Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of the Interplay Between Herbal Medicines and Gut Microbiota

Herbal medicines (HMs) are much appreciated for their significant contribution to human survival and reproduction by remedial and prophylactic management of diseases. Defining the scientific basis of HMs will substantiate their value and promote their modernization. Ever‐increasing evidence suggests...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicinal research reviews 2017-09, Vol.37 (5), p.1140-1185
Main Authors: Xu, Jun, Chen, Hu‐Biao, Li, Song‐Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
gut microbiota
Health
Herbal medicine
herbal medicines
Humans
interplay
Models, Biological
molecular mechanisms
Plants, Medicinal - chemistry
Termites
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Summary:Herbal medicines (HMs) are much appreciated for their significant contribution to human survival and reproduction by remedial and prophylactic management of diseases. Defining the scientific basis of HMs will substantiate their value and promote their modernization. Ever‐increasing evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in HM therapy by complicated interplay with HM components. This interplay includes such activities as: gut microbiota biotransforming HM chemicals into metabolites that harbor different bioavailability and bioactivity/toxicity from their precursors; HM chemicals improving the composition of gut microbiota, consequently ameliorating its dysfunction as well as associated pathological conditions; and gut microbiota mediating the interactions (synergistic and antagonistic) between the multiple chemicals in HMs. More advanced experimental designs are recommended for future study, such as overall chemical characterization of gut microbiota‐metabolized HMs, direct microbial analysis of HM‐targeted gut microbiota, and precise gut microbiota research model development. The outcomes of such research can further elucidate the interactions between HMs and gut microbiota, thereby opening a new window for defining the scientific basis of HMs and for guiding HM‐based drug discovery.
ISSN:0198-6325
1098-1128
DOI:10.1002/med.21431