# Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide alleviates obesity in mice with long-term high-fat diet by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites

## TL;DR

Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide helps reduce obesity in mice by improving gut bacteria and metabolism.

## Contribution

This study reveals that POP reduces obesity by modulating gut microbiota and specific metabolites in mice.

## Key findings

- POP reduced obesity and improved lipid and glucose levels in mice.
- POP increased gut microbiota diversity and normalized the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.
- POP modulated metabolites like LacCer and NDC, which correlate with obesity indices.

## Abstract

Obesity is closely linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disorders. Portulaca oleracea polysaccharide (POP) has potential metabolic benefits, but its effects and mechanisms against obesity remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of POP on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice.

C57BL/6J mice were fed an HFD supplemented with 3.2% POP for 17 weeks. Obesity-related parameters, gut microbiota, and serum metabolomics were analyzed.

POP significantly reduced obesity, improved lipid profiles and glucose homeostasis, increased gut microbiota diversity, and normalized the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. It modulated several key gut microbiota genera and altered metabolites including LacCer (d18:1/12:0) and N-(4,7-Dihydroxy-8-Methyl-2-Oxo-2H-Chromen-3-Yl)-2,2-Dimethylchromane-6-Carboxamide (NDC), which strongly correlated with obesity-related indices.

POP may improve HFD-induced obesity by regulating gut microbiota and host metabolism. These results provide a theoretical basis for POP as a potential functional component against obesity.