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Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Microbiota-derived indole metabolites from Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharides fermentation alleviate colitis via
Xingcai Gao1, Baoting Liu1, Ye Hui2
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Polysaccharides of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University College of Food Science and Technology, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China. yuqiang8612@163.com.
Abstract:
Dietary polysaccharides can be transformed by gut microbiota into bioactive metabolites, yet the chemical identity and mechanisms of such products remain poorly defined. Here, we characterized the microbial fermentation products of Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharides (PCP) and evaluated their anti-colitic effects. Targeted LC-MS/MS revealed that PCP microbial fermentation products are enriched in tryptophan-derived indoles, particularly 5-hydroxytryptamine (29.21 ± 1.98 ng g-1), indole-3-lactic acid (1.53 ± 0.12 μg g-1), and indole-3-acetic acid (0.18 ± 0.02 μg g-1), along with free monosaccharides indicative of PCP degradation. In DSS-induced colitic mice, these products alleviated symptoms, restored barrier integrity, and enriched Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. Notably, administration of these products increased colonic 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels (P < 0.001), consistent with conversion of exogenous 5-HT. The products also activated PPARγ signaling, an effect supported by molecular docking. Mono-colonization with B. pseudolongum recapitulated protection and elevated indole levels. These findings suggest a B. pseudolongum-indole-PPARγ axis as a candidate pathway mediating the benefits of PCP microbial fermentation products, supporting their development as functional food ingredients for gut health.
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