# Interruptins Extracted from Cyclosorus terminans Protect Gut Pathologies Induced by High-Fat Diet in Rats

## TL;DR

Extract from the fern Cyclosorus terminans helps protect the gut and reduce weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet.

## Contribution

This study is the first to show that Cyclosorus terminans extract protects against gut dysfunction caused by high-fat diets.

## Key findings

- C. terminans extract reduced body weight by 10.49% and 10.54% at 100 and 200 mg·kg−1·day−1, respectively.
- The extract improved gut inflammation, barrier function, and short-chain fatty acid levels in rats.
- C. terminans extract also reversed gut dysbiosis caused by high-fat diets.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The fern “Cyclosorus terminans” (C. terminans) or “Maiden Fern” contains interruptin A and interruptin B. This plant could attenuate obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in rats fed a high-fat/calorie diet. However, the benefits of C. terminans to the gut remain unknown. We investigated the protective effect of C. terminans extract against gut dysfunction in rats exposed to a high-fat/calorie diet. Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned to receive either (1) a normal diet treated with vehicle, (2) a high-fat/calorie diet treated with vehicle, (3) a high-fat/calorie diet treated with 100 mg per kg per day (mg·kg−1·day−1) of C. terminans extract, or (4) a high-fat/calorie diet treated with 200 mg·kg−1·day−1 of C. terminans extract. The rats were euthanized after 12 weeks of treatment to enable feces and colon tissue collection. Results: Both 100 and 200 mg·kg−1·day−1 of C. terminans extract reduced body weight (−10.49%; p = 0.030 and −10.54%; p = 0.037, respectively) and ameliorated gut inflammation, gut barrier disruption, changes in short-chain fatty acid levels, and gut dysbiosis caused by high-fat/calorie diet. Conclusions: C. terminans extract attenuated an increase in body weight and exerted prophylactic effects against gut pathologies induced by high-fat/calorie diet.