Intestinal Microbiota-Associated Metabolites: Crucial Factors in the Effectiveness of Herbal Medicines and Diet Therapies

Pre- to Postbiotics: The Beneficial Roles of Pediatric Dysbiosis Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amount, confer health benefits on the host". They can be found in certain foods like yogurt and kefir and in dietary supplements. The introduction of bacterial derivatives has not only contributed to disease control but has also exhibited promising outcomes, such as improved survival rates, immune enhancement, and growth promotion effects. It is interesting to note that the efficacy of probiotics goes beyond the viability of the bacteria, giving rise to concepts like paraprobiotics, non-viable forms of probiotics, and postbiotics. Paraprobiotics offer various health benefits in children with intestinal dysbiosis, contributing to improved digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being. In this review, the potential of these therapeutic applications as alternatives to pharmacological agents for treating pediatric intestinal dysbiosis will be thoroughly evaluated. This includes an analysis of their efficacy, safety, long-term benefits, and their ability to restore gut microbiota balance, improve digestive health, enhance immune function, and reduce inflammation. The aim is to determine if these non-pharmacological interventions can effectively and safely manage intestinal dysbiosis in children, reducing the need for conventional medications and their side effects.

Microbiome-driven anticancer therapy: A step forward from natural products

Human microbiomes, considered as a new emerging and enabling cancer hallmark, are increasingly recognized as critical effectors in cancer development and progression. Manipulation of microbiome revitalizing anticancer therapy from natural products shows promise toward improving cancer outcomes. Herein, we summarize our current understanding of the human microbiome-driven molecular mechanisms impacting cancer progression and anticancer therapy. We highlight the potential translational and clinical implications of natural products for cancer prevention and treatment by developing targeted therapeutic strategies as adjuvants for chemotherapy and immunotherapy against tumorigenesis. The challenges and opportunities for future investigations using modulation of the microbiome for cancer treatment are further discussed in this review.

Emerging strategies for combating Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer treatment: Systematic review, improvements and future challenges

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is generally characterized by a high prevalence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum), a spindle-shaped, Gram-negative anaerobe pathogen derived from the oral cavity. This tumor-resident microorganism has been closely correlated with the occurrence, progression, chemoresistance and immunosuppressive microenvironment of CRC. Furthermore, F. nucleatum can specifically colonize CRC tissues through adhesion on its surface, forming biofilms that are highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Accordingly, it is crucial to develop efficacious non-antibiotic approaches to eradicate F. nucleatum and its biofilms for CRC treatment. In recent years, various antimicrobial strategies, such as natural extracts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, polymers, inorganic-organic hybrid materials, bacteriophages, probiotics, and vaccines, have been proposed to combat F. nucleatum and F. nucleatum biofilms. This review summarizes the latest advancements in anti-F. nucleatum research, elucidates the antimicrobial mechanisms employed by these systems, and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of each antimicrobial technology. Additionally, this review also provides an outlook on the antimicrobial specificity, potential clinical implications, challenges, and future improvements of these antimicrobial strategies in the treatment of CRC.

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.

Beyond probiotics: a narrative review on an era of revolution

Whether knowingly or unknowingly, humans have been consuming probiotic microorganisms through traditionally fermented foods for generations. Bacteria, like lactic acid bacteria, are generally thought to be harmless and produce many metabolites that are beneficial for human health. Probiotics offer a wide range of health benefits; however, their therapeutic usage is limited because they are living organisms. As a result, the focus on the health advantages of microbes has recently shifted from viable live probiotics to non-viable microbes made from probiotics. These newly emerging non-viable microbes include paraprobiotics, postbiotics, psychobiotics, nutribiotics, and gerobiotics. Their metabolites can boost physiological health and reveal the therapeutic effects of probiotics. This new terminology in microbes, their traits, and their applications are summarized in the present review.

Dietary flavonoids: a novel strategy for the amelioration of cognitive impairment through intestinal microbiota

The chances of people suffering from cognitive impairments increase gradually with age. Diet and lifestyle are closely related to the occurrence and development of cognitive function. Dietary flavonoid supplementation has been shown to be one of the protective factors against cognitive decline. Flavonoids belong to a class of polyphenols that have been proposed for the treatment of cognitive decline. Recent evidence has shown that intestinal flora in the human body can interact with flavonoids. Intestinal microbiota can modify the chemical structure of flavonoids, producing new metabolites, the pharmacological activities of which may be different from those of the parent; meanwhile, flavonoids and their metabolites can, in turn, regulate the composition and structure of intestinal flora. Notably, intestinal flora affect host nervous system activity through the gut-brain axis, ultimately causing changes in cognitive function. This review therefore summarizes the interaction of dietary flavonoids and intestinal flora, and their protective effect against cognitive decline through the gut-brain axis, indicating that dietary flavonoids may ameliorate cognitive impairment through their interaction with intestinal microbiota. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evolving interplay between natural products and gut microbiota

Growing evidence suggests gut microbiota status affects human health, and microbiota imbalance will induce multiple disorders. Natural products are gaining increasing attention for their therapeutical effects and less side effects. The emerging studies support that the activities of many natural products are dependent on gut microbiota, meanwhile gut microbiota is modulated by natural products. In this review, we summarized the interplay between the gut microbiota and host disease, and the emerging molecular mechanisms of the interaction between natural products and gut microbiota. Focusing on gut microbiota metabolite of various natural products, and the effects of natural products on gut microbiota, we summarized the biotransformation pathways of natural products, and discussed the effect of natural products on the composition modulation of gut microbiota, protection of gut mucosal barrier and modulation of the gut microbiota metabolites. Dissecting the interplay between gut microbiota and natural products will help elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of natural products.

Role of ethno-phytomedicine knowledge in healthcare of COVID-19: advances in traditional phytomedicine perspective

Background

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, ethnomedicinal plants have been used in diverse geographical locations for their purported prophylactic and pharmacological effects. Medicinal plants have been relied on by people around the globe for centuries, as 80% of the world’s population rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care needs, according to the World Health Organization.

Main body

This review portrays advances in traditional phytomedicine by bridging the knowledge of ethno-phytomedicine and COVID-19 healthcare. Ethnomedicinal plants have been used for symptoms related to COVID-19 as antiviral, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antipyretic, and lung–gut immune boosters. Traditionally used medicinal plants have the ability to inhibit virus entry and viral assembly, bind to spike proteins, membrane proteins, and block viral replications and enzymes. The efficacy of traditional medicinal plants in the terms of COVID-19 management can be evaluated by in vitro, in vivo as well as different in silico techniques (molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning, etc.) which have been applied extensively to the quest and design of effective biotherapeutics rapidly. Other advances in traditional phytomedicines against COVID-19 are controlled clinical trials, and notably the roles in the gut microbiome. Targeting the gut microbiome via medicinal plants as prebiotics is also found to be an alternative and potential strategy in the search for a COVID-19 combat strategy.

Conclusions

Since medicinal plants are the sources of modern biotherapeutics development, it is essential to build collaborations among ethnobotanists, scientists, and technologists toward developing the most efficient and the safest adjuvant therapeutics against the pandemic of the twenty-first century, COVID-19.

Inflammatory bowel disease therapeutic strategies by modulation of the microbiota: how and when to introduce pre-, pro-, syn-, or postbiotics?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), a heterogeneous group of inflammatory conditions that encompass both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, represent a major public health concern. The etiology of IBD is not yet fully understood and no cure is available, with current treatments only showing long-term effectiveness in a minority of patients. A need to increase our knowledge on IBD pathophysiology is growing, to define preventive measures, to improve disease outcome, and to develop new effective and lasting treatments. IBD pathogenesis is sustained by aberrant immune responses, associated with alterations of the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), modifications of the enteric nervous system, and changes in microbiota composition. Currently, most of the treatments target the inflammation and the immune system, but holistic approaches targeting lifestyle and diet improvements are emerging. As dysbiosis is involved in IBD pathogenesis, pre-, pro-, syn-, and postbiotics are used/tested to reduce the inflammation or strengthen the IEB. The present review will resume these works, pointing out the stage of life, the duration, and the environmental conditions that should go along with microbiota or microbiota-derived treatments.

The interactions between traditional Chinese medicine and gut microbiota: Global research status and trends

Background

There is a crosstalk between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and gut microbiota (GM), many articles have studied and discussed the relationship between the two. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to explore the research status and development trends of the TCM/GM research, identify and analyze the highly cited papers relating to the TCM/GM.

Methods

A literature search regarding TCM/GM publications from 2004 to 2021 was undertaken on August 13, 2022. The main information (full record and cited references) of publications was extracted from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The Bibliometrix of R package, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used for bibliometric analysis.

Results

A total of 830 papers were included. The publication years of papers were from 2004 to 2021. The number of papers had increased rapidly since 2018. China had the most publications and made most contributions to this field. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were in the leading productive position in TCM/GM research, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences had the highest total citations (TC). Duan Jin-ao from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine had the largest number of publications, and Tong Xiao-lin from China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences had the most TC. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology had the most published papers and the most TC. The main themes in TCM/GM included the role of GM in TCM treatment of glucolipid metabolism diseases and lower gastrointestinal diseases; the mechanism of interactions between GM and TCM to treat diseases; the links between TCM/GM and metabolism; and the relationship between GM and oral bioavailability of TCM.

Conclusion

This study gained insight into the research status, hotspots and trends of global TCM/GM research, identified the most cited articles in TCM/GM and analyzed their characteristics, which may inform clinical researchers and practitioners’ future directions.

Potential value and chemical characterization of gut microbiota derived nitrogen containing metabolites in feces from Periplaneta americana (L.) at different growth stages

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), is able to highly survive in various complicated environments around the globe, and often considered as a pest. In contrast, billions of P. americana have been massively reared in China and extensively used as a medicinal insect, due to its function for preventing and treating ulceration and heart failure. Considering the possibility that microbiota-derived metabolites could be an effective source to identify promising candidate drugs, we attempted to establish a rapid method for simultaneous determination of gut microbiota metabolites from medicinal insects. In this study, network pharmacology approach and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technique were employed to reveal the potential pharmacological activity and dynamics variation of nitrogen-containing metabolites (NCMs) originated from the gut microbiota of breeding P. americana at different growth stages. A metabolites-targets-diseases network showed that NCMs are likely to treat diseases such as ulceration and cancer. The analysis of NCMs' content with the growth pattern of P. americana indicated that the content of NCMs declined with P. americana aging. Both principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis suggested that 8-hydroxy-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid and 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone are the potential differential metabolic markers for discriminating between nymphs and adults of P. americana. Moreover, the developed UPLC method showed an excellent linearity (R² > 0.999), repeatability (RSD < 2.6%), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 2.2%), and recovery (95.5%–99.0%). Collectively, the study provides a valuable strategy for analyzing gut microbiota metabolites from insects and demonstrates the prospects for discovering novel drug candidates from the feces of P. americana.

Bioderived materials that disarm the gut mucosal immune system: Potential lessons from commensal microbiota

Over the course of evolution, mammals and gut commensal microbes have adapted to coexist with each other. This homeostatic coexistence is dependent on an intricate balance between tolerogenic and inflammatory responses directed towards beneficial, commensal microbes and pathogenic intruders, respectively. Immune tolerance towards the gut microflora is largely sustained by immunomodulatory molecules produced by the commensals, which protect the bacteria from immune advances and maintain the gut's unique tolerogenic microenvironment, as well as systemic homeostasis. The identification and characterization of commensal-derived, tolerogenic molecules could lead to their utilization in biomaterials-inspired delivery schemes involving nano/microparticles or hydrogels, and potentially lead to the next generation of commensal-derived therapeutics. Moreover, gut-on-chip technologies could augment the discovery and characterization of influential commensals by providing realistic in vitro models conducive to finicky microbes. In this review, we provide an overview of the gut immune system, describe its intricate relationships with the microflora and identify major genera involved in maintaining tolerogenic responses and peripheral homeostasis. More relevant to biomaterials, we discuss commensal-derived molecules that are known to interface with immune cells and discuss potential strategies for their incorporation into biomaterial-based strategies aimed at culling inflammatory diseases. We hope this review will bridge the current findings in gut immunology, microbiology and biomaterials and spark further investigation into this emerging field. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite its tremendous potential to culminate into revolutionary therapeutics, the synergy between immunology, microbiology, and biomaterials has only been explored at a superficial level. Strategic incorporation of biomaterial-based technologies may be necessary to fully characterize and capitalize on the rapidly growing repertoire of immunomodulatory molecules derived from commensal microbes. Bioengineers may be able to combine state-of-the-art delivery platforms with immunomodulatory cues from commensals to provide a more holistic approach to combating inflammatory disease. This interdisciplinary approach could potentiate a neoteric field of research - "commensal-inspired" therapeutics with the promise of revolutionizing the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Colorectal Cancer, Liver Metastases and Biotherapies

(1) Background: colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest causes of death by cancer worldwide. Its first main metastatic diffusion spreads to the liver. Different mechanisms such as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis are the characteristics of this invasion. At this stage, different options are possible and still in debate, especially regarding the use of targeted therapeutics and biotherapies. (2) Methods: A review of the literature has been done focusing on the clinical management of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer and the contribution of biotherapies in this field. (3) Results: In a clinical setting, surgeons and oncologists consider liver metastasis in CRC into two groups to launch adapted therapeutics: resectable and non-resectable. Around these two entities, the combination of targeted therapies and biotherapies are of high interest and are currently tested to know in which molecular and clinical conditions they have to be applied to impact positively both on survival and quality of life of patients.

Probiotics, Photobiomodulation, and Disease Management: Controversies and Challenges

In recent decades, researchers around the world have been studying intensively how micro-organisms that are present inside living organisms could affect the main processes of life, namely health and pathological conditions of mind or body. They discovered a relationship between the whole microbial colonization and the initiation and development of different medical disorders. Besides already known probiotics, novel products such as postbiotics and paraprobiotics have been developed in recent years to create new non-viable micro-organisms or bacterial-free extracts, which can provide benefits to the host with additional bioactivity to probiotics, but without the risk of side effects. The best alternatives in the use of probiotics and postbiotics to maintain the health of the intestinal microbiota and to prevent the attachment of pathogens to children and adults are highlighted and discussed as controversies and challenges. Updated knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the balance between microbiota and immune system for the introspection on the gut-lung-brain axis could reveal the latest benefits and perspectives of applied photobiomics for health. Multiple interconditioning between photobiomodulation (PBM), probiotics, and the human microbiota, their effects on the human body, and their implications for the management of viral infectious diseases is essential. Coupled complex PBM and probiotic interventions can control the microbiome, improve the activity of the immune system, and save the lives of people with immune imbalances. There is an urgent need to seek and develop innovative treatments to successfully interact with the microbiota and the human immune system in the coronavirus crisis. In the near future, photobiomics and metabolomics should be applied innovatively in the SARS-CoV-2 crisis (to study and design new therapies for COVID-19 immediately), to discover how bacteria can help us through adequate energy biostimulation to combat this pandemic, so that we can find the key to the hidden code of communication between RNA viruses, bacteria, and our body.

Colorectal Cancer, Gut Microbiota and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Systematic Review

Based on the study and research on the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, the types and functions of gut microbiota, and its role in guiding and regulating the occurrence and development of diseases, we have explored the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of colorectal cancer by regulating the gut microbiota. Genetic variation, abnormal responses of innate and adaptive immunity, mucosal barrier dysfunction, imbalance of intestinal microbial colonization, personal and environmental risk factors are the main pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. The gut microbiota mainly includes Sclerotium (including Clostridium, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus) and Bacteroides (including Bacteroides and Prevotella), which have biological antagonism, nutrition for the organism, metabolic abilities, immune stimulation, and ability to shape cancer genes functions to body. The gut microbiota can be related to the health of the host. Current studies have shown that Chinese herbal compound, single medicinal materials, and monomer components can treat colorectal cancer by regulating the gut microbiota, such as Xiaoyaosan can increase the abundance of Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Proteus and decrease the abundance of Desulfovibrio and Rickerella. Therefore, studying the regulation and mechanism of gut microbiota on colorectal cancer is of great benefit to disease treatment.

Comparative effects of quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and their related polyphenols on uric acid production in cultured hepatocytes and suppression of purine bodies-induced hyperuricemia by rutin in mice

Hyperuricemia, the high uric acid (UA) state in blood, has been accepted as an important risk factor for gout. The liver is a main factory of UA production. In the present study, we have examined the effects of three kinds of flavonol and flavones as typical aglycons, i.e., quercetin, luteolin, apigenin, their glycosides and related compounds, on UA productivity in cultured hepatocytes, adopting allopurinol as the positive control drug. Quercetin, luteolin, diosmetin (4'-O-methylluteolin) and apigenin at 10, 30 and 100 μM as well as allopurinol at 0.1, 0.3 and 1 μM dose-dependently and significantly decreased UA production in the hepatocytes, when compared with 0 μM (control). Both rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) and quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-ramnoside) significantly reduced UA production in the hepatocytes at 100 μM. Luteolin glycosides such as orientin (luteolin-8-C-glucoside) and isoorientin (luteolin-6-C-glucoside) exerted no influences on it even at 100 μM. Likewise, apigenin glycosides such as vitexin (apigenin-8-C-glucoside) and isovitexin (apigenin-6-C-glucoside) showed no inhibitory effect on it, while apigetrin (apigenin-7-O-glucoside) significantly reduced it at 100 μM. In model mice with purine bodies-induced hyperuricemia, allopurinol completely suppressed the hyperuricemia at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Rutin suppressed significantly the hyperuricemia at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, while vitexin showed no significant effect up to 300 mg/kg body weight. Thus, rutin (O-glycoside) is demonstrated to be hypouricemic in both cultured hepatocytes and model mice with recently contrived purine bodies-induced hyperuricemia.

Postbiotics-parabiotics: the new horizons in microbial biotherapy and functional foods

Probiotics have several health benefits by modulating gut microbiome; however, techno-functional limitations such as viability controls have hampered their full potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Therefore, the focus is gradually shifting from viable probiotic bacteria towards non-viable paraprobiotics and/or probiotics derived biomolecules, so-called postbiotics. Paraprobiotics and postbiotics are the emerging concepts in the functional foods field because they impart an array of health-promoting properties. Although, these terms are not well defined, however, for time being these terms have been defined as here. The postbiotics are the complex mixture of metabolic products secreted by probiotics in cell-free supernatants such as enzymes, secreted proteins, short chain fatty acids, vitamins, secreted biosurfactants, amino acids, peptides, organic acids, etc. While, the paraprobiotics are the inactivated microbial cells of probiotics (intact or ruptured containing cell components such as peptidoglycans, teichoic acids, surface proteins, etc.) or crude cell extracts (i.e. with complex chemical composition)". However, in many instances postbiotics have been used for whole category of postbiotics and parabiotics. These elicit several advantages over probiotics like; (i) availability in their pure form, (ii) ease in production and storage, (iii) availability of production process for industrial-scale-up, (iv) specific mechanism of action, (v) better accessibility of Microbes Associated Molecular Pattern (MAMP) during recognition and interaction with Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) and (vi) more likely to trigger only the targeted responses by specific ligand-receptor interactions. The current review comprehensively summarizes and discussed various methodologies implied to extract, purify, and identification of paraprobiotic and postbiotic compounds and their potential health benefits.

Intestinal Flora as a Potential Strategy to Fight SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly worldwide, seriously endangering human health. In addition to the typical symptoms of pulmonary infection, patients with COVID-19 have been reported to have gastrointestinal symptoms and/or intestinal flora dysbiosis. It is known that a healthy intestinal flora is closely related to the maintenance of pulmonary and systemic health by regulating the host immune homeostasis. Role of the "gut-lung axis" has also been well-articulated. This review provides a novel suggestion that intestinal flora may be one of the mediators of the gastrointestinal responses and abnormal immune responses in hosts caused by SARS-CoV-2; improving the composition of intestinal flora and the proportion of its metabolites through probiotics, and personalized diet could be a potential strategy to prevent and treat COVID-19. More clinical and evidence-based medical trials may be initiated to determine the strategy.