The combination of berberine and evodiamine ameliorates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with modulation of gut microbiota in rats

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be a manifestation of hepatic metabolic syndrome. Some studies on the pathogenesis of NAFLD by targeting gut microbiota have attracted wide attention. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of berberine and evodiamine on metabolic diseases and gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, it is not known whether the combination of berberine and evodiamine (BE) can prevent the development of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. Therefore, we aimed to explore the protective effects of BE on the development of HFD-induced NAFLD from the perspective of the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota profiles were established by high throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The effects of BE on liver and intestinal tissue, intestinal barrier integrity, and hepatic inflammation were also investigated. The results showed that the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota were enriched by BE treatment, with an increase in beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella, and a decrease in pathogenic bacteria such as Fusobacterium and Lachnospira. In addition, BE effectively improved liver fat accumulation and tissue damage, inhibited the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, increased the contents of intestinal tight junction proteins, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Consequently, BE treatment could be an effective and alternative strategy for alleviating NAFLD by modulating gut microbiota and safeguarding the intestinal barrier.

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“…In comparison to the control group, there were higher proportions of SCFA-producing bacteria (Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroides). In contrast, the key bacteria responsible for the imbalance in the gut microbiota in the group with a high-fat diet were Fusobacteria and Lachnospiraceae [113]. The high-fat-diet group's Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly higher than that of the control group [113].…”

“…In contrast, the key bacteria responsible for the imbalance in the gut microbiota in the group with a high-fat diet were Fusobacteria and Lachnospiraceae [113]. The high-fat-diet group's Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly higher than that of the control group [113]. The administration of evodiamine and berberine reverted the increasing trend of the ratio.…”

“…Evodiamine and berberine were combined in order to determine their effect on the gut microbiota of rats fed a high-fat diet [113]. The treatment with evodiamine and berberine increased the diversity of the gut microbiota globally [113].…”

“…Evodiamine and berberine were combined in order to determine their effect on the gut microbiota of rats fed a high-fat diet [113]. The treatment with evodiamine and berberine increased the diversity of the gut microbiota globally [113]. The gut microbiota profiles were determined via the high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene [113].…”

“…The treatment with evodiamine and berberine increased the diversity of the gut microbiota globally [113]. The gut microbiota profiles were determined via the high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene [113]. In comparison to the control group, there were higher proportions of SCFA-producing bacteria (Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroides).…”