Using animal model systems to evaluate the impact of botanicals on the gut microbiome

We have reported that Rhodiola rosea increased lifespan and improved healthspan of fruit flies [1]. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is emerging as an important model system in biomedical research to evaluate the impact of various interventions on a number of phenotypes including changes in the microbiome. The main hypothesis of this project was that “Rhodiola rosea improves healthspan by modulating the microbiome”. We tested our hypothesis in flies and then in mice with two main aims: 1) to examine whether Rhodiola rosea improved the healthspan of fruit flies by changing their microbial composition and 2) to evaluate the impact of Rhodiola rosea on the microbiome of leptin deficient mice. Flies and were fed a normal diet and were randomized to either receive Rhodiola rosea or control diet. Rhodiola rosea significantly altered the microbiome of Drosophila and increased the ratio of the genus Acetobacter and decrease the order Lactobacillales throughout the lifespan and increased the total bacterial load throughout the fly lifespan [2]. We then evaluated the impact of this plant extract on the gut microbiome of a severe diabetic and obese phenotype in mice; leptin deficient mice. Our preliminary data showed that Rhodiola rosea improved glucose levels and changed the microbiome of leptin deficient mice. We are now in the process of a more detailed data analysis. Animal model systems, both insects and mammals, can be used in the pre-clinical stage to evaluate the impact of botanical extracts on the gut microbiome as it relates to their healthspan.

• References

• 1 Schriner Lee, Truong Salvadora, Maler Nam, Lee Jafari. Extension of Drosophila lifespan by Rhodiola rosea through a mechanism independent from dietary restriction. PLoS ONE 8: e63886
• 2 Labachyan, Kiani, Sevrioukov, Schriner, Jafari. The impact of Rhodiola rosea on the gut microbial community of Drosophila melanogaster . Gut Pathogens 10: 1-10.