Sijunzi Decoction And Codonopsis Pilosula Polysaccharide Alleviate DSS-induced Mice Colitis By Modulating Gut Microbiota

Gut microbiota plays a key role in pathological process of ulcerative colitis(UC), manipulating the unbalanced microbial community structure have became new therapy method. Traditional Chinese medicine-Sijunzi(SJZT) decoction has been widely used in alleviating UC symptom, however the exact action mechanism remained unknow. Furthermore, based on the theory of Chinese medicine, water-soluble polysaccharides are the key compounds in decoctions. Dangshen(Codonopsis pilosula) polysaccharide, a macromolecular substance that is hard to digest. However, some special microbiota may used it as energy source, then making a corresponding change of gut microbiota structure that suggests Dangshen polysaccharide may acts as prebiotic. Saccharomyces boulardii as new probiotic was extensive applied in preventing diarrhea, but it is rarely used in IBD treatments.In this study, Based on pyrosequencing, the structural changes of gut microbiota were analyzed in dextran sulphate sodium(DSS)- induced acute colitis mice during treatments with four drugs: S.boulardii, SJZT, Dangshen polysaccharide, S.boulardii+ polysaccharide. All four drugs profoundly inhibited body weight loss, colon shortening and ameliorated histological damage. All drugs were showing reverting effect on DSS-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota in mice. Benifical microbe, especially Short Chain Fatty Acid(SCFA)-producing bacteria genus were remarkable enriched. Roseburia, Anaerovorax, Lactobacillus were selectively increased by S.boulardii. Butyrivibrio, Quinella and Anaerotruncus were selectively facilitated by SJZT. Most notably, Dangshen polysaccharide selectively promoted the most identified bacteria genus, Bifidobacterium, Arthrobacter, Akkermansia, Anaerovorax, Roseburia, Prevotella, Dialister, Megamonas, Faecalibacterium, Subdoligranulum.Taking together, our findings suggest that S.boulardii, Sijunzi decoction, and its mainly component Dangshen polysaccharide were effective in alleviating DSS-induced colits. Modulating the gut microbiota(promote benifical and inhibit harmful gut microbe) may be the shared mechanism for improving the colon health. Furthermore, Dangshen polysaccharide is a powerful prebiotic that selectively enriched the commom probiotic especially SCFA-producing bacteria.