Salvianolic acid-modified chitosan particle for shift intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism to reduce benzopyrene toxicity for mice

Benzopyrene is a known environmental pollutant and carcinogen in our daily life and has high toxicity. Most studies find that intestinal microorganisms can enhance the host to a tolerance of organic pollutants. In this study, a chitosan derivate sub-micron was synthesized introducing salvianolic acid F onto chitosan (CSADs). The specific structure of CSADs was evaluated by FTIR, particle size, ζ-potential, and thermal stability. The CSADs showed significant improvement in superoxide-radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity. In vivo experiments, results indicated that the CSADs can reduce the oxidative damage caused by BaP through the regulation of some anti-oxidant related enzymes. Meanwhile, CSADs can induce the proliferation of Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, inhibited the growth of Bacterodetes and Proteobacteria, and affect the total bacteria number. There were 49 differential metabolites in feces and butyric acid, N-Valeric acid, 2-Hydroxybutrytic acid, TMAO, trimethylamine, and L-Allantoin might be the key potential ingredients that enhanced BaP tolerance. This study explained the effect of chitosan derivative on enhancing host tolerance toxic substances through regulating intestinal microorganisms and expanding its known range of bio-activity.