Anthocyanin-Rich Butterfly Pea Flower Extract Ameliorating Low-Grade Inflammation in a High-Fat-Diet and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Mouse Model

This study aimed to explore the enhanciveeffects of butterflypea flower (BF) extracts on metabolic and immune homeostasis in alow-grade inflammation mouse model. The BF extract was found to containmainly anthocyanins among other flavonoids. BF supplementation alleviatedmetabolic endotoxemia by lowering the plasma glucose, lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and tumor necrosis factor-& alpha; (TNF-& alpha;) levels andrestored lipid metabolism and the balance between Treg and Th17 cells,thereby inhibiting the dysfunctional liver and abdominal white adiposetissues. BF extract increased the tight junction protein expressionand reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, thereforesustaining the colonic mucosa structure. Furthermore, BF extractsreshaped the gut microbiota structure characterized by significantlypromoted SCFA-producing gut microbiota such as Akkermansia and Butyricicoccaceae. Additionally, BF extractsenhanced fecal primary bile acid (BA) levels and modulated bile acidsignaling in the liver and ileum to facilitate BA synthesis for therestoration of lipid metabolism. In summary, anthocyanin-enrichedBF extracts alleviated the profound negative dietary alterations andhelped maintain the metabolic health by modulating the various aspectsof the gut microenvironment and enhancing hepatic bile acid synthesis.