COLITIS protection was associated with microbiota dependent apiin activity, with new findings showing that the dietary flavone glycoside was transformed into apigenin and linked to increased butyrate production. The research investigated how apiin influenced dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and identified gut microbial metabolism as a key factor in its protective effects.
Dietary glycosides are microbiota responsive food components with potential intestinal health benefits, although their mechanisms remain unclear. Apiin, a naturally occurring flavone glycoside found in plant-based foods, demonstrated protective effects against colitis after undergoing microbial biotransformation in the distal intestine. The compound resisted host digestion but was efficiently converted by intestinal microbiota through deglycosylation, producing apigenin, the bioactive aglycone.
Following apiin administration, researchers observed reduced colitis severity, with improvements in clinical and histopathological outcomes. The findings also showed lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, alongside restoration of intestinal barrier integrity.
These results suggested that apiin activity depended on interactions between dietary components and the gut microbiota, highlighting the importance of microbial metabolism in regulating intestinal inflammation.
Multi-omics analyses revealed that apiin reshaped gut microbiota composition and function, resulting in enhanced production of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid associated with intestinal regulation. This metabolic change was linked to pathways involving G-protein coupled receptors and PPARγ, as well as modulation of NF-κB-driven inflammatory responses.
The findings indicated that apiin may influence colitis through a combination of microbial transformation and downstream metabolic signalling. The relationship between apiin, microbiota activity, and butyrate production provided further insight into how dietary glycosides may affect inflammatory processes within the intestine.
The role of the microbiota in apiin mediated colitis protection was further supported by faecal microbiota transplantation experiments. These experiments reproduced the protective effects observed after apiin administration, confirming that microbial communities contributed to the compound’s activity.
Overall, the study identified apiin as a microbiota-dependent pro-flavonoid with potential relevance for understanding mechanisms involved in colitis regulation. Its conversion into apigenin and association with butyrate related signalling pathways were linked to reduced inflammation and improved intestinal outcomes in experimental colitis.
Reference
Guo Z et al. Microbiota-dependent biotransformation of apiin drives butyrate-associated protection against colitis. npj Sci Food. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s41538-026-00992-4
Featured Image: MithaArini on Adobe Stock.
Each article is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License.
