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Ping weisan alleviates chronic colitis in mice by regulating intestinal microbiota composition
Zecai Zhang1, Hongyang Cao2, Peng Shen2
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|March 2, 2020
Summary
Ping weisan (PWS) alleviates chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice by rebalancing gut bacteria. This traditional Chinese medicine reduces inflammation and improves gut barrier function, offering a novel therapeutic approach for UC.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ping weisan (PWS), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) in preclinical models.
- Previous research confirmed PWS's therapeutic potential in managing UC symptoms in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective mechanisms of PWS against chronic UC in mice.
- To determine if PWS regulates intestinal microbiota composition to exert its anti-ulcerative colitis effects.
Main Methods:
- Chronic colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using DSS in drinking water.
- Mice were treated with PWS (8 g/kg) orally throughout the experiment.
- Key parameters assessed included body weight, stool consistency, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels (IL-17A, IFN-γ), fecal microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing), intestinal tight junction protein (occludin), and serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels.
Main Results:
- PWS treatment significantly improved body weight, stool consistency, and reduced MPO activity in DSS-induced colitis mice.
- PWS administration led to decreased levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ mRNA, indicating reduced inflammation.
- PWS modulated intestinal microbiota, decreasing Bacteroidetes and increasing Firmicutes, while also restoring occludin levels and reducing serum LPS.
Conclusions:
- PWS demonstrates significant anti-ulcerative colitis effects in a mouse model.
- The therapeutic action of PWS is attributed to its ability to rebalance intestinal bacteria and restore gut barrier integrity.
- PWS represents a promising therapeutic agent for managing chronic ulcerative colitis by modulating the gut microbiome.
