The Prebiotic Role of Polyphenols and the Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Parameters by Geraniin and its Enriched Extract in Animal Model

Geraniin is a natural compound present abundantly in the rambutan rind and has the potential to ameliorate diet-induced metabolic syndrome. This study was carried out to identify whether geraniin's interaction with gut microbiota is the main mechanism for its efficacy against metabolic syndrome. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with various doses of geraniin and an enriched extract of geraniin (GEE). We observed that 5mg geraniin and 115mg GEE supplementation significantly improved diet-induced metabolic aberrations while increasing the relative abundance of a few butyrate-producing bacteria and plasma butyrate. These findings suggest that geraniin and its enriched extract are promising therapeutic agents against diet-induced metabolic syndrome.