeling the gut microenvironment in melanoma mice

“… 30 Of interest, it was reported that APS were not easily directly absorbed by the intestine but they did regulate gut microbiota. 14 The current study found that APS had a therapeutic effect on acute colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate and could restore the structure of gut microbiota. 31 They could also increase the level of 2‐hydroxybutyric acid in the serum and liver of mice by regulating gut microbiota and improve lipid metabolism disorders in vivo and in vitro.…”

“…Gut microbiota can also affect the lung infiltration of MDSC in melanoma‐bearing mice with a high fat diet and, finally, affect tumor metastasis 30 . Of interest, it was reported that APS were not easily directly absorbed by the intestine but they did regulate gut microbiota 14 . The current study found that APS had a therapeutic effect on acute colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate and could restore the structure of gut microbiota 31 .…”

“…[11][12][13] A growing number of studies have recognized that plant polysaccharides are natural flora regulators, and they can enhance systemic immune function by regulating gut microbiota. [14][15][16] Astragalus polysaccharides (APS), the main effective component of Astragalus membranaceus, can enhance immune function and inhibit tumor growth.…”

The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids of Gut Microbiota Origin in Hypertension

“…Short-chain fatty acids are an important link between the host and gut microbiota, which comprise different bacteria in the intestine, especially anaerobic bacteria, through dietary fibre fermentation ( Kumar et al, 2020 ; Ge et al, 2021 ). SCFAs are organic fatty acids with fewer than six carbon atoms, and acetate, propionate and butyrate are considered the most important and biologically effective ones, accounting for 95% of the SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota ( He et al, 2020 ).…”

Aqueous extracts of Aconite promote thermogenesis in rats with hypothermia via regulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

“…In addition to alkaloids, polysaccharides and other compounds may be extracted and exist in AA. Many studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiota to regulate energy metabolism [53][54][55][56]. Therefore, Aconite polysaccharides may also be responsible for the therapeutic effect of AA.…”