Analysis of the therapeutic effect of Dimu Ningshen (TCM formula) on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder based on gut microbiota and serum metabolomics

Abstract

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed during adolescence and adulthood. Assessment of the long-term risks of the current drugs for ADHD treatment has been insufficient, and little is known concerning the long-term therapeutic effects of psychostimulants. Commercially available traditional Chinese medicine compound oral preparations [e.g., Dimu Ningshen (DMNS)] have been widely used in the clinical treatment of ADHD, but their influence on the interaction between gut microbes and potential metabolomes remains inconclusive. Methods We used a series of behavioral experiments to evaluate the behavioral effects of DMNS on adolescent and adult ADHD rats and used 16S rDNA sequencing of gut microbes and nontarget metabolomics to evaluate the potential pathogenesis of ADHD and explore the biological mechanism of DMNS in ADHD treatment. Results For the first time, DMNS was shown to reduce the excessive activity of adult and adolescent ADHD rats and improve the attention deficit of adult ADHD rats. DMNS improved the structural composition of the ADHD gut microbiota and reduced the abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Ruminococcus_2, and Eubacterium_nodatum_group. Simultaneously, DMNS increased the circulating levels of peripheral monoamine neurotransmitter precursors (e.g., phenylalanine) and reduced the circulating levels of peripheral fatty acid amides (e.g., oleamide). Finally, the changes in the ADHD serum metabolites were strongly correlated with the gut microbiota. Conclusion DMNS has a good effect in treating ADHD, and it may exert this effect by regulating the gut microbiota and affecting metabolites in the peripheral circulation.

Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis investigates causal associations between gut microbiota and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…The study also found that the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG_004 and Ruminococcaceae_uncultured was correlated with symptoms of inattention ( Szopinska-Tokov et al, 2020 ). Dimu Ningshen (DMNS) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound widely used in the clinical treatment of ADHD, Tang et al (2022) found that DMNS was able to reduce excessive activity in ADHD rats and improve their attention deficit. Additionally, DMNS also reduced the abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group , Eubacterium_nodatum_group , and Ruminococcus_2 .…”

Effects of Shenling Baizhu powder on pyrotinib-induced diarrhea: analysis of gut microbiota, metabonomics, and network pharmacology

“…In this study, we used multi-omics as a research tool to determine how SBP alters gut bacteria and tissue metabolism and elucidate the host effects of differential gut bacteria versus differential metabolites. Moreover, the correlation analysis between gut microbiota and metabolites revealed their relationship, thus further elucidating the pathogenesis of pyroitinib-induced diarrhea and the mechanism of SBP treatment [ 48 , 49 ]. For example, given that Lachnospiraceae , a strain closely associated with diarrhea, which is found in the gut of most healthy people, could be a potentially beneficial bacterium [ 50 ].…”

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 attenuates hippocampal damage and memory impairments in an ADHD rat model

“…9,10 Even though the mechanism is not fully elucidated, a growing body of literature suggests that the gut microbiota may play a critical role in ADHD etiology through the gut-brain axis. 11,12 The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional link between the gastrointestinal enteric nervous system and the central nervous system (CNS). 13 Recently, the gut microbiota have emerged as effective players in this axis.…”