Research progress on dual pathways of plant extracts inhibiting advanced glycation end products and their gut microbiota-mediated mechanisms

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a series of stable compounds produced by non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and macromolecules such as proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. Studies have shown that the accumulation of AGEs in the body can lead to neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory responses, diabetes, and other diseases. This paper will provide an overview of the sources, classification, and pathogenesis of AGEs. Most importantly, the progress of research on plant extracts to inhibit the production of foodborne AGEs, and their effects on gut microbes are summarized. Several classes of natural plant extracts with inhibitory effects are presented, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, alkaloids, saponins, and others, and their mechanisms of action can be summarized as covering protein glycation sites, chelating metal ions, scavenging free radicals, trapping reactive di-carbonyl compounds, lowering glucose-lipid levels, inhibiting aldose reductase, modulating the receptor for AGEs, improving insulin resistance, reducing AGEs cross-linking and protecting the glyoxalase detoxification system. Although these extracts have good inhibitory effects, none of them have been widely used in clinical trials so far, probably because of their specific mechanism of action in the human body, and we continue to study them in depth, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies and drugs. • Summarizes the formation process and pathogenesis of Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). • Several types of natural plant extracts capable of inhibiting AGEs and their inhibitory mechanisms were described in detail. • The interactions of AGEs with gut microbiota and the effects of polyphenols were explored. • The effects of AGEs on gut microbiota were explored. • This review is instructive for the development of natural inhibitors of AGEs.