Gut microbiome-modulating properties of a polyphenol-enriched dietary supplement comprised of hibiscus and lemon verbena extracts. Monitoring of phenolic metabolites

This paper investigates the impact of a polyphenol-enriched supplement comprised of hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and lemon verbena (Lippia Citriodora) (brand name Metabolaid (R)) on gut microbiota composition and functionality, by performing fermentations with human faecal microbiota under gut-simulated conditions. Results indicated that Metabolaid (R), in a dose-dependent manner, modulated the gut bacteriome to higher relative abundances of some major genera (>3% of relative abundance) such as Bifidobacterium, Blautia and Faecalibacterium and of other minor genera such as Prevotella and Akkermansia. Metabolaid (R) also promoted increases in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, particularly butyric acid. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the compounds present in the Metabolaid (R) supplement (anthocyanins, verbascoside and hibiscus acid) were rapidly metabolized by the gut microbiota. Overall, these results reveal a certain level of gut microbiotamodulating properties of Metabolaid (R) that could be implicated, at least partially, in the mechanisms behind the potential beneficial effects of this supplement in obesity.

Automated summary

This study investigates the impact of Metabolaid (R) supplement on gut microbiota composition and functionality. The results suggest that Metabolaid (R) can modulate the gut bacteriome and promote the production of short-chain fatty acids, potentially contributing to the beneficial effects of this supplement in obesity.