Background. Mongolian medicine is a systematic theoretical system, which is based on the balance among Heyi, Xila, and Badagan. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of intestinal microbiota and metabolites in different rat models of Mongolian medicine. Methods. After establishing rat models of Heyi, Xila, and Badagan, we integrated 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics. Results. Heyi, Xila, and Badagan rats had significantly altered intestinal microbial composition compared with rats in the MCK group. They showed 11, 18, and 8 significantly differential bacterial biomarkers and 22, 11, and 15 differential metabolites, respectively. The glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway was enriched only in Heyi rats; the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids pathway and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway were enriched only in Xila rats; the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway, the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism pathway, and the arginine and proline metabolism pathway were enriched only in Badagan rats. Conclusions. The intestinal microbiota, metabolites, and metabolic pathways significantly differed among Heyi, Xila, and Badagan rats compared with control group rats.

Objective. To explore the molecular mechanism by which oral S2-Ag85DNA vaccines present intestinal antigens. The oral S2-Ag85 vaccine has been shown to protect the human body and effectively improve the titration of the vaccine by acting on intestinal mucosa cells and enhancing their immunogenicity. Method. Mice were immunized with the recombinant S2-Ag85 vaccine, and antibody secretion was then detected in the intestinal tissue. The molecular mechanisms of in vitro detection sensor molecules RIG-1, Pol III, and related conductor transductor molecules DAI, STING, AIM2, IRF3, and IRF7 were determined by separating intestinal IEC, DC, and IELC cells. Results. The S2-Ag85A vaccine was effective in activating dsDNA and RNA transduction pathways in intestinal cells and improving intestinal antigen presentation in mice.

Objective. Heyi disease, Xila disease, and Badagan disease are three common diseases in Mongolian medicine. The changes in intestinal microbiota may be associated with the occurrence, development, and treatment of these diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of herbal treatment on intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites in rats with these three diseases. Methods. Firstly, Heyi, Xila, and Badagan disease model rats were established by environmental, diet, and drug intervention. Then, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analysis were used to analyze the changes in intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites after treatment. PICRUSt analysis was applied to predict the potential functions of intestinal microbiota, and OPLS-DA multivariate model was applied to screen differential serum metabolites. Results. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that herbal treatment significantly increased the species diversity and changed the composition of intestinal microbiota in Heyi disease and Xila disease rats. After treatment, there were 10, 9, and 3 bacterial biomarkers that were increased in Heyi, Xila, and Badagan disease rats, respectively. In the Heyi disease model, treatment resulted in 45 differential serum metabolites, involving 4 pathways. In the Badagan disease model, treatment resulted in 62 differential serum metabolites, involving 4 pathways. However, there was no significant difference in serum metabolites between TreatB and ConB in the Xila disease model. Conclusions. Herbal treatment significantly changed the intestinal microbiota and serum metabolites of rats with three Mongolian medicine diseases.