Nenqun Xiao

Constipation due to Pi deficiency (Pi-xu) is a common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome characterized by impaired Qi regulation and body fluid distribution disturbances from Pi deficiency. Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos are representative medicine-food homology herbs traditionally used to fortify the Pi, nourish Yin, and regulate water metabolism. Their traditional functions are highly consistent with the pathogenesis of constipation due to Pi deficiency. This study explored the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination's potential and mechanisms for preventing constipation due to Pi deficiency. Mice were assigned to normal, model, and Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos groups. General signs, fecal characteristics, gastrointestinal hormone levels (5-HT, CCK, MTL, and VIP), oxidative stress indicators (MDA and SOD), colonic histopathology, and gut microbiota profiles were evaluated. Compared with the model group, the combination significantly improved fecal properties and fecal water content (P < 0.05), reduced hepatic MDA levels, and increased SOD activity (P < 0.01). It also partially normalized gastrointestinal hormone imbalance and alleviated colonic mucosal damage. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the combination modulated gut microbiota composition and functional potential, characterized by reduced Proteobacteria abundance, enrichment of beneficial taxa with SFCA-producing potential, and preservation of core metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis suggested that gut microbiota modulation was closely associated with improvements in oxidative stress status, gut-brain axis-related factors, and intestinal barrier integrity. Overall, these findings indicate that the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination exerts preventive effects on constipation due to Pi deficiency through microbiota-mediated, multi-pathway regulation. This study provides experimental support for the TCM concept of "preventing disease before it arises" and highlights the potential of medicine-food homology products in preventive health strategies.

This study investigated the preventive effects of combination of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos on constipation due to pi deficiency and aimed to explore a potential early intervention strategy. The administered groups were gavaged with medicinal liquids containing different ratios of Polygonatum sibiricum to Poria cocos (A, 3:1; B, 1:1; and C, 1:3) for 14 days. Subsequently, a mouse model of constipation due to pi deficiency was established through a combination of Folium Sennae decoction gavage, diet regulation, water restriction, and abnormal hunger and satiety. The normal group was fed normally for 29 days. After 14 days of normal feeding, the model group mice were modeled according to the above modeling method. The study compared fecal characteristics, water content, serum D-xylose levels, intestinal microbial counts, and enzyme activities among the different groups. The results showed that mice with constipation due to pi deficiency exhibited altered body weights and behavior, along with altered fecal features and reduced fecal water content. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and disturbances in enzyme activities were observed. The mice in the administered groups showed less fluctuation in body weight and improved behavior. Fecal traits were improved, and the water content of feces was increased. Notably, ratio B (1:1) demonstrated the most significant effects, effectively restoring the intestinal flora balance and alleviating enzyme activity disorders. These findings suggest that the combination of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos at a 1:1 ratio exerts the most beneficial preventive effects on constipation due to pi deficiency by improving intestinal health and microbial homeostasis.

Introduction: Sishen Pill (SSP), a classic TCM formula, warms the kidney and spleen, astringes the intestine, and stops diarrhea. Emerging evidence suggests that diarrhea with KYDS is linked to gut microbiota imbalance and altered intestinal enzyme activities. At the same time, SSP has been shown to regulate gut microbiota, improve metabolism, and alleviate intestinal disorders. This research investigates how SSP prevents and treats diarrhea by studying the interaction between SSP and intestinal microorganisms.Methods: In a murine model of diarrhea induced by adenine and Foliuem sennae co-administration, we collected various biospecimens, including intestinal mucosa (ileum and colon), luminal contents, serum, and major organs (kidney, spleen) for comprehensive mechanistic analyses. Techniques such as microbial culture, enzyme activity assays, and HE staining were employed to assess cultivable microbial colony counts, enzyme activity, relevant metabolic indicators, oxidative stress markers, and to observe kidney tissue sections.Results: The results indicated that SSP treatment significantly reduced uric acid levels, Escherichia coli (E. coli) count, and amylase activity compared to the spontaneous recovery (MC) group, while the spleen and thymus index, total bacterial count, sucrase activity in contents, protease activity and microbial activity in mucosa were significantly higher than the measurements in MC group. Significant differences were observed in alanine aminotransferase level, Lactobacillus count, Bifidobacterium count, sucrase activity, and microbial activity between the SSP and blank control groups. Serum uric acid levels showed a positive correlation with E. coli colony count and a negative correlation with Lactobacillus colony count. Additionally, total bacterial colony count was negatively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase levels.Conclusions: The SSP may alleviate diarrhea with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome by reducing E. coli count, enhancing specific enzyme activities, and regulating organ indices and oxidative stress, with the regulatory effects on organ indices and oxidative stress potentially associated with its modulation of E. coli and enzyme activity. This cascade of microbial-enzymatic regulation likely contributes to the normalization of organ indices (e.g., spleen and thymus indices) and alleviation of oxidative stress, as reflected by enhanced superoxide dismutase activity. These findings highlight the multitarget therapeutic potential of SSP in addressing dysfunction in the intestinal-microbiome-enzymatic-organ axis in diarrhea with kidney Yang deficiency syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of sodium butyrate combined with SSP in treating diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, providing experimental evidence for the modern application of classical Chinese medicine formulas. Methods: A mouse model of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome was established via adenine combined with Folium sennae gavage. After successful model establishment, the drug intervention groups were administered by gavage with 100% SSP decoction, 300 mg/mL sodium butyrate, and 100 mg/kg sodium butyrate + 50% SSP decoction, respectively. General physical conditions and organ indices were assessed. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, as well as colonic immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and mucin 2 (MUC2) levels, were determined via ELISA. Kidney and intestinal histology were evaluated via hematoxylin‒eosin (HE) staining. The characteristics of the small intestinal mucosal microbiota under different interventions were analysed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: Compared with natural recovery, the combination of 100 mg/kg sodium butyrate + 50% SSP significantly restored colonic sIgA levels (p< 0.05) and MUC2 levels, indicating an improvement in intestinal mucosal barrier function. Histological analysis revealed that the combination of 100 mg/kg sodium butyrate + 50% SSP improved renal inflammation and restored intestinal villus length and crypt depth. The combination therapy controlled the relative abundance of Corynebacterium while restoring Dwaynesavagella and Megasphaera_A. Correlation analysis indicated that Mammaliicoccus and Corynebacterium were significantly negatively correlated with sIgA and MUC2 levels and that their relative abundances were inhibited by the combination therapy. Conclusion: Sodium butyrate enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of SSP. The combination therapy effectively repaired damaged kidneys and intestines and alleviated diarrhea with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome by modulating the relative abundance of intestinal microbiota and enhancing intestinal immunity as well as mucosal barrier function. The interaction between the intestinal microbiota and intestinal mucosal protective factors may be a key mechanism in the combined treatment of diarrhea with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the combined therapeutic effects of sodium propionate and Sishen Pill and to provide experimental evidence supporting their mode of action. Methods: The method utilized involved the induction of a mouse model of Diarrhea with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome by administering adenine combined with Folium sennae. After the successful establishment of the model, the mice in the model group were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: natural recovery group, sodium propionate group, 75% Sishen Pill combined with 60 mg/kg sodium propionate group, or Sishen Pill group. Results: The 75% Sishen Pill combined with 60 mg/kg sodium propionate demonstrated significantly better therapeutic effects compared to the Sishen Pill alone and sodium propionate alone groups. The combined treatment significantly improved the behavioral indices of mice (p < 0.05); increased the levels of MUC2 and sIgA (p < 0.01); reduced IL-6 levels (p < 0.05); and improved structural damage in the kidneys and small intestines. Intestinal microbiota analysis showed that 75% Sishen Pill combined with 60 mg/kg sodium propionate significantly increased beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus (p < 0.05), while Prevotellamassilia and Maribacter were significantly enriched in this group. Correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus and Pediococcus were positively correlated with MUC2 and sIgA, while negatively correlated with IL-6. Conclusion: The 75% Sishen Pill combined with 60 mg/kg sodium propionate significantly alleviates symptoms related to Diarrhea with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome, enhances the efficacy of Sishen Pill by regulating the intestinal microbiota, boosts intestinal immune function, and reduces intestinal inflammation, providing a new approach for treating Diarrhea with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome.

Protecting brain health is one of the current focal points of public concern. Medicinal foods that promote brain health, such as Gastrodia elata Bl, black sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.), walnuts (Juglans regia L.), jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), Poria cocos, and Coix seeds, possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, as well as modulating effects on the intestinal microbiota. This study evaluated the effects of functional biscuits formulated with these medicinal foods on the intestinal mucosal microbiota, brain function, and antioxidant activity in mice. Forty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank control group (NG), low-dose functional biscuit group (GLG), medium-dose functional biscuit group (GMG), and high-dose functional biscuit group (GHG). After 42 days of continuous feeding with the functional biscuits, changes in the richness, diversity, and community structure of the intestinal mucosal microbiota were observed. Compared with the NG group, norepinephrine (NE) levels in the hippocampus significantly increased in the GLG, GMG, and GHG groups, while gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels showed no significant difference. In the GMG and GHG groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver significantly decreased, and acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) levels in the hippocampus significantly increased. Additionally, multiple bacterial genera were found to be correlated with the NE, ChAT, and MDA levels. These findings indicate that functional biscuits have effects on modulating the intestinal mucosal microbiota composition, enhancing brain function, and exhibiting antioxidant activity, making them a beneficial functional food for brain health.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the effects of Polygonatum fermented liquor (PFL) on improving lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in mice by regulating the gut microbiota.Methods: Forty SPF-grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (NC), general liquor group (GC), fresh Polygonatum fermented liquor group (FPC), and nine-steam-nine-bask Polygonatum fermented liquor group (NPC). Each group was administered with sterile water, general liquor, fresh Polygonatum fermented liquor, and nine-steam-nine-bask Polygonatum fermented liquor, respectively, by gavage. The mice's liver, brain tissue, serum, and intestinal contents were collected. The indicators of oxidative stress in the liver, four blood lipid indicators, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain tissue were measured, liver hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed, and the gut microbiota in the small intestine were analyzed using 16S rRNA second-generation sequencing technology.Results: Compared with the NC group, the NPC group showed significantly increased liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) content in mice (p < 0.05), reduced number of lipid droplets in the liver cells, and increased GABA and BDNF content in the brain tissues. The NPC group regulated lipid metabolism by lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content in the mouse serum. Gut microbiota analysis showed significant changes in the gut microbiota of mice in the FPC and NPC groups, with increased richness and species diversity. These two groups increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, unclassified Muribaculaceae, unclassified Bacilli, and uncultured Bacteroidales bacterium while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Candidatus Arthromitus, and Staphylococcus, with a particularly significant reduction in Staphylococcus (p < 0.05). It is speculated that the two types of PFL may exert lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects by modulating the abundance of these dominant bacteria. Further studies showed that various environmental factors are closely related to the dominant gut bacteria. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly negatively correlated with Lactobacillus and unclassified Bacilli, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly negatively correlated with Staphylococcus (p < 0.01) and significantly negatively correlated with Candidatus Arthromitus (p < 0.05), and HDL-C was significantly negatively correlated with Staphylococcus and Facklamia (p < 0.05).Discussion: The two types of PFL chosen in this study may exert lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects by modulating the composition and function of the gut microbiota, providing guidance for the industrial application of Polygonatum.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of diarrhea induced by a high-fat and high-protein diet on lactase-producing bacteria in the intestinal contents of mice from the perspective of diarrhea-related genes. Materials and Methods: Ten specific pathogen-free Kunming male mice were chosen and randomly divided into the normal group and model group. The mice in the normal group were fed with high-fat and high-protein diet plus gavage of vegetable oil, while those in the model group were fed with general diet plus gavage of distilled water. After successful modeling, the distribution and diversity of lactaseproducing bacteria in the intestinal contents were characterized by metagenomic sequencing technology. Results: After high-fat and high-protein diet intervention, Chao1, observed species index, and operational taxonomic units number decreased in the model group (P > .05), while the Shannon, Simpson, Pielou’s evenness, and Goods coverage indices increased (P > .05). The principal coordinate analysis showed that the composition of lactase-producing bacteria differed between the normal group and model group (P < .05). The lactase-producing bacterial source in the intestinal contents of mice was Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, of which Actinobacteria was the most abundant phylum. At the genus level, both groups had their unique genera, respectively. Compared to the normal group, the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Rhizobium, and Sphingobium increased, while Lachnoclostridium, Lactobacillus, Saccharopolyspora, and Sinorhizobium decreased in the model group. Conclusion: High-fat and high-protein diet altered the structure of lactase-producing bacteria in the intestinal contents, elevating the abundance of dominant lactase-producing bacteria, while decreasing the richness of lactase-producing bacteria, which may further induce the occurrence of diarrhea. Cite this article as: Zhou K, Peng M, Tan Z, Xiao N. Diarrhea caused by high-fat and high-protein diet was associated with intestinal lactase-producing bacteria. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2023;34(7):691-699.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Baohe pill decoction (BPD) on microbial, lactase activity, and lactase-producing bacteria in the intestinal mucosa of mice with diarrhea induced by high-fat and high-protein diet (HFHPD).Methods: Thirty male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into normal (NM), model (MD), and BPD groups. Diarrhea models were manufactured using HFHPD combined with a gavage of vegetable oil. At the end of modeling, the BPD group was given BPD (6.63 g·kg⁻¹d⁻¹) intervention twice daily for 3 d. The NM and MD groups were given equal amounts of sterile water. Subsequently, the intestinal mucosa of the mice was collected, one portion was used for microbial and lactase activity measurement, and the other portion was used for its lactase-producing bacterial characteristics by high-throughput sequencing technology.Results: Our results showed that microbial and lactase activity of intestinal mucosa decreased significantly following diarrhea in mice (P_microbial < 0.05, P_lactase < 0.001). After BPD intervention, microbial and lactase activity increased significantly (P < 0.01). The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), richness, and diversity index of lactase-producing bacteria increased in the BPD group compared to the MD group (P > 0.05), and the community structure were significant differences (P < 0.01). Compared to other groups, Saccharopolyspora, Rhizobium, Cedecea, and Escherichia were enriched in the BPD group. Notably, the relative abundance of the dominant lactase-producing genus Bifidobacterium decreased after BPD intervention.Discussion: The mechanism of BPD in relieving diarrhea induced by HFHPD is closely related to the promotion of lactase activity in the intestinal mucosa, which may be achieved by regulating the structure of lactase-producing bacteria.

Background: Excessive fat and protein in food can cause diarrhea by disturbing the intestinal microecology. Lactase is a functional enzyme strongly associated with diarrhea, while lactase bacteria in the intestine are an important source of microbial lactase. Therefore, we reconnoiter the relationship between diarrhea induced by a high-fat and high-protein diet (HFHPD) and intestinal mucosal lactase bacteria from the perspective of functional genes. Result: Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were 23 and 31 in the normal group (NM) and model group (MD), respectively, and 11 of these were identical. The Chao1 and Observed specie indexes in the MD were higher than those in the NM, but this was not significant (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and Adonis test showed that the community structures of lactase bacteria in NM and MD were significantly different (P < 0.05). In taxonomic composition, lactase bacteria on the intestinal mucosa were sourced from Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Where Actinobacteria were higher in NM, and Proteobacteria were higher in MD. At the genus level, Bifidobacterium was the dominant genus (over 90% of the total). Compared to NM, the abundance of Bifidobacterium were lower in MD, while MD added sources for lactase bacteria of Rhizobium, Amycolatopsis, and Cedecea. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that HFHPD altered the community structure of lactase bacteria in the intestinal mucosa, decreased the abundance of the critical lactase bacteria, and promoted the occurrence of diarrhea.