title: Prebiotic effect of diosgenin, an immunoactive steroidal sapogenin of the Chinese yam.
abstract: This study investigated the effect of diosgenin, a yam-derived phytochemical, on the growth of enteric lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The in vivo effect of diosgenin on the density of intestinal flora was examined in a murine model of food allergy. Oral administration with diosgenin markedly restored the diminished density of faecal LAB associated with allergic reactions. The direct effect of diosgenin and several structure-related steroidal compounds on the growth of faecal anaerobes isolated from diosgenin-administered mice was also investigated. The presence of diosgenin significantly enhanced the growth of Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus reuteri, but not enterococci. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that the prebiotic activity of steroidal sapogenins might require structural elements of the C5-C6 double bond and intact E- and F-rings. Collectively, these results indicate that steroidal sapogenins may be a novel class of prebiotics to LAB.
authors.affiliation: Department and Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hsiung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 666, Buzi Rd., Beitun Dist., Taichung City 40601, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jin-Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, No. 376, Chung-Chung Rd., Tansui, New Taipei City 25158, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chung
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department and Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hsi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department and Graduate Institute of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan. Electronic address: tonyjan@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Tong-Rong
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Jan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry*; D004144:Diosgenin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000382:microbiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry; D056692:Prebiotics; D013256:Steroids; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics; D013256:Steroids; D004144:Diosgenin
keywords: Chinese yam; Diosgenin; Lactobacillus; Prebiotic; Sapogenin