Effects of Passiflora incarnata Leaf Polyphenol Extract on High-Fat-Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Mice and Associated Changes in the Gut–Liver–Adipose Axis
TL;DR
It is suggested that PP, particularly at the high dose, ameliorated HFD-induced obesity and related metabolic disturbances; these benefits were accompanied by decreased caloric intake, changes in gut microbiota composition, hepatic transcriptomic profiles, and adipose thermogenic gene expression.
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome, driven by obesity, poses a significant global health burden. P. incarnata leaf polyphenol extract (PP), a crude 70% ethanol extract, exhibits potential bioactive properties, yet its efficacy and underlying mechanisms against metabolic disorders remain unclear. This study investigated effects of this extract (PP) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome in mice and explored possible involvement of the gut–liver–adipose axis. Thirty mice were divided into five groups: ND (normal diet), HFD, PC-HFD (HFD + orlistat), PP1 (HFD + 75 mg/kg/day PP), and PP2 (HFD + 150 mg/kg/day PP). After 8 weeks, high-dose PP (PP2) significantly attenuated body weight gain, and reduced food intake, hyperlipidemia, and systemic inflammation. In addition, PP intervention altered the gut microbiota composition and was associated with enrichment of beneficial genera and elevated fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Hepatic transcriptomics showed that PP2 extensively reversed HFD-induced transcriptional suppression, while fecal metabolomics indicated restoration of key metabolite profiles. Furthermore, PP2 markedly upregulated thermogenic gene expression in adipose tissue. Collectively, these findings suggest that PP, particularly at the high dose, ameliorated HFD-induced obesity and related metabolic disturbances; these benefits were accompanied by decreased caloric intake, changes in gut microbiota composition, hepatic transcriptomic profiles, and adipose thermogenic gene expression.