Novel role of hesperidin improve obesity in HFD mice by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota

Background: Hesperidin is a plant-derived dihydroflavone derivative with multiple pharmacological functions. Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis. We examined the possibility that hesperidin may prevent diet-induced obesity by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. High-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were treated with hesperidin. Its effects on the gut microbiota were assessed by horizontal faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing-based microbiota analysis. Results: Gut microbiota analysis revealed that hesperidin selectively promoted the growth of beneficial Lactobacillus salivarius and harmful Staphylococcus sciuri and Desulfovibrio C21_c20 and inhibited that of beneficial Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Mucispirillumschaedleri and harmful Helicobacter ganmani and Helicobacter hepaticus . However, hesperidin reversed obesity and inflammation and improved gut integrity in HFD-fed mice. The anti-obesity effects and hesperidin-modulated Lactobacillus salivarius, Desulfovibrio C21_c20, Mucispirillumschaedleri and Helicobacter hepaticus were transmissible via horizontal faeces transfer from hesperidin-treated mice to HFD-fed mice. Conclusions: Hesperidin plays a dual role in both beneficial and harmful microbes. However, its overall effects reduce body weight and reverse HFD-related disorders in HFD-fed mice.