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Herbal Pharmacist

Microbiome and Your Gut-____ axis

by | Jul 7, 2025 | Aging, Blood Sugar, Cardiovascular, Cognition, Dermatology, Digestive, Exercise & Fitness, Gastrointestinal, Gut Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Nutrition, Skin Health, Weight Mangament, Women's health

I recently completed a webinar during the “Future of the Microbiome” event, where I discussed the integration of botanicals into the microbiome conversation. After my presentation, I felt compelled to write this blog. One insight I gained from preparing for the presentation was that plants (botanicals) should play a significant role in formulating products for the microbiome. The latest trend is to discuss the gut__-axis. The ___ (blank) can refer to brain, immune, joint, metabolic, oral, skin, women, and many other less prevalent topics. Additionally, many botanicals directly affect the microbiome by supporting motility, inflammatory health, liver activity, fiber, prebiotic effects, hydration, and much more.

Direct Impact

We observe some fantastic ingredients when examining the botanicals that directly impact gut health. Botanicals such as aloe, boswellia, chamomile, ginger, green tea, milk thistle, mullein, and slippery elm are frequently considered beneficial. With scientific advances, we now recognize some branded ingredients that fit into the gut health arena. Examples include Altilix® (artichoke) for liver health, AstraGin® for overall gut health and tight junction support, Mucosave FG (prickly pear/olive leaf) for mucosal lining support and acid reflux, HydroCurc® (turmeric/curcumin) for various areas of gut support, and 4Liver (myrobalan/Indian globe thistle) for liver support.

The above is not a definitive list and offers some conceptual ideas for improving overall gut health based on the desired outcome.

Semi-Direct Impact: Polyphenols and Gut Health

I love learning new things, and recently discovered that polyphenols are excellent prebiotics. An example of this is the polyphenols found in grapes. Here are powerful statements to encourage using polyphenols in a microbiome-supporting product. iii

  • Polyphenols from grapes are not well absorbed; therefore, they reach the colon in an unaltered form (prebiotic effect).
  • Polyphenols affect the intestinal microbiota by influencing the growth and metabolism of bacteria (prebiotic activity).
  • Recent studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of grape polyphenols by stimulating bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila (AM). AM positively influences several areas related to weight management (for example, insulin resistance).
  • Red grape extract and grape seeds have been shown to provide numerous benefits by enhancing key probiotics, including Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Clostridiales, and Ruminococcus. (A positive impact on the microbiome)

While these are all related to grape polyphenols, research shows that polyphenols, in general, not just those from grapes, positively impact the gut.[i]  Let’s look at some ingredients that fit the polyphenol model and have research in other areas related to gut health.

Gut-Brain-axis

A great example of a grape extract for our conversation is Cognigrape.  Cognigrape is high in the polyphenols anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and can improve cognitive performance in elderly people by acting on attention and immediate and delayed memory.[ii]  If I were formulating a product to fit into the gut-brain axis, Cognigrape would be at the top of my list because of the science on cognition, which is high in grape polyphenols.

Gut-Joint-axis

HydroCurc® is a perfect example for the joint health category; not only is HydroCurc® (turmeric/curcumin) high in polyphenols, but it has multiple clinical studies showing its benefits for joint health and discomfort.  Again, it is a two-for-one in that HydroCurc® has been studied for specific joint health but also contains polyphenols that benefit gut health.

Gut-Immune-axis

For this ingredient, we will go to the Mediterranean and Olivactive.  Olivactive is derived from olive leaves, which are also high in polyphenols.[iii]  Olivactive is high in oleuropein, a powerful polyphenol that research has shown is a powerful antioxidant and impacts the immune system in multiple pathways. [iv]

Gut-Metabolic-axis

We will stay in the Mediterranean again with the ingredient Morosil (red moro orange).  Red Moro oranges are high in anthocyanins (polyphenols), and research completed with Morosil shows it impacts body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference.

Gut-Skin-axis

We will see amla listed if we refer to the list of ingredients with specific effects on gut health. Amla is also high in polyphenols, and research shows it is excellent for skin health, primarily in controlling collagen metabolism.[v]  Who doesn’t like a two-for-one special?

Why not do both simultaneously for those wishing to break the norm and get creative with microbiome products or existing structure-function products? A few extra minutes spent researching botanicals high in polyphenols, along with findings in other areas of health, will pave the way for consumers to achieve the health benefits they (we) seek.

Prebiotic Fiber: Feeding the Microbiome

In addition to polyphenols, several plant-derived fibers offer direct prebiotic benefits by acting as substrates for beneficial gut microbes. These fibers ferment in the colon, fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, while producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which are key compounds in maintaining gut barrier integrity, metabolic balance, and immune function.

One standout ingredient is Fenuflakes®, derived from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Fenuflakes®, a specialized form of fenugreek fiber, is rich in galactomannans, a soluble fiber that promotes satiety, supports glycemic control, and acts as a prebiotic by modulating the gut microbiota. Recent findings suggest that fenugreek fiber helps increase Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, two keystone species linked to metabolic and inflammatory health benefits.

Another excellent example is acacia fiber, derived from the sap of the Acacia senegal tree. It’s a gentle, well-tolerated prebiotic fiber that resists digestion in the upper GI tract and ferments in the colon. Studies show that acacia fiber can increase beneficial bacteria populations while reducing gut inflammation markers. Its slow fermentation rate makes it particularly suitable for sensitive individuals prone to bloating or digestive discomfort.

Other notable prebiotic fibers from botanicals include:

  • Inulin (from chicory root) is a well-known fructan that selectively feeds Bifidobacteria and enhances calcium absorption.
  • Baobab fruit pulp is high in dietary fiber and polyphenols, which have been shown to increase microbial diversity and SCFA production.
  • Pectin (from apples and citrus) is a fermentable fiber that supports butyrate-producing bacteria and has synergistic effects when paired with polyphenols.

These plant-derived fibers offer a complementary approach to polyphenols in microbiome health. Including both compounds, prebiotic fibers and polyphenols, can result in more comprehensive support for the gut axis (gut-brain, gut-immune, gut-skin, etc.) highlighted throughout this piece.

Miscellaneous References

[i] Wang X, Qi Y, Zheng H. Dietary Polyphenol, Gut Microbiota, and Health Benefits.  Antioxidants (Basel).  2022 Jun 20;11(6):1212. doi: 10.3390/antiox11061212. PMID: 35740109; PMCID: PMC9220293.

[ii] Calapai et al., 2017 A Randomized, Double blinded, Clinical Trial on Effects of a Vitis vinifera extract on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults.  Front.  Pharmacol. 8:776.

[iii] Barbaro B, Toietta G, Maggio R, Arciello M, Tarocchi M, Galli A, Balsano C. Effects of the olive-derived polyphenol oleuropein on human health. Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Oct 14;15(10):18508-24. doi: 10.3390/ijms151018508. PMID: 25318054; PMCID: PMC4227229.

[iv] Barbaro B, Toietta G, Maggio R, Arciello M, Tarocchi M, Galli A, Balsano C. Effects of the olive-derived polyphenol oleuropein on human health. Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Oct 14;15(10):18508-24. doi: 10.3390/ijms151018508. PMID: 25318054; PMCID: PMC4227229.

[v] Fujii T, Wakaizumi M, Ikami T, Saito M. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extract promotes procollagen production and inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-1 in human skin fibroblasts. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Sep 2;119(1):53-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.05.039. Epub 2008 Jun 6.  PMID: 18588964.