Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Study on Baohe Pills Regulating Intestinal Microecology and Treating Diarrhea of High-Fat and High-Protein Diet Mice
KangXiao Guo1, YongWang Yan1, ChaoFeng Zeng1
1Changsha Health Vocational College, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of Baohe pills on intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activities in mice with a high-fat and high-protein diet.
Methods:
45 KM male mice were randomly divided into the control group, the high-fat and high-protein diet group, and the Baohe pill intervention group. The mice in the high-fat and high-protein diet group and the Baohe pill intervention group were fed with the self-made high-fat and high-protein diet as the sole food source of the mice, and the mice in the control group were fed with the normal diet. Starting from the 7th day of the feed intervention, mice in the Baohe pill intervention group were given 0.28 g/mL of Baohe pill decoction twice a day at the dose of 6.67 g/(kg·day), each time of 0.35 mL for 6 days. Mice in the control group and the high-fat and high-protein diet group were given the same amount of distilled water by gavage. The general state of mice in each group was observed, and the changes of intestinal microorganisms and intestinal enzyme activities were analyzed by culturable microorganism technology and intestinal functional enzyme detection technology.
Results:
The excrement of mice fed with a high-fat and high-protein diet was relatively thin and wet, and the Baohe pill intervention could not improve the symptoms well. In the high-fat and high-protein diet group, the number of bacteria, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Baohe pills could obviously increase the high-fat, high-protein diet for the number of culturable microorganisms in mice, the total number of bacteria, and the number of Bifidobacteria in the most significant (P < 0.01), but the number of bacteria, Escherichia coli, and the Lactobacillus are still significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). In terms of enzyme activity, both contents and mucosa, the Baohe pill could improve the activities of amylase, protease, sucrase, and lactase in high-fat and high-protein diet mice, which were significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of microbial activity, the intestinal contents of high-fat and high-protein mice were lower than those of the control group, while the intestinal mucosa was higher than that of the control group, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Baohe pills could improve the intestinal contents and intestinal mucosal microbial activity of mice, and the difference was significant in the high-fat and high-protein diet group (P < 0.05). Discussion. A high-fat and high-protein diet can destroy the physiological balance of the body, which is mainly reflected in the disturbance of intestinal flora and the decrease of some enzyme activities and microbial activity. Baohe pills can restore the number of intestinal flora to a certain extent and improve the activities of various digestive enzymes including protease and amylase.
Insights
Baohe pills partially restored intestinal flora and improved digestive enzyme activity in mice fed a high-fat, high-protein diet. The intervention increased beneficial Bifidobacteria but did not fully normalize Escherichia coli or Lactobacillus levels.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- High-fat and high-protein diets can disrupt the gut microbiome and impair digestive enzyme function.
- Maintaining a balanced intestinal flora is crucial for overall health and proper digestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Baohe pills on the intestinal microbial community and enzyme activities in mice subjected to a high-fat and high-protein diet.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of Baohe pills in mitigating diet-induced gut dysbiosis.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 45 male KM mice divided into control, high-fat/high-protein diet, and Baohe pill intervention groups.
- Analysis of intestinal microorganisms and enzyme activities using culturable microorganism technology and functional enzyme detection.
- Baohe pill decoction administered orally to the intervention group for 6 days.
Main Results:
- High-fat/high-protein diet significantly reduced total bacteria, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium counts compared to controls.
- Baohe pills increased culturable microorganisms and Bifidobacteria but did not restore E. coli or Lactobacillus to control levels.
- Baohe pills significantly improved amylase, protease, sucrase, and lactase activities in mice on the high-fat/high-protein diet.
Conclusions:
- Baohe pills can partially restore intestinal flora balance and enhance digestive enzyme activities in mice with diet-induced gut disturbances.
- The findings suggest Baohe pills may offer a beneficial intervention for managing the gastrointestinal effects of high-fat, high-protein diets.

