Ginsenoside Rk3 is a natural
prebiotic found in ginseng, has excellent pharmacological efficacy, especially antitumor effects, and can greatly benefit human health. Here, we investigated the impact of Rk3 intake on modulation of the gut microbiota and their metabolites as well as its effect on low-grade
inflammation in mice. C57BL/6JFandd mice were administered different doses of Rk3 for two weeks after establishment of an
antibiotic-mediated gut microbiota disturbance model. Interestingly, Rk3 intake induced substantial changes in the gut microbiota composition, enriched the Bacteroides, Alloprevotella and Blautia genera, and effectively ameliorated gut microbiota
dysbiosis, with significantly decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios. These changes were accompanied by beneficial alterations in gut microbiota diversity and improved
short-chain fatty acid levels. In addition, we found that Rk3 intervention repaired intestinal barrier dysfunction by increasing the expression of
tight junction proteins (ZO-1,
Occludin and
Claudin-1), reducing colonic inflammatory
cytokine levels, and suppressing TNF-α, IL-1β, and
IL-6 overproduction. In conclusion, Rk3 improves intestinal
inflammation and induces potentially beneficial changes in the gut microbiota, and these findings help elucidate host-microbe interactions.