# Functional Beverages From Frankincense and Pistacia atlantica: A Natural Synbiotic Strategy for Managing Hyperlipidemia and Modulating Gut Microbiota

## TL;DR

A natural synbiotic beverage made from frankincense and Pistacia atlantica improves gut health and reduces cholesterol in rats.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel synbiotic formulation combining plant extracts, probiotics, and prebiotics for managing hyperlipidemia.

## Key findings

- The synbiotic formulation significantly increased lactic acid bacteria and reduced harmful gut bacteria like Escherichia coli.
- The beverage lowered serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and VLDL while increasing HDL levels in hypercholesterolemic rats.
- Phenolic and terpenoid compounds in the formulation contributed to improved gut microbiota and lipid metabolism.

## Abstract

Functional beverages enriched with
Boswellia serrata
(frankincense) and
Pistacia atlantica
, alone or combined with probiotics (
Lactobacillus acidophilus
) and prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, FOS), were evaluated for their impact on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats over 45 days. The beverages significantly modulated fecal microbiota by increasing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and reducing
Escherichia coli
and coliform counts. The synbiotic formulation containing
Pistacia atlantica
, probiotics, and prebiotics produced the most notable effects, achieving the highest LAB counts (log 7.51 cfu/g) and the lowest
E. coli
(log 3.72 cfu/g) and coliform counts (log 4.02 cfu/g). This formulation also led to marked reductions in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), while elevating high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Improved probiotic viability during 28‐day refrigerated storage further highlighted the protective role of prebiotics. These outcomes are attributed to the synergistic effects of phenolic and terpenoid compounds (e.g., α‐pinene, limonene) and gut microbiota‐mediated mechanisms, including short‐chain fatty acid production. Overall, synbiotic beverages incorporating
Pistacia atlantica
and
Boswellia serrata
show strong potential as functional dietary interventions to enhance gut health, reduce hypercholesterolemia, and extend probiotic shelf life, offering promising applications in the development of natural therapeutic beverages.

Functional beverages enriched with
Boswellia serrata
(frankincense) and
Pistacia atlantica
, combined with probiotics and prebiotics, improved gut microbiota balance and lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats. The synbiotic
Pistacia atlantica
formulation achieved the greatest effects, increasing lactic acid bacteria while reducing
E. coli
, coliforms, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and enhancing HDL levels. These benefits, supported by phenolic–terpenoid compounds and microbiota‐mediated mechanisms, underscore the potential of synbiotic beverages as natural therapeutic interventions for gut health and the management of hypercholesterolemia.