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Published on: July 25, 2017
Microbiome analysis reveals gut microbiota alteration in mice with the effect of matrine
Haigang Wu1, Qiong Chen1, Jinni Liu1
1College of Animal Science and VeterinaryMedicine, Xinyang Agriculture And Forestry University, Xinyang, China.
Abstract:
Mounting evidence revealed the negative effects of abuse of antibiotic including the induction of decreased immunity and dysbacteriosis. Matrine displayed multiple beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial, but studies of its influence on gut microbiota are still insufficient to report. Here, the present study was conducted to investigate the influence of matrine on the gut microbiota of mice and amoxicillin was used as a positive control. A total of 21 cecal samples were obtained from seven groups for high-throughput sequencing analysis based on V3-V4 variable region of 16S rRNA genes. Results revealed that the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in mice gradually decreased with the increase of the concentration of amoxicillin, whereas matrine administration did not effect the intestinal microbial community structure. Additionally, amoxicillin and matrine supplementation also caused significant changes in the relative abundance of some intestinal bacteria. Specifically, the ratio of Klebsiella and Corynebacterium_1, Bacteroides and Parasutterella in the amoxicillin treated-group were increased as compared to the control group, whereas Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Alistipes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased. Conversely, matrine administration significantly increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Ruminiclostridium_9, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Ruminococcaceae_unclassified. In conclusion, amoxicillin administration could change the microbial community composition and structure by increasing the proportion of pathogenic to beneficial bacteria, whereas matrine could increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical basis for finding alternatives to antibiotics to decrease bacterial resistance and intestinal flora imbalance.
Insights
Amoxicillin disrupts gut microbiota diversity and abundance, increasing harmful bacteria. Matrine, however, boosts beneficial gut bacteria, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics for maintaining gut health and reducing resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Gut Microbiome Research
Background:
- Antibiotic overuse negatively impacts immunity and gut microbiota (dysbacteriosis).
- Matrine exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, but its effects on gut microbiota are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of matrine on the gut microbiota composition in mice.
- To compare matrine's effects with amoxicillin, a commonly used antibiotic.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from cecal samples of mice across seven groups.
- Analysis of gut microbial community structure, diversity, and abundance.
Main Results:
- Amoxicillin decreased gut microbiota diversity and abundance, altering bacterial ratios (e.g., increased Klebsiella, decreased Lactobacillus).
- Matrine did not significantly alter overall microbial community structure but increased beneficial bacteria (e.g., Ruminiclostridium_9, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group).
Conclusions:
- Amoxicillin alters gut microbiota by favoring pathogenic over beneficial bacteria.
- Matrine promotes beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting potential as a safer alternative to antibiotics for managing gut flora imbalance and antibiotic resistance.
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