연구성과 홍보

J. Funct. Food. 2025 Sep;132:106966.

Title : Lignan-enriched nutmeg extract changes gut microbiota associated with aging in C57BL/6 mice

Authors : Ji-Seon Ahna,1, Jae Uk Kimb,1, Je-Ho Leec, Gyung-Tae Banc, Yoosik Yoond, Hwa-Seung Yoob*, Jong-Soon Choid,e,f*, Hea-Jong Chunga,g,h*

Affiliations :

aHonam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea

bCollege of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Republic of Korea

cGeron Biotech Ltd., Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea

dDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea

eResearch Center for Digital Omics, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea

fGraduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea

gCollege of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea

hDepartment of Bio-Analysis Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea

DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.106966

Abstract :

As the aging population grows, increasing interest in promoting healthy aging through dietary interventions is growing. Gut microbiota play a key role in age-related physiological decline and longevity. We investigated whether lignan-enriched nutmeg extract (LNX) could modulate the gut microbiota of aged mice. C57BL/6 mice (27 months old) were orally administered LNX for 5 weeks and compared to young (3 months) and aged controls. LNX significantly reduced body weight without affecting food intake. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that age-related microbial shifts, including decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidota, were partially reversed by LNX. While microbial diversity was unchanged, LNX increased Bifidobacterium, Blautia, and Acetatifactor muris, a taxon previously associated with healthy aging, and reduced Turicibacter sanguinis, linked to normal aging. These findings suggest that LNX modulates specific microbial taxa without broadly restoring a youthful microbiota composition.