Discovering Angelica dahurica and Gut Microbiota
Angelica dahurica is a plant often used in traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, scientists have been exploring how it interacts with the tiny organisms living in our gut, known as gut microbiota. This interaction seems to be beneficial for our health. Let’s explore this in a simple way:
Special Sugars:
Angelica dahurica contains special sugars called polysaccharides. These sugars interact with the tiny organisms in our gut and help keep us healthy. Scientists used advanced technology to see how these sugars affect the gut organisms in mice
Transformation and Function:
The compounds in Angelica dahurica can change their form and function when they meet our gut organisms. This transformation helps the plant compounds work better in our bodies.
Helping with Obesity and Liver Conditions:
Angelica dahurica may help mice with obesity and liver conditions. It seems to alter the composition of gut organisms in a way that’s good for the liver and helps with weight issues.
Influencing Gut Organisms:
The dried root of this plant, known as Radix Angelica dahuricae (RAD), has been studied for its effect on gut organisms, especially under conditions of hormone deficiency. This could be a new approach to help with some metabolic diseases.
Understanding Plant and Gut Organism Interaction:
Researchers are trying to understand how plants like Angelica dahurica interact with our gut organisms. Knowing this interaction better could help find new ways to treat diseases and keep us healthy.
In summary, Angelica dahurica and similar plants might have a friendly interaction with our gut organisms. This interaction could help us find new ways to stay healthy or treat certain conditions. Scientists are keen on understanding this interaction better, as it can open doors to new and natural ways to improve our health.
References:
Hu, Qing, et al. "Angelica sinensis polysaccharide improves rheumatoid arthritis by modifying the expression of intestinal Cldn5, Slit3 and Rgs18 through gut microbiota." International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 209 (2022): 153-161.
Luo, Yu, et al. "High-throughput sequencing technology reveals polysaccharides from Angelica dahurica that affect gut microbiota in mice." Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment 35.1 (2021): 1934-1940.
Xu, Yu, et al. "Colon-Targeting Angelica sinensis Polysaccharide Nanoparticles with Dual Responsiveness for Alleviation of Ulcerative Colitis." ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023).
Xu, Jun, Hu‐Biao Chen, and Song‐Lin Li. "Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the interplay between herbal medicines and gut microbiota." Medicinal Research Reviews 37.5 (2017): 1140-1185.
Tan, Steven Ryan Susanto, Bekir E. Eser, and Jaehong Han. "Gut metabolism of furanocoumarins: proposed function of Co O-methyltransferase." ACS omega 5.47 (2020): 30696-30703.
