Bellidifolin: A Natural Compound Against Obesity Through Gut Microbiota and Bile Acid Regulation

Obesity continues to pose a major global health challenge, contributing to metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The prevalence of obesity has skyrocketed over the past decades; the World Health Organization reports that nearly tripled rates since 1975, affecting approximately 650 million adults worldwide.

A major contributor to obesity and metabolic disturbances is a high-fat diet (HFD), which disrupts lipid metabolism and promotes fat accumulation. Current treatment options often have limited efficacy, underscoring the need for innovative, natural therapeutic strategies.

Researchers from the South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have investigated the potential of bellidifolin (BEL), an active compound derived from Swertia diluta, a herbal plant traditionally used in Chinese medicine and foods to treat liver and lipid disorders. Their recent study demonstrates that BEL significantly alleviates obesity and its related metabolic abnormalities induced by high-fat diets.

The team employed advanced analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to identify 25 xanthone derivatives in S. diluta extracts. Further network pharmacology analysis revealed that these compounds, especially BEL, are closely associated with pathways regulating lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis.

Experimental results showed that BEL effectively reduced serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels. It also mitigated liver steatosis and inflammation, hallmark features of obesity-related metabolic disturbances. Mechanistically, BEL altered the gut microbial composition by decreasing pro-inflammatory bacteria like Firmicutes and Lactobacillaceae, while enhancing beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidota, thus improving gut health.

Additionally, BEL promoted bile acid synthesis by upregulating hepatic CYP7A1 and decreased bile acid reabsorption in the intestines by downregulating transporters ASBT and OSTα/β. These effects increase fecal bile acid excretion, which contributes to reduced lipid accumulation in the liver.

This study provides compelling evidence that bellidifolin acts on multiple fronts—modifying gut microbiota, enhancing bile acid metabolism, and improving lipid profiles—to combat obesity caused by high-fat diets. It highlights the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in addressing complex metabolic disorders.

For more detailed insights, see the full study published in Food Bioscience.