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A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year
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By Med Support News December 4, 2024

It’s What’s on the Inside – In the Gut Microbiome – That Counts!

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Are you and your patients planning to travel or alter the usual daily routine this holiday season? If so, research suggests consuming unusual foods, eating on the go, disrupted sleep, emotional stress, schedule changes, traveling, and other factors can significantly impact the health of the gut microbiome.1,2

Thus, a GI detox with the research-backed botanical extracts mentioned below might help you and your patients enjoy a healthy and happy New Year!

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

What is a Gut Microbiome?

Healthy individuals have trillions of microorganisms distributed throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, and they are collectively referred to as the gut flora or the gut microbiome. Several large research studies, including the Human Microbiome Project, have provided insight into the composition of the gut microbiome.3 We now know the gut microbiome and its metabolites play a fundamental role in many bodily functions, including nutrient production, nutrient absorption, metabolic health, immune system regulation, and the defense against infections.4

Emerging research continues to highlight how an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to the development of many diseases, including metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.4 Ongoing investigations are also revealing the numerous beneficial effects a balanced gut microbiome exerts on human health.3

For example, we know the metabolites produced by the gut microbiome directly influence immune cell development and susceptibility to infectious diseases, including infections outside the GI tract. Yes, the gut microbiome affects immune function at both local and distant sites. Specifically, the bioactive metabolites from the gut microbiome, which are known as postbiotics, boost the activity of T-lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and other immune cells to support a healthy immune response locally and systemically.5,6

When the gut microbiome is unhealthy or in a state of dysbiosis, you and your patients could be more susceptible to infections, allowing opportunistic and pathogenic organisms to flourish.7

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

What is Dysbiosis?

When the organisms present in the GI tract are not in optimal balance, it is known as gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis has been associated with the development of acute infections and several chronic diseases, including leaky gut syndrome, obesity, heart disease, allergies, cancer, and asthma.4,8 Holiday travel and the other factors mentioned above can increase the risk of developing gut dysbiosis and infections.1,2,9

Fortunately, botanical medicine offers several evidence-based treatment options to support a balanced and healthy gut microbiome while clearing opportunistic and pathogenic organisms.10

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Botanical Medicine for Balancing the Gut Microbiome

Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood)

Artemisia annua has been recommended by Chinese herbalists for the treatment of many diseases since ancient times. As a Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been prescribed for tuberculosis (TB), lice, wounds, scabies, dysentery, hemorrhoids, pain and swelling around teeth, pus in the ear, nasal polyps, intermittent fevers due to malaria, heat/fever arising from exhaustion, and other health concerns.11

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Modern research shows Artemisia annua offers inhibitory effects against several opportunistic and pathogenic organisms, which include:

Parasites

  • Plasmodium
  • Toxoplasma gondii
  • Leishmania
  • Acanthamoeba
  • Schistosoma

Viruses

  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
  • Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
  • Human cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Fungi

  • Candida
  • Malassezia
  • Saccharomyces

Bacteria

  • Enterococcus
  • Streptococcus
  • Staphylococcus
  • Bacillus
  • Listeria
  • Haemophilus
  • Escherichia
  • Pseudomonas
  • Klebsiella
  • Acinetobacter
  • Salmonella
  • Babesia
  • Yersinia10,12,13

Animal studies that assessed the effects of extracts from various Artemisia species (Artemisia spp.) showed the extracts reliably resolved gut dysbiosis. The extracts enriched the growth of beneficial bacteria while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria. The botanical extracts also significantly boosted carbohydrate metabolism to promote the production of healthy short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Artemisia also supports healthy cholesterol levels, improves glucose tolerance, protects against fatty liver disease, reduces inflammation, and prevents obesity induced by a high-fat diet.14-17

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese Skullcap)

Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese Skullcap) is widely cultivated in China, Siberia, Russia, and Mongolia. Historically, the leaves of S. baicalensis were used to make a tea that reduced heat and supported detoxification. The dried root of S. baicalensis is a Traditional Chinese Medicine named Huang Qin or Huang Qi, and it has been prescribed for over 2000 years.18,19

Traditionally, Huang Qin was administered for diarrhea, high blood pressure, insomnia, and respiratory infections. S. baicalensis root contains many bioactive components, including baicalin, which offers numerous health benefits, according to extensive research.  Baicalin (BA) is a crucial flavonoid discovered approximately 60 years ago. According to modern research, BA is a multi-target, multi-pathway bioflavonoid with multiple pharmacological effects, including liver-protective, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and antioxidant benefits.18

Concerning the gut microbiome, researchers found that BA significantly inhibits the invasion of Salmonella typhimurium in a dose-dependent manner.18 In animals, BA also offers a protective effect against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection by regulating the gut microbiome.20

BA markedly resolves the gut dysbiosis induced by APEC, increases the abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and promotes the production of SCFAs in the gut, including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. Researchers suggest BA may serve as an alternative antibiotic to prevent or treat APEC infections in animals in the future.20

Moreover, S. baicalensis root extracts, and the biologically active constituents therein, have shown substantial antimicrobial effects against numerous pathogens and opportunistic pathogens, including Bacillus cereus, Babesia duncani, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridioides difficile, Salmonella anatum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus (RV), Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, and Rhodotorula rubra.13,19,21-25

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

An animal study that assessed the effects of BA on the gut microbiome determined baicalin:

  • Increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidales S24-7 by 74.7%, Bacteroidaceae by 422%, and Verrucomicrobiaceae by 10503%.
  • Decreased the relative abundance of Streptococcaceae, Deferribacteraceae, and Desulfarculaceae.
  • Increased the levels of beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria.
  • Increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia by 10503%.26

Furthermore, research shows S. baicalensis extracts may heal dysbiosis-associated damage in the GI tract. Specifically, the research demonstrates S. baicalensis extract can suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhance the function of the intestinal barrier, thereby supporting the healing of the gut after dysbiosis or other inflammatory state.27

Clinical use and additional research studies suggest that BA exhibits therapeutic potential against several gastrointestinal disorders, including hepatic fibrosis (liver fibrosis); xenobiotic-induced liver injury; fatty liver disease; acute and chronic viral hepatitis; cholestasis; ulcerative colitis; and hepatocellular and colorectal cancers.18,28

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Berberine – A Botanical Alkaloid that Boosts Butyrate (SCFA) Production

Berberine is not a plant but an alkaloid compound found in several different plants. Berberine is present in Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), Berberis aristata (Indian barberry), Berberis vulgaris (European barberry), Berberis aquifolium (also known as Mahonia aquifolium or Oregon grape holly), Berberis thunbergii (also known as Japanese barberry or red barberry), B. petiolaris, Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), and other botanicals.29

Berberine-containing plant medicine has been used to treat diarrhea and other health conditions associated with the gut microbiome for more than 2000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Pharmacological studies show that berberine offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Berberine has antimicrobial effects against a wide range of organisms, including fungi, bacteria, protozoans, helminths, and viruses.

Modern research confirms berberine can reduce populations of Vibrio cholera, Shigella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus dysenteriae, Helicobacter pylori, C. difficile, Proteus mirabilis, and other pathogens and opportunistic pathogens in the gut microbiome.30-33

Research also indicates berberine reduces the severity of diarrhea symptoms and heals the gut microbiome by reducing inflammation, inhibiting gut motility, decreasing intestinal secretion and exudation, ameliorating impaired gastrointestinal function, relaxing intestinal smooth muscle, and prolonging the transit time of intestinal contents.30-33

Additional research shows berberine boosts the population of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiome, thus promoting the synthesis of butyrate, a nourishing short-chain fatty acid. After production by the gut microbiome, the butyrate can enter the blood to improve cholesterol and blood glucose levels.29 Berberine also possesses antimalarial, neuro-protective, blood pressure modulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.33

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

Synergistic Benefits of Combining Berberine and Baicalin

In addition to the benefits offered by baicalin and berberine individually, combining berberine with baicalin leads to the formation of natural self-assemblies known as “BA-BBR nanoparticles (BA-BBR NPs),” which offer synergistic effects.34

Research shows the BA-BBR NPs promote healthy levels of brain-gut peptides, reduce inflammation, and support the beneficial organisms in the gut microbiome.34

A Healthy GI Detox for the New Year

The Best Test Panel to Optimize Gut Health

If you or your patients travel this holiday season or experience GI symptoms, consider ordering our comprehensive Expanded GI Health Panel™ with GP3x and Calprotectin.

  • The Expanded Bacterial Stool Culture (GP3x) is a complete aerobic culture that reports all bacterial colonies isolated on the culture plates rather than the two or three most dominant species as reported on our standard (GP3) culture results.
  • According to the American College of Gastroenterology clinical guidelines for the management of suspected IBS, a fecal Calprotectin test should be ordered as part of a comprehensive workup in all patients with gastrointestinal symptoms to rule out inflammatory bowel disease.

To place a test order, click here. As a reminder, DiagnosTechs will drop ship test kits directly to your patients. You may select this option at the top of the order form.

Please visit our Provider Tools page for more information about choosing the right test, test result interpretation, and treatment options.

References:

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  2. Gubert C, Kong G, Renoir T, et al. Exercise, diet and stress as modulators of gut microbiota: Implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis. 2020;134:104621. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104621
  3. Cresci GA, Bawden E. Gut Microbiome: What We Do and Don’t Know. Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(6):734-746. doi:10.1177/0884533615609899
  4. Gebrayel P, Nicco C, Al Khodor S, et al. Microbiota medicine: towards clinical revolution. J Transl Med. 2022;20(1):111. doi:10.1186/s12967-022-03296-9
  5. Varsha KK, Narisetty V, Brar KK, et al. Bioactive metabolites in functional and fermented foods and their role as immunity booster and anti-viral innate mechanisms [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jun 24]. J Food Sci Technol. 2022;1-10. doi:10.1007/s13197-022-05528-8
  6. Ailioaie LM, Litscher G. Probiotics, Photobiomodulation, and Disease Management: Controversies and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(9):4942. doi:10.3390/ijms22094942
  7. Cassotta M, Forbes-Hernández TY, Calderón Iglesias R, et al. Links between Nutrition, Infectious Diseases, and Microbiota: Emerging Technologies and Opportunities for Human-Focused Research. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1827. doi:10.3390/nu12061827
  8. Hufnagl K, Pali-Schöll I, Roth-Walter F, et al. Dysbiosis of the gut and lung microbiome has a role in asthma. Semin Immunopathol. 2020;42(1):75-93. doi:10.1007/s00281-019-00775-y
  9. Peng Y, Liang S, Poonsuk K, et al. Role of gut microbiota in travel-related acquisition of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. J Travel Med. 2021;28(3):taab022. doi:10.1093/jtm/taab022
  10. Wang L, Gao M, Kang G, et al. The Potential Role of Phytonutrients Flavonoids Influencing Gut Microbiota in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Front Nutr. 2021;8:798038. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.798038
  11. Feng X, Cao S, Qiu F, et al. Traditional application and modern pharmacological research of Artemisia annua L. Pharmacol Ther. 2020;216:107650. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107650
  12. Efferth T, Romero MR, Wolf DG, et al. The antiviral activities of artemisinin and artesunate. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;47(6):804-811. doi:10.1086/591195
  13. Zhang Y, Alvarez-Manzo H, Leone J, et al. Botanical Medicines Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Alchornea cordifolia Demonstrate Inhibitory Activity Against Babesia duncani. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;11:624745. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.624745
  14. Li J, Jin H, Yan X, et al. The anti-obesity effects exerted by different fractions of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide in diet-induced obese mice. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021;182:825-837. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.070
  15. Zeng X, Ren D, Li D, et al. Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide promotes adipose thermogenesis and decreases obesity by shaping the gut microbiota. Food Funct. 2022;13(20):10651-10664. doi:10.1039/d2fo02257e
  16. Li J, Pang B, Shao D, et al. Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide mediates lipid metabolism and metabolic endotoxaemia in associated with the modulation of gut microbiota in diet-induced obese mice. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020;147:1008-1017. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.069
  17. Zhang B, Ren D, Zhao Y, et al. Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide prevents hepatic steatosis in high fructose-fed mice associated with changes in the gut microbiota. Food Funct. 2019;10(12):8137-8148. doi:10.1039/c9fo01890e
  18. Hu Q, Zhang W, Wu Z, et al. Baicalin and the liver-gut system: Pharmacological bases explaining its therapeutic effects. Pharmacol Res. 2021;165:105444. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105444
  19. Zhao Q, Chen XY, Martin C. Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants. Sci Bull (Beijing). 2016;61(18):1391-1398. doi:10.1007/s11434-016-1136-5
  20. Peng LY, Shi HT, Tan YR, et al. Baicalin inhibits APEC-induced lung injury by regulating gut microbiota and SCFA production. Food Funct. 2021;12(24):12621-12633. doi:10.1039/d1fo02407h
  21. Chen ME, Su CH, Yang JS, et al. Baicalin, Baicalein, and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus JB3 Alleviated Helicobacter pylori Infections in Vitro and in Vivo. J Food Sci. 2018;83(12):3118-3125. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.14372
  22. Pellissery AJ, Vinayamohan PG, Venkitanarayanan K. In vitro antivirulence activity of baicalin against Clostridioides difficile. J Med Microbiol. 2020;69(4):631-639. doi:10.1099/jmm.0.001179
  23. Luo J, Dong B, Wang K, et al. Baicalin inhibits biofilm formation, attenuates the quorum sensing-controlled virulence and enhances Pseudomonas aeruginosa clearance in a mouse peritoneal implant infection model. PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0176883. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176883
  24. Qin S, Huang X, Qu S. Baicalin Induces a Potent Innate Immune Response to Inhibit Respiratory Syncytial Virus Replication via Regulating Viral Non-Structural 1 and Matrix RNA. Front Immunol. 2022;13:907047. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.907047
  25. Shen J, Chen JJ, Zhang BM, et al. Baicalin Is Curative Against Rotavirus Damp Heat Diarrhea by Tuning Colonic Mucosal Barrier and Lung Immune Function. Dig Dis Sci. 2020;65(8):2234-2245. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05977-w
  26. Zhang BW, Sun WL, Yu N, et al. Anti-diabetic effect of baicalein is associated with the modulation of gut microbiota in streptozotocin and high-fat-diet induced diabetic rats. J Funct Foods. (2018) 46:256–67. 10.1016/j.jff.2018.04.070
  27. Cui L, Guan X, Ding W, et al. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi polysaccharide ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by improving intestinal barrier function and modulating gut microbiota. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021;166:1035-1045. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.259
  28. Ganguly R, Gupta A, Pandey AK. Role of baicalin as a potential therapeutic agent in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal disorders: A review. World J Gastroenterol. 2022;28(26):3047-3062. doi:10.3748/wjg.v28.i26.3047
  29. Zhang L, Wu X, Yang R, et al. Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021;10:588517. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517
  30. Yu M, Jin X, Liang C, et al. Berberine for diarrhea in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:1756284820961299. doi:10.1177/1756284820961299
  31. Chou S, Zhang S, Guo H, et al. Targeted Antimicrobial Agents as Potential Tools for Modulating the Gut Microbiome. Front Microbiol. 2022;13:879207. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.879207
  32. Wultańska D, Piotrowski M, Pituch H. The effect of berberine chloride and/or its combination with vancomycin on the growth, biofilm formation, and motility of Clostridioides difficile. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020;39(7):1391-1399. doi:10.1007/s10096-020-03857-0
  33. Behl T, Singh S, Sharma N, et al. Expatiating the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Aspects of the Alkaloidal Drug Berberine: Current and Future Trends. Molecules. 2022;27(12):3705. doi:10.3390/molecules27123705
  34. Li L, Cui H, Li T, et al. Synergistic Effect of Berberine-Based Chinese Medicine Assembled Nanostructures on Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Vivo. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:1210. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01210