Editorial: Harnessing Natural Plant Extracts and Probiotics to Enhance Host-Gut Microbiome Interactions

Kaijun Wang¹Chuanshe Zhou²Kang Xu³Jie YIN^4*

• ¹Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
• ²Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
• ³Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, Beijing, China
• ⁴Animal Nutritional Genome and Germplasm Innovation Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Anhui Province, China

The intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and host health has emerged as a cornerstone of modern biomedical research. In recent years, natural plant extracts and probiotics have gained significant attention for their potential to modulate gut microbial communities, thereby promoting host well-being. This Research Topic, "Harnessing Natural Plant Extracts and Probiotics to Enhance Host-Gut Microbiome Interactions" brings together 13 cutting-edge studies that collectively advance our understanding of how these interventions can shape host-microbiome dynamics. By exploring mechanisms ranging from immune modulation to metabolic regulation, these contributions underscore the promise of natural compounds in addressing pressing challenges in health and agriculture.The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in digestion, immune function, and metabolic homeostasis. Dysbiosis-imbalances in microbial composition-is linked to diseases such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even mental health disorders.Natural plant extracts and probiotics offer a sustainable approach to restore microbial balance, as they often act as prebiotics, antioxidants, or immunomodulators. In this collection, several studies highlight the role of plant-derived polysaccharides.For instance, Wen et al. demonstrate that Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide (AMP) improves growth performance and intestinal health in largemouth bass by enhancing beneficial bacterial taxa like Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Similarly, Zheng et al. show that grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) reduce oxidative stress and promote growth in pigs by increasing Lactobacillus abundance. These findings align with the growing recognition that dietary polyphenols can act as prebiotics, fostering the growth of health-promoting microbes. Several studies explore the impact of natural compounds on metabolic disorders. Probiotics, live microorganisms with health benefits, are another focus of this collection. For example, Wang et al. demonstrate that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens supplementation alleviates LPS-induced intestinal inflammation in pigs by activating the AhR/STAT3 pathway (Wang et al., 2024). Similarly, studies by Ferrarezi et al. and Lin et al. highlight the potential of probiotics to modulate gut microbial diversity in aquaculture, enhancing disease resistance in fish (Ferrarezi et al., 2024;Lin et al., 2024). These findings emphasize the importance of probiotics in restoring microbial resilience and optimizing host health across species.While the studies in this collection provide compelling evidence for the efficacy of natural plant extracts and probiotics, several challenges remain. For instance, the precise mechanisms underlying microbial interactions with host signaling pathways (e.g., AhR, TLR4) require further elucidation. Additionally, standardization of extraction methods and dosage optimization is critical for translating these findings into clinical or agricultural applications. Future research should also explore the longterm effects of these interventions and their scalability across diverse populations.This Research Topic consolidates groundbreaking contributions that advance our understanding of how natural plant extracts and probiotics can enhance host-gut microbiome interactions. By addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction, these studies pave the way for innovative therapies in human and veterinary medicine. As we continue to harness the power of nature, interdisciplinary approaches combining microbiology, immunology, and metabolomics will be key to unlocking the full potential of these interventions.