The effect of Sargassum muticum hot water and ethanolic extracts on intestinal microbiota in obese male rats

Intestinal microbiota plays a key role in the overall function of the host, including host metabolism and obesity. In addition, due to their high fiber content, seaweed can regulate the intestinal microbial flora by stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria and    inhibiting the growth of harmful species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sargassum muticum on the intestinal microbial flora in obese rats.

Rats were fed with hot water (HW) and ethanolic(E) extracts of  Sargassum muticum for 8 weeks, then intestinal microorganisms were analyzed through 16S) rRNA sequencing in all groups.

The distribution ratio of intestinal microorganisms showed that Bacteroides and  Firmicutes are the dominant phyla in the intestine of rats. Analysis of microorganisms showed that obesity-related bacteria decreased and slimming-related genus increased in all treated groups. Clostridium was the predominant genus with pathogenic potential and Lactobacillus was the    predominant genus in the lactic acid group. In addition, seaweed-extracts-feeding obese mice had weight loss and reduced food intake compared with the obese control group.

Our results show that the consumption of  Sargassum muticum seaweed in the daily diet can balance the intestinal microbiota and also due to its high fiber, these seaweeds can cause weight loss in mice.