Yichang Tongmi Tang improves constipation in mice by regulating the structure of gut microbiota
HUANG Ling，ZHANG Xiao-yu，NING Jie
Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan (430061), China.
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of Yichang Tongmi Tang (YCTMT) on the gut barrier function and gut microbiota structure in constipated mice. Methods Forty 8-week-old Balb/c mice were used to establish a constipation model by subcutaneous injection of loperamide. 40 mice were randomly divided into four groups (10 mice in each group): control group, model group, YCTMT group and Mosapride citrate group (mosapride group). The constipation model was established by continuous daily subcutaneous injection of loperamide (10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks in the model group, the YCTMT group and the mosapride group. The general condition, fecal parameters and intestinal propulsion rate of mice in each group were observed. The pathological changes of colonic tissue and Claudin-1 expression level were detected by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry respectively, and the changes of gut microbiota were detected by 16S rDNA technique. Results Compared with the control group, the weight of the model group decreased continuously; the number of fecal particles, fecal water content and intestinal propulsion rate decreased (P < 0.05); the colon muscle layer thinned, the number of cup-shaped cells decreased, and the expression of Claudin-1 decreased. After the treatment of YCTMT, the weight loss of constipated mice was regained; the number of fecal particles, fecal water content and intestinal propulsion rate were close to control group. YCTMT improved the degree of structural destruction of colonic tissues and increased the expression of Claudin-1. The results of sequencing of gut microbiota showed that YCTMT inhibited the upregulation of Firmicutes and downregulation of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. At the genus level, YCTMT decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroides and increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcus and Blautia. The linear discriminant analysis (LEfSe) and LDA scores showed that the dominant microbiota at the genus level of YCTMT was mainly Prevotella, Akkermansia, and Blautia. Conclusion YCTMT alleviate Loperamide induced constipation in mice by repairing the intestinal tissue barrier and improving the gut microbiota structure in mice.
