The effect of Ajwa dates extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on gut microbiota of Sprague Dawley rats induced by a high-fat diet

Excessive intake of nutrients will lead to obesity associated with changes in the gut microbiota composition and inflammatory-metabolic disorders. Ajwa dates have a high fibre content to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit pathogenic bacteria that trigger metabolic diseases. This study aimed to determine the effect of Ajwa date extract (ADE) on the gut microbiota of Sprague dawley rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The research design was a pre-post test with a control group design. A total of fifteen male rats were divided into 3 groups, 5 rats in the control group were only given standard feed (control group, CG), 5 rats were induced standard feed and HFD (treatment group I, TG I), and 5 rats that were treated with standard feed, HFD, and the intervention of ADE (treatment group II, TG II). HFD induction for 28 days and ADE for 7 days. The microbiota in the faeces samples were extracted and determined by qPCR (quantitativePolymerase Chain Reaction) method. After the intervention of ADE showed that CG and TG I did not experience a significant change in microbiota composition, while in TG II there was a significant change in the genus Bifidobacterium (p<0.01), Bacteroides fragilis (p<0.043), Clostridium (p<0.036), Lactobacillus (p<0.043), and Escherichia coli (p<0.043). In conclusion, ADE was able to modulate the gut microbiota of Sprague Dawley rats induced by a high-fat diet.