# Ameliorative effects of mulberry fruit anthocyanin extract on gut microbiota and liver metabolites in high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-fed ApoE−/− mice

## TL;DR

This study shows that mulberry fruit anthocyanin extract can improve gut microbiota and liver metabolism in mice fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel effects of mulberry anthocyanin on gut microbiota and liver metabolites in atherosclerosis-related conditions.

## Key findings

- Mulberry anthocyanin decreased LDL and interleukin-1β levels in treated mice.
- MA treatments increased beneficial gut bacteria like Anaerotruncus and Butyricicoccus.
- MA reduced ATP and indole-3-butyric acid while upregulating glutamine in the liver.

## Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of mulberry anthocyanin (MA) in high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet-fed ApoE−/− mice.

ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into control (ACON), mulberry fruit anthocyanin extract (MFAE), cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) group 1 (C3GT), and C3G group 2 (C3GP). After 7 weeks of HFHC diet feeding and following 2–3 weeks of treatment, samples were collected and analyzed.

The C3GT group significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein (7.3 ± 1.5 mmol/L) and interleukin-1β (355.4 ± 41.7 pg./mL) levels. Moreover, the MFAE (636.3 ± 90.7 pg./mL), C3GT (611.5 ± 65.4 pg./mL), and C3GP (757.5 ± 47.6 pg./mL) significantly increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels compared with those in the ACON group. The MA treatments significantly increased the number of Anaerotruncus, Tyzzerella, and Butyricicoccus, while decreasing the abundance of Sphingomonas, Odoribacter, and Rikenella. The MA intervention not only decreased the adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and indole-3-butyric acid but also upregulated the Pg36:3 and glutamine.

MA treatment may attenuate AS-associated risk factors by decreasing inflammatory factor-related gut microbial genera. The mechanism may be related to regulating liver glutamine, ATP, and related metabolic pathways.