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.