BACKGROUND
As a result of a low bioavailability, the majority of Cyclocarya paliurus flavonoids (CPF) remain in the large intestine where they accumulate to exert a modulatory effect on the intestinal micro‐ecology. Therefore, the present study investigated the modulatory effect of CPF on intestinal microbiota.
RESULTS
CPF dramatically ameliorated the obesity‐induced gut dysbiosis. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes after CPF treatment for 8 weeks. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of biosynthesis of amino acids, the two‐component system and ATP‐binding cassette transporters enriched the most differentially expressed genes after CPF intervention.
CONCLUSION
The results of the present study indicate that CPF might have prebiotic‐like activity and could be used as a functional food component with potential therapeutic utility to prevent obesity‐related metabolic disorders by manipulating the gut flora and affecting certain metabolic pathways, thus contributing to the improvement of human health. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry