Extracted yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urb.) fiber counteracts adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammation while modulating gut microbiota composition in mice fed with a high-fat diet

Background and purpose: Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) is a potent medicinal plant exerting therapeutical effects against diseases. However, investigations on the health benefits of its fiber remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the potential of yam bean fiber (YBF) against a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic diseases, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. Experimental approach: Adult male mice were assigned to four groups (8 each), namely a normal diet-fed group (ND), HFD-fed group, and HFD supplemented with YBF groups (HFD + YBF) at a dose of 2.5% and 10%, respectively. Treatments were implemented for ten weeks. Thereafter, indicators of metabolic diseases, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota composition were determined. Findings / Results: A dosage of 10% YBF significantly inhibited excessive body weight gain (2.3 times lower than HFD group) and white adipose tissue (WAT) mass (2.2 times lower than HFD group) while sustaining brown adipose tissue mass. YBF prevented malondialdehyde elevation, catalase activity reduction, and expression of the interleukin-6 increment (2.7 times lower than the HFD group) within the WAT. Furthermore, YBF sustained normoglycaemia, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity while precluding hyperinsulinemia. YBF modulated the gut microbiota community by increasing health-promoting microbiota including Lactobacillus reuteri, L. johnsonii, and inhibiting a pathogenic Mucispirillum sp. YBF prevented histopathology and inflammation of the colon. Conclusion and implications: YBF at the dose of 10% is proved to be useful in the prevention of diet-induced metabolic diseases, microbiota dysbiosis, and inflammation. Hence, YBF is recommended as a potential natural-based remedy to diminish the detrimental effects of high-fat foods.