Ginsenoside Rg₅ Activates the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Modifies the Gut Microbiota to Alleviate...

The primary objective of this investigation was to elucidate the manner in which ginsenoside Rg₅ (Rg₅) ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via the modulation of the gut microbiota milieu. We administered either a standard diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD), coupled with 12-week treatment employing two distinct doses of Rg₅ (50 and 100 mg/kg/d), to male C57BL/6J mice. In comparison to the HFD cohort, the Rg₅-treated group demonstrated significant enhancements in biochemical parameters, exemplified by a substantial decrease in lipid concentrations, as well as the reduced expression of markers indicative of oxidative stress and liver injury. This signifies a mitigation of hepatic dysfunction induced by an HFD. Simultaneously, Rg₅ demonstrates the capacity to activate the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, instigating energy metabolism and consequently hindering the progression of NAFLD. Furthermore, we underscored the role of Rg₅ in the treatment of NAFLD within the gut-microbiota-liver axis. Analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing unveiled that Rg₅ intervention induced alterations in gut microbiota composition, fostering an increase in beneficial bacteria, such as Bacteroides and Akkermansia, while concurrently reducing the relative abundance of detrimental bacteria, exemplified by Olsenella. Furthermore, employing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments, we observed analogous outcomes in mice subjected to fecal bacterial transplants, providing additional verification of the capacity of Rg₅ to mitigate NAFLD in mice by actively participating in the restoration of gut microbiota via FMT. Drawing from these data, the regulation of the gut microbiota is recognized as an innovative strategy for treating or preventing NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, these research findings suggest that Rg₅ holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for NAFLD management.