Molecular Mechanism of Polysaccharides Extracted from Chinese Medicine Targeting Gut Microbiota for Promoting Health

The accumulating evidence revealed that gut microbiota plays an important role in pathological process of disease including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Polysaccharides extracted from Chinese medicine (CM) can not only alleviate pathological status but also promote health by anti-inflammatory, regulating immunity, lowering blood glucose and lipids, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidation. The alterations of gut microbiota composition and metabolism pathways are the potential mechanisms of CM polysaccharides treatment. In addition, they exert functions through gut-organ axis or play an indirect role by synergistic actions with other drugs or components mediated by gut microbiota. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of CM polysaccharides interacted with intestinal microbial inhabitants as potential prebiotics for promoting health.

Automated summary

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the pathological process of various diseases, and polysaccharides extracted from Chinese medicine have shown potential as prebiotics for promoting health. These polysaccharides not only alleviate pathological conditions but also have anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, blood glucose and lipid-lowering, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative effects. The mechanisms of action involve changes in gut microbiota composition and metabolism pathways, as well as indirect effects through gut-organ axis or synergistic actions with other drugs or components mediated by gut microbiota.