Chlorogenic acid improves DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the gut microbiota

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenol widely found in plants with a wide range of biological activities, especially anti-inflammatory effects. The mechanism by which CGA improves colitis by regulating the gut microbiota has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory properties of CGA on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treated mice. CGA supplementation attenuated the severity of colitis by reducing the disease activity index (DAI), repairing colonic histological damage and suppressing the abnormal inflammatory response. Sequencing analysis indicated that intake of CGA alleviated DSS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, including reducing the F/B value and stimulating the growth of potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Odoribacter and Muribaculaceae. CGA (100 mg per kg body weight) supplementation also reversed the generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid and 4-methylvaleric acid. Consequently, these findings demonstrated that supplementation of CGA attenuated the severity of intestinal inflammation by ameliorating gut microbiota dysbiosis and promoting the growth of butyrate-producing gut microbiota.