Honokiol affects the composition of gut microbiota and the metabolism of lipid and bile acid in methionine-choline deficiency diet-induced NASH mice

Abstract

Abstract Background Honokiol (HNK), one of the main active components of Magnolia officinalis, has a positive effect on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the effects of HNK on the composition of serum lipids and bile acids (BAs) and gut microbiota (GM) of NASH mice are still unknown. Methods C57BL/6 mice were fed with methionine-choline deficiency (MCD) diet and gavaged with HNK (20mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks, then the serum lipids and BAs were detected by LC-MS, the composition of ileum microflora and the mRNA expression of hepatic BAs homeostasis related genes were analyzed by 16SrDNA sequencing and RT-qPCR, respectively. Results HNK treatment decreased the degree of hepatic lipid drops, inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. Meantime, the serum levels of 34 lipids and 4 BAs in MCD mice were significantly altered by HNK treatment, as well as the increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Caulobacteraceae, Micrococcaceae and Brevundimonas, and the decreased abundance of Firmicutes and Dubosiella. Besides, HNK treatment increased the hepatic mRNA expression of Oatp1b2 in MCD mice. Conclusions The ameliorating effect of HNK on NASH may be partly related to its correction on the disorders of GM, serum lipids and BAs through influencing gut-liver axis of MCD mice.