An overview of traditional Chinese medicine affecting gut microbiota in obesity

Focus on Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Target: Drugs Approved or Designed to Treat Obesity

Obesity is closely related to metabolic diseases, which brings a heavy burden to the health care system. It is urgent to formulate and implement effective treatment strategies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a protein with seven transmembrane domains connected by type B and G proteins, which is widely distributed and expressed in many organs and tissues. GLP-1 analogues can reduce weight, lower blood pressure, and improve blood lipids. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases have caused scientists' research and development boom. Among them, GLP-1R agonist drugs have developed rapidly in weight-loss drugs. In this paper, based on the target of GLP-1, the mechanism of action of GLP-1 in obesity treatment was deeply studied, and the drugs approved and designed for obesity treatment based on GLP-1 target were elaborated in detail. Innovatively put forward and summarized the double and triple GLP-1 targeted drugs in the treatment of obesity with better effects and less toxic and side effects, and this can make full use of multi-target methods to treat other diseases in the future. Finally, it is pointed out that intestinal flora and microorganisms have many benefits in the treatment of obesity, and fecal bacteria transplantation may be a potential treatment for obesity with less harm to the body. This article provides some promising methods to treat obesity, which have strong practical value.

Rapid shift of gut microbiome and enrichment of beneficial microbes during arhatic yoga meditation retreat in a single-arm pilot study

BACKGROUND

The human microbiome plays a vital role in human health, mediated by the gut-brain axis, with a large diversity of functions and physiological benefits. The dynamics and mechanisms of meditations on oral and gut microbiome modulations are not well understood. This study investigates the short-term modulations of the gut and oral microbiome during an Arhatic Yoga meditation retreat as well as on the role of microbiome in improving well-being through a possible gut-brain axis.

METHODS

A single-arm pilot clinical trial was conducted in a controlled environment during a 9-day intensive retreat of Arhatic Yoga meditation practices with vegetarian diet. Oral and fecal samples of 24 practitioners were collected at the start (Day0: T1), middle (Day3: T2), and end (Day9:T3) of the retreat. Targeted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed for both oral and gut samples. Functional pathway predictions was identified using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt2). DESeq2 was used to identify the differential abundant taxa. Various statistical analyses were performed to assess the significant changes in the data.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that Arhatic Yoga meditation together with a vegetarian diet led to changes in the oral and gut microbiome profiles within the 9-day retreat. Oral microbiome profile showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the species richness and evenness at the end of study, while non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) confirmed the shift in the gut microbiome profile of the practitioners by T2 timepoint, which was further supported by PERMANOVA analysis (p < 0.05). Health-benefiting microbes known to improve the gastrointestinal and gut-barrier functions, immune modulation, and gut-brain axis were enriched. Gut microbiome of both beginner and advanced Arhatic Yoga practitioners showed similar trends of convergence by the end of study. This implies a strong selection pressure by Arhatic Yoga meditation together with a vegetarian diet on the beneficial gut microbiome.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study demonstrates that Arhatic Yoga meditation practices combined with a vegetarian diet during a short intensive retreat resulted in enrichment of known health-promoting microbes. Such microbial consortia may be developed for potential health benefits and used as probiotics to improve the gastrointestinal and immune systems, as well as functions mediated by the gut-brain axis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Study was submitted in https://clinicaltrials.gov/on28-02-2024 . Retrospective registered.

Effectiveness of combining Qingyanyin formulated granules with press needles in treating abdominal obesity: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of the Qingyanyin formulated granules (, QYY), press needles (PN), and their combined application in addressing abdominal obesity (AO). This trial aims to offer a more scientifically grounded therapeutic regimen for clinical interventions.

METHODS

From March 2021 to July 2021, a multicenter, triple －blind, randomized 2 × 2 factorial design clinical trial was conducted across 7 centers in 4 major cities within mainland China. The trial participants were patients diagnosed with AO. The trial followed a 1∶1∶1∶1 random allocation ratio, assigning participants to one of four groups: QYY placebo plus simulated press needles (SPN) (placebo + SPN), QYY plus SPN (QYY + SPN), QYY placebo plus PN (placebo + PN), and QYY plus PN (QYY + PN). The trial participants received treatment for 12 weeks. Observe the changes in waist circumference, body weight, body mass index (BMI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The QYY + PN group exhibited significant improvements in waist circumference compared to placebo + PN [Difference = －1.59, 95% CI (－3.03, －0.16)] and placebo + SPN groups [Difference = －2.01, 95% CI (－3.46, －0.57)]. QYY + PN demonstrated a significant advantage over placebo + SPN [Difference = －2.01, 95% CI (－3.46, －0.57)], and no statistically significant interaction was observed between the two interventions (P > 0.05). In terms of weight and BMI improvements, the QYY + PN, QYY + SPN, and the PN + placebo groups all experienced trending greater reductions in weight compared to the placebo group. In terms of the total scores of PSQI, BAI, and BDI, all four groups exhibited improvements compared to the baseline. Specifically, concerning the change in total PSQI scores, the QYY + PN group exhibited a greater reduction; Regarding the change in total BAI scores, the PN + placebo group demonstrated a greater decrease;As for the change in total BDI scores, the QYY + SPN group displayed a greater reduction.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that QYY + PN can effectively reduce the waist circumference of patients with AO. Furthermore, the combined approach offers greater benefits than either treatment alone, all without any reported serious adverse events.

Antin-diabetic cognitive dysfunction effects and underpinning mechanisms of phytogenic bioactive peptides: a review

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction is one of the important comorbidities and complications of diabetes, which is mainly manifested by loss of learning ability and memory, behavioural disorders, and may even develop into dementia. While traditional anti-diabetic medications are effective in improving cognition and memory, long-term use of these medications can be accompanied by undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safe and effective alternative therapies. Accumulating evidence suggests that phytogenic bioactive peptides play an important role in the regulation of cognitive dysfunction in diabetes. In this review, we explored the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction, and the potential and underlying mechanisms of plant-derived bioactive peptides to improve diabetic cognitive dysfunction. We found that plant-derived active peptides alleviate diabetic cognitive impairment by inhibiting key enzymes (e.g., α-glucosidase, α-amylase) to improve blood glucose levels and increase antioxidant activity, modulate inflammatory mediators, and address intestinal dysbiosis. In conclusion, plant-derived active peptides show strong potential to improve diabetic cognitive impairment.

Mechanisms of action and applications of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide at the intestinal mucosa barrier: a review

As a medicinal and edible homologous Chinese herb, Polygonatum sibiricum has been used as a primary ingredient in various functional and medicinal products. Damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier can lead to or worsen conditions such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Traditional Chinese medicine and its bioactive components can help prevent and manage these conditions by restoring the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. This review delves into the mode of action of P. sibiricum polysaccharide in disease prevention and management through the restoration of the intestinal barrier. Polysaccharide from P. sibiricum effectively treats conditions by repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, offering insights for treating complex diseases and supporting the application of P. sibiricum in clinical settings.

Exploring global research status and trends in anti-obesity effects of traditional Chinese medicine through intestinal microbiota: a bibliometric study

BACKGROUND

The intestinal microbiota (IM) has been found to contribute to metabolic disorders that lead to excessive fat accumulation, systemic and chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance in the host. Current research highlights a pivotal interaction between IM and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in mitigating obesity-related diseases. Undeniably, IM stands as a central focus in TCM research aimed at preventing and treating obesity. Therefore, tracing the progress and trends in this field can offer valuable references and insights for future studies.

METHODS

On June 17, 2023, we conducted a literature search on the topic of "IM and obesity in TCM" spanning the period from 2009 to 2023. We extracted the primary information of the publications, which includes complete records and reference citations, from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). To visualize and analyze the literature, we utilized CiteSpace and VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis.

RESULTS

During the past fifteen years, a rapid increase in the number of publications has been observed. The cooperative networks demonstrate China, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and Food & Function as the most active countries, organizations, and journals in this field, respectively. Liu Bin has contributed the most publications. A paper by Xu Jia, published in 2014, holds the highest Local Citation Score (LCS). Analyses of keyword co-occurrence and reference co-citation indicate that the research hotspots of IM and obesity in TCM are primarily focused on the metabolic benefits driven by endogenous functional metabolic molecules generated by TCM regulation of IM. Other focal points include the mechanism by which TCM regulates IM to restore the intestinal mucosal barrier This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article, and manages the gut-organ axis, the metabolic advantages of acupuncture's regulation of IM, and the process by which Chinese medicine small molecules transform IM.

CONCLUSION

This research offers a comprehensive understanding of the current status, hotspots, and trends in global TCM research. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive summary and exploration of the latest advancements in this field, thereby emphasizing the essence of TCM more effectively.

Immunological mechanisms of inflammatory diseases caused by gut microbiota dysbiosis: A review

The gut microbiota is indispensable for maintaining host health by enhancing the host's digestive capacity, safeguarding the intestinal epithelial barrier, and preventing pathogen invasion. Additionally, the gut microbiota exhibits a bidirectional interaction with the host immune system and promotes the immune system of the host to mature. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, primarily caused by factors such as host genetic susceptibility, age, BMI, diet, and drug abuse, is a significant contributor to inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases resulting from gut microbiota dysbiosis lack systematic categorization. In this study, we summarize the normal physiological functions of symbiotic microbiota in a healthy state and demonstrate that when dysbiosis occurs due to various external factors, the normal physiological functions of the gut microbiota are lost, leading to pathological damage to the intestinal lining, metabolic disorders, and intestinal barrier damage. This, in turn, triggers immune system disorders and eventually causes inflammatory diseases in various systems. These discoveries provide fresh perspectives on how to diagnose and treat inflammatory diseases. However, the unrecognized variables that might affect the link between inflammatory illnesses and gut microbiota, need further studies and extensive basic and clinical research will still be required to investigate this relationship in the future.