The Regulative Effect and Mechanism in a MetS Mice Model of Functional Components in Freeze-Dried Powder from Phyllanthus emblica L. Fruit

Abstract

The medicinal plant Phyllanthus emblica Linn. has been recognized for its health-beneficial properties and has a long history of cultivation in ancient China and India. However, its effects and main mechanism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) have not been revealed yet. According to our findings, emblica fruit powder (EFP) through the freeze-drying process was able to modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota, with a significant increase in the beneficial bacteria genera Lactobacillus and Turicibacter. In addition, fecal metabolite profiling revealed that 20 metabolites were deferentially expressed, which were mainly organic acids, amino acids, and their derivatives. They are primarily enriched in the biological process of lipid metabolism, including the metabolism process of cholic acid, glycerophospholipid, and α-linoleic acid. Subsequent qPCR testing of the liver tissue suggested that the regulatory effects of EFP in HFD mice may stem from its influence on the expression levels of over 20 key genes involved in host metabolic processes. In conclusion, EFP is able to alleviate the MetS caused by HFD, and this positive impact may be partially through the regulation of the “gut-liver axis.” Consequently, EFP holds potential as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and management of MetS.