Phenolic-enriched Rosa rugosa extract ameliorates obesity-associated metabolic disorders and regulates gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice

Obesity is a deleterious medical condition that can lead to lipid metabolism dysregulation and various metabolic disorders. The lipid-reducing and hypoglycemic effects of Rosa rugosa have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanisms of the anti-obesity components and gut microbiota regulating potential of R. rugosa are not fully understood. Therefore, our study investigated the role of R. rugosa phenolic-enriched extract (RREE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and microbiome alterations. The results showed that RREE administration (300 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks) decreased body and organ weight by improving glucolipid metabolism and inhibiting lipid accumulation. Moreover, RREE restored gut permeability by regulating the expression levels of tight junction proteins and improving microbial composition and diversity. Taken together, the findings suggested the potential of RREE as a potent prebiotic agent that can ameliorate HFD-induced obesity and its associated metabolic disorders by regulating glucolipid metabolism and restoring the gut microbiota.