Wei-dong granules ameliorate functional dyspepsia via multi-targeted gut-brain axis modulation

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with complex causes and few treatment options.
• Wei-Dong Granules (WDGs) are clinically effective for FD, but their mechanisms are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of WDGs on a rat model of functional dyspepsia.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying WDG treatment in FD.

Main Methods:

• Established an FD rat model and treated with WDGs, assessing gastric motility, hormones, and inflammation.
• Utilized UPLC-MS for WDG chemical profiling, transcriptomics for gastric tissues, and gut microbiota analysis.
• Integrated multi-omics data and validated mechanisms using histological and molecular techniques.

Main Results:

• WDGs significantly improved FD symptoms, enhanced gastric emptying, and reduced gastric damage.
• WDGs modulated gut microbiota, increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and activated the gut-brain axis.
• WDGs regulated gastrointestinal hormones, reduced inflammation, and promoted gastric mucosal repair.

Conclusions:

• WDGs treat FD by orchestrating gut microbiota-SCFA-gut-brain axis signaling.
• WDGs enhance gastric motility, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and promote mucosal repair.
• This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical use of WDGs in FD therapy.