Comparison of Bran-Processed and Crude Atractylodes Lancea Effects on Spleen Deficiency Syndrome in Rats

The rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz improve gastrointestinal health and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice via modulating intestinal barrier and water-fluid metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baizhu (BZ) is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (Compositae), which invigorates the spleen, improves vital energy, stabilizes the fetus, and is widely used for treating spleen deficiency syndrome. However, the impact of BZ on gastrointestinal function during pregnancy remains unexplored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study elucidated the ameliorative effects of BZ on gastrointestinal health and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency diarrhea (SDD).

METHODS

To simulate an irregular human diet and overconsumption of cold and bitter foods leading to SDD, a model of pregnant mice with SDD was established using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, general indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility (small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying rates) were evaluated. Serum motilin (MTL), ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), gastrin (Gas), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin β (β-CG), progesterone (P), and estradiol (E2) were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and alcian blue periodic acid Schiff staining (AB-PAS). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression levels of the intestinal barrier and water metabolism-related proteins in colonic tissues. The pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, small size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice were calculated.

RESULTS

The results showed that BZ significantly improved general indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with SDD, increased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones (AMS, ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels (TC and LDL-c). It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, AQP3, AQP4, and AQP8 in colonic tissues, downregulating the mRNA and protein expression levels of claudin-2, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage and regulating the balance of water and fluid metabolism. BZ also held the levels of pregnancy hormones (β-CG, P, and E2) in the serum of pregnant mice with SDD. Moreover, it increased the pregnancy rate, ovarian organ coefficient, uterus with fetus organ coefficient, litter size, average fetal weight, and body length of fetal mice. These findings indicate that BZ can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Integrated analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling reveals the effect of Atractylodes oil on Spleen Yang Deficiency Syndrome in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Spleen Yang Deficiency Syndrome (SYDS), which is a syndrome commonly treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), manifests as overall metabolic dysfunction caused mainly by digestive system disorders. Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL) is a widely used traditional herb with the efficacy of eliminate dampness and strengthen the spleen, Atractylodes oil (AO) is a medicinal component of AL and can be used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. However, its effects on SYDS and underlying mechanisms have not been clarified to date.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of AO in the improvement of the symptoms of SYDS in rat and the underlying mechanism by integrating transcriptomics, and metabolomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SYDS rats induced by reserpine were treated with AO. The protective effect of AO on SYDS rats was evaluated by serum biochemical detection, histopathological analyses. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), colorimetric assay and immunofluorescence (IF) were performed to determine the levels of relevant indicators of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism in the liver. Liver metabolites and transcript levels were assessed by non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze potential molecular mechanisms and targets. The expression of the corresponding proteins was verified using Western blotting.

RESULTS

AO not only regulated the digestion, absorption function and oxidative stress status of SYDS rats, but also improved mitochondrial function and alleviated energy metabolism disorders in SYDS rats. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that AO regulation is mainly exerted in amino acid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, TCA cycle as well as PPAR and AMPK signaling pathways. In addition, The AMPK signaling pathway was verified and AO promoted AMPK phosphorylation and the expression of SIRT1, PGC-1α, and PPARα in SYDS rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic effect of AO on SYDS is potentially attributable to activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, which enhances transport and regulation of energy metabolism.

Analgesic Effect of the Kampo Formula Yokukansan via the Suppression of Substance P in an Experimental Rat Model of Hunner-Type Interstitial Cystitis

INTRODUCTION

Yokukansan (YKS), a Kampo formula used in traditional Japanese medicine, has an analgesic effect, and is used for various pain disorders. This study investigated its analgesic effects on Hunner-type interstitial cystitis (HIC) and its mechanism of action in animal models.   Methods: Rats with toll-like receptor-7 agonist (loxoribine)-induced HIC were used. Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, HIC, and HIC-administered YKS (YKS + HIC). Bladder pain was assessed based on escape behavior using the von Frey test. Three days after HIC induction, the bladder and spinal cord were excised, and the expression of substance P (SP) was examined.   Results: The pain threshold decreased significantly in the HIC group compared to that in the control group, but this decrease was suppressed by further YKS administration. The expression of SP in the bladder wall and spinal cord increased significantly in the HIC group compared to that in the control group; however, this increase was suppressed by YKS administration.

CONCLUSION

SP is involved in the onset of bladder pain via neurokinin 1 receptors in bladder tissue. YKS may be useful for managing HIC-induced pain, and the suppression of SP secretion is one of its mechanisms of action.

Probiotic-fermented Qushi decoction alleviates reserpine-induced spleen deficiency syndrome by regulating spleen function and gut microbiota dysbiosis

BACKGROUND

Spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) is associated with elevated inflammatory factors and dysregulation of gastrointestinal motility hormones and intestinal microbiota. Qushi decoction (QD), a traditional formula, has not been reported using modern scientific research methods for changes in its probiotic fermented QD (FQD) composition and its potential mechanisms to alleviate SDS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the splenic protection of FQD in SDS rats by modulating gastrointestinal motility hormones and intestinal microbiota.

RESULTS

The results showed that FQD increased total polysaccharides, total protein, total flavonoids and the other active ingredients compared to QD, effectively improved splenic inflammation and apoptosis in SDS rats, and modulated gastrointestinal motility hormones to alleviate diarrhea and other symptoms. In addition, the dysregulation of the gut microbiota was reversed by increasing the levels of Bifidobacterium and decreasing the levels of Escherichia-Shigella and Proteobacteria, which may be related to the regulation of bacterial metabolites to alleviate SDS.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that FQD is an effective formula for improving SDS. Our findings show that FQD beneficial to the implications for the treatment of SDS. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pingwei San Ameliorates Spleen Deficiency-Induced Diarrhea through Intestinal Barrier Protection and Gut Microbiota Modulation

Pingwei San (PWS) has been used for more than a thousand years as a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating spleen-deficiency diarrhea (SDD). Nevertheless, the exact mechanism by which it exerts its antidiarrheal effects remains unclear. The objective of this investigation was to explore the antidiarrheal efficacy of PWS and its mechanism of action in SDD induced by Rhubarb. To this end, UHPLC-MS/MS was used to identify the chemical composition of PWS, while the body weight, fecal moisture content, and colon pathological alterations were used to evaluate the effects of PWS on the Rhubarb-induced rat model of SDD. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were employed to assess the expression of inflammatory factors, aquaporins (AQPs), and tight junction markers in the colon tissues. Furthermore, 16S rRNA was utilized to determine the impact of PWS on the intestinal flora of SDD rats. The findings revealed that PWS increased body weight, reduced fecal water content, and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon. It also promoted the expression of AQPs and tight junction markers and prevented the loss of colonic cup cells in SDD rats. In addition, PWS significantly increased the abundance of Prevotellaceae, Eubacterium_ruminantium_group, and Tuzzerella, while decreasing the abundance of Ruminococcus and Frisingicoccus in the feces of SDD rats. The LEfSe analysis revealed that Prevotella, Eubacterium_ruminantium_group, and Pantoea were relatively enriched in the PWS group. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that PWS exerted a therapeutic effect on Rhubarb-induced SDD in rats by both protecting the intestinal barrier and modulating the imbalanced intestinal microbiota.

Polysaccharides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla modulate gut microbiota and alleviate syndrome of spleen deficiency in rats

Pseudostellaria heterophylla, also called Tai-zi-shen (TZS) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is always used clinically to treat spleen deficiency symptoms. Polysaccharides in TZS have various pharmacological activities, including anti-diabetic, immune regulation, and myocardial protection. However, the relationship between the spleen-invigorating effects of TZS or its polysaccharides and intestinal flora are not clear. This study investigated the effects of TZS decoction (PHD) and polysaccharide (PHP) on immune function and intestinal flora in a rat model of spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) induced by a decoction of raw rhubarb (RRD). PHD and PHP increased immune organ index, alleviated inflammatory cell filtration, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome. In addition, the production of butyric acid was promoted in PHD and PHP groups. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that PHD and PHP reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes while increasing the one of Bacteroidetes; significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus and decreased the abundance of Rombutsia; and PHP significantly increased the abundance of Alloprevotella. And there was a significant positive correlation between the alleviation of SDS and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria. These findings suggested PHD and PHP, especially PHP, has a potential to relieve spleen deficiency by reducing intestinal inflammation, modulating structure and composition of gut microbiota, and promoting the production of butyric acid.

Codonopsis pilosula Polysaccharide Improved Spleen Deficiency in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Energy Related Metabolisms

Codonopsis Radix (CR) is an important traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS). Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPP) in CR are considered to be responsible for tonifying the spleen function; however, the mechanisms of the polysaccharides have remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the treatment mechanisms of CPP in SDS mice using a combinational strategy of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted metabolomics. Here, studies demonstrated that CPP had invigorating effect in vivo in Sennae Folium-induced SDS in mice by organ indexes, D-xylose determination, gastrointestinal hormones levels and goblet cells observation. Antibiotic treatment revealed that the intestinal microbiota was required for the invigorating spleen effect of CPP. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis found that CPP significantly enriched probiotic Lactobacillus and decreased the abundance of some opportunistic pathogens, such as Enterococcus and Shigella. The metabolic profile analysis of the colonic content revealed that 25 chemicals were altered significantly by CPP, including amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates and carnitine etc., which are mainly related to “energy conversion” related processes such as amino acids metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and nitrogen metabolism. Spearman’s correlation assays displayed there were strong correlations among biochemical indicators-gut microbiota-metabolomics. In summary, these results provided a new perspective for CPP improving SDS by regulating energy metabolism related bacteria and pathways.

Elucidation of the Reinforcing Spleen Effect of Jujube Fruits Based on Metabolomics and Intestinal Flora Analysis

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit (JF) is widely consumed as food in Asian countries due to its potential effects for human health. As a traditional Chinese medicine, JF is often used to treat anorexia, fatigue and loose stools caused by spleen deficiency syndromes in China, but the mechanism underlying this effect has not been thoroughly elucidated. In this study, a rat model of spleen deficiency syndromes was adopted to investigate the therapeutic effect of JF extract and its possible mechanism by metabolomics analyses of plasma and urine as well as the intestinal flora analysis. The results showed that the changes in plasma and urine metabolites caused by spleen deficiency were reversed after administration of JF, and these changed endogenous metabolites were mainly involved in retinol metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, nicotinate and niacinamide metabolism pathways. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that JF could regulate intestinal flora imbalance caused by spleen deficiency. The covariance analysis of intestinal flora structure and metabolome indicated that Aerococcus may be a candidate strain for predicting and treating the metabolic pathways of spleen deficiency and related disorders. In summary, it can be revealed that spleen deficiency, which alters metabolic profiles and the intestinal flora, could be alleviated effectively by JF extract.

Treatment of Spleen-Deficiency Syndrome With Atractyloside A From Bran-Processed Atractylodes lancea by Protection of the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier

Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL) is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of spleen-deficiency syndrome (SDS). Bran-processed Atractylodes lancea (BAL) has been found to be more effective than unprocessed AL. However, the compound in BAL active against SDS remains unclear. The pharmacological efficacy of BAL and its mechanism of action against SDS were investigated by HPLC-ELSD. Candidate compound AA (atractyloside A) in AL and BAL extracts was identified by HPLC-MS analysis. AA was tested in a rat model of SDS in which body weight, gastric residual rate, and intestinal propulsion were measured, and motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), and c-Kit were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Potential targets and associated pathways were identified based on network pharmacology analysis. mRNA expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and protein expression levels were measured by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. AA increased body weight, intestinal propulsion, MTL, GAS, and c-Kit levels, while decreasing gastric residual volume and intestinal tissue damage, as same as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen levels. Seventy-one potential pharmacologic targets were identified. Analysis of protein interaction, Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis, pathway enrichment analysis, and docking and molecular interactions highlighted MAPK signaling as the potential signal transduction pathway. Validation experiments indicated that treatment with AA increased MTL, GAS, ZO-1, and OCLN levels, while reducing AQP1, AQP3, and FGF2 levels. In addition, phosphorylation of p38 and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) expression were inhibited. AA improved gastrointestinal function by protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier via inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway. The results have clinical implications for the therapy of SDS.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) Aril ameliorates cognitive impairment in AD mice induced by combination of D-gal/AlCl3 and an irregular diet via RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Alzheimer's disease (AD) is identified as "forgetfulness" or "dementia", and it can be caused by spleen deficiency. Longan Aril (the aril of Dimocarpus longan Lour., LA) is a kind of Chinese medicine, and it can improve intelligence attributed to entering the spleen-meridian. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of LA on AD mice with spleen deficiency, and to understand anti-AD mechanism of LA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A mouse model of AD with spleen deficiency was established by D-gal (140 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) and AlCl₃ (20 mg/kg, intragastrical administration) in combination with an irregular diet for 60 days, in which mice in LA group were daily given LA (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg). The anti-AD effects of LA were evaluated by the Morris water maze, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Nissl, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The anti-AD mechanism of LA was studied by using metabolomics, and the expressions of RAS/MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

LA improved learning and memory abilities, superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, and form and number of Nissl bodies, while reduced the levels of Aβ₄₂, phosphorylated-tau (p-tau), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), histological injury, and apoptosis rate in AD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). The anti-AD mechanism of LA may be related to RAS/MEK/ERK and other signaling pathways, in which the expressions of RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway-related proteins significantly reduced (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

LA could improve the cognitive ability and reduce the pathologic impairment in AD mice, which might be partly mediated via inhibition of RAS/MEK/ERK singling pathway.

Comparison of the Effects of Essential Oil Obtained from the Crude and Bran-Processed Atractylodes lancea on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Injury of Human Colonic Epithelial Cells by Downregulating the IKK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Background

Atractylodes lancea (AL) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various diseases including digestive disorders. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common digestive system disease with a low cure rate and easy recurrence. However, it is still not clear whether AL is suitable for UC treatment. Currently, stir-baking with wheat bran is most commonly used to process AL. Here, we aimed to address the effects of the crude and bran-processed AL on UC in vitro and uncover the underlying mechanism based on regulating the IKK/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.

Methods

Human colonic epithelial cells (HCoEpiC) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic the inflammatory injury of UC in vitro. The essential oil from crude and bran-processed AL was used to treat LPS-induced HcoEpiC cells. The cell viability was detected by an MTT assay. The levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-1-β, TNF-α, and NO were determined by ELISA, and the mRNA expressions of IKK-α, NF-κB, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were determined by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the expressions of IKK-α, p-IKK-α, p-IKK-β, NF-κB, IL-6, and IL-8 proteins were determined by Western blot.

Results

The essential oil of AL, whether it was from crude or bran-processed AL, could significantly increase the viability of LPS-induced HCoEpiC cells. The treatment of AL essential oil also notably inhibited the productions of IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-1-β, TNF-α, NO, p-IKK-α, p-IKK-β, and NF-κB and downregulated the mRNA expressions of NF-κB, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Meanwhile, IL-4 protein and mRNA expression were significantly stimulated by AL essential oil. Moreover, the essential oil from bran-processed AL was more effective than that from crude AL.

Conclusion

Both kinds of AL essential oil had the anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced HCoEpiC, and the essential oil from bran-processed AL was more effective. The mechanism could be through the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.

Shengmai Yin formula modulates the gut microbiota of spleen-deficiency rats

Background

Spleen-deficiency syndrome, an important pathological change in traditional Chinese medicine, has been proven to attribute to intestinal dysbacteriosis. Shengmai Yin (SMY), a classic formula for replenishing qi and restoring pulse, is a common medicine for critical emergencies in traditional Chinese Medicine. Interestingly, our previous study established a spleen-deficiency rat model and verified the potency of SMY formula in curing spleen-deficiency rats. Our goal herein was to explore whether SMY can modulate the composition of intestinal flora and alleviate spleen-deficiency in rats.

Methods

This experiment was randomly divided into three groups, namely the normal control group (NC), model control group (MC), and the Shengmai Yin group (SMY). After the treatment, the weight and symptom indexes of the rats were recorded, histological changes in the colon were observed, levels of serum D-xylose, gastrin (GAS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were measured, and gut microbiota profiling was conducted by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results

The body mass of the spleen-deficiency model rats significantly decreased compared with that of the NC group, and SMY treatment significantly increased body mass compared with the MC group (P < 0.01). Colon histopathology revealed that SMY treatment alleviated colonic mucosal damage in spleen-deficiency rats. The serum levels of D-xylose and gastrin (GAS) were significant increased by SMY (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was reduced by SMY (P < 0.01) compared with MC. Furthermore, alpha diversity was significantly decreased in the model rats compared to the normal rats (P < 0.05) and increased with SMY treatment (P < 0.01). The most abundant phyla were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, followed by Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, there was a lower relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Akkermasia, and Allobaculum, and a higher relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A 136 group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, and Sphingomonas in the MC group. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Alistipes, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136group, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillaceae, Bacilli, Verrucomicrobiae, and Akkermansia were significantly abundant in the treatment groups, and thus may be singled out as potential biomarkers for SMY in the treatment of spleen deficiency. In addition, analysis on the correlation between species and physicochemical indexes showed that the abundance of Parasutterella was negatively correlated with the change in GAS, and positively correlated with the change in VIP (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our findings have provided preliminary evidence that modulating the gut microbiota may play a role in the treatment of spleen deficiency with SMY. However, further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism by which SMY regulation of related gut microbiota occurs.

Deep-Fried Atractylodis Rhizoma Protects against Spleen Deficiency-Induced Diarrhea through Regulating Intestinal Inflammatory Response and Gut Microbiota

According to the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, spleen deficiency often leads to diarrhea, and deep-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma (DAR) is commonly used for the treatment. However, the association between spleen deficiency and diarrhea remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of DAR for the treatment of diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency and analyze the related mechanisms. It was found that a high dose group of an ethanolic extract of deep-fried Atractylodis Rhizoma (EEDAR-H) significantly inhibited weight loss, diarrhea, and pathological changes in colon tissue induced by rhubarb. EEDAR-H was found to significantly reduce the level of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and increase the expression of gastrointestinal motility hormones. In addition, EEDAR-H significantly increased the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and aquaporin 8 (AQP8) and restored abnormal water metabolism; Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SLBZS) induced the same effect as EEDAR-H. Additional tests on the mechanism found that EEDAR-H and SLBZS promoted the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Both significantly increased the expression of the tight junction protein ZO-1 and Occludin, inhibited the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and MLC, and significantly reduced the expression levels of PAR-2. Analysis of the gut microbiota indicated that overall changes in its structure were reversed after treatment with EEDAR-H or SLBZS, in addition to significant modulation of the abundance of different phyla. At the genus level, EEDAR-H or SLBZS significantly reduced the levels of potential pathogens and increased those of beneficial bacteria.

Comparison of the Modulatory Effect on Intestinal Microbiota between Raw and Bran-Fried Atractylodis Rhizoma in the Rat Model of Spleen-Deficiency Syndrome

Atractylodis Rhizoma (AR), a kind of well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of being used to treat spleen-deficiency syndrome (SDS). Stir frying with bran is a common method of processing AR, as recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and is thought to enhance the therapeutic effect in TCM. Our previous studies have confirmed that bran-fried AR is superior to raw AR in terms of the improvement of gastrointestinal tract function. However, the biological mechanism of action is not yet clear. Here, we report the difference between raw and bran-fried AR in terms of the modulatory effect of intestinal microbiota. We found that the composition of intestinal microbiota of SDS rats changed significantly compared with healthy rats and tended to recover to normal levels after treatment with raw and bran-fried AR. Nine bacteria closely related to SDS were identified at the genus level. Among them, the modulatory effect between the raw and bran-fried AR was different. The improved modulation on Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, Phascolarctobacterium, Incertae-Sedis (Defluviitaleaceae Family) and Incertae-Sedis (Erysipelotrichaceae Family) could be the mechanism by which bran-fried AR enhanced the therapeutic effect. Correlation analysis revealed that the modulation on intestinal microbiota was closely related to the secretion and expression of cytokines and gastrointestinal hormones. These findings can help us to understand the role and significance of bran-fried AR against SDS.

Identification of Characteristic Autoantibodies Associated With Deficiency Pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Protein Chips

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, deficiency pattern (DP) which leads to specific treatment principles in clinical management is a crucial pattern diagnosis among RA patients, and autoantibodies have potential implications in TCM pattern classification. The purpose of this study was to identify specific RA DP-associated autoantibodies.

Methods: RA DP patients, RA nondeficiency pattern (NDP) patients and healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for this study. Then, clinical data and sera from all subjects were collected. After that, the sera were probed with protein chips, which were constructed by known RA related autoantigens, to screen for DP-associated candidate autoantibodies. Lastly, candidate autoantibodies were validated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and function was evaluated by network analysis.

Results: Protein chips results showed that RA patients have higher levels of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A165 antibodies than HC (P < 0.005); anti-VEGFA165 antibodies levels of patients with RA DP were lower than patients with RA NDP (P < 0.05). The results of the ELISA also showed statistically significant differences in anti-VEGFA165 antibodies between the RA and HC group (P < 0.0001); and there were statistically significant differences in anti-VEGFA165 antibodies between the RA DP and RA NDP group (P < 0.05). Network analysis results suggested IL-6 signaling pathway has a significant effect on VEGFA165 in RA patients.

Conclusion: Autoantibodies identification in RA using protein chips help in understanding DP in TCM. Discovery of anti-VEGFA165 antibodies may provide the possibility for clinical precision treatment.

UPLC-MS/MS of Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide II, Atractylenolide III, and Atractyloside A in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration of Raw and Wheat Bran-Processed Atractylodis Rhizoma

Atractylodis Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz and is often processed by stir-frying with wheat bran to reduce its dryness and increase its spleen tonifying activity. However, the mechanism by which the processing has this effect remains unknown. To explain the mechanism based on the pharmacokinetics of the active compounds, a rapid, sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to analyze atractylenolides I, II, and III, and atractyloside A simultaneously in rat plasma after oral administration of raw and processed Atractylodis Rhizoma. Acetaminophen was used as the internal standard and the plasma samples were pretreated with methanol. Positive ionization mode coupled with multiple reaction monitoring mode was used to analyze the four compounds. The method validation revealed that all the calibration curves displayed good linear regression over the concentration ranges of 3.2⁻350, 4⁻500, 4⁻500, and 3.44⁻430 ng/mL for atractylenolides I, II, and III, and atractyloside A, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the intra- and inter-day precisions of the four compounds were less than 6% with accuracies (relative error) below 2.38%, and the extraction recoveries were more than 71.90 ± 4.97%. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of the four compounds were estimated with Drug and Statistics 3.0 and the integral pharmacokinetics were determined based on an area under the curve weighting method. The results showed that the integral maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve increased after oral administration of processed Atractylodis Rhizoma.