A Digestive Herbal Mixture Preparation Stimulates Proton Secretion in Human Parietal Cells through Phenolic Compounds Targeting Bitter Taste Receptors

TL;DR

A bitter herbal mixture helps digestion by stimulating stomach acid through bitter taste receptors, with effects linked to its polyphenol content.

Contribution

This study identifies bitter taste receptors as mediators of proton secretion by polyphenol-rich herbal extracts in human parietal cells.

Findings

Herbal extracts with high polyphenol content strongly stimulate proton secretion in HGT-1 cells.

TAS2R4, TAS2R5, and TAS2R39 are involved in the receptor-mediated effects of the herbal mixture.

Lower polyphenol content in some extracts correlates with weaker secretory responses.

Abstract

The effects of herbal remedies aiding digestion are well known, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Notably, many of these preparations are bitter, and bitter‐tasting phenolic food constituents have been shown to induce digestive processes by activating extra‐oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs). This study examined the effects of a commercially available herbal mixture preparation used to aid digestive discomfort and nine solvent extracts thereof on proton secretion of immortalized human parietal cells (HGT‐1). The bitter taste of the preparation was sensorially evaluated, and its impact on the gene expression of the polyphenol‐related receptors TAS2R4, TAS2R5, and TAS2R39 was analyzed. Functional TAS2R involvement was validated using CRISPR‐Cas9 knock‐out and siRNA knock‐down approaches. Total polyphenol content was quantified using Folin‐Ciocalteu reagent. The bitter‐tasting herbal mixture preparation and several of its solvent extracts stimulated proton secretion by HGT‐1 cells concentration‐dependently. Four extracts exhibited high total polyphenol content and induced strong secretory responses, whereas five extracts showed lower content and weaker effects (p < 0.01). Reduced responses were observed in TAS2R4ko, TAS2R5kd, and TAS2R39ko cells. In conclusion, bitter‐tasting plant extracts can stimulate TAS2R‐mediated digestive processes depending on their total polyphenol content, thereby supporting their use as promising remedies for alleviating digestive discomfort.

Polyphenol‐rich herbal extracts stimulate proton secretion in human parietal cells (HGT‐1) via activation of extra‐oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs). A commercially available herbal mixture preparation and its nine solvent extracts show concentration‐dependent effects correlating with total polyphenol content. TAS2R4, TAS2R5, and TAS2R39 mediate these responses, highlighting receptor‐driven mechanisms underlying the digestive effects of bitter herbal preparations.

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