Chinese yam starch and non-starch polysaccharides alleviated antibiotic-associated diarrhea by ameliorating intestinal inflammation and regulating intestinal microbiotas

Yam is a typical food and can also be used as traditional medicine in treating diarrhea. Yam non-starch polysaccharides (SYP) and starch (SYS) are the most abundant ingredients in yam. The present study aimed to study the antidiarrheal effects and potential mechanisms of SYP and SYS on antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) rats.

A rat model of antibiotic-associated diarrhea was prepared by orally administering a mixed antibiotic solution once a day for 10 consecutive days. Then, the rats were orally administered with SYS and SYP once a day for 7 consecutive days to treat antibiotic associated diarrhea. Fecal water content, colonic histopathology, inflammatory cytokines and intestinal microbiotas were used to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect and elucidate the potential mechanism. SYP and SYS reduced the fecal water content, improved the integrity of the colonic mucosa and alleviated the colonic inflammatory response of AAD rats. Moreover, SYP and SYS significantly increased the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiotas in AAD rats. The relative abundance of Enterococcus, Lachnoclostridium, Bacteroides, Clostridioides, Clostridiales_unclassified, Serratia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group had significantly changed in the model (antibiotic control) group. The abundance of Enterococcus, Bacteroides, Clostridioides, Clostridiales_unclassified, Serratia and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group was restored after treatment with SYS. The abundance of Enterococcus, Clostridioides and Serratia was recalled after SYP treatment.

SYS and SYP could improve antibiotic-associated diarrhea by ameliorating the colon inflammatory response and rebuilding intestinal microbiotas. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.