Modulating effect of Xuanfei Baidu granule on host metabolism and gut microbiome in rats

Abstract

Xuanfei Baidu granule (XFBD) is a recommended patented drug for the prevention and treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is approved by the National Medical Products Administration. XFBD suppresses the over-activated immune response caused by inflammatory factor storms in COVID-19 infection. The intestine plays a crucial role in the immune system. The mass spectrometry based fecal metabolomics with 16S rDNA sequencing were combined to evaluate the effects of XFBD on host metabolism and gut microbiome. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents in fecal matter were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Plasma samples were used to detect immune and inflammatory levels. The results were verified with a rat model of intestinal disorder. Results indicated that XFBD could increase the immune level of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) (p < 0.05). The OPLS-DA analysis results showed that a total of 271 differential metabolites (178 up-regulated and 93 down-regulated) were identified based on the VIP ≥1, p < 0.05, FC ≥ 2 and FC ≤ 0.5. The metabolic pathways mainly involved D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis, Biotin metabolism, et al. XFBD modified the gut bacteria structure according to the principal component analysis (PCA), that is, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 5 orders, 11 families and 14 genera were significantly different based on taxonomic assignment. In addition, it could partially callback the relative abundance of intestinal microflora in bacterial disorder rats caused by antibiotics. It is suggested that the intervention mechanism of XFBD might be related to the regulation of intestinal flora composition. The evidence obtained in the study provides a useful reference for understanding the mechanism of XFBD.

“Three medicines and three formulas” in COVID-19: from bench to bedside

“…XFBD increased the immune levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM), modified the gut bacteria structure according to principal component analysis, and partially restored the relative abundance of intestinal microflora in rats with bacterial disorder caused by antibiotics. The mechanism of action of XFBD may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora composition [95] . The important active chemical components in XFBD, such as I-SPD, pachypodol and vestitol, reduce the inflammatory response and apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3, and reduce the production of inflammatory factors and the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells by inhibiting the activation of colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2).…”