Chinese materia medica can be used as prebiotics

2024-09-20

Prebiotics are polysaccharides in natural foods that are not easily digested by human enzymes such as fructooligosaccharides and inulin. Prebiotics can be used by probiotics that already present in the large intestine to promote their growth and produce physiological activity to improve the health of the host. Many studies have shown that human health is closely related to intestinal flora. The development of many diseases is accompanied by imbalance of intestinal flora, including changes in the location, quantity, and type of flora colonization. Normal intestinal flora not only plays many irreplaceable roles in digestion, immunity, and disease resistance, but also changes of intestinal flora are closely related to the occurrence of diseases, especially chronic diseases. Chinese materia medica is an important medical resource in Chinese culture. After oral administration, Chinese materia medica can be selectively decomposed and utilized by intestinal flora. In addition to specific physiological activities, it can also promote the growth of specific probiotics in the intestine and restore intestinal flora balance to achieve the purpose of promoting health.

 

Many Chinese materia medicas contain polysaccharides, which have a growth-promoting effect on both probiotics and pathogen, but the growth-promoting effect on probiotics is significantly better than that on pathogen. Therefore, the metabolites produced by probiotics indirectly inhibit the growth of pathogen to achieve the effect of prebiotics. For example, studies have shown that the polysaccharides of Codonopsis pilosula can promote the growth of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, thereby helping to restore the intestinal microecological balance of mice with colitis. In addition, via promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs),provides adequate nutrients to the colon to relieving colitis. Indicating that Codonopsis pilosula has potential prebiotic activity. The polysaccharides of Lycium barbarum can strengthen an immunomodulatory effect by promoting the growth of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the intestinal tract of mice. Panax ginseng contains active ingredients such as saponins, polysaccharides, and amino acids. Studies have found that Panax ginseng extracts can effectively increase the growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestines of rats and effectively maintain the balance of intestinal microorganisms. The main active ingredients of astragalus membranaceus are polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids. Its Polysaccharides have anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing and antioxidant effects. Studies have found that the polysaccharides of astragalus membranaceus can promote the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Experiments on in vitro fermentation of astragalus polysaccharide have shown that its polysaccharide can promote the growth of probiotics such as Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium, reduce the number of harmful bacteria such as Holdemanella, Sutterella and Dorea to maintain the intestinal flora balance. In addition, studies on compound Chinese materia medica has also found that it also has a positive effect in regulating intestinal flora. For example, Sijunzi Decoction can effectively increase the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the intestines of children to the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy through the gut-brain axis.

 

Due to the understanding of the research on intestinal flora, people have gradually know that some ingredients in Chinese materia medica have prebiotic effects, which may be one of the mechanisms of their medicinal effects. Compared with traditional prebiotics, they have the advantages of special pharmacological activity and natural origin, and provides broad prospects for the future development of new prebiotics and the clinical application in Chinese materia medica.

 

Reference: