Baitouweng Tang ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis through the regulation of the gut microbiota and bile acids via pathways involving FXR and TGR5

Five commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Currently, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas are commonly being used as adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis in China. Network meta-analysis, a quantitative and comprehensive analytical method, can systematically compare the effects of different adjunctive treatment options for ulcerative colitis, providing scientific evidence for clinical decision-making.

AIM

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of commonly used TCM for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in clinical practice through a network meta-analysis.

METHODS

Clinical randomized controlled trials of these TCM formulas used for the adjuvant treatment of UC were searched from the establishment of the databases to July 1, 2022. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened and evaluated for literature quality and risk of bias according to the Cochrane 5.1 standard. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using ReviewManager (RevMan) 5.4, and a funnel plot was constructed to test for publication bias. ADDIS 1.16 statistical software was used to perform statistical analysis of the treatment measures and derive the network relationship and ranking diagrams of the various intervention measures.

RESULTS

A total of 64 randomized controlled trials involving 5456 patients with UC were included in this study. The adjuvant treatment of UC using five TCM formulations was able to improve the clinical outcome of the patients. Adjuvant treatment with Baitouweng decoction (BTWT) showed a significant effect [mean difference = 36.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.63 to 65.76]. For the reduction of tumor necrosis factor in patients with UC, adjunctive therapy with BTWT (mean difference = −9.55, 95%CI: −17.89 to −1.41), Shenlingbaizhu powder [SLBZS; odds ratio (OR) = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.08 to 0.39], and Shaoyao decoction (OR = −23.02, 95%CI: −33.64 to −13.14) was effective. Shaoyao decoction was more effective than BTWT (OR = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03 to 0.39), SLBZS (OR = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.08 to 0. 39), and Xi Lei powder (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.81) in reducing tumor necrosis factor and the recurrence rate of UC.

CONCLUSION

TCM combined with mesalazine is more effective than mesalazine alone in the treatment of UC.

Autophagy: A potential target for natural products in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the mucosa of the colon and rectum. UC is characterized by recurrent episodes, often necessitating lifelong medication use, imposing a significant burden on patients. Current conventional and advanced treatments for UC have the disadvantages of insufficient efficiency, susceptibility to drug resistance, and notable adverse effects. Therefore, developing effective and safe drugs has become an urgent need. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process that plays an important role in intestinal homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant autophagy is involved in the development of UC, and modulating autophagy can effectively alleviate experimental colitis. A growing number of studies have established that autophagy can interplay with endoplasmic reticulum stress, gut microbiota, apoptosis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of UC. In addition, a variety of intestinal epithelial cells, including absorptive cells, goblet cells, and Paneth cells, as well as other cell types like neutrophils, antigen-presenting cells, and stem cells in the gut, mediate the development of UC through autophagy. To date, many studies have found that natural products hold the potential to exert therapeutic effects on UC by regulating autophagy. This review focuses on the possible effects and pharmacological mechanisms of natural products to alleviate UC with autophagy as a potential target in recent years, aiming to provide a basis for new drug development.

Microbiome and metabolome analyses reveal significant alterations of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in ETEC-challenged weaned piglets by dietary berberine supplementation

This study mainly investigated the effects of berberine (BBR) on the bile acid metabolism in gut-liver axis and the microbial community in large intestine of weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) by microbiome and metabolome analyses. Sixty-four piglets were randomly assigned to four groups including Control group, BBR group, ETEC group, and BBR + ETEC group. Dietary BBR supplementation upregulated the colonic mRNA expression of Occludin, Claudin-5, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), and interleukin (IL)-10, and downregulated colonic IL-1β and IL-8 mRNA expression in piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (p < 0.05). The hepatic non-targeted metabolome results showed that dietary BBR supplementation enriched the metabolic pathways of primary bile acid biosynthesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and taurine metabolism. The hepatic targeted metabolome analyses showed that BBR treatment increased the hepatic concentrations of taurocholic acid (TCA) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TDCA), but decreased the hepatic cholic acid (CA) concentration (p < 0.05). Further intestinal targeted metabolome analyses indicated that the deoxycholic acid (DCA), hyocholic acid (HCA), 7-ketodeoxycholic acid (7-KDCA), and the unconjugated bile acid concentrations in ileal mucosa was decreased by dietary BBR treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, BBR treatment significantly upregulated the hepatic holesterol 7 α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) mRNA expression, and upregulated the ileal mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) as well as the colonic mRNA expression of FXR, fibroblast growth factor19 (FGF19), takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) and organic solute transporters beta (OST-β) in piglets (p < 0.05). Moreover, the microbiome analysis showed that BBR significantly altered the composition and diversity of colonic and cecal microbiota community, with the abundances of Firmicutes (phylum), and Lactobacillus and Megasphaera (genus) significantly increased in the large intestine of piglets (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the relative abundances of Megasphaera (genus) were positively correlated with Claudin-5, Occludin, TFF3, and hepatic TCDCA concentration, but negatively correlated with hepatic CA and glycocholic acid (GCA) concentration (p < 0.05). Moreover, the relative abundances of Firmicute (phylum) and Lactobacillus (genus) were positively correlated with hepatic TCDCA concentration (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary BBR supplementation could regulate the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism through modulation of gut-liver axis, and attenuate the decreased intestinal tight junction expression caused by ETEC, which might help maintain intestinal homeostasis in weaned piglets.

Baitouweng decoction alleviates ulcerative colitis by regulating tryptophan metabolism through DOPA decarboxylase promotion

Background

Baitouweng decoction (BTW) is a classic botanical drugs formula that has been widely used clinically for the treatment of gut-related disorders in China. However, its role in ameliorating ulcerative colitis (UC) remains to be explored.

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of action of BTW on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice.

Methods

In vivo: 3.5% DSS-induced experimental colitis mice were treated with BTW (Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, Phellodendron chinense C. K. Schneid, Coptis chinensis Franch and Fraxinus chinensis Roxb), kynurenine or DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitor (carbidopa). In vitro: Caco-2 cells were stimulated with TNF-α to activate inflammation and later treated with various concentrations of BTW and carbidopa. Model evaluation included body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length and histopathology. Cytokine levels were measured by flow cytometry. Protein levels were analyzed by proteomics and functionally annotated. The levels of tryptophan metabolites in mouse serum and colon were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Alcian Blue/Phosphate Acid Schiff (AB/PAS) staining, immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to assess the intestinal barrier function and detect the protein expression levels.

Results

BTW significantly reduced the DAI, ameliorated colonic injury and regulated inflammatory cytokines in DSS-induced colitis mice. The botanical drugs formula also promoted intestinal epithelial barrier repair by enhancing the expression of the tight junction (TJ) proteins. Tryptophan metabolic signaling pathway was significantly enriched in DSS-induced UC mice, and BTW decreased the level of kynurenine, increased indole metabolites. The therapeutic effect of BTW was evidently reduced when kynurenine was given to mice. Also, BTW promoted DDC protein expression and activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)/IL-22 signaling pathway.

Conclusion

BTW improves ulcerative colitis by promoting DDC expression, regulating the conversion of tryptophan metabolism from the kynurenine pathway to the indole metabolism pathway, thereby modulating tryptophan metabolism to increase indole metabolites, and activating AHR receptors to restore intestinal barrier function.

Pulsatilla decoction alleviates DSS-induced UC by activating FXR-ASBT pathways to ameliorate disordered bile acids homeostasis

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pulsatilla decoction (PD) is a classical prescription for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic efficacy of PD is closely associated with the activation of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The activity of FXR is regulated by apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), and the FXR-ASBT cascade reaction, centered around bile acid receptor FXR, plays a pivotal role in maintaining bile acid metabolic homeostasis to prevent the occurrence and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim of the study: To elucidate the underlying mechanism by which PD exerts its proteactive effects against Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis, focusing on the modulation of FXR and ASBT. Materials and methods: To establish a model of acute ulcerative colitis, BALB/C mice were administered 3.5% DSS in their drinking water for consecutive 7 days. The disease activity index (DAI) was employed to evaluate the clinical symptoms exhibited by each group of mice. Goblet cell expression in colon tissue was assessed using glycogen schiff periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue staining techniques. Inflammatory cytokine expression in serum and colonic tissues was examined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A PCR Array chip was utilized to screen 88 differential genes associated with the FXR-ASBT pathway in UC treatment with PD. Western blotting (WB) analysis was performed to detect protein expression levels of differentially expressed genes in mouse colon tissue. Results: The PD treatment effectively reduced the Disease Activity Index (DAI) score and mitigated colon histopathological damage, while also restoring weight and colon length. Furthermore, it significantly alleviated the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC), regulated inflammation, modulated goblet cell numbers, and restored bile acid balance. Additionally, a PCR Array analysis identified 21 differentially expressed genes involved in the FXR-ASBT pathway. Western blot results demonstrated significant restoration of FXR, GPBAR1, CYP7A1, and FGF15 protein expression levels following PD treatment; moreover, there was an observed tendency towards increased expression levels of ABCB11 and RXRα. Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of PD in UC mice is notable, potentially attributed to its modulation of bile acid homeostasis, enhancement of gut barrier function, and attenuation of intestinal inflammation.

Hippuric acid alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via suppressing inflammatory activity and modulating gut microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with metabolic disorder and gut dysbiosis. Decreased abundance of hippuric acid (HA) was found in patients with IBD. HA, metabolized directly from benzoic acid in the intestine and indirectly from polyphenols, serves as a marker of polyphenol catabolism. While polyphenols and benzoic acid have been shown to alleviate intestinal inflammation, the role of HA in this context remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the effects and mechanism of HA on DSS-induced colitis mice. The results revealed that HA alleviated clinical activity and intestinal barrier damage, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Metagenomic sequencing suggested that HA treatment restored the gut microbiota, including an increase in beneficial gut bacteria such as Adlercreutzia, Eubacterium, Schaedlerella and Bifidobacterium_pseudolongum. Furthermore, we identified 113 candidate genes associated with IBD that are potentially under HA regulation through network pharmacological analyses. 10 hub genes including ALB, IL-6, HSP90AA1, and others were identified using PPI analysis and validated using molecular docking and mRNA expression analysis. Additionally, KEGG analysis suggested that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), NF-κB signaling and Rap1 signaling pathways were important pathways in the response of HA to colitis. Thus, HA may provide novel biotherapy options for IBD.

Swertiamarin relieves radiation-induced intestinal injury by limiting DNA damage

Radiotherapy is the conventional treatment for pelvic abdominal tumors. However, it can cause some damage to the small intestine and colorectal, which are very sensitive to radiation. Radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) affects the prognosis of radiotherapy, causing sequelae of loss of function and long-term damage to patients' quality of life. Swertiamarin is a glycoside that has been reported to prevent a variety of diseases including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, arthritis, malaria, and abdominal ulcers. However, its therapeutic effect and mechanism of action on RIII have not been established. We investigated whether swertiamarin has a protective effect against RIII. In this article, we use irradiator to create cellular and mouse models of radiation damage. Preventive administration of swertiamarin could reduce ROS and superoxide anion levels to mitigate the cellular damage caused by radiation. Swertiamarin also attenuated RIII in mice, as evidenced by longer survival, less weight loss and more complete intestinal barrier. We also found an increase in the relative abundance of primary bile acids in irradiated mice, which was reduced by both FXR agonists and swertiamarin, and a reduction in downstream interferon and inflammatory factors via the cGAS-STING pathway to reduce radiation-induced damage.

Fraxini cortex: Progresses in phytochemistry, pharmacology and ethnomedicinal uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fraxini cortex, which has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for 2000 years, is made from the dried bark of four plant species: Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Hance) A.E.Murray, Fraxinus chinensis Roxb., Fraxinus chinensis subsp. chinensis and Fraxinus stylosa Lingelsh.. In Chinese traditional medicine, it possesses the properties of heat-clearing and dampness-drying, asthma relief and cough suppression, as well as vision improvement. It is utilized for treating bacterial disorders, enteritis, leukorrhea, chronic bronitis, painful red eyes with swelling, lacrimation due to windward exposure, psoriasis, and other diseases or related symptoms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Fraxini cortex is abundant in chemical constituents and has garnered significant attention from plant chemists, particularly regarding coumarins, as evidenced by the recently identified three coumarin compounds. Considering the current dearth of systematic reporting on studies pertaining to Fraxini cortex, herein we provide a comprehensive summary of the advancements in phytochemistry, pharmacology, detection methods, and ethnomedicinal applications of Fraxini cortex.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search across online data sources (Web of Science, Public Medicine (PubMed), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), as well as Chinese dissertations) and traditional Chinese medicine classics to gather the necessary literature resources for this review.

RESULTS

Briefly, The Fraxini cortex yielded a total of 132 phytochemicals, including coumarins, lignans, secoiridoids, phenylethanol glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and other compounds. Among them, the main active ingredients are coumarins which possess a diverse range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory effects, anti-tumor properties, prevention of tissue fibrosis and oxidation damage as well as cardioprotective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

All types of research conducted on Fraxini cortex, particularly in the field of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology, have been thoroughly reviewed. However, certain traditional applications and pharmacological activities of Fraxini cortex lack scientific evaluation or convincing evidence due to incomplete methodologies and ambiguous results, as well as a lack of clinical data. To validate its pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy, and safety profile, a systematic and comprehensive research evaluation is imperative. As an important traditional Chinese medicine, Fraxini cortex should be further explored to facilitate the development of novel drugs and therapeutics for various diseases. Greater attention should be given to how it can be better utilized.

Effect of lotus seed resistant starch on the bioconversion pathway of taurocholic acid by regulating the intestinal microbiota

Taurocholic acid (TCA) is abundant in the rat intestine and has multiple health benefits. In the gut, intestinal microbiota can transform TCA into different bile acid (BA) derivatives, with the composition of microbiota playing a crucial role in the transformation process. This study aims to investigate how lotus seed resistant starch (LRS) can regulate microbiota to influence BA transformation. A fecal fermentation study was conducted in vitro, using either LRS, high-amylose maize starch (HAMS), or glucose (GLU) to analyze microbiota composition, BA content, and metabolic enzyme activities over different fermentation times. Bioinformatics analysis found that LRS increased the relative abundance of Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Lactobacillus, and decreased Escherichia-Shigella, compared with HAMS and GLU. LRS also reduced total BA content and accelerated the conversion of TCA to cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and other derivatives. These results reveal that LRS and GLU tend to mediate the dehydroxy pathway, whereas HAMS tends to secrete metabolic enzymes in the epimerization pathway. Therefore, the evidence that LRS may regulate TCA bioconversion may benefit human colon health research and provide an important theoretical basis, as well as offer new concepts for the development of functional foods.

Herbal medicine and gut microbiota: exploring untapped therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disease management

The gut microbiota that exists in the human gastrointestinal tract is incredibly important for the maintenance of general health as it contributes to multiple aspects of host physiology. Recent research has revealed a dynamic connection between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, that can influence neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Indeed, imbalances in the gut microbiota, or dysbiosis, play a vital role in the pathogenesis and progression of human diseases, particularly NDs. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat human diseases, including NDs. These compounds help to relieve symptoms and delay the progression of NDs by improving intestinal barrier function, reducing neuroinflammation, and modulating neurotransmitter production. Notably, herbal medicine can mitigate the progression of NDs by regulating the gut microbiota. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the potential mechanisms by which herbal medicine regulates the gut microbiota in the treatment of NDs can help explain the pathogenesis of NDs from a novel perspective and propose novel therapeutic strategies for NDs. In this review, we investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of herbal medicine, focusing on its ability to regulate the gut microbiota and restore homeostasis. We also highlight the challenges and future research priorities of the integration of herbal medicine and modern medicine. As the global population ages, access to this information is becoming increasingly important for developing effective treatments for these diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: A promising strategy to regulate the imbalance of bacterial flora, impaired intestinal barrier and immune function attributed to ulcerative colitis through intestinal microecology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Globally, plant materials are widely used as an additional and alternative therapy for the treating of diverse diseases. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, recurrent and nonspecific inflammation of the bowel, referred to as "modern intractable disease" according to the World Health Organization. With the continuous development of theoretical research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the advantages of TCM in terms of low side effects, TCM has shown great progress in the research of treating UC.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review aimed to explore the correlation between intestinal microbiota and UC, summarize research advances in TCM for treating UC, and discuss the mechanism of action of TCM remedies in regulating intestinal microbiota and repairing damaged intestinal barrier, which will provide a theoretical basis for future studies to elucidate the mechanism of TCM remedies based on gut microbiota and provide novel ideas for the clinical treatment of UC.

METHODS

We have collected and collated relevant articles from different scientific databases in recent years on the use of TCM in treating UC in relation to intestinal microecology. Based on the available studies, the therapeutic effects of TCM are analysed and the correlation between the pathogenesis of UC and intestinal microecology is explored.

RESULTS

TCM is used to further protect the intestinal epithelium and tight junctions, regulate immunity and intestinal flora by regulating intestinal microecology, thereby achieving the effect of treating UC. Additionally, TCM remedies can effectively increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, decrease the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, restore the balance of intestinal microbiota, and indirectly alleviate intestinal mucosal immune barrier dysfunction and promote the repair of damaged colorectal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal microbiota is closely related to UC pathogenesis. The alleviation of intestinal dysbiosis can be a potential novel therapeutic strategy for UC. TCM remedies can exert protective and therapeutic effects on UC through various mechanisms. Although intestinal microbiota can aid in the identification of different TCM syndromes types, further studies are needed using modern medical technology. This will improve the clinical therapeutic efficacy of TCM remedies in UC and promote the application of precision medicine.

TGR5 deficiency-induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors: The role of gut microbiota dysbiosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anxiety and depression have been associated with imbalances in the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), a bile acid receptor involved in metabolism, is influenced by the gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and microbiota using TGR5 knockout mice.

METHODS

We employed the following methods: (1) Assessment of behavioral changes, (2) Measurement of 5-HT levels and protein expression, (3) Analysis of stool samples, (4) Utilization of gene sequencing and statistical analysis to identify microbial signatures, (5) Examination of correlations between microbial signatures and 5-HT levels, and (6) Fecal microbiota transplantation experiments of TGR5-/- mice.

RESULTS

The deletion of TGR5 was found to result in increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice. TGR5 knockout mice exhibited significant reductions in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in both serum and hippocampus, accompanied by a decrease in the expression of 5-HT1A receptor in the hippocampus. Moreover, TGR5 deficiency was associated with a decrease in the species richness of the gut microbiota. Specifically, the gut microbiota compositions of TGR5 knockout mice displayed distinct differences compared to their littermates, characterized by higher abundances of Anaeroplasma, Prevotella, Staphylococcus, Jeotgalicoccus, and Helicobacter, and a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium. Notably, a strong association between Jeotgalicoccus as well as Staphylococcus and serum 5-HT levels was observed in co-occurrence network. Furthermore, mice that received fecal microbiota transplants from TGR5-/- mice displayed anxiety and depression -like behaviors, accompanied by alterations in 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and serum.

LIMITATIONS

Study limitations for gut bacteria were analyzed at the genus level only.

CONCLUSION

TGR5 deletion in mice induces anxiety and depression-like behaviors, linked to reduced 5-HT levels in serum and the hippocampus. Gut microbiota changes play a direct role in these behaviors and serotonin alterations. This implicates TGR5 and gut bacteria in mood regulation, with potential therapeutic implications.

Integrated multi-omics reveal gut microbiota-mediated bile acid metabolism alteration regulating immunotherapy responses to anti-α4β7-integrin in Crohn's disease

Gut microbiota and related metabolites are both crucial factors that significantly influence how individuals with Crohn's disease respond to immunotherapy. However, little is known about the interplay among gut microbiota, metabolites, Crohn's disease, and the response to anti-α4β7-integrin in current studies. Our research utilized 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to induce colitis based on the humanized immune system mouse model and employed a combination of whole-genome shotgun metagenomics and non-targeted metabolomics to investigate immunotherapy responses. Additionally, clinical cases with Crohn's disease initiating anti-α4β7-integrin therapy were evaluated comprehensively. Particularly, 16S-rDNA gene high-throughput sequencing and targeted bile acid metabolomics were conducted at weeks 0, 14, and 54. We found that anti-α4β7-integrin therapy has shown significant potential for mitigating disease phenotypes in remission-achieving colitis mice. Microbial profiles demonstrated that not only microbial composition but also microbially encoded metabolic pathways could predict immunotherapy responses. Metabonomic signatures revealed that bile acid metabolism alteration, especially elevated secondary bile acids, was a determinant of immunotherapy responses. Especially, the remission mice significantly enriched the proportion of the beneficial Lactobacillus and Clostridium genera, which were correlated with increased gastrointestinal levels of BAs involving lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid. Moreover, most of the omics features observed in colitis mice were replicated in clinical cases. Notably, anti-α4β7 integrin provided sustained therapeutic benefits in clinical remitters during follow-up, and long-lasting remission was linked to persistent changes in the microbial-related bile acids. In conclusion, gut microbiota-mediated bile acid metabolism alteration could play a crucial role in regulating immunotherapy responses to anti-α4β7-integrin in Crohn's disease. Therefore, the identification of prognostic microbial signals facilitates the advancement of targeted probiotics that activate anti-inflammatory bile acid metabolic pathways, thereby improving immunotherapy responses. The integrated multi-omics established in our research provide valuable insights into potential mechanisms that impact treatment responses in complex diseases.

Galacto-Oligosaccharides Alleviate LPS-Induced Immune Imbalance in Small Intestine through Regulating Gut Microbe Composition and Bile Acid Pool

Recent evidence suggests that the protective effect of gut microbiota on intestinal inflammation can be achieved through a microbe-bile acids (BAs) mechanism. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are a kind of prebiotic that alter gut microbiota composition. To verify whether GOS has a protective effect on intestinal inflammation through a microbe-BAs mechanism, this research was performed in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) porcine model with the presence or absence of GOS. GOS prevented LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the decrease of bacterial bile salt hydrolase-containing bacteria abundance, and the decrease of chendoxycholic acid (CDCA) level in piglets. Additionally, CDCA decreased LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, induced the expression of the takeda G-protein receptor 5 (TGR5), and its downstream cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in lamina propria-derived CD11b+ cells. The cAMP inhibitor eliminated the protective effect of CDCA on lamina propria-derived CD11b+ cells. These results suggested that GOS reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited NF-κB activation via microbe-BA-dependent TGR5-cAMP signaling in LPS-challenged piglets.

Pulsatillae radix extract alleviates DSS-induced colitis via modulating gut microbiota and inflammatory signaling pathway in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing intestinal disease with complex pathogenesis. The increasing morbidity and mortality of UC become a global public health threat. Baitouweng decoction (BD), a formulated prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been applied to cure UC for many centuries. However, the therapeutic efficacy and working mechanisms of this medicine are not well studied.

Aim of study

In this study we determined whether Pulsatillae radix, one of four ingredients in BD, had a therapeutic effect on colitis. And explore the underlying mechanism of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel radix in the improvement of DSS-induced colitis in mice model.

Methods

The active compounds of Pulsatilla chinensis was identified by UPLC. The composition of the mice's cecum microbiota was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. And gene expression profile of colon was detected by transcriptome.

Results

The results showed that Pulsatillae radix significantly improved the clinical symptom, prevented the shorten of colon length, and decreased the diseased activity index (DAI) in an 3 % DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mouse model. We found that Pulsatillae radix reversed the dysbiosis of gut microbiota as evidenced by increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Deferribacteres, and Proteobacteria phyla and decrease in Firmicutes, as well as by decrease in the genera levels of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, Mucispirillum, Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Escherichia. The results of transcriptome showed Pulsatillae radix administration led to 128 genes up-regulation, and 122 genes down-regulation, up-regulate NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, down-regulate Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and TNF and IL-17 signaling pathways.

Conclusion

in this study, we demonstrate Pulsatillae radix alleviates DSS-induced colitis probably via modulating gut microbiota and inflammatory signaling pathway in DSS-induced colitis mouse model.

Repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier of traditional Chinese medicine for ulcerative colitis: a review

Damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier play an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Discovering the key regulators and repairing the disturbed barrier are crucial for preventing and treating UC. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proved to be effective on treating UC and has exhibited its role in repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier. We summarized the evidence of TCM against UC by protecting and repairing the physical barrier, chemical barrier, immune barrier, and biological barrier. Mechanisms of increasing intestinal epithelial cells, tight junction proteins, and mucins, promoting intestinal stem cell proliferation, restoring the abundance of the intestinal microbiota, and modulating the innate and adaptive immunity in gut, were all involved in. Some upstream proteins and signaling pathways have been elucidated. Based on the existing problems, we suggested future studies paying attention to patients' samples and animal models of UC and TCM syndromes, conducting rescue experiments, exploring more upstream regulators, and adopting new technical methods. We hope this review can provide a theoretical basis and novel ideas for clarifying the mechanisms of TCM against UC via repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier.

Bile acid and its bidirectional interactions with gut microbiota: a review

Bile acids (BAs) are an important metabolite produced by cholesterol catabolism. It serves important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism and host-microbe interaction. Recent research has shown that different gut-microbiota can secrete different metabolic-enzymes to mediate the deconjugation, dehydroxylation and epimerization of BAs. In addition, microbes mediate BAs transformation and exert physiological functions in metabolic diseases may have a potentially close relationship with diet. Therefore, elaborating the pathways by which gut microbes mediate the transformation of BAs through enzymatic reactions involved are principal to understand the mechanism of effects between dietary patterns, gut microbes and BAs, and to provide theoretical knowledge for the development of functional foods to regulate metabolic diseases. In the present review, we summarized works on the physiological function of BAs, as well as the classification and composition of BAs in different animal models and its organs. In addition, we mainly focus on the bidirectional interactions of gut microbes with BAs transformation, and discuss the effects of diet on microbial transformation of BAs. Finally, we raised the question of further in-depth investigation of the food-gut microbial-BAs relationship, which might contribute to the improvement of metabolic diseases through dietary interventions in the future.

Bile acids and their receptors: Potential therapeutic targets in inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic and recurrent inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract caused by a complex interplay between genetics and intestinal dysbiosis are called inflammatory bowel disease. As a result of the interaction between the liver and the gut microbiota, bile acids are an atypical class of steroids produced in mammals and traditionally known for their function in food absorption. With the development of genomics and metabolomics, more and more data suggest that the pathophysiological mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease are regulated by bile acids and their receptors. Bile acids operate as signalling molecules by activating a variety of bile acid receptors that impact intestinal flora, epithelial barrier function, and intestinal immunology. Inflammatory bowel disease can be treated in new ways by using these potential molecules. This paper mainly discusses the increasing function of bile acids and their receptors in inflammatory bowel disease and their prospective therapeutic applications. In addition, we explore bile acid metabolism and the interaction of bile acids and the gut microbiota.

Manipulating Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment: Clinical and Natural Product Interventions Explored

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease, that includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), having progressively increasing global incidence. Disturbed intestinal flora has been highlighted as an important feature of IBD and offers promising strategies for IBD remedies. A brief overview of the variations occurring in intestinal flora during IBD is presented, and the role of the gut microbiota in intestinal barrier maintenance, immune and metabolic regulation, and the absorption and supply of nutrients is reviewed. More importantly, we review drug research on gut microbiota in the past ten years, including research on clinical and natural drugs, as well as adjuvant therapies, such as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and probiotic supplements. We also summarize the interventions and mechanisms of these drugs on gut microbiota.

Pulsatilla chinensis saponins improve SCFAs regulating GPR43-NLRP3 signaling pathway in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pulsatilla decoction has been extensively used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in recent years. Pulsatilla chinensis saponin (PRS), the active ingredient of its monarch medicine Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, plays a crucial role in the treatment of UC, but its specific mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of PRS on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the DSS-induced colitis model was used to explore the metabolism and absorption of PRS under UC, detect the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colon tissue, the expression of receptor G Protein-Coupled Receptor 43 (GPR43) protein and inflammasome NLRP3, and observe the expression level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. The protective effect of the PRS was also observed.

RESULTS

It was found that in the UC group, the absorption rate and extent of drugs increased, and the elimination was accelerated. Compared with the control group, PRS increased the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colon tissue, promoted the expression of SCFAs receptor GPR43 protein, inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and decreased the content of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. PRS protects the colon in DSS-induced inflammatory bowel disease by increasing the content of SCFAs, promoting the expression of GPR43 protein, inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and reversing the increase in IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

CONCLUSIONS

PRS can increase the content of colonic SCFAs, activate the GPR43-NLRP3 signaling pathway, and reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis.

Ameliorative effect of Aconite aqueous extract on diarrhea is associated with modulation of the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

Introduction: Aconite is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been widely used to treat diarrhea for thousands of years. However, it is not clear whether the anti-diarrhea role of aconite aqueous extract (AA) is associated with regulation of the gut microbiota or with bile acid (BA) metabolism. This study aimed to confirm whether AA exerts its anti-diarrhea effects by regulating the gut microbiota and BA metabolism. Methods: The therapeutic effect of AA in a mouse model of diarrhea was measured based on analysis of body weight, fecal water content, diarrhea scores, intestinal propulsion rate, colonic pathology, and colonic immunohistochemistry. In addition, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was conducted to analyze the effect of AA on the gut microbiota, and targeted metabolomics was employed to analyze the effect of AA on metabolism of BAs. Results: The results showed that treatment with AA reduced fecal water content and diarrhea scores, inhibited intestinal propulsion rate and pathological changes in the colon, and increased AQP3 and AQP4 content in the colon. In addition, AA was found to be capable of regulating the gut microbiota. Effects included increasing its richness (according to the ACE and Chao1 indices); altering the gut microbiota community structure (PCA, PCoA, and NMDS); increasing the relative abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, and norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UCG-014; and decreasing the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcus_torques_group, and Parasutterella. More importantly, AA significantly increased fecal TCA (a primary BA) and DCA, LCA, GDCA, dehydro-LCA, and 12-keto-LCA (secondary BAs), thus restoring BA homeostasis. Moreover, AA increased the ratios of DCA/CA, DCA/TCA, and LCA/CDCA and decreased the ratios of TLCA/LCA, GLCA/LCA, and TUDCA/UDCA. Conclusion: The anti-diarrhea effect of AA was associated with restoration of the gut microbiota and BA metabolism-related homeostasis. The results of this study provide insights into the application of AA and the treatment of diarrhea.

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. volatile oil relieves acute ulcerative colitis via regulating gut microbiota and gut microbiota metabolism

Background

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AM) is a functional food with strong ant-colitis activity. AM volatile oil (AVO) is the main active ingredient of AM. However, no study has investigated the improvement effect of AVO on ulcerative colitis (UC) and the bioactivity mechanism also remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether AVO has ameliorative activity on acute colitis mice and its mechanism from the perspective of gut microbiota.

Methods

Acute UC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by dextran sulfate sodium and treated with the AVO. Body weight, colon length, colon tissue pathology, and so on were assessed. The gut microbiota composition was profiled using 16s rRNA sequencing and global metabolomic profiling of the feces was performed. The results showed that AVO can alleviate bloody diarrhea, colon damage, and colon inflammation in colitis mice. In addition, AVO decreased potentially harmful bacteria (Turicibacter, Parasutterella, and Erysipelatoclostridium) and enriched potentially beneficial bacteria (Enterorhabdus, Parvibacter, and Akkermansia). Metabolomics disclosed that AVO altered gut microbiota metabolism by regulating 56 gut microbiota metabolites involved in 102 KEGG pathways. Among these KEGG pathways, many metabolism pathways play an important role in maintaining intestine homeostasis, such as amino acid metabolism (especially tryptophan metabolism), bile acids metabolism, and retinol metabolism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study indicated that AVO can be expected as novel prebiotics to treat ulcerative colitis, and modulating the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota may be its pharmacological mechanism.

Baitouweng decoction alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis by suppressing leucine-related mTORC1 signaling and reducing oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baitouweng decoction (BTW) has been used for hundreds of years to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in China and has produced remarkable clinical results. However, the knowledge in protective mechanism of BTW against UC is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-UC effects of BTW and the underlying mechanisms involved.

METHODS

3.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis was used to simulate human UC and the mice were treated with BTW (6.83 g/kg), leucine (200 mg/kg, Leu) or rapamycin (2 mg/kg, RAPA) as a positive control for 7 days. The clinical symptoms, serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated. Biological samples were collected to detect the effects of BTW on mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and Leu metabolism.

RESULTS

In our study, BTW notably improved the clinical symptoms and histopathological tissue damage and reduced the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in UC mice. BTW also alleviated oxidative stress by decreasing serum MPO and MDA levels. Additionally, BTW significantly suppressed mTORC1 activity in the colon tissues of UC mice. Serum metabolomics analysis revealed that the mice receiving BTW had lower Leu levels, which was in line with the decreased expression of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) in the colon tissues. Furthermore, oral administration of Leu aggravated DSS-induced acute colitis and enhanced mTORC1 activity in the colon.

CONCLUSION

These data strongly demonstrated that BTW could ameliorate DSS-induced UC by regulating the Leu-related mTORC1 pathway and reducing oxidative stress.

Oral Administration of Lotus-Seed Resistant Starch Protects against Food Allergy

Food allergy is a serious food safety and public health issue. However, the medical interventions for allergy treatment are still suboptimal. Recently, the gut microbiome-immune axis has been considered as a promising target to reduce the symptoms of food allergy. In this study, we explore the oral administration of lotus-seed resistant starch as a means to protect against food allergy using an ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge rodent model. The results obtained showed that lotus-seed resistant starch intervention alleviated the food allergy symptoms (such as reductions in body temperature and allergic diarrhea). Furthermore, lotus-seed resistant starch also attenuated the increase in OVA-specific immunoglobulins and improved Th1/Th2 imbalance in OVA-sensitized mice. These anti-allergic effects might be associated with the actions of lotus-seed resistant starch on intestinal microbiota. Taken together, our findings suggest that daily ingestion of lotus-seed resistant starch might be effective for the alleviation of food allergy.

Clinical Evidence and Potential Mechanisms in Treating Radiation Enteritis with Modified Baitouweng Decoction

Objectives

To perform a meta-analysis and network analysis identification to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of modified Baitouweng decoction (mBTWD) in the treatment of radiation enteritis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Databases, SionMed, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mBTWD treating radiation enteritis. Rev.Man 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software are employed for meta-analysis. The GRADE online tool is used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Network analysis and molecular docking approach are applied to predict the potential targets and ingredients of representative drugs in mBTWD for the treatment of radiation enteritis.

Results

Seventeen studies are eventually included, covering a total of 1611 patients: (1) The clinical efficacy is significantly higher in mBTWD groups than in control groups (RR = 1.24, 95% CI (1.17, 1.32), P < 0.00001). (2) mBTWD has certain advantages in improving TCM syndromes (MD = -3.41, P < 0.00001). (3) mBTWD has a certain positive effect on the improvement of intestinal signs and symptoms (RR = 1.23, P=0.0001; OR = 3.51, P < 0.00001). (4) Indexes including CRP, KPS, and OB, are better in mBTWD groups than in control groups (P < 0.00001, P=0.002, P=0.03), but the credibility is downgraded for a small sample size. Adverse events and recurrence rates require further confirmation with larger sample sizes. (5) Univariate meta-regression for clinical efficacy shows none of the coefficients are significantly associated with the estimated risk ratio. The clinical efficacy overestimates about 4.9% from publication bias. The quality of the included studies is low according to GRADE evidence. (6) Quercetin, isorhamnetin, and beta-sitosterol are the main ingredients from representative drugs in mBTWD and its key targets are MYC, TP53, and MAPK14/MAPK1.

Conclusions

mBTWD may be effective in the treatment of radiation enteritis, but its long-term benefits, safety, and molecular mechanisms remain unclear due to the poor quality of the evidence. Larger sample sizes, high-quality studies, and basic research are essential in the future.

Integrated Metabonomics and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Action Mechanism Effect of Shaoyao Decoction on Ulcerative Colitis

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantage of multi-component and multi-target, which becomes a hot spot in the treatment of numerous diseases. Shaoyao decoction (SYD) is a TCM prescription, which is mainly used to treat damp-heat dysentery clinically, with small side effects and low cost. However, its mechanism remains elusive. The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of SYD in the treatment of mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) through metabolomics and network pharmacology, and verify through molecular docking and immunohistochemistry, so as to provide a scientific basis for the role of SYD in the treatment of UC.

Materials and Methods

Firstly, DSS-induced UC models were established and then untargeted metabolomics analysis of feces, livers, serum and urine was performed to determine biomarkers and metabolic pathways closely related to the role of SYD. Besides, network pharmacology was applied to screen the active components and UC-related targets, which was verified by molecular docking. Finally, metabonomics and network pharmacology were combined to draw the metabolite-pathway-target network and verified by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Metabolomics results showed that a total of 61 differential metabolites were discovered in SYD-treated UC with 3 main metabolic pathways containing glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, as well as 8 core targets involving STAT3, IL1B, IL6, IL2, AKT1, IL4, ICAM1 and CCND1. Molecular docking demonstrated that the first five targets had strong affinity with quercetin, wogonin, kaempferol and baicalein. Combined with metabolomics and network pharmacology, sphingolipid signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and S1P3 pathway were identified as the main pathways.

Conclusion

SYD can effectively ameliorate various symptoms and alleviate intestinal mucosal damage and metabolic disorder in DSS induced UC mice. Its effect is mainly related to sphingolipid metabolism, PI3K/AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and S1P3 pathway.

New insights into the interplay between intestinal flora and bile acids in inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal flora plays a key role in nutrient absorption, metabolism and immune defense, and is considered to be the cornerstone of maintaining the health of human hosts. Bile acids synthesized in the liver can not only promote the absorption of fat-soluble substances in the intestine, but also directly or indirectly affect the structure and function of intestinal flora. Under the action of intestinal flora, bile acids can be converted into secondary bile acids, which can be reabsorbed back to the liver through the enterohepatic circulation. The complex dialogue mechanism between intestinal flora and bile acids is involved in the development of intestinal inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this review, the effects of intestinal flora, bile acids and their interactions on IBD and the progress of treatment were reviewed.

Farnesoid-X receptor as a therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer

Farnesoid-X receptor (FXR), as a nuclear receptor activated by bile acids, is a vital molecule involved in bile acid metabolism. Due to its expression in immune cells, FXR has a significant effect on the function of immune cells and the release of chemokines when immune cells sense changes in bile acids. In addition to its regulation by ligands, FXR is also controlled by post-translational modification (PTM) activities such as acetylation, SUMOylation, and methylation. Due to the high expression of FXR in the liver and intestine, it significantly influences intestinal homeostasis under the action of enterohepatic circulation. Thus, FXR protects the intestinal barrier, resists bacterial infection, reduces oxidative stress, inhibits inflammatory reactions, and also acts as a tumor suppressor to impair the multiplication and invasion of tumor cells. These potentials provide new perspectives on the treatment of intestinal conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its associated colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, FXR agonists on the market have certain organizational heterogeneity and may be used in combination with other drugs to achieve a greater therapeutic effect. This review summarizes current data on the role of FXR in bile acid metabolism, regulation of immune cells, and effects of the PTM of FXR. The functions of FXR in intestinal homeostasis and potential application in the treatment of IBD and CRC are discussed.

Nuciferine Regulates Immune Function and Gut Microbiota in DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis

Nuciferine, a major aporphine alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera, exhibits anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its protective effects against inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has never been explored. In this study, an ulcerative colitis (UC) model was established in BALb/c mice by the continuous administration of 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 1 week. From day 8 to day 14, the DSS-treated mice were divided into a high-dose and a low-dose nuciferine treatment group and were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding dose of the drug. Body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length were measured. Histological changes were observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. T lymphocyte proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. The ratio of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells were estimated by flow cytometry. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to compare the composition and relative abundance of the gut microbiota among the different treatment groups. The results showed that nuciferine treatment led to a significant improvement in symptoms, such as histological injury and colon shortening in mice with DSS-induced UC. Nuciferine treatment improved the Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 balance in the DSS-induced IBD model, as well as the composition of the intestinal microflora. At the phylum level, compared with the control group, the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota was decreased in the model group, whereas that of Bacteroidetes increased. Meanwhile, at the genus level, compared with the control group, the numbers of the genera Lachnospiraceae_Clostridium, Bilophila and Halomonas reduced in the model group, while those of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Paraprevotella increased. Notably, nuciferine administration reversed this DSS-induced gut dysbiosis. These results indicated that nuciferine modulates gut microbiota homeostasis and immune function in mice with DSS-induced UC.

Zingiber officinale and Panax ginseng ameliorate ulcerative colitis in mice via modulating gut microbiota and its metabolites

Zingiber officinale and Panax ginseng, as well-known traditional Chinese medicines, have been used together to clinically treat ulcerative colitis with synergistic effects for thousands of years. However, their compatibility mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the shift of gut microbiome and fecal metabolic profiles were monitored by 16S rRNA sequencing technology and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis, respectively, which aimed to reveal the synergistic mechanism of Zingiber officinale and Panax ginseng on the amelioration of ulcerative colitis. The results showed that the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as Muribaculaceae_norank, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Akkermansia) was significantly increased and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (such as Bacteroides, Parabacteroides and Desulfovibrio) was markedly decreased after the intervention of Zingiber officinale-Panax ginseng herb pair. And a total of 16 differential metabolites related to ulcerative colitis were identified by the metabolomics analysis, which were majorly associated with the metabolic pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the regulation of the gut microbiota-metabolite axis might be a potential target for the synergistic mechanism of Zingiber officinale-Panax ginseng herb pair in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Furthermore, the integrated analysis of microbiome and metabolomics used in this study could also serve as a useful template for exploring the mechanism of other drugs.

Oral administration of octacosanol modulates the gut bacteria and protects the intestinal barrier in ulcerative colitis mice

Octacosanol (Oct), a kind of long-chain fatty alcohol extracted from rice bran was applied to study its effects on alleviating ulcerative colitis (UC). Oct was orally administered at 10 mg/kg (Oct-L) and 30 mg/kg (Oct-H) to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice. Here, we reported that oral administration of 30 mg/kg Oct can significantly prevent the weight loss, colon shortening, and decrease the disease activity index (DAI) score. Oct-H supplementation modified the intestinal flora by lowering the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, increasing the abundance of Prevotellaceae, S24-7, Turicibacter, and meanwhile decreasing Enterococcus and Stenotrophomonas. Based on the PICRUSt2 analysis, Oct-H may exert effects by anti-inflammation and xenobiotics degradation. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels were raised and the integrity of the gut barrier was protected. In conclusion, Oct-H can relieve clinical symptoms, modulate the gut bacteria and protect the intestinal barrier in UC mice, suggesting the potential of Oct as a food supplementation in alleviating UC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a hard-to-cure disease, with increasing morbidity in recent years. Therefore, finding out a food supplement to alleviate UC is very meaningful. In this work, we showed that octacosanol significantly alleviated ulcerative colitis in mice. We revealed, for the first time, octacosanol's effects on protecting the integrity of the gut barrier, modulating the intestinal flora and its metabolism (SCFAs). Therefore, octacosanol was expected to prevent colitis in an all-round way. Our research might also lay the theoretical foundation for the further development of related functional foods.

Gut microbiota, bile acids, and nature compounds

Natural compounds (NPs) have historically made a major contribution to pharmacotherapy in various diseases and drug discovery. In the past decades, studies on gut microbiota have shown that the efficacy of NPs can be affected by the interactions between gut microbiota and NPs. On one hand, gut microbiota can metabolize NPs. On the other hand, NPs can influence the metabolism and composition of gut microbiota. Among gut microbiota metabolites, bile acids (BAs) have attracted widespread attention due to their effects on the body homeostasis and the development of diseases. Studies have also confirmed that NPs can regulate the metabolism of BAs and ultimately regulate the physiological function of the body and disease progresses. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the interactions among NPs, gut microbiota, and BAs. In addition, we also discuss the role of microbial BAs metabolism in understanding the toxicity and efficacy of NPs. Furthermore, we present personal insights into the future research directions of NPs and BAs.

Polysaccharides from soybean residue fermented by Neurospora crassa alleviate DSS-induced gut barrier damage and microbiota disturbance in mice

Soluble polysaccharides derived from microbial fermentation of agricultural by-products were considered as potential functional ingredients, primarily having probiotic properties. Herein, soluble polysaccharides (FSRP) were isolated from soybean residue fermented by Neurospora crassa, and FSRP mainly contained rhamnose, arabinose, fucose, mannose, glucose, and galactose, according to GC-MS analysis. To further investigate the protective effect of FSRP against colitis, dextran sulfate sodium induction (DSS)-treated mice were orally gavaged with FSRP (200 mg kg-1 d-1) or inulin (400 mg kg-1 d-1, a positive control) for 7 d. The results showed that DSS-treated mice displayed symptoms of body weight loss, atrophy, and histopathological changes of colon, as well as gut barrier damage, which were recovered after FSRP supplementation (similar to inulin). Furthermore, the beneficial effects of FSRP were linked to a decreased inflammatory response and increased protein expression of E-cadherin, claudin-1 and ZO-1. Illumina-MiSeq sequencing analysis revealed that FSRP increased microbial diversity and altered community structure. Specifically, FSRP could modulate the abundance of inflammation-related bacteria (such as Tenericutes, Clostridia, and Bacilli) to ameliorate colitis symptoms. Therefore, FSRP can relieve DSS-induced colitis, which is closely associated with reduced levels of inflammatory factors, improved gut barrier function and gut microbiota homeostasis.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis via Modulating Gut Microbiota

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by relapsing and remitting inflammation of the bowel. In recent decades, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the therapy of UC. However, its underlying mechanisms have not been sufficiently elucidated. Accumulating studies indicate that the gut microbial dysbiosis is closely related to UC. It has been demonstrated that TCM could alter the composition of intestinal microbiota by enriching beneficial and SCFA-producing bacteria and reducing pathogenic bacteria. In this review, we discussed recent evidence regarding the TCM and its role in modulating gut microbiota for the treatment of UC.

Oscillospira - a candidate for the next-generation probiotics

Oscillospira is a class of organism that often appears in high-throughput sequencing data but has not been purely cultured and is widely present in the animal and human intestines. There is a strong association between variation in Oscillospira abundance and obesity, leanness, and human health. In addition, a growing body of studies has shown that Oscillospira is also implicated in other diseases, such as gallstones and chronic constipation, and has shown some correlation with the positive or negative changes in its course. Sequencing data combined with metabolic profiling indicate that Oscillospira is likely to be a genus capable of producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, which is an important reference indicator for screening "next-generation probiotics ". Considering the positive effects of Oscillospira in some specific diseases, such as obesity-related metabolic diseases, it has already been characterized as one of the next-generation probiotic candidates and therefore has great potential for development and application in the future food, health care, and biopharmaceutical products.

The Effects of Chinese Medicine QRD, Antibiotics, and Probiotics on Therapy and Gut Microbiota in Septic Rats

Sepsis is a common and often treacherous medical emergency with a high mortality and long-term complications in survivors. Though antibiotic therapy can reduce death rate of sepsis significantly, it impairs gut microbiota (GM), which play imperative roles in human health. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effects of antibiotics, probiotics, and Chinese medicine QRD on the survival rates of septic model and observed the GM characteristics of experimental rats via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The 72 h survival rates of septic rat demonstrated the significant therapeutic effects in the three groups treated with antibiotics (AT), Chinses medicine QRD (QT), and probiotics (PT), which were elevated from the survival rate of 26.67% for the sepsis control group (ST) to 100.0% for AT, 88.24% for QT, and 58.33% for PT. The original characteristics of GM identified in the sham operation controls (SC) were relatively similar to those in PT and QT; nevertheless, the AT rats were shown dramatically decreased in the GM diversity. In addition, the septic rats in AT were revealed the higher abundances of Escherichia Shigella, Proteus, Morganella, Enterococcus, and Lysinibacillus, but the lower those of Parabacteroides, Alistipes, Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides, Helicobacter, Mucispirillum, Oscillibacter, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminiclostridium 9, when compared to the PT and QT rats. By contrast, the GM of PT and QT rats shared similar diversity and structure. Our findings indicated that QRD increased the survival rates without impairment of the GM characteristics, which provides novel insights into the role of Chinese medicine in therapy and long-term recovery of sepsis.

Dihydromyricetin improves DSS-induced colitis in mice via modulation of fecal-bacteria-related bile acid metabolism

Recent studies show that the nutraceutical supplement dihydromyricetin (DHM) can alleviate IBD in murine models by downregulating the inflammatory pathways. However, the molecular mechanistic link between the therapeutic efficiency of DHM, gut microbiota, and the metabolism of microbial BAs remains elusive. In this study, we explored the improvement of DHM on the dysregulated gut microbiota of mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We found that DHM could markedly improve colitis symptoms, gut barrier disruption, and colonic inflammation in DSS-treated mice. In addition, bacterial 16S rDNA sequencing assay demonstrated that DHM could alleviate gut dysbiosis in mice with colitis. Furthermore, antibiotic-mediated depletion of the gut microflora and fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) demonstrated that the therapeutic efficiency of DHM was closely associated with gut microbiota. BA-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that DHM restored the metabolism of microbial BAs in the gastrointestinal tract during the development of colitis. DHM significantly enriched the proportion of the beneficial Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera, which were correlated with increased gastrointestinal levels of unconjugated BAs involving chenodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid, enabling the BAs to activate specific receptors, such as FXR and TGR5, and maintaining intestinal integrity. Taken together, DHM could alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice by restoring the dysregulated gut microbiota and BA metabolism, leading to improvements in intestinal barrier function and colonic inflammation. Increased microbiota-BAs-FXR/TGR5 signaling may be the potential targets of DHM in colitis. Therefore, our findings provide novel insights into the development of novel DHM-derived drugs for the management of IBD.