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The interaction between the gut Microbiota and herbal medicines
Xuedong An1, Qi Bao1, Sha Di1
1Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|September 24, 2019
Summary
Gut microbiota and herbal medicine interactions are key to health. Herbal medicines are transformed by gut microbes into active molecules or alter microbial communities, impacting physiology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- The gut microbiota's role in health is increasingly recognized with technological advancements.
- Herbal medicines, used for millennia, face challenges in clinical application due to complex composition and unclear mechanisms.
- Recent research highlights the interaction between gut microbiota and herbal medicines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the interaction pathways between gut microbiota and herbal medicines.
- To provide a foundation for understanding the mechanisms of herbal medicine function.
- To summarize current research challenges and future directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating gut microbiota and herbal medicine interactions.
- Analysis of identified interaction pathways.
- Synthesis of findings to outline future research avenues.
Main Results:
- Two primary interaction pathways identified: 1) Gut microbiota metabolizing herbal medicines into absorbable active molecules. 2) Herbal medicines modulating gut microbiota composition and secretions.
- These interactions lead to physiological changes in the host.
- Key factors include absorbable active small molecules and altered gut microbiota/secretions.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between gut microbiota and herbal medicines is crucial for their therapeutic effects.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for advancing herbal medicine's clinical applications.
- Further research is needed to address current challenges and explore novel mechanisms.
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