Lycium ruthenicum diet alters the gut microbiota and partially enhances gut barrier function in male C57BL/6 mice

Abstract The relationship between the gut microbiota and diet is receiving an increasing amount of attention. Lycium ruthenicum (LR) is rich in polysaccharides and anthocyanidins that alter the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed LR-supplemented diets for ten weeks. The fecal microbiota was evaluated by MiSeq sequencing of 16S rDNA. LR decreased the relative proportion of Firmicutes but increased Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes. Akkermansia , Odoribacter and Bifidobacterium were increased in LR diet groups. LR improved the richness and diversity of fecal microbiota from its C group level, but oral antibiotics decreased it. The fecal microbiota, short-chain fatty acid concentration, pH value, free ammonia, intestinal development, intestinal histomorphology and permeability, and intestinal immune barrier were significantly changed from their C group values by LR or oral antibiotic treatment. LR partially promoted intestinal tract health by improving the gut microbiota and barrier function. This process must be further explored.