Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai Formula Improves Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diets

Zhen Wang,Jingwei Zhou,Liang Peng,Junfeng Lu,Yaoxian Wang,Weihong Chen,Yingbo Guo,Yabin Gao,Zhongjie Liu,Weiwei Sun,Ruibing Yang,Sinan Ai,Yang Qiu,Wei Jing Liu

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2020.564376

Abstract

Obesity and related metabolic disorders are associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, disrupted intestinal barrier and chronic inflammation. Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (SYFSF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula composed of Astragali Radix, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rheum Officinale Baill, and four other herbs. In this study, we identified that SYFSF treatment prevented weight gain, low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. SYFSF also substantially improved gut barrier function, reduced metabolic endotoxemia, as well as systemic inflammation. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes obtained from fecal samples demonstrated that SYFSF attenuated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, seen an decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios. Microbial richness and diversity were also higher in the SYFSF-treated HFD group. Furthermore, similar therapeutic effects and changes in gut microbiota profile caused by SYFSF could be replicated by fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). Taken together, our study highlights the efficacy of SYFSF in preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders. Its therapeutic effect is associated with the modulation of gut microbiota, as a prebiotic.

Highlights

Obesity and related metabolic disorders have become a major global health issue (Morgen and Sorensen, 2014; Arroyo-Johnson and Mincey, 2016; Chooi et al, 2019)
Glucose tolerance test (GTT) revealed glucose intolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, which were reversed by Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (SYFSF) (Figures 1E,F)
These data show that the SYFSF administration alleviates HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance, and the effects are not due to reduced food consumption

Summary

Introduction

Obesity and related metabolic disorders have become a major global health issue (Morgen and Sorensen, 2014; Arroyo-Johnson and Mincey, 2016; Chooi et al, 2019). SYFSF Prevents Gut Dysbiosis and Obesity fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Fan et al, 2017; Verma and Hussain, 2017; Koliaki et al, 2019). The previous study showed that Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (SYFSF), composing of Astragali radix, Radix angelicae sinensis, Rheum officinale Baill and four other herbs reduced levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic mice (Lv et al, 2017). It is unknown whether SYFSF is effective for obesityrelated disorders

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