Caffeic acid reduces body weight by regulating gut microbiota in diet-induced-obese mice

Caffeic acid (CFA), a natural polyphenolic compound which exists in coffee, fruits and certain traditional Chinese medicine, is one promising anti-obesity agent with a variety of pharmacological activities. The objective of the current study was to determine the mechanism of anti-obesity effect of CFA, and the relationship between its anti-obesity effect and gut microbiota change in high fat diet induced obese (DIO) mice . The DIO mice were administrated CFA by daily gavage at 50 mg/kg body weight for 12 weeks. The results showed that CFA significantly ameliorated high fat diet induced obesity . Specifically CFA reduced body weight and fat accumulation , improved lipid profile and increased energy expenditure in DIO mice. Moreover, CFA restored gut microbiota imbalance and increased the abundance of anti-obesity related bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria in DIO mice. We conclude that CFA is effective to reduce metabolic risks possibly by regulating gut microbiota.