Investigating the interaction between tangeretin metabolism and amelioration of gut microbiota disorders using dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea models

Dysregulation of gut microbiota homeostasis can lead to various health issues. In this study, we investigated the effects of tangeretin (TAN) on gut microbiota homeostasis in a mouse model (C57BL/6J) of disease, specifically focusing on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea through in vitro fermentation of intestinal bacteria. Our results demonstrated that TAN effectively improved the diversity and structure of the disordered microbiota, increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria such as <i>Lachnospiraceae</i> and <i>Bacteroidaceae</i>, while decreasing harmful bacteria such as <i>Enterococcaceae</i> and <i>Pseudomonadaceae</i>. Additionally, TAN enhanced the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in disordered microbial communities. Moreover, the metabolism of TAN by intestinal microorganisms yielded two new metabolites, which exhibited an inverse-conjugate (deconjugate) role, leading to the production of more functional substances with high bioactivity. These findings provide a scientific basis for the potential use of TAN as a prebiotic to regulate intestinal microbiota.