Advances in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy by modulating gut microbiota with traditional Chinese medicine

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is one of the strongest risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers(neuropathic ulcerations)and the existing ulcers may further deteriorate due to the damage to sensory neurons.Moreover,the resulting numbness in the limbs causes difficulty in discovering these ulcerations in a short time.DPN is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compounds such as Shenqi Dihuang Decoction,Huangkui Capsules and Qidi Tangshen Granules can reduce the clinical symptoms of diabetic nephropathy by modulating gut microbiota.The current review discusses whether TCM compounds can reduce the risk of DPN by improving gut microbiota.

Ecological Networks of Allometric Growth,Feeding Behavior and Gut Microbiota in Chinese Alligator Hatchlings

Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity are fragile and have a high mortality rate within first year.The body mass gain of reptile animals is closely related to their feeding behavior and gut microbiota.This study analyzed the intrinsic factors influencing the allometric growth of Chinese alligator hatchlings based on their body mass gain,feeding behavior,and gut microbiota.This information would enhance the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings.There was a significant correlation between the total distance moved,the average number of conspecifics nearby,and body mass gain.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater activity and more independent behavior during feeding than those with a lower growth rate.Moreover,after feeding started,some functions of the gut microbiota showed significant relationships with growth rate and feeding activity.Chinese alligator hatchlings with a greater growth rate showed greater levels of heme biosynthesis than those with a lower growth rate,and feeding activity was inhibited by long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis.These results elucidate the relationships between health,feeding behavior,and the gut microbiota of Chinese alligator hatchlings.Understanding the intrinsic factors of their health and feeding behavior can improve the health management of Chinese alligator hatchlings in captivity for conservation.

Challenges in integrating traditional Chinese medicine and gut microbiota research for insomnia treatment

The gut microbiome is an extensive variety of bacteria with a range of metabolic capabilities that can be pathogenic,beneficial,or opportunistic.Changes in the gut microbiota's composition can affect the link between gut integrity and host health as well as cause disruptions to numerous neurological systems.The second most prevalent mental health problem,insomnia has a negative social and economic impact.Currently,it is becoming increasingly obvious how crucial it is to preserve the delicate balance of gut microbiota to treat illness-related symptoms like insomnia.Although traditional Chinese medicine has proposed an effective strategy against insomnia through gut microbiota alteration in animal models,studies in human models are limited.This decreases the predictive value of the studies in terms of human outcomes.This editorial places an emphasis on cultural sensitivity rather than scientific reasoning that promotes the use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).We aim to emphasize the concern that promoting TCM could divert resources from conventional medical research,leading to suboptimal care.

Enhancing Clinical Efficacy through the Gut Microbiota: A New Field of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long history of playing a vital role in disease prevention, symptom alleviation, and health improvement. However, their complex ingredients and as-yetunknown mechanisms restrict their application. With increasing evidence indicating that the gut microbiota is important in host health and may be associated with the therapeutic activity of TCM components, it may now be possible to assess the effects of TCMs from the perspective of the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota functions within four major physiological pathways as follows: It participates in host metabolism, forms global immunity, maintains homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract, and affects brain function and host behavior. This article reviews the reported correlations between TCMs and certain diseases, such as chronic liver disease, ulcerative colitis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, and elucidates the underlying mechanisms, with a focus on changes in the gut microbiota. In future, further studies are required with more advanced experimental design in order to reveal the interactions between TCMs and the gut microbiota, and provide new insight into and guidance for TCM-based drug discovery.

Research progress in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis by regulating gut microbiota with traditional Chinese medicine

In recent years,it has been shown that the late development of severe acute pancreatitis is often accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis,leading to an increase of pancreatic necrosis and peripancreatic infection.Basic western medicine such as antibiotics can prevent infection but may disrupt the balance of gut microbiota.1As a treasure of traditional Chinese medicine,which has become one of the complementary and alternative therapy for gut microbiota disorder in severe acute pancreatitis.This article reviews the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis by regulating gut microbiota in multiple ways with traditional Chinese medicine,which would provide new approaches and ideas for clinical treatment of severe acute pancreatitis.

Promise of the gut microbiota in prevention and traditional Chinese medicine treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)has not been fully elucidated,and treatment options are limited.Currently,the main strategies for treating DPN are strict glycemic control and symptomatic pain relief.In this editorial,we comment on an article by Li et al,which suggested that modulating the gut microbiota using traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)may be a promising strategy for alleviating DPN symptoms.The regulation of the gut microbiota has received widespread attention in the study of various diseases.TCM can parti-cipate in the regulation of gut microbiota through multiple mechanisms,and this regulatory effect can alleviate the clinical symptoms of DPN.We briefly analyzed the promise of the gut microbiota in the early diagnosis,treatment,and clinical efficacy of TCM for DPN.The gut microbiota has potential value at multiple no-des in the occurrence and progression of DPN.

Molecular Mechanism of Polysaccharides Extracted from Chinese Medicine Targeting Gut Microbiota for Promoting Health

The accumulating evidence revealed that gut microbiota plays an important role in pathological process of disease including obesity,type 2 diabetes mellitus,heart failure,and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Polysaccharides extracted from Chinese medicine(CM)can not only alleviate pathological status but also promote health by anti-inflammatory,regulating immunity,lowering blood glucose and lipids,anti-cancer,and anti-oxidation.The alterations of gut microbiota composition and metabolism pathways are the potential mechanisms of CM polysaccharides treatment.In addition,they exert functions through gut-organ axis or play an indirect role by synergistic actions with other drugs or components mediated by gut microbiota.This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of CM polysaccharides interacted with intestinal microbial inhabitants as potential prebiotics forpromoting health.

From ancient wisdom to modern science:Gut microbiota sheds light on property theory of traditional Chinese medicine

The property theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years,playing a pivotal role in the clinical application of TCM. While advancements in energy metabolism,chemical composition analysis, machine learning, ion current modeling, and supercritical fluid technology have provided valuable insight into how aspects of TCM property theory may be measured, these studies only capture specific aspects of TCM property theory in isolation, overlooking the holistic perspective inherent in TCM. To systematically investigate the modern interpretation of the TCM property theory from multidimensional perspectives, we consulted the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition) to compile a list of Chinese materia medica(CMM). Then, using the Latin names of each CMM and gut microbiota as keywords, we searched the PubMed database for relevant research on gut microbiota and CMM. The regulatory patterns of different herbs on gut microbiota were then summarized from the perspectives of the four natures, the five flavors and the meridian tropism. In terms of the four natures, we found that warm-natured medicines promoted the colonization of specific beneficial bacteria,while cold-natured medicines boosted populations of some beneficial bacteria while suppressing pathogenic bacteria. Analysis of the five flavors revealed that sweet-flavored and bitter-flavored CMMs positively influenced beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful bacteria. CMMs with different meridian tropism exhibited complex modulative patterns on gut microbiota, with Jueyin(Liver) and Taiyin(Lung) meridian CMMs generally exerting a stronger effect. The gut microbiota may be a biological indicator for characterizing the TCM property theory, which not only enhances our understanding of classic TCM theory but also contributes to its scientific advancement and application in healthcare.

Oxidative stress bridges the gut microbiota and the occurrence of frailty syndrome

The incidence of frailty gradually increases with age.This condition places a heavy burden on modern society,of which the aging population is increasing.Frailty is one of the most complicated clinical syndromes;thus,it is difficult to uncover its underlying mechanisms.Oxidative stress(OS)is involved in frailty in multiple ways.The association between the gut microbiota(GM)and frailty was recently reported.Herein,we propose that OS is involved in the association between the GM and the occurrence of frailty syndrome.An imbalance between oxidation and antioxidants can eventually lead to frailty,and the GM probably participates in this process through the production of reactive oxygen species.On the other hand,OS can disturb the GM.Such dysbiosis consequently induces or exacerbates tissue damage,leading to the occurrence of frailty syndrome.Finally,we discuss the possibility of improving frailty by intervening in the vicious cycle between the imbalance of OS and dysbiosis.

Interactions between gut microbiota and berberine,a necessary procedure to understand the mechanisms of berberine

Berberine(BBR),an isoquinoline alkaloid,has been found in many plants,such as Coptis chinensis Franch and Phellodendron chinense Schneid.Although BBR has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects,its oral bioavailability is extremely low.In recent years,gut microbiota has emerged as a cynosure to understand the mechanisms of action of herbal compounds.Numerous studies have demonstrated that due to its low bioavailability,BBR can interact with the gut microbiota,thereby exhibiting altered pharmacological effects.However,no systematic and comprehensive review has summarized these interactions and their corresponding influences on pharmacological effects.Here,we describe the direct interactive relationships between BBR and gut microbiota,including regulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolism by BBR and metabolization of BBR by gut microbiota.In addition,the complex interactions between gut microbiota and BBR as well as the side effects and personalized use of BBR are discussed.Furthermore,we provide our viewpoint on future research directions regarding BBR and gut microbiota.This review not only helps to explain the mechanisms underlying BBR activity but also provides support for the rational use of BBR in clinical practice.

Analysis of Gut Fungal Community of Cows with Clinical Mastitis

Clinical Mastitis (CM) was one of the most common causes leading health disease in cows. In this article, we gave a new insight to gut fungal community of cows with CM. We chose two cows suffering from CM and four healthy cows from a local cow farm. We classified four healthy cows (H1, H2, H3, H4) into the control group and two cows (CM1, CM2) with CM into the case group. High-throughput sequencing was used to detect the difference of fungal community between the case group and the control group. The difference of gut fungi community was detected both at phylum and genus level. 4 phyla and 98 genera have been detected in the control group and the case group. At the phylum level, we found that the relative abundance of Basidiomycota in the case group was lower than that in the control group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Saccharomycetales-unclassified and Fungi-unclassified were both higher whereas the relative abundance of Pseudallescheria, Trichosporon, Microascaeae-unclassified, Candida and Scedosprium in the case group was lower compared with the healthy group. Totally, the diversity and abundance of gut fungal community in the case group were lower than the control group. In conclusion, there are some differences of gut fungal community between the control group and the case group and the insights from this study could be used to develop a microbiota-based diagnosis for CM.

An Evaluation Method of Human Gut Microbial Homeostasis by Testing Specific Fecal Microbiota

Research on microecology has been carried out with broad perspectives in recent decades,which has enabled a better understanding of the gut microbiota and its roles in human health and disease.It is of great significance to routinely acquire the status of the human gut microbiota;however,there is no method to evaluate the gut microbiome through small amounts of fecal microbes.In this study,we found ten predominant groups of gut bacteria that characterized the whole microbiome in the human gut from a large-sample Chinese cohort,constructed a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)method and developed a set of analytical approaches to detect these ten groups of predominant gut bacterial species with great maneuverability,efficiency,and quantitative features.Reference ranges for the ten predominant gut bacterial groups were established,and we found that the concentration and pairwise ratios of the ten predominant gut bacterial groups varied with age,indicating gut microbial dysbiosis.By comparing the detection results of liver cirrhosis(LC)patients with those of healthy control subjects,differences were then analyzed,and a classification model for the two groups was built by machine learning.Among the six established classification models,the model established by using the random forest algorithm achieved the highest area under the curve(AUC)value and sensitivity for predicting LC.This research enables easy,rapid,stable,and reliable testing and evaluation of the balance of the gut microbiota in the human body,which may contribute to clinical work.

脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死血清代谢组学研究

目的 分析脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死的血清代谢组学的影响。方法 纳入2018年3月—2022年12月医院收治的急性脑梗死患者126例作为研究对象,随机数字表法分为两组,对照组63例采用常规疗法,观察组63例在此基础上采用脑肠同调论针刺治疗,对比两组治疗效果、神经功能,炎症因子水平以及对血清代谢组学的影响。结果 观察组总有效率为96.83%(61/63),远高于对照组的80.96%(57/63),神经功能缺损评分(NIHSS)评分低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组白介素-17(Interleukin-17,IL-17)、超敏C反应蛋白(hypersensitive C-reactive protein, hs-CRP)、血浆氧化三甲胺(trimethylamine oxide, TMAO)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组苯丙氨酸、溶血卵磷脂、焦谷氨酸水平低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死效果明确,可减轻患者炎症反应,调节其肠道菌群代谢产物水平及氨基酸、磷脂代谢障碍等,使紊乱的代谢趋于正常,以达促进神经功能恢复,改善患者预后的目的,有较高应用价值。

加味三味汤治疗帕金森病非运动症状临床疗效

目的:探讨加味三味汤治疗帕金森病患者的非运动症状方面的临床疗效,以期获得更好的治疗效果及临床经验。方法:选取符合标准的50例帕金森病患者,随机分为对照组与实验组,每组各25例,对照组予以多巴丝肼片治疗;实验组在此基础上加用加味三味汤治疗,治疗一疗程后,比较两组患者的新版世界运动障碍学会帕金森病综合量表(MDS-UPDRS)中的日常生活非运动症状与运动症状量表中的震颤、动作迟缓、认知功能、焦虑、抑郁、饮水呛咳、夜尿、失眠、嗜睡、便秘、疲惫感、口角流涎十二项指标的综合评估。结果:在治疗前,两组患者所选取指标的综合评分没有统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后,实验组患者的综合评分相较于对照组评分减少,有统计学意义(P<0.05)。并且两组患者的评分下降率也有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:加味三味汤可改善帕金森病患者的非运动症状,延缓病情进展。

中药调节肠道菌群缓解药物性肝损伤的研究进展

药物性肝损伤是由化学药物、膳食补充剂和草药产品等引起的肝脏损伤疾病,其极易发展为肝衰竭,且在其发生发展的同时常伴随肠道菌群的变化。中药多成分、多靶点的治疗特点可以通过调节肠道菌群、改善肠道屏障、降低炎症因子水平等减轻药物性肝损伤。对中药干预肠道菌群缓解药物性肝损伤的作用进行总结,以期对中药治疗药物性肝损伤的机制研究提供参考。

基于肠道菌群探讨中医药通过调节肿瘤免疫微环境提高免疫治疗疗效的研究现状

虽然以免疫检查点抑制剂为代表的的免疫治疗为部分恶性肿瘤患者带来了生存获益,但仍存在不容忽视的问题,其中免疫治疗的低应答率限制了其临床应用。近年来,肠道菌群越来越被认为是免疫治疗疗效的重要预测性生物标志物之一,对肿瘤免疫微环境的调节是其重要的作用机制。中医药是我国补充医学的代表,口服中药对肠道菌群具有调节作用,其对于肿瘤免疫微环境的改善和免疫治疗疗效的提高也被肿瘤学界高度关注。本文将基于肠道菌群总结并探讨中医药调节肿瘤免疫微环境而提高免疫治疗疗效的研究现状,以期为中医药与免疫治疗协同增效提供理论依据,为进一步基础和临床研究提供思路。

基于“肠-皮肤轴”理论及肠道菌群的中药治疗痤疮研究进展

从“肠-皮肤轴”理论及肠道菌群角度综述中药治疗痤疮的研究进展。痤疮是一种临床常见的皮肤疾病,肠道与皮肤在结构、功能等方面存在很多共同点,肠道菌群失衡与肠道和皮肤的病理改变密切相关。中药可以通过影响肠道菌群来调节机体血清痤疮相关生化指标[P物质(SP)、短链脂肪酸(SCFAs)、雄激素]水平,干预毛囊皮肤微生物定植及毛囊皮脂腺角化,改善局部免疫炎症,从而对痤疮起到治疗作用。

基于“脑肠轴”探讨中药复方治疗胃食管反流病研究进展

针对胃食管反流病(GERD),抑酸治疗为临床主要治疗措施,但尚不能充分缓解患者临床症状。中药具有多靶点、多通路、多层次的优势,可通过调节脑肠轴(BGA)上的多条通路,进而增强胃食管动力,降低内脏敏感性,改善不良情绪,维持免疫稳态,调控肠道菌群,从而发挥综合效应以治疗GERD。现系统阐述了BGA在GERD发病机制中起到的“神经-内分泌-免疫-微生物”网络桥接作用,并对中药复方从BGA的角度治疗GERD的机制进行系统分析与总结,以期为中医药防治GERD领域的研究人员提供思路和方向。

基于脑肠互动理论探讨中医治疗功能性消化不良的研究进展

功能性消化不良(FD)是临床上一种常见的功能性胃肠紊乱疾病,其发病机制目前还未完全明确,现阶段国内外研究认为胃肠动力紊乱、幽门螺杆菌感染、胃酸分泌异常、胃肠激素、内脏高敏感性、遗传、脑肠轴调节异常、十二指肠屏障受损与微炎症等与FD发病密切相关。本病具有较高的发病率,易反复发作,给患者带来了巨大的身心不适和经济负担。因此,探索和研发治愈率高、毒副作用小的新疗法迫在眉睫。研究发现脑肠肽在功能性消化不良发病过程起着重要作用。本文从FD的现状、中医辨证论治基础方面检索查阅近年来中英文相关文献,综述了FD及脑肠肽的关系,以明确脑肠肽在FD病理生理方面的关键作用。同时对近年来中医调控脑肠肽水平干预FD的研究进行系统性总结,以期为FD的治疗以及进一步的药物开发提供理论依据。

中药复方饲料添加剂在家禽生产中的应用

在全面禁用抗生素饲料添加剂的背景下,畜禽中药饲料添加剂受到广泛关注。在家禽生长过程中添加复方中药可促进饲料中营养物质的吸收,提高畜禽生产性能,降低料肉比、料蛋比,改善肉蛋品质;提高屠宰率、全净膛率、半净膛率、胸肌率等屠宰性能;调节免疫,提高免疫器官指数,促进免疫球蛋白分泌,提高免疫抗体水平,提高补体含量;通过提高谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)与超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)等抗氧化酶活性而增强抗氧化能力;改善肠道组织形态,提高肠道绒毛高度与隐窝深度,维持肠道稳态,调解肠道菌群丰度,增加肠道菌群生物多样性,促进有益菌增殖,抑制病原菌定植。复方中药添加剂配伍的常用中药主要有甘草、黄芪、白术。本文对中药复方饲料添加剂及常用配伍药材在家禽生产中的应用进行综述,可为中药饲料添加剂的开发利用提供参考。