Ginsenoside Rg1 Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis in Obese Mice by Regulating the Gut Microbiota–Lipid Metabolism–Th1/Th2/Th17 Cells Axis

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) has various pharmacological properties including antiobesity, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of G-Rg1 on colitis complicated by obesity. The results indicate that G-Rg1 effectively alleviates colitis in obese mice and improves serum lipid levels and liver function. Importantly, G-Rg1 improved the composition of gut microbiota in obese mice with colitis, with increases in alpha diversity indexes Sobs, Ace, and Chao, a significant down-regulation of the relative abundance of <i>Romboutsia</i>, and a significant up-regulation of <i>Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group</i>, <i>Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group</i>, <i>Enterorhabdus</i>, <i>Desulfovibrio</i>, and <i>Alistipes</i>. Meanwhile, G-Rg1 improved lipid metabolism in the colonic contents of obese mice with colitis. Additionally, G-Rg1 significantly reduced the percentages of helper T (Th)1, Th17, central memory T (TCM), and effector memory T (TEM) cells in obese mice with colitis while significantly increasing Naïve T and Th2 cells. In conclusion, G-Rg1 could be a promising therapeutic option for alleviating obesity complicated by colitis through regulation of the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism as well as Th1/Th2/Th17 cell differentiation.