Total glycosides contribute to the anti-diarrheal effects of Qiwei Baizhu Powder via regulating gut microbiota and bile acids

Abstract

Qiwei Baizhu Powder (QWBZP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating diarrhea induced by various causes. It elicits an anti-diarrheal effect by regulating the gut microbiota (diversity, structure, and abundance). However, the contribution of different components in the QWBZP decoction to this effect remains unclear. In this study, we used the QWBZP decoction as a reference standard to investigate the effects of total glycosides (TGs) extracted from QWBZP decoction on the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in mice with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the effect of total glycosides of Qiwei Baizhu Powder (QWBZP-TG) on specific intestinal bacteria and bile acids was similar to that of the QWBZP decoction, but the intensity of this effect was more significant in the case of QWBZP-TG. The QWBZP decoction and QWBZP-TG promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus and inhibited the growth of Proteus, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Facklamia, and Escherichia in AAD mice. They also increased the levels of deoxycholic acid and beta-muricholic acid and decreased those of taurocholate acid, tauro-alpha-muricholic acid, and tauro-beta-muricholic acid in AAD mice. Lactobacillus was the key bacterial genus responding to QWBZP-TG. Thus, this study provides novel insights into the bioactive components of QWBZP and their contribution to its effects.

Ameliorative effect of Aconite aqueous extract on diarrhea is associated with modulation of the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

“…Under the guidance of the basic theories of TCM, a variety of diarrhea models have been established over the years. Diarrhea is associated with disorders of the gut microbiota and of BA metabolism ( Joyce and Gahan, 2017 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Wan et al, 2021 ; Xie et al, 2022 ). At present, folium sennae and rhubarb, categorized as “bitter-cold” based on their taste and properties under TCM theory, are the Chinese medicines most used to simulate diarrhea in animal models.…”

“…BAs can affect gastrointestinal peristalsis and the secretion of water and mucus in the intestine ( Wei et al, 2020 ). BAs can also directly affect the gut microbiota through their antibacterial effects, or indirectly affect the gut microbiota through regulation of relevant receptors ( Nie et al, 2015 ; Xie et al, 2022 ). Disorders of the gut microbiota and of BA metabolism have been found to occur in antibiotic-associated diarrhea ( Wan et al, 2021 ; Xie et al, 2022 ), diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome ( Duboc et al, 2012 ; Joyce and Gahan, 2017 ; Li et al, 2018 ), and inflammatory bowel disease ( Hu et al, 2021 ).…”

“…BAs can also directly affect the gut microbiota through their antibacterial effects, or indirectly affect the gut microbiota through regulation of relevant receptors ( Nie et al, 2015 ; Xie et al, 2022 ). Disorders of the gut microbiota and of BA metabolism have been found to occur in antibiotic-associated diarrhea ( Wan et al, 2021 ; Xie et al, 2022 ), diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome ( Duboc et al, 2012 ; Joyce and Gahan, 2017 ; Li et al, 2018 ), and inflammatory bowel disease ( Hu et al, 2021 ). Thus, the gut microbiota and BAs play a significant role in diarrhea, and the regulation of both is an important strategy in the treatment of diarrhea.…”

Effects of sweeteners on host physiology by intestinal mucosal microbiota: Example-addition sweeteners in Qiweibaizhu Powder on intestinal mucosal microbiota of mice with antibiotic-associated diarrhea

“…Gut dysbiosis promotes the horizontal transfer of resistance genes and fuels the evolution of drug-resistant pathogens and their spread. QWBZP contains flavonoids, amino acids, sterols, and other active ingredients, which are essential to inhibit harmful microbiota, promote the proliferation of beneficial microbiota and regulate the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract ( 19 , 26 , 27 ). In this study, mn and mm groups’ intestinal mucosal microbial structures were different, and the intestinal mucosal microbial diversity of mm group mice showed an increasing trend.…”

Qingrequzhuo capsule alleviated methionine and choline deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice through regulating gut microbiota, enhancing gut tight junction and inhibiting the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

“…Jianganxiaozhi formula improved the liver inflammatory response in NAFLD rats by regulating the abundance of Alloprevotella , Lactobacillus , and Turicibacter in the gastrointestinal tract to reduce the gut mucosal permeability in rats ( 17 ). Qiwei Baizhu Powder can treat diarrhea\ through promoting the proliferation of Lactobacillus and downregulating the abundances of Proteus , Clostridium , Eubacterium , Facklamia , and Escherichia ( 18 – 20 ). The combination of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Coptis chinensis Franch could increase the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria such as Bacteroidales S24-7 group_norank , Parasutterella , Prevotellaceae UCG-001 , Ruminiclostridium , and Ruminiclostridium in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats ( 21 ).…”