Integrated microbiome and metabolomics analysis of the mechanism of inflammation-reducing effects of cyanidin-3-glucoside and blueberry pectin complexes in mice with ulcerative colitis.

The combination of anthocyanins and pectin offers substantial symptomatic relief in ulcerative colitis (UC); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study employed 6-8-week-old male BALB/c mice as experimental subjects. A UC model was induced using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and a 200 mg/kg C3G-BP complex was administered daily by gavage for 7 days. Combined microbiome and metabolome analyses were conducted to investigate the mechanism of action of cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), an anthocyanin monomers, in complex with blueberry pectin (BP), in alleviating inflammation in UC mice and to elucidate the key pathways involved. The C3G-BP complex increased the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus while decreasing Actinobacteria, thereby modulating the gut environment. It also regulated arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and tryptophan metabolism, contributing to improved inflammatory responses. Integrated analysis indicated that alterations in the microbial community influenced cofactor biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and purine metabolism, thereby regulating amino acid metabolism and aminoacyl biosynthesis. Overall, the C3G-BP complex relieves metabolic disorders in UC mice through modulating gut microbiota abundance, while regulating protein and fatty acid metabolism. This study provides scientific evidence for the C3G-BP complex as a potential natural product for treating ulcerative colitis.