Changes in intestinal microbiota affect metabolism of ginsenoside Re

Ginsenoside Re, an active ingredient in Panax ginseng, is widely used as a therapeutic and nutriment. The intestinal microbiota plays crucial roles in modulating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological actions of ginsenoside Re. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between bacterial community variety and the metabolic profiles of ginsenoside Re. We developed two models with intestinal dysbacteriosis: a pseudo-germ-free model induced by a nonabsorbable antimicrobial mixture (ATM), and Qi-deficiency model established via over-fatigue and acute cold stress (OACS). First, the bacterial community structures in control, ATM and OACS rats were compared via 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing. Then, the gut microbial metabolism of ginsenoside Re was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in the three groups by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and HPLC-TQ-MS, respectively. Ten metabolites of ginsenoside Re were detected and tentatively identified, three of which were novel. Moreover, owing to significant differences in bacterial communities, deglycosylated products, as the main metabolites of ginsenoside Re, were produced at lower levels in ATM and OACS models. Importantly, the levels of these deglycosylated metabolites correlated with alterations in Prevotella, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides populations, as well as glycosidase activities. Collectively, biotransformation of ginsenoside Re is potentially influenced by regulation of the composition of intestinal microbiota and glycosidase activities.