The flavonoid-rich Quzhou Fructus Aurantii extract modulates gut microbiota and prevents obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice

Background: Flavonoids are reported to modulate the composition of gut microbiota, which play an important role in preventing obesity and associated metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of Total Flavonoids of Quzhou Fructus Aurantii Extract (TFQ) on gut microbial community in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed with either a chow diet or HFD with or without oral gavage of TFQ (300 mg/kg/ day) for 12 weeks. Results: Our data indicate TFQ significantly reduced obesity, inflammation and liver steatosis. TFQ elevates the expression of tight junction proteins and reduces metabolic endotoxemia. In addition, TFQ treatment reverses HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, as indicated by the reduction of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, the increase of genera Akkermansia and Alistipes, and the decrease of genera Dubosiella, Faecalibaculum, and Lactobacillus. Conclusion: These findings support a prebiotic role of TFQ as a dietary supplement for the intervention of gut dysbiosis and obesity-related metabolic disorders.