Ferulic acid increases intestinal Lactobacillus and improves cardiac function in TAC mice

Ferulic acid, a main ingredient of Ligusticum, exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation effects in heart diseases. Some studies indicate that gut microbiome is associated with the generation of ferulic acid. Whether the beneficial effect of ferulic is raised by the alteration of gut microbiota is still unknown. This study examined the effect of sodium ferulate on gut microbiome and cardiac function in TAC mice. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay verified that ferulic acid has low toxicity in vitro and that ferulic acid inhibited the up-regulation of beta-MHC and ANP induced by Angiotensin II. In addition, daily supplement of 50 mg/kg sodium ferulate improved the ejection fraction and changed the gut microbiota composition of TAC mice. Relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Parabacteroides are increased in TAC mice gavaged with sodium ferulate. In addition, Lactobacillus is negatively correlated with HW/BW and LW/BW ratio. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of ferulic in TAC mice is probably through the regulation of gut microbiota.