Interaction between gut microbiota and ethnomedicine constituents

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

• The human gut hosts trillions of microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiota, influencing host physiology.
• Gut microbiota composition is linked to human disease incidence and medical treatment outcomes.
• Ethnomedicines, primarily plant-derived and orally ingested, interact significantly with the gut microbiota.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interactions between gut microbiota and ethnomedicine constituents, focusing on natural phytochemicals.
• To summarize knowledge on how ingested natural compounds modulate gut microbiota profiles.
• To highlight the microbial conversion of natural products into bioactive 'daughter molecules'.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published between 2000 and October 2018.
• Analysis of research on the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and ethnomedicines.
• Synthesis of findings on phytochemical modulation of microbiota and microbial metabolite production.

Main Results:

• Ingested natural compounds can significantly alter the composition and function of the gut microbiota.
• Gut microbes transform ethnomedicine constituents into novel molecules with enhanced or altered bioactivities.
• This biotransformation by gut microbiota is a key factor in the efficacy of many ethnomedicines.

Conclusions:

• Understanding gut microbiota-ethnomedicine interactions is crucial for deciphering the mechanisms of action of natural products.
• This knowledge opens new avenues for developing innovative therapeutic strategies by leveraging microbial metabolism of phytochemicals.
• Future research can focus on harnessing the gut microbiota to optimize the therapeutic potential of ethnomedicines.