Table_2_Targeted remodeling of the human gut microbiome using Juemingzi (Senna seed extracts).xlsx

The genus Senna contains globally distributed plant species of which the leaves, roots, and seeds have multiple traditional medicinal and nutritional uses. Notable chemical compounds derived from Senna spp. include sennosides and emodin which have been tested for antimicrobial effects in addition to their known laxative functions. However, studies of the effects of the combined chemical components on intact human gut microbiome communities are lacking. This study evaluated the effects of Juemingzi (Senna sp.) extract on the human gut microbiome using SIFR® (Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research) technology. After a 48-hour human fecal incubation, we measured total bacterial cell density and fermentation products including pH, gas production and concentrations of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The initial and post-incubation microbial community structure and functional potential were characterized using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Juemingzi (Senna seed) extracts displayed strong, taxon-specific anti-microbial effects as indicated by significant reductions in cell density (40%) and intra-sample community diversity. Members of the Bacteroidota were nearly eliminated over the 48-hour incubation. While generally part of a healthy gut microbiome, specific species of Bacteroides can be pathogenic. The active persistence of the members of the Enterobacteriaceae and selected Actinomycetota despite the reduction in overall cell numbers was demonstrated by increased fermentative outputs including high concentrations of gas and acetate with correspondingly reduced pH. These large-scale shifts in microbial community structure indicate the need for further evaluation of dosages and potential administration with prebiotic or synbiotic supplements. Overall, the very specific effects of these extracts may offer the potential for targeted antimicrobial uses or as a tool in the targeted remodeling of the gut microbiome.

决明属（Senna）包含全球分布的植物物种，其叶、根与种子兼具多种传统药用与营养用途。从决明属（Senna spp.）植物中分离得到的典型化学成分包括番泻苷与大黄素，除其已知的泻下功效外，二者还被开展了抗菌活性相关研究。然而，目前尚缺乏针对其复合化学成分对完整人类肠道微生物群落影响的相关研究。本研究采用SIFR®（全身肠道发酵研究，Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research）技术，评估了决明子（Senna sp.）提取物对人类肠道微生物组的影响。在进行48小时人类粪便体外培养后，我们检测了总细菌细胞密度以及发酵产物指标，包括pH值、气体生成量与短链脂肪酸（short chain fatty acids，SCFAs）浓度。采用鸟枪法宏基因组测序（shotgun metagenomic sequencing）技术，对培养前与培养后的微生物群落结构及其功能潜力进行了表征分析。决明子（Senna seed）提取物展现出显著的类群特异性抗菌活性，具体表现为细菌细胞密度降低40%、样本内群落多样性显著下降。在48小时培养过程中，拟杆菌门（Bacteroidota）的菌群几乎被完全清除。尽管拟杆菌属（Bacteroides）通常是健康肠道微生物组的组成成员，但部分特定菌种可具备致病性。尽管总细菌细胞数量有所减少，但肠杆菌科（Enterobacteriaceae）与部分选定的放线菌门（Actinomycetota）菌群仍保持活跃增殖，这一现象可通过发酵产物变化得到证实：气体与乙酸盐浓度升高，同时pH值相应降低。肠道微生物群落结构的此类大规模改变表明，需进一步评估该提取物的使用剂量，以及其与益生元（prebiotic）或合生素（synbiotic）补充剂联合使用的潜在可能性。总体而言，决明子提取物的此类特异性作用，有望为靶向抗菌应用提供新思路，或可作为靶向重塑肠道微生物组的研究工具。