Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi Decoction Alleviates Inflammatory Response in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Model Rats through Modulating Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Background. Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi decoction (JGXZ), composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Panax notoginseng, Curcuma zedoaria, and other 9 types of herbs, has demonstrated beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms behind JGXZ’s impact on NAFLD remain unknown. Methods. In this study, a NAFLD rat model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) received oral treatment of JGXZ (8 or 16 g crude herb/kg) for 12 weeks. The therapeutic effects of JGXZ on NAFLD model rats were investigated through blood lipid levels and pathological liver changes. 16S rRNA analysis was used to study the changes in gut microbiota after JGXZ treatment. The expressions of occludin and tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) in the colon were investigated using immunostaining to study the effects of JGXZ on gut permeability. The anti-inflammatory effects of JGXZ were also studied through measuring the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum and liver. Results. JGXZ treatment could decrease body weight and ameliorate dyslipidemia in NAFLD model rats. H&E and Oil Red O staining indicated that JGXZ reduced steatosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver. 16S rRNA analysis showed that JGXZ impacted the diversity of gut microbiota, decreasing the Firmicutes–to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and increasing the relative abundance of probiotics, such as Alloprevotella, Lactobacillus, and Turicibacter. Gut permeability evaluation found that the expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon were increased after JGXZ treatment. Moreover, JGXZ treatment could decrease the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum and liver. Conclusions. Our study illustrated that JGXZ could ameliorate NAFLD through modulating gut microbiota, decreasing gut permeability, and alleviating inflammatory response.

Fu brick tea alleviates high fat induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by remodeling the gut microbiota and liver metabolism

“…The fixed cecal tissues were taken, dehydrated by an alcohol gradient, embedded in paraffin, and cut into 5 μm thick sections according to a previously reported method ( 22 ). 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min, citrate buffer microwave radiation antigen repair, confining liquid closed.…”

Mechanical Study of Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi Decoction on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Integrated Network Pharmacology and Untargeted Metabolomics

“…e control group was given normal chow, and the other groups were given high-fat chow (4% cholesterol, 10% lard, 5% sugar, 0.5% sodium cholate, 0.2% propylthiouracil, and 80.3% basal feed), both for 12 weeks. During the 12-week model generation period along with the drug intervention, the control and model groups were given 2 mL/day saline via intragastric administration, and the JGXZ group was given 16 g of JGXZ/kg of body weight [13] via intragastric administration for 12 consecutive weeks. e body weight of the rats was recorded every 2 weeks during the experiment.…”

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“…The colon tissues were fixed with formalin solution, paraffin embedded, made into 3 mm sections and the expression of ZO-1 (1:200) and occludin (1:300) protein in colon was detected by immunohistochemistry as described previously (Liao et al, 2021). The positive area for ZO-1 and occludin staining was quantified using Image Pro Plus 6.0 software based on the average optical density (AOD).…”