Adsorption,in vitro digestion and human gut microbiota regulation characteristics of three Poria cocos polysaccharides

Poria cocos(PC)is a famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and a widely used healthcare ingredient,which has antiobesity,enhancing immunity and improving sleep effects.Traditionally,only water-soluble poria polysaccharide(WSP)is extracted and applied for clinical application,while insoluble polysaccharide(alkali-soluble poria polysaccharide,ASP)is discarded as herb residue.However,the whole PC has also been historically utilized as functional herbal food.Considering the beneficial role of dietary fiber and the traditional use of PC,ASP may also contribute substantially to the therapy function of PC.Compared to WSP,little attention has been paid to ASP and ASP modified product carboxymethyl poria polysaccharide(CMP)which has been used as an antitumor adjuvant drug.In this study,the oil,cholesterol,metal ions and polyphenols adsorption ability,in vitro simulated digestive and the gut microbiota fermentation characteristics of WSP,ASP and CMP were studied to evaluate the functional values of three P.cocos polysaccharides(PCPs).The results showed that all three PCPs had good adsorption capacity on cholesterol,polyphenols and metal ions(Cd^(2+)/Zn^(2+)/Mg^(2+)),among which ASP showed the highest capacity than WSP and CMP.The adsorption capacity of all three PCPs on heavy metal ions(Cd^(2+)/Zn^(2+))was stronger than that of non-heavy metal ions(Mg^(2+));The in vitro digestibility of all three PCPs was very low,but WSP was slightly higher than ASP and CMP;Moreover,the indigestible residue of all three PCPs could improve the richness and diversity of gut microbiota,among which ASP had the greatest influence.In general,ASP and CMP could significantly promote the proliferation of some probiotics and inhibit the growth of some harmful bacteria.The gut microbiota diversity of CMP was reduced,but the richness of probiotics,especially Parabacteroides distasonis was significantly enhanced compared with the ASP group,and the growth of harmful bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae was inhibited after CMP treatment.The short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)analysis results showed that all three PCPs could significantly promote the production of acetic acid,propionic acid and the total acid content compared with blank control group,and SCFAs producing activity was positively correlated with the proliferative capacity of probiotics.Taken together,the good adsorption characteristics and gut microbiota regulatory activity of ASP may lay foundation for its lipid-lowering and immune-improving function.Additionally,the probiotic effect of CMP and ASP indicated that except for only use the water extract of PC in clinic,CMP and ASP also can be used in healthcare to take full advantage of this valuable medicine.

Effects of Poria cocos polysaccharide on growth performance,physiological parameters,and lipid metabolism of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus

The aquaculture industry has developed significantly over the past few decades and has had a substantial impact on the global food supply and marine fisheries resources.However,some problems arise behind the scenes due to excessive intensive farming,such as slow animal growth,frequent disease,and lipid metabolism disorders.These problems have limited the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry,and a continuable solution is required.The use of fungal polysaccharide appears to provide a solution to these problems.Therefore,different supplemented levels of Poria cocos polysaccharide(PCP)(0,0.4,0.8,1.2,1.6,and 2.0 g/kg,respectively)were fed to spotted sea bass(Lateolabrax maculatus)in similar size(30.28±0.18 g)in current study.The effects of PCP on growth,physiological parameters,and lipid metabolism of spotted sea bass were investigated after a 4-week rearing period.Results showed,fish with PCP intake presented a significantly higher weight gain,specific growth rate,and a significantly lower feed conversion ratio.Significantly higher trypsin activity in liver and intestine were observed in fish with PCP intake.The superoxide dismutase activity in serum and liver of fish with PCP intake were significantly improved,while significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity and hepatic catalase activity were also observed.However,no significant differences in lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase activity were evident among groups.Fish with PCP intake showed a significantly lower total cholesterol,but no noteworthy change in triglyceride and lipid-metabolismrelated genes expression were observed among groups.Results indicated that intake of PCP has a positive effect on growth and antioxidant capacity of spotted sea bass,but seems to have a limited effect on the non-specific immunity and lipid metabolism of spotted sea bass.Based on the regression analysis results,1.4 g/kg of PCP is the optimal dose for spotted sea bass in size(30.28±0.18 g).

Optimal Ultrasonic Extraction of Pachyman from Jiuzihe Poria cocos

This study was conducted to extract pachyman to the greatest degree with ultrasonic technology, and to determine the content of pachyman by the phe-nol-sulfuric acid method, so as to choose the optimal technique of ultrasonic extrac-tion of pachyman. Firstly, the ultrasonic power, extraction time and solid-to-liquid ra-tio were investigated by ultrasonic extraction method. Then, on this basis, a respon-sible surface experiment was designed, to select the optimal process conditions ac-cording to the index of pachyman yield. The optimized ultrasonic water extraction conditions were as fol ow： ultrasonic power of 100 W, extraction time of 30 min, and solid-to-liquid ratio at 1：40. The Oxford cup method was used to study the an-timicrobial activity of pachyman. lt was found that pachyman could significantly in-hibit Bacilus subtilis_and Staphylococcus aureus.

Overview of Pharmaceutical Research on the Poria with Hostwood of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Based on extensive literature search, the composition, pharmacological ac- tion and clinical application of Poria with hostwood have been summarized, to pro- vide scientific data for further research ＆ development.

Extraction of Alkali-soluble Polysaccharide from Jiuzihe Poria

In this study, with Jiuzihe poria as the main raw material, the effect of alkali concentration, extraction time and solid-liquid ratio on the extraction rate of alkali-soluble polysaccharide was investigated, and the processing technology was optimized with orthogonal experiment. The results showed that the optimum extraction process for alkali-soluble polysacchadde from poria was as follows： solid-liquid ratio of 1：50, alkali concentration of 0.5 mol/L, and extraction time of 8 h.

PREPARATION AND STRUCTURE OF FIVE DERIVATIVES OF β-(1→3)-D-GLUCAN ISOLATED FROM PORIA COCOS SCLEROTIUM

A new solvent of cellulose (1.5 mol/L NaOH/0.5 mol/L urea aqueous solution) was used as one of the homogeneous reaction media of polysaccharides for methylation, hydroxyethylation and hydroxypropylation. A water insoluble β -(1—>3)-D-glucan, sample PCS3- isolated from fresh sclerotium of Poria cocos was sulfated in dimethyl sulfoxide (Me 2 SO), carboxymethylated in NaOH, isopropanol solution, as well as methylated, hydroxyethylated and hydroxypropylated in the new solvent system, respectively, to obtain five water-soluble derivatives coded as S-PCS3- C- PCS3- M-PCS3- HE-PCS3- and HP-PCS3- Their chemical structure and distribution of substitution were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), elementary analysis (EA), 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 2D-COSY, 2D-TOCSY and 2D- 1 H-detected 1H 13C HMQC spectra. The results reveal that the relative reactivity of hydroxyl groups of the β -(1-?3)-D-glucan is in the order C-6 > C-4 > C-2 on the whole. The substitution of the samples S-PCS3- C-PCS3- and M-PCS3- occurred mainly at C-6 position and secondly at C-4 and C-2 positions, and that of HE-PCS3- occurred at C-6 and C-4 positions and of HP-PCS3- almost completely occurred at C-6 position. The degrees of substitution (DS) obtained from 13 C-NMR range from 0.23 to 1.27. The water solubility of the derivatives is in the order S-PCS3- >C-PCS3- >M-PCS3- >HE-PCS3- >HP-PCS3- This work provides a novel and nonpolluting process for the methylation, hydroxyethylation and hydroxypropylation of β -(1—>3)-D-glucan.

COMPARISON OF POLYSACCHARIDES ISOLATED FROM THE MYCELIA OF A CULTIVATED STRAIN OF PORIA COCOS GROWN IN DIFFERENT LIQUID CULTURE MEDIA

Mycelium of a cultivated strain of Poria cocos was grown by submerged fermentation in a liquid mediumcontaining corn steep liquor with orbital shaking. Six polysaccharides coded as ac-PCM1, ac-PCM2, ac-PCM3-Ⅰ andⅡ, ac-PCM4-Ⅰand Ⅱ were isolated from the myelium by extracting with 0.9% NaCl aqueous solution, hot water, 0.5 mol/L NaOHaqueous solution and 88% formic acid. Exo-polysaccharide was obtained from the culture medium and coded as ac-PCM0.The monosaccharide composition and molecular weights of these polysaccharides were characterized by using infraredspectroscopy, gas chromaography, elemental analysis, ^(13)C-NMR, viscometry and light scattering. The results indicated thatac-PCM0, ac-PCM1 and ac-PCM2 are heteropolysaccharides containing glucose, galactose, mannose and fucose, and ac-PCM3-Ⅰ and ac-PCM3-Ⅱ mainly consist of D-glucose. The content of the glucose in the polysaccharides increased with theisolation progress. Remarkably, α-glucan and β-glucan coexisted in the extract by NaOH aqueous solution (ac-PCM3), andcould be separated by chemical methods. The protein in the ac-PCM polysaccharides cultured from the medium containingcorn steep liquor was higher than that in the ab-PCM from the medium with bran extract. Therefore, the polysaccharidesfrom Poria cocos mycelia cultured in different media have different chemical composition, molecular weights and conformations.

Effects of Crude Extract of Poria cocos on the Tension of Jejunum and Cecum in Rabbits in vitro

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of crude extract of Poria cocos on intestinal smooth muscle contraction of rabbits in vitro and re- veal the related mechanism. [Method] With in vitro experimental method, using the tension of jejunal and cecal smooth muscle as an indicator, 3.75, 7.50, 15.00, and 22.5 g/L crude extract of P. cocos were added into Tyrede＇s solution of jejunum and cecum tissues of rabbits to observe the effects of crude extract of P. cocos on motion dynamics of jejunum and cecum of rabbits. [ Result] The addition of crude extract of P. cocos could inhibit the contraction of jejunal and cecal smooth muscle of rabbits in vitro, enhance contraction tension and relaxation tension, and reduce contraction amplitude. The effects were improved as the dose of crude extract of P. cocos increased, displaying a dose-effect relationship. [Condusion] This study provided theoretical basis for the clinical use of P. cocos.

Carbon dots derived from Poria cocos polysaccharide as an effective“on-off”fluorescence sensor for chromium(Ⅵ)detection

Chromium is a harmful contaminant showing mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.Therefore,detection of chromium requires the development of low-cost and high-sensitivity sensors.Herein,blue-fluorescent carbon quantum dots were synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method from alkali-soluble Poria cocos polysaccharide,which is green source,cheap and easy to obtain,and has no pharmacological activity due to low water solubility.These carbon quantum dots exhibit good fluorescence stability,water solubility,anti-interference and low cytotoxicity,and can be specifically combined with the detection of Cr(Ⅵ)to form a non-fluorescent complex that causes fluorescence quenching,so they can be used as a label-free nanosensor.High-sensitivity detection of Cr(Ⅵ)was achieved through internal filtering and static quenching effects.The fluorescence quenching degree of carbon dots fluorescent probe showed a good linear relationship with Cr(Ⅵ)concentration in the range of 1-100μM.The linear equation was F;/F=0.9942+0.01472[Cr(Ⅵ)](R;=0.9922),and the detection limit can be as low as 0.25μM(S/N=3),which has been successfully applied to Cr(Ⅵ)detection in actual water samples herein.

INFLUENCE OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND PERIODATE-MODIFICATION OF β-D-GLUCANS FROM PORIA COCOS SCLEROTIUM ON ANTITUMOR ACTIVITIES

In this work, influence of molecular weight and periodate modification ofβ-D-glucans isolated from Poria cocos sclerotium on the antitumor activities against Sar-coma 180 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor was studied. The results show thattwo glucans PC3 (linear β-(1→3)-D-glucan) and PC4 [β-(1→3)-D-glucan with a fewof branches and glucuronic acid] are devoid of antitumor activity. However, when theglucans were modified by periodate oxidation, borohydride reduction and mild hydrolysisor partially hydrolysis, the derivatives have obvious antitumor activities. The decreasein molecular weight of glucans after periodate modification hardly affects their antitumoractions, but on the other hand, the decrease of molecular weight without periodate modi-fication could lead to an enhancement of the antitumor activities. Moreover, the glucansand these derivatives have much higher enhancement ratios of body weight of mice thanthat of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), suggesting that they are less toxic than 5-Fu.

Study on Quality Markers of Poria cocos Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and Network Pharmacology Technology

[Objectives]To analyze the main chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Poria cocos by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,and explore the active components for P.cocos in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea(PD)by network pharmacology to predict its quality markers(Q-marker).[Methods]Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)in positive and negative ion mode was used to collect high quality MS and MS/MS data of Poria cocos,and qualitative characterization of the components in Poria cocos was performed using Analyst TF 1.7.1 and PeakView 2.2 software with reference to internal databases and literature.Taking the above identified chemical components as the research object,we used network pharmacology to discover the potential effective components and their key targets of PD,and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the core targets was performed to screen the Q-marker of P.cocos based on the five principles of Q-marker of TCM.[Results]UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to identify 41 chemical components of P.cocos,including 3 amino acids,26 triterpenoids,4 lactones,7 organic acids and 1 adenosine.It was more likely to lose H 2O and CO 2 during cleavage and break at the carbonyl group.The triterpenoids were mainly in the form of[M-H]-peaks in negative ion mode,which was easy to lose some structural fragments such as H 2O,CH 3COOH,CH 4,CO 2,etc.Further network pharmacological analysis showed that 302 targets of chemical components of P.cocos,518 targets of PD,28 common targets of component and disease,and 27 core targets such as PTGS2,ESR1,TNF,IL1B were observed by PPI interactions network analysis.451 biological processes such as hormone response and inflammatory response regulation were obtained by GO enrichment analysis.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that 89 pathways including PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway were obtained.The connectivity value of components was analyzed.The core components with the connectivity value greater than 10,including poricoic acid A,polyporenic acid,polyporenic acid C,and 25-hydroxy-3-epidehydrotumoric acid were selected,while the key targets with the connectivity value greater than 15 included TNF,PTGS2,IL1B and CASP3.Molecular docking between core components and key targets was performed,and most of the docking energy was less than-5 kcal/mol,indicating that the binding between the active components and target proteins of P.cocos was relatively stable,so 23 active components of P.cocos were determined.Following the five principles of Q-marker,four possible Q-markers of P.cocos were predicted,including poricoic acid A,pachymic acid,polyporenic acid C,and 25-hydroxy-3-epidehydrotumoric acid.[Conclusions]P.cocos was mainly composed of triterpenoids,its effect on the treatment of PD may be achieved mainly by poricoic acid A,pachymic acid,polyporenic acid C,and 25-hydroxy-3-epi-dehydrotumoric acid acting on PTGS2,ESR1,TNF,IL1B and other targets to regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,etc.Based on these active components,poricoic acid A,pachymic acid,polyporenic acid C,and 25-hydroxy-3-epi-dehydrotumoric acid could be taken as Q-markers of P.cocos,which provided a solid basis for further improving the quality standard of P.cocos.

Prescription and treatment rules for the prescriptions containing Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala couplet medicine based on traditional Chinese Medicine inheritance support platform

Objectives:To provide a theoretical basis for the development of the new products of Poria cocos-Atractylodes macrocephala couplet medicine.Methods:All prescription preparations containing Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala were collected from the Drug Standards of the Ministry of Public Health Drug Standard·Traditional Chinese Medicine Set Prescription Preparation(called Traditional Chinese Medicine Set Prescription Preparation for short).After standardization,the information of each prescription preparation was input into the Chinese Traditional Medicine Inheritance Support Platform(V2.5),and the relevant rules of the software were adopted.Data mining methods were used to analyze the frequency of drugs,main symptoms and diseases in prescriptions,and to analyze the regularity of prescriptions.The prescription rules of top 2 high frequency attending syndromes and diseases were analyzed.Results:There were total of 337 prescription preparations containing couplet medicine of Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala,107 kinds of main symptoms and 66 kinds of diseases.The high frequency syndromes were deficiency of Qi and blood and weakness of spleen and stomach,and the high frequency syndromes were anorexia and irregular menstruation.Conclusion:The couplet medicine of Poria cocos-atractylodes macrocephala prescription is mainly used to treat digestive tract diseases and gynecological diseases;it mostly takes tonifying deficiency efficat.It can treat different diseases being compatible with different medicinal materials.The study can provide theoretical basis for clinical application and new drug development of the couplet medicine of Poria cocos-atractylodes macrocephala.

The Status Quo and Countermeasures of Planting and Industrial Development of Poria cocos in Luotian County

We conduct a field survey of the status quo of planting and industrial development of Poria cocos in Luotian County.The results show that at present,Luotian County develops a set of standardized Poria cocos cultivation technique,and some areas use the guideline of "four changes" to plants Poria cocos.The main problems faced by planting of Poria cocos currently are as follows:insufficient popularization of standardized Poria cocos cultivation technique;low processing level of Poria cocos;chaotic source of germplasm;lack of science and technology input;single industrial development pattern;shortage of well-known brands of products.In accordance with the above findings,we put forward the following recommendations:extensively promoting the guideline of " four changes";focusing on development and utilization of Poria cocos byproducts;implement listing-for-sales to clarify the source of Poria cocos strain;tightening the bonds with research institutes and large enterprises to promote science and technology input into Poria cocos;encouraging the coexistence of diverse industrial development pattern.

Study on the effect of lowering uric acid and effect on the kidney of Poriae cutis in hyperuricemia mice

Objective:To explore the pharmacodynamic and renal protective effects of Poriae cutis extract on hyperuricemia(HUA)mice.Methods:The active components from the Poriae cutis were extracted with Alcohol solvent and aqueous solvent,HUA mice were established by hypoxanthine with potassium oxonate.Totally70 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal,model(500 mg/kg hypoxanthine+250 mg/kg potassium oxonate),Poriae cutis ethanol(PCE)and water extract(PCW)with high and low dose(388 mg/kg and 97mg/kg),benzbromarone(BEN)groups(7.5 mg/kg),all mice were administered with corresponding medication for 16 d.After the last administration,collected the 24 h urine volume,the urine uric acid(UUA)and urine creatinine(UCr)were determined.The morphological changes of the left kidney were viewed and the pathological changes in right kidneys were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The serum contents of uric acid(SUA),creatinine(SCr)and urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured.Uric acid excretion index include fractional uric acid excretion(FEUA)and uric acid clearance rate(CUr)were calculated.The contents of OAT1,URAT1,GLUT9,TNF-αand IL-6 in the kidney were detected by ELISA.Results:PCE and PCW could increase UUA,UCr,FEUA,CUr and OAT1(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduce SUA,SCr,BUN,URAT1,GLUT9,TNF-αand IL-6(P<0.05,P<0.01).The pathological and morphological changes of kidneys in HUA mice were improved and the effect is better than BEN.Conclusion:Poriae cutis extractscould lower uric acid and possessed a protective effect on the kidney of mice with HUA,which was achieved by promoting uric acid excretion,regulating the expression of uric acid transporters and reducing the level of inflammatory factors.

Preparation and Development of Alkali-soluble Poria Polysaccharide Tough Biscuits

[Objectives]This study was conducted to obtain the best formula for alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide tough biscuits.[Methods]Based on low-gluten flour as the main raw material and alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide,baking soda,salt,butter and sugar as auxiliary materials,single-factor test and orthogonal optimization of the addition amounts of alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide,salt and white sugar were carried out,and the prepared biscuits were subjected to sensory evaluation to get the best formula.[Results]The optimal process parameters of the alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide tough biscuits were:alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide addition amount 12%,salt addition amount 1.5%,white sugar addition amount 14%,and the sensory evaluation score obtained under this condition was 88.7.[Conclusions]The alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide biscuits prepared according to the best formula had the characteristics of neat shape,uniform thickness,fine internal structure,obvious layers,and crisp,rosy and sweet taste.This study increases the flavor and nutritional value of biscuits,enriches the types of biscuits,and provides a certain theoretical basis for the production of alkali-soluble Poria polysaccharide tough biscuits.

Immediate-release Mechanism of Dehydrotrametenolic Acid and Dehydroeburicoic Acid in Poriae Cutis Total Triterpenoids Tablets Based on Liquid-solid Compact Technique

[Objectives]To study the immediate-release mechanism of dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid in Poriae Cutis total triterpenoids tablets by liquid-solid compacts technique.[Methods] Taking dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid as indicators,differences in dissolution were compared between liquid-solid compressed tablets and crude drug of total triterpenoids in Poriae Cutis;crude drug,powder of liquid-solid compressed tablets and excipients of liquid-solid compressed tablets were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry( DSC).[Results]Liquid-solid compact technique could significantly improve dissolution rate of dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid. The total dissolution rate of dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid in Poriae Cutis total triterpenoids tablets was 92%,t50( time for 50% total dissolution rate) and t_D( time for 63. 2% total dissolution rate) were 11. 18 min and 22. 71 min; the total dissolution rate of dehydrotrametenolic acid and dehydroeburicoic acid in crude drug of total triterpenoids was 29%,and t50 and t_D were231. 06 min and 359. 23 min. DSC showed that there was no mutual interaction between excipients and total triterpenoids in Poriae Cutis; on the DSC curve for powder of liquid-solid compressed tablets,the absorption peak vanished completely,indicating that the drug exists in the amorphous form in the liquid-solid powder.[Conclusions] Liquid-solid compact technique can increase the dissolution rate of total triterpenoids in Poriae Cutis and allow rapid release of poorly water soluble drugs.

Discrimination of pharmacodynamic components and volatile compounds of Poria cocos cultivated with five different materials based on GC-IMS analysis

Objectives:The chemical constituents of Poria cocos grown with different substrates vary significantly;thus,identifying and comparing their biomarkers are important.Materials and Methods:Herein,the chemical constituents of Poria cocos obtained with five different substrates were assessed using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry(GC-IMS),high-performance liquid chromatography and multivariate statistical analysis.Results:The content of moisture,ash,alcohol-soluble matter,and heavy metals,except for those of the miscellaneous wood Poria cocos,conform to the specifications defined in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Edition 2020),and the polysaccharide contents are all greater than 57%.Conclusions:Based on GC-IMS and the established fingerprints,87 compounds were detected,70 of which were identified in each group.Multivariate statistical analysis revealed seven compounds(two esters,three alcohols,and two aldehydes),which could be considered as potential marker compounds for discrimination.

An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice via modulation of gut microbiota

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide(WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a(1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 10~6 Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16 S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.