Agricultural management and cultivation period alter soil enzymatic activity and bacterial diversity in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) orchards

Huang Lian Jie Du decoction attenuated colitis via suppressing the macrophage Csf1r/Src pathway and modulating gut microbiota

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis, a subtype of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is characterized by relapsing colonic inflammation and ulcers. The traditional Chinese herbal formulation Huang Lian Jie Du (HLJD) decoction is used clinically to treat diarrhea and colitis. However, the mechanisms associated with the effects of treatment remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanistic effects of HLJD formulation on colitis.

Methods

Chronic colitis in mice was induced by adding 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to their drinking water continuously for 8 weeks, and HLJD decoction at the doses of 2 and 4 g/kg was administered orally to mice daily from the second week until experimental endpoint. Stool consistency scores, blood stool scores, and body weights were recorded weekly. Disease activity index (DAI) was determined before necropsy, where colon tissues were collected for biochemical analyses. In addition, the fecal microbiome of treated mice was characterized using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

Results

HLJD decoction at doses of 2 and 4 g/kg relieved DSS-induced chronic colitis in mice by suppressing inflammation through compromised macrophage activity in colonic tissues associated with the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (Csf1r)/Src pathway. Furthermore, the HLJD formula could modify the gut microbiota profile by decreasing the abundance of Bacteroides, Odoribacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Parasutterella. In addition, close correlations between DAI, colon length, spleen weight, and gut microbiota were identified.

Discussion

Our findings revealed that the HLJD formula attenuated DSS-induced chronic colitis by reducing inflammation via Csf1r/Src-mediated macrophage infiltration, as well as modulating the gut microbiota profile.

Effect of yeast application on soil health and root metabolic status of corn seedlings under drought stress

The soil enzymes are the heart of the biochemical reactions that occur in the soil saving the soil nutrients needed for plant growth. Recently yeast's importance as plant growth-promoting microorganisms has great attention. This study evaluated the effect of yeast application on the soil enzymes activity and root metabolic status in corn plants under drought stress. A pot experiment was performed. The pots were divided into two groups; the first group was used for yeast application, the other group was used as a non-treated group. Each group was subdivided into two groups according to water treatment. One is 75%; the other is 45% of field capacity. Soil and root samples were taken at 5, 10, and 15 days after drought application for analysis. Soil samples were subjected to NPK and soil enzymes activity analysis. The root samples were subjected to determination NPK content, the osmolytes, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes. The present results showed that yeast application upregulated the soil enzymes under drought which protected the NPK content in the soil. Therefore NPK in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group. Also, yeast application improved the roots' osmotic status, the treated group showed significant osmolytes accumulation. Besides that the antioxidant enzymes activity status in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the non-treated group which significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in the treated group. Yeast application can be an effective promising tool for improving the corn plant tolerance against drought stress.