Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025

Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
Published on: August 23, 2019
Metabolic insights into gut microbiota in the pharmacology of natural medicines
Zixin Chen1, Junchi Zhou1, Xiao Zheng1
1State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Drug Target Discovery, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Abstract:
Natural medicines (NMs) demonstrate distinct advantages in the clinical management of chronic diseases. Recent years have seen growing recognition of the gut microbiota's role in the efficacy and synergy of NMs, providing new impetus for elucidating the material basis and mechanisms of NMs and their path toward modernization. A fundamental question that has emerged is how NM-microbiota interactions integrate into the multi-target holistic mechanisms of NMs, the answer to which may also illuminate new avenues for drug discovery. Metabolic regulation via small-molecule metabolites has been increasingly implicated in host-microbe interaction. This review presents an integral metabolic perspective on NMs-microbiota interaction in host health and disease. It highlights the emerging understanding of gut microbiota-related metabolic signals implicated in NM components' local and systemic actions. Additionally, it discusses key issues and prospects related to drug development and the translational study of NMs.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Disease States and Pharmacology
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...
Factors Affecting Drug Biotransformation: Biological
Species differences: Variations in enzyme systems across species can cause disparities in drug metabolism. For instance, humans may metabolize certain drugs faster than rodents, altering therapeutic effects.
Strain differences: Genetic variations within a species can result in differing enzyme activity, impacting drug response and toxicity. For example, some mouse strains may...
Drug Absorption: Factors Affecting GI Absorption
Factors Influencing Bioavailability: First-Pass Elimination

