Lycium Berry Polysaccharides Strengthen Gut Microenvironment and Modulate Gut Microbiota of the Mice

Abstract

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are the main active components of Lycium barbarum with many cited health effects. We hypothesize that gut microbiota and their metabolites might contribute to the health benefits of LBP. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with LBP, and the impact on the gut microbiota was investigated. The results showed that LBP facilitates the shifting of the epithelial immunity from the pro- to the anti-inflammatory microenvironment. We further showed a significant reduction of the potentially pathogenic bacteria in mice treated with LBP based on the 16S sequencing of mouse fecal DNAs. Importantly, LBP treatment enriched the xylan/fiber degrading bacteria and the short-chain fatty acids- (SCFAs-) producing bacteria. Associated with the treatment was the increase of serum SCFAs detected by UHPLC-QTOF/MS analysis as well as the upregulation of the SCFA-sensing receptors, GPRs 41, 43, and 109a. These findings strongly suggest that the health benefits of LBP might act through the modulation of gut microbiota.