The alga Euglena gracilis stimulates Faecalibacterium in the gut and contributes to increased defecation

Abstract

The alga Euglena gracilis (E. gracilis) has recently gained attention as a health food, but its effects on human gut microbiota remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of E. gracilis on gut microbiota and defecation due to modulation of microbiota composition in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro model simulating human colonic microbiota revealed that E. gracilis addition stimulated the growth of commensal Faecalibacterium. Further, E. gracilis addition enhanced butyrate production by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Paramylon, an insoluble dietary fibre that accumulates in E. gracilis and is the main component of E. gracilis, did not stimulate Faecalibacterium growth in vitro. Daily ingestion of 2 g of E. gracilis for 30 days increased bowel movement frequency as well as stool volume in 28 human participants. Collectively, these findings indicate that E. gracilis components other than paramylon, stimulate the growth of Faecalibacterium to improve digestive health as well as promote defecation by increasing butyrate production.

Oral Administration of <i>Euglena Gracilis</i> Z Alleviates Constipation and Cardiac Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Isoproterenol-Induced Heart Failure

“…33 In an in vitro model culture system simulating the microbiota of the human colon, the addition of Euglena enhanced butyrate production by stimulating the growth of Faecalibacterium. 22 In mice, SCFA levels in the feces and serum exhibited a nominal increase after feeding of the Euglena diet, although the effect did not reach statistical significance. 34 Euglena may alleviate constipation in ISO-treated mice in part by restoring the production of SCFAs in the gut.…”

“…21 It is also possible that oral administration of Euglena may maintain healthy gut microbiota and ameliorate intestinal function, because some components of Euglena stimulate the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut. 22 In this study we examined the effects of Euglena on constipation and cardiac dysfunction in a mouse model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced HF.…”

Microarray Analysis of Paramylon, Isolated from Euglena Gracilis EOD-1, and Its Effects on Lipid Metabolism in the Ileum and Liver in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

“…Paramylon (PM) is a β-1,3-glucan, found in Euglena gracilis at levels of 20-70% (dry weight basis). It has been reported that PM has various effects, including an immunomodulating effect [13][14][15]. β-1,3-glucan has a triple helix structure and is classified as an insoluble dietary fiber [16]; therefore, it is considered that the physiological properties of PM differ from those of cereal β-glucan or yeast and fungal β-glucan.…”

Euglena gracilis and Its Aqueous Extract Constructed With Chitosan-Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Facilitate Cutaneous Wound Healing in Mice Without Inducing Excessive Inflammatory Response

“…gracilis is a unicellular green microalga with flagellar motility (Buetow, 1968). The presence of nutritionally crucial chemicals such as fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and vitamins in E. gracilis implies that this alga is a valuable therapeutic resource with potential for clinical application (Kottuparambil et al, 2019;Nakashima et al, 2021). The paramylon yield from E. gracilis is approximately 60%-70% of the dried cells, and paramylon exhibits antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties, as well as immune activating effects (Sakagami et al, 1991;Foltínová et al, 1994;Sugiyama et al, 2009;Russo et al, 2016;Nakashima et al, 2017;Suzuki et al, 2018;Guo et al, 2019).…”

“…The author reported a decrease in deformability and an increase in cutaneous vitality of skin after 14 days treatment with 3% Euglena extract. Nevertheless, E. gracilis components, other than paramylon, stimulate the growth of Faecalibacterium and improve digestive health (Nakashima et al, 2021). Hence, we investigated whether live E. gracilis cells and its aqueous extract exert beneficial effects on skin wound healing.…”