Abstract
BackgroundShen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SLBZS) regulates inflammation and gut microbiota which are associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn)-induced pneumonia. So, we studied the therapeutic effect of SLBZS and evaluated whether gut microbiota is associated with the effects of SLBZS in improving Spn-induced pneumonia.MethodsSpn-induced pneumonia NIH mice were treated by SLBZS and cefixime. A CT scan was performed and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung homogenates was determined using the MPO Colorimetric Assay Kit. Inflammation levels in lung homogenates were measured using ELISA. Bacterial load was coated on a TSAII sheep blood agar. Intestinal gut microbiota information was analyzed according to sequencing libraries.ResultsSLBZS decreased bacterial load, reduced wet/dry weight ratio, inhibited myeloperoxidase activity, reduced the neutrophils count, and ameliorated lung injury. Furthermore, SLBZS inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, and interferon-γ secretion and enhanced IL-10 secretion. These results suggest that SLBZS ameliorates lung injury in mice with Spn-induced pneumonia. Moreover, SLBZS reduced inflammatory cytokine levels in a concentration-dependent manner and increased gut microbiota abundance and diversity. After SLBZS treatment, bacteria such as Epsilonbacteraeota, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Patescibacteria were significantly reduced, while Tenericutes and Firmicutes were significantly increased.ConclusionSLBZS ameliorates inflammation, lung injury, and gut microbiota in mice with S. pneumoniae-induced pneumonia.
Highlights
Shen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SLBZS) regulates inflammation and gut microbiota which are associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn)-induced pneumonia
The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of SLBZS on Spn-induced pneumonia National Institutes of Health (NIH) mice, as well as whether gut microbiota is associated with the effects of SLBZS in Spn-induced pneumonia improvement
Cefixime and medium- and high-SLBZS treatment significantly reduced the neutrophils count while had no significantly effect on total protein, eosinophils, and basophil in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (Fig. 3). These results suggest that SLBZS treatment reduced lung injury, MPO activity, and neutrophils count in a concentration-dependent manner
Summary
Shen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SLBZS) regulates inflammation and gut microbiota which are associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn)-induced pneumonia. TCM therapy alone or in combination with antibiotics reduces treatment failure, time to clinical stability, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality and improves quality of life in community acquired pneumonia patients [9, 10]. A clinic trial showed that Oral probiotic preparation containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus spp. decreased the length of ICU and hospital stay and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia [18]. It remains unclear whether SLBZS can improve lung injury and treat Spn-induced pneumonia via regulating gut microbiota
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