Pu-erh Tea Restored Circadian Rhythm Disruption by Regulating Tryptophan Metabolism

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2022-05, Vol.70 (18), p.5610-5623
• Main Authors: Hu, Shanshan, Luo, Liyong, Bian, Xintong, Liu, Rui Hai, Zhao, Sibo, Chen, Yu, Sun, Kang, Jiang, Jielin, Liu, Zhonghua, Zeng, Liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioactive Constituents, Metabolites, and Functions
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01883

Pu-erh tea is a healthy beverage rich in phytochemicals, and its effect on the risk of inducing circadian rhythm disorders (CRD) is unclear. In this study, healthy mice were given water or 0.25% (w/v) Pu-erh tea for 7 weeks, followed by a 40 day disruption of the light/dark cycle. CRD caused dysregulation of neurotransmitter secretion and clock gene oscillations, intestinal inflammation, and disruption of intestinal microbes and metabolites. Pu-erh tea boosted the indole and 5-hydroxytryptamine pathways of tryptophan metabolism via the gut–liver–brain axis. Furthermore, its metabolites (e.g., IAA, Indole, 5-HT) enhanced hepatic glycolipid metabolism and down-regulated intestinal oxidative stress by improving the brain hormone release. Tryptophan metabolites and bile acids also promoted liver lipid metabolism and inhibited intestinal inflammation (MyD88/NF-κB) via the enterohepatic circulation. Collectively, 0.25% (w/v) Pu-erh tea has the potential to prevent CRD by promoting indole and 5-HT pathways of tryptophan metabolism and signaling interactions in the gut–liver–brain axis.