Tea combats circadian rhythm disorder syndrome via the gut-liver-brain axis: potential mechanisms speculated

Abstract

Circadian rhythm is an intrinsic mechanism developed by organisms to adapt to external environmental signals. Nowadays, owing to the job and after-work entertainment, staying up late – Circadian rhythm disorders (CRD) are common. CRD is linked to the development of fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, and chronic gastroenteritis, which affecting the body’s metabolic and inflammatory responses via multi-organ crosstalk (gut-liver-brain axis, etc.). However, studies on the mechanisms of multi-organ interactions by CRD are still weak. Current studies on therapeutic agents for CRD remain inadequate, and phytochemicals have been shown to alleviate CRD-induced syndromes that may be used for CRD-therapy in the future. Tea, a popular phytochemical-rich beverage, reduces glucolipid metabolism and inflammation. But it is immature and unclear in the mechanisms of alleviation of CRD-mediated syndrome. Here, we have analyzed the threat of CRD to hosts and their offspring’ health from the perspective of the “gut-liver-brain” axis. The potential mechanisms of tea in alleviating CRD were further explored. It might be by interfering with bile acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and G protein-coupled receptors, with FXR, AHR, and GPCR as potential targets. We hope to provide new perspectives on the role of tea in the prevention and mitigation of CRD.

Highlights

• The review highlights the health challenges of CRD via the gut-liver-brain axis.

• CRD research should focus on the health effects on healthy models and its offspring.

• Tea may prevent CRD by regulating bile acid, tryptophan, and GPCR.

• Potential targets for tea prevention and mitigation of CRD include FXR, AHR and GPCR.

• A comprehensive assessment mechanism for tea in improving CRD should be established.

Keywords:

• Circadian rhythm disorders
• gut-liver-brain axis
• tea
• potential mechanisms

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Chongqing Technology Innovation and Application Development Project (cstc2019jscx-dxwtBX0030, cstc2020jscxtpyzxX0009, cstc2020jscx-tpyzxX0012), Chongqing Modern Tea Technology System for High Efficiency Agriculture in Mountainous Areas 2021[8], and National Natural Science Foundation of China funded project (32172627).