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Zhang D, Cheng H, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Wu J, Liu J, Feng W, Peng C. Ameliorative effect of Aconite aqueous extract on diarrhea is associated with modulation of the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1189971. [PMID: 37266146 PMCID: PMC10229775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1189971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaochuan Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wuwen Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Abstract
Rotavirus is the single most important cause of severe, dehydrating gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. Rotavirus gastroenteritis is associated with high morbidity in developed countries and significant mortality in developing countries. Virtually all children are infected with rotavirus by 3 years of age. Fecal-oral transmission is the most likely route of virus spread. Group A serotype strains G1 through G4 account for more than 90% of rotavirus gastroenteritis in humans, with G1 being the predominant serotype. The virus preferentially infects the mature small-intestinal enterocytes. Rotavirus gastroenteritis is characterized by fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, with vomiting particularly prominent. Dehydration is a frequent complication because of the severity of the diarrhea and the associated vomiting. Rehydration and maintenance of proper fluid and electrolyte balance remain the mainstay of treatment. Hygienic measures have little effect on the reduction of rotavirus infection rates. The disease can be effectively controlled by universal rotavirus vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander K C Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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