Modulation of gut microbiota by polyphenols from adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf.) in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet

This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of polyphenol extract of adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf.) (PEA) on gut microbiota in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Rats were fed HCD containing 1% cholesterol (w/w), with or without a daily intragastric supplement of 200 mg/kg body weight PEA. Results showed that PEA significantly ameliorated increases in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values and significantly restored high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values. The HCD-induced imbalance of gut microflora was modulated by the consumption of PEA. Most bacterial strains influenced by PEA are related to host lipid metabolism. The abundances of one Erysipelotrichales strains and two Clostridia strains were lower in the PEA group than in the control. Phenolic compounds in PEA were identified by HPLC. The findings indicate that PEA may be a useful dietary supplement in the treatment of elevated cholesterol levels and the imbalanced gut microbial ecology.