Modulating Host Lipid Metabolism via Gut Microbiota: Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Derived Compounds

Lipid metabolic imbalance is a major contributor to metabolic disorders in humans and livestock, creating an urgent need for safe and effective regulatory approaches. Plant-derived compounds, characterized by favorable bioavailability and low toxicity, serve as promising candidates that regulate host lipid metabolism through dynamic crosstalk with the gut microbiota. This review systematically investigates the bidirectional crosstalk between plant bioactive compounds (e.g., polysaccharides, flavonoids, saponins and polyphenols) and the gut microbiota. We detail how gut microbes metabolize these compounds to enhance their bioactivity and bioavailability, while plant extracts reshape microbial community structure to enrich beneficial taxa. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism regulation, focusing on three critical signaling pathways: (1) SCFAs-GPR43/41 signaling, (2) TLR4/NF-κB inflammation suppression, and (3) bile acid-FXR axis modulation. Collectively, this review synthesizes emerging evidence on plant-microbiota interactions as a novel therapeutic strategy to restore lipid homeostasis in animal models, offering foundational insights for agricultural and biomedical applications.