Abstract
Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD) is a newly developed, effective traditional Chinese herbal formulation for ulcerative colitis (UC). In earlier studies, we found that QCWZD could relieve the clinical symptoms of UC patients, reduce inflammation, and improve the intestinal barrier function in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced UC rats. However, the relationship between QCWZD and the gut microbiota in colitis was not clarified. In this study, we established a rat model of DSS-induced UC and then investigated the regulatory effects of QCWZD on the gut microbiota using 16S rRNA analysis. We also determined the expression of NLRP12 after QCWZD administration. Our findings suggested that QCWZD administration could modulate gut microbiota composition and selectively promote the protective strains such as Butyricimonas, Blautia, and Odoribacter, whereas the enteric pathogens including Clostridium and Dorea were significantly reduced after QCWZD treatment. It is noteworthy that QCWZD administration was identified to promote gut microbiota-mediated NLRP12 expression by inhibiting the activity of the TLR4/Blimp-1 axis. In conclusion, our study supports the potential of QCWZD administration as a beneficial therapeutic strategy for UC.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a major clinical phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease, is an immunological disorder affecting mainly the rectum and colon
Our previous studies found that Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD) could relieve the clinical symptoms of UC patients [5, 6], reduce inflammation, and improve the intestinal barrier function in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)induced UC rats [7, 8]
The dysbiosis of gut microbiota contributes to the pathogenesis of UC by causing intestinal inflammatory responses and damaging the intestinal mucosal barrier [12, 28]
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC), a major clinical phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease, is an immunological disorder affecting mainly the rectum and colon. This disease seriously influences the quality of life of millions of patients throughout the world [1]. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of flexible medication and less toxic and side effects, so it is widely used in the treatment of UC and especially plays a key role in regulating the gut microbiota. Traditional Herbal Medicine-Derived Sulforaphene LFS-01 demonstrated a significant effect on UC by selectively altering the gut microbiota and promoting intestinal gamma-delta T cells [4]. Qingchang Wenzhong Decoction (QCWZD) is a potent traditional Chinese herbal
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