Puerarin improves intestinal barrier function through enhancing goblet cells and mucus barrier

Puerarin is a kind of isoflavones in Puerariae Lobatae Radix with physiological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of puerarin on intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and its underlying mechanism. Puerarin treatment attenuated the mucus barrier dysfunction, and increased the level of mucins (Muc2 and Muc4) and the number of goblet cells compared to TNBS group. Puerarin treatment significantly increased the content of indole-3-propionic acid, compared to TNBS group, and not indoleacrylic acid and butyrate. Puerarin treatment changed the structure of the commensal microbiota as evidenced by the obvious decrease in the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes. Additionally, puerarin increased the proportion of the mucin-utilizing bacterium Akkermansia. Puerarin improves intestinal barrier function through enhancing goblet cells and mucus barrier. Food enriched with puerarin could protect and repair intestinal barrier for improving gut health.