# Fig Meal Replacement Powder Ameliorates Obesity, Oxidative Stress and Intestinal Microbiota in Mice Fed With High‐Fat Diet

## TL;DR

A fig-based meal replacement powder reduces obesity and oxidative stress in mice on a high-fat diet by improving gut health.

## Contribution

The study introduces fig meal replacement powder as a novel functional food for obesity management through gut microbiota modulation.

## Key findings

- FMRP reduced weight gain and improved lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed mice.
- FMRP alleviated oxidative stress and liver damage in mice.
- FMRP modulated gut microbiota, reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.

## Abstract

Figs, known for their high‐antioxidant capacity, have shown potential in regulating obesity. However, research on fig‐based products and the mechanisms behind their effects remains limited. This study aims to systematically evaluate the potential of fig meal replacement powder (FMRP) in regulating obesity and mitigating obesity‐induced oxidative stress through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, while also elucidating its underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that FMRP exhibited superior nutritional value and antioxidant activity compared to commercially available alternatives. Furthermore, FMRP significantly reduced weight gain, improved lipid metabolism, alleviated liver damage and oxidative stress, and positively modulated the gut microbiota in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice. Gut microbiota analysis showed that FMRP could restore the gut microbiota of hfd mice. For instance, it reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. The correlation analysis has revealed the key bacterial genera related to obesity and oxidative stress. The key bacterial genera related to obesity include Desulfovibrio, Lachnoclostridium, etc., while the key bacterial genera related to oxidative stress include Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Turicibacter, etc. In conclusion, FMRP effectively alleviates oxidative stress, improves lipid metabolism, and modulates the gut microbiota, highlighting its potential as a functional food for obesity management.

This study aims to investigate the effects of an optimized high‐antioxidant fig meal replacement powder on obesity‐related traits in a high‐fat diet‐induced obese mouse model. The study will evaluate the antioxidant and immune‐modulating properties of the FMRP in vivo. Additionally, by analyzing and comparing the gut microbiota, it will assess the powder's impact on the structure of the gut microbiota and explore the relationship between gut microbiota composition and obesity traits.