XiangshaLiujunzi decoction alleviates the symptoms of functional dyspepsia by regulating brain-gut axis and production of neuropeptides.

Jing Liu,Xin Ma,Feng Li,Xu-Dong Tang,Jie Ma,Yong Wang,Dong-Yu Ge,Gen-Mao Li

doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0913-z

Abstract

BackgroundChinese medicine xiangshaliujunzi decoction (XSLJZD) plays a key role in treating functional dyspepsia (FD), a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder. However, the mechanism of this disease is unclear. Brain–gut axis regulates food intake behaviour, and this regulatory mechanism is mediated by neuropeptides. Brain–gut axis impairment and neuropeptide alteration may be the pathological mechanisms of FD, and brain–gut axis regulation may influence the action of medicine.MethodsIn our experiment, the effect of XSLJZD on FD was evaluated in terms of food intake, sucrose preference test and electromyogram. Changes in neuropeptides [ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)] were detected through immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and ELISA.ResultsXSLJZD increased food intake and the percentage of sucrose preference (>75 %). However, the response to gastric detention decreased. Furthermore, XSLJZD increased ghrelin, CCK, VIP proteins and genes in the stomach. XSLJZD also increased ghrelin, CCK and VIP proteins in serum. By contrast, XSLJZD decreased the mRNA expression of these neuropeptides in the hypothalamus.ConclusionsXSLJZD alleviated the symptoms of FD by upregulating the production of ghrelin, CCK and VIP and by increasing the levels of these neuropeptides in circulation. This finding can help elucidate the mechanism of FD and can provide further insight into the pharmacokinetics of XSLJZD.

Highlights

Chinese medicine xiangshaliujunzi decoction (XSLJZD) plays a key role in treating functional dyspepsia (FD), a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder
We studied the mechanism of the modified XSLJZD on the perspective of the brain–gut axis and neuropeptides
XSLJZD increased the percentage of sucrose consumption (>75 %) of rats with FD In the sucrose preference test, no significant difference was observed in terms of sucrose and water intake among the groups (P > 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Chinese medicine xiangshaliujunzi decoction (XSLJZD) plays a key role in treating functional dyspepsia (FD), a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common clinical gastrointestinal disorder characterised by persistent or recurrent pain and discomfort. This discomfort is mainly experienced in the upper abdomen without evidence of organic structural abnormalities associated with these symptoms. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the nervous system, including CNS and enteric nervous system (ENS), are involved in a two-way extrinsic communication by parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. These nerves contain efferent fibres and afferent sensory fibres required for gut–brain signalling. Afferent nerves comprise many sensors at the terminals in the gut related to visceral mechano-, chemo-, and

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