Editorial: Harnessing natural plant extracts and probiotics to enhance host-gut microbiome interactions

Editorial on the Research Topic
Harnessing natural plant extracts and probiotics to enhance host-gut microbiome interactions

Introduction

The intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and host health has emerged as a cornerstone of modern biomedical research. In recent years, natural plant extracts and probiotics have received considerable attention for their potential to modulate gut microbial communities and thereby promote host wellbeing. This Research Topic, “Harnessing Natural Plant Extracts and Probiotics to Enhance Host-Gut Microbiome Interactions” brings together 13 cutting-edge studies that collectively advance our understanding of how these interventions can shape host-microbiome dynamics. By exploring mechanisms ranging from immune modulation to metabolic regulation, these contributions underscore the promise of natural compounds in addressing pressing challenges in health and agriculture.

The gut microbiome as a therapeutic target

The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in digestion, immune function, and metabolic homeostasis. Dysbiosis—an imbalance in microbial composition—has been linked to diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even mental health disorders. Natural plant extracts and probiotics offer a sustainable approach to restoring microbial balance as they often act as prebiotics, antioxidants, or immunomodulators.

In this collection, several studies highlighted the role of plant-derived polysaccharides. For instance, Wen et al. demonstrated that Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide (AMP) improves growth performance and intestinal health in largemouth bass by enhancing beneficial bacterial taxa such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Similarly, Zheng Y. et al. showed that grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) reduce oxidative stress and promote growth in pigs by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus. These findings align with the growing recognition that dietary polyphenols can act as prebiotics, fostering the growth of health-promoting microbes.

Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects

A recurring theme in the contributions is the dual role of natural compounds in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. For example, Tang et al. revealed that Rosa roxburghii polyphenol (RRTP) alleviates acute lung injury (ALI) in mice by enhancing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and increasing Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium associated with gut barrier integrity. Cheng et al. further emphasized the protective effects of Mulberry leaf polysaccharide (MLP) against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in chicks, demonstrating improved antioxidant enzyme activity and tight junction protein expression. These results highlight the potential of plant extracts to mitigate oxidative damage and enhance mucosal immunity.

Metabolic health and disease management

Several studies have explored the impact of natural compounds on metabolic disorders. Freitas et al. investigated the nutraceutical supplement Slim, which reshapes the gut microbiota and reduces Mucispirillum schaedleri in obese mice, thereby improving lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, Zheng W. et al. discussed the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway as a critical mediator of lipid metabolism, linking gut microbial metabolites to host inflammatory responses. These findings underscore the role of the gut microbiome in the metabolic syndrome and suggest that targeted interventions may offer novel therapeutic strategies.

Probiotics and microbial diversity

Probiotics, live microorganisms with health benefits, are another focus of this collection. For example, Wang et al. demonstrated that supplementation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammation in pigs by activating the AhR/STAT3 pathway (Wang et al., 2024). Similarly, studies by Ferrarezi et al. (2024) and Lin et al. (2024) highlighted the potential of probiotics to modulate gut microbial diversity in aquaculture, thereby enhancing disease resistance in fish. These findings emphasize the importance of probiotics in restoring microbial resilience and optimizing host health across species.

Challenges and future directions

While the studies in this collection provide compelling evidence for the efficacy of natural plant extracts and probiotics, several challenges remain. For instance, the precise mechanisms underlying microbial interactions with host signaling pathways (e.g., AhR, TLR4) require further elucidation. Additionally, standardization of extraction methods and dosage optimization are critical for translating these findings into clinical or agricultural applications. Future research should also explore the long-term effects of these interventions and their scalability across diverse populations.

Conclusion

This Research Topic consolidates groundbreaking contributions that advance our understanding of how natural plant extracts and probiotics can enhance host-gut microbiome interactions. By addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction, these studies pave the way for innovative therapies in human and veterinary medicine. As we continue to harness the power of nature, interdisciplinary approaches combining microbiology, immunology, and metabolomics will be key to unlocking the full potential of these interventions.

Author contributions

KW: Writing – original draft. CZ: Writing – review & editing. KX: Writing – review & editing. JY: Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the Yuelushan Laboratory Joint Talent Introduction Project (2024RC2045).

Acknowledgments

All authors who contributed to this Research Topic are gratefully acknowledged.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Ferrarezi, J. V. S., Owatari, M. S., Martins, M. A., de Souza, S. L., Dutra, S. A. P., de Oliveira, H. M., et al. (2024). Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus probiotic on the intestinal microbiome, haemato-immunology, and growth performance of Nile tilapia. Vet. Res. Commun. 48, 2357–2368. doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10412-1

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

Lin, Y. T., Hung, Y. C., Chen, L. H., Lee, K. T., and Han, Y. S. (2024). Effects of adding Bacillus subtilis natto NTU-18 in paste feed on growth, intestinal morphology, gastrointestinal microbiota diversity, immunity, and disease resistance of Anguilla japonica glass eels. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 149:109556. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109556

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

Wang, Q., Wang, F., Zhou, Y., Li, X., Xu, S., Jin, Q., et al. (2024). Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 Relieving Intestinal Inflammation by Modulating Intestinal Stem Cells Proliferation and Differentiation via AhR/STAT3 Pathway in LPS-Challenged Piglets. J. Agric. Food Chem. 72, 6096–6109. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05956

PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar