What the study found
Panax ginseng-Polygonum cuspidatum (GP), an herb pair, was reported to reduce atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice, a mouse model that develops plaque buildup. The study indicates this effect may be related to changes in gut microbiota and related metabolites.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the herb pair has traditionally been used for cardiovascular diseases and that more evidence-based support is still needed for its anti-atherosclerotic effects. The study suggests GP may be relevant because it was associated with changes in gut microbes and metabolites linked to atherosclerosis.
What the researchers tested
The researchers compared control, model, and GP groups and identified metabolites that differed among them. They also used fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which transfers feces containing gut microbes from one group to another, assigning mice to FMT-Mod and FMT-GPH groups using feces from the model or high-dose GP group.
What worked and what didn't
Twenty-two metabolites were differentially abundant among the control, model, and GP groups. Nineteen of these were changed by a high-fat diet and reversed by GP, including 1-methylnicotinamide, dopamine, and lysoPA (0:0/18:0). Mice that received fecal transplants from the high-dose GP group showed less aortic plaque, lower levels of some lipid and inflammatory cytokines, more goblet cells, higher expression of ZO-1 and Occludin, and more 1-methylnicotinamide than mice that received fecal transplants from the model group.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed study limitations. The findings are from mice, so the available summary only supports conclusions within this animal model.
Key points
- GP was reported to alleviate atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice.
- The study links the effect to gut microbiota and related metabolites.
- Twenty-two metabolites differed among the control, model, and GP groups.
- Nineteen metabolites were altered by a high-fat diet and reversed by GP.
- FMT from the high-dose GP group led to less aortic plaque and some improved gut-barrier markers.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Gut microbiota changes linked to less atherosclerosis in mice
- Authors:
- Y. Claire Wang, Jinyi Fu, Jingyi Zhan, Yuanbin Liang, Ruofan Chen, Linjing Su, Qingbing Zhou, Yaoyao Zhang, Weihong Cong, Fengqin Xu
- Institutions:
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.