Altered profile of gut microbiota after subchronic exposure to neochamaejasmin A in rats.

Neochamaejasmin A, isolated from Stellera chamaejasme L., has been widely used in China. Gut microbiota represent the first barrier against xenobiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of subchronic exposure to neochamaejasmin A on the composition of gut microbiota. We found that neochamaejasmin A altered 21 OTUs in female rats and 46 OTUs in male rats. Among these OTUs, OTU86, OTU338 and OTU482 were shared in neochamaejasmin A-fed groups in both genders, implying that neochamaejasmin A might promote the growth of these three genera. In contrast, little or no effect on 226 OTUs was observed at all doses in both genders, suggesting their resistance to neochamaejasmin A. These findings could help improve our understanding of the health effects of neochamaejasmin A and provide an example of the risk assessment of pharmaceuticals or food contaminants on the gut microbiota composition.