Disturbance of the intestinal microbial community by ursolic acid contributes to its function as a regulator of fat deposition

The intestinal microbiota has been noted to contribute to obesity. Ursolic acid may have potential in the prevention and treatment of obesity, however, little is known about the underlying mechanism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the oral intake of ursolic acid on the intestinal microbiota of rats. The results showed that: (i) ursolic acid decreased the microbial diversity in the proximal intestine while having an opposite effect in the distal intestine; (ii) Fat enhanced the effect of ursolic acid on the microbiota in the proximal intestine while attenuating its effect in the distal intestine; (iii) Ursolic acid inhibited colonization by energy harvest-related microbes; and (iv) Ursolic acid may enhance intestinal health by inhibiting colonization by Proteobacteria. Thus, the intestinal microbiota contributes to the function of ursolic acid as a regulator of the nutritional status.