Variation in the Efficacy of Anti-Ulcerative Colitis Treatments Reveals the Conflict Between Precipitating Compatibility of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Technology: A Case of Scutellaria-Coptis

Abstract

Scutellariae and Coptidis compose a classical drug pair applied in clinical practice to dispel heat, dryness, and dampness, and they are also precipitation compatible drug pairs. With modern technology, Scutellaria-Coptis is mostly prepared by decocting its components separately, while in the traditional method, it is predominantly prepared as a combined decoction. The present study investigated the effects and mechanisms of separate and combined application of Scutellaria-Coptis decoction on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice induced by the administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Changes in body weight, colon length, and Disease Activity Index scores were also evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and other methods were used to evaluate the overall condition of animals in each group. Intestinal microflora was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, while colon inflammation and antioxidant capacity were evaluated based on the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione. The results revealed that Scutellaria-Coptis significantly relieved colon inflammation in mice, and the combined decoction of Scutellaria-Coptis exerted a significant effect on UC. Notably, the protective effect of Scutellaria-Coptis against colon inflammation was weakened when the antibiotic mixture was partially consumed by the gut microbiota. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the group treated with combined decoction of Scutellaria-Coptis exhibited a higher intestinal microbial diversity and intestinal flora composition than the separated decoction group. Treatment of mice with UC by administering Scutellaria-Coptis decoction through intestinal flora removal (ABX) and fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) was closely associated with intestinal flora composition. In conclusion, Scutellaria-Coptis can relieve UC with an excellent effect especially when taken as a combined decoction, alleviating colon inflammation incurred by intestinal microbes to a certain extent.

Several major herb pairs containing Coptidis rhizoma: a review of key traditional uses, constituents and compatibility effects

“…CR or SR significantly improved the gut microbiota composition and glycolipid metabolism of T2DM rats ( Xiao et al, 2020 ). In particular, when CR was combined with SR, the effect was more powerful ( Liu et al, 2022 ) ( Figure 5 ). Some studies have demonstrated that the ratio of SR and CR had a substantial synergistic impact when it was 3:2 or 1:3.…”

Scientific connotation of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of the intestinal flora

“…This indicates that the combination of S. baicalensis and C. chinensis can have a positive effect on IF. Liu ( Liu et al, 2022 ) studied the effects of separate and combined applications of S. baicalensis and C. chinensis on ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by the administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice, as shown in Figure 1 . These results revealed that the combined application of S. baicalensis and C. chinensis significantly relieved colon inflammation in mice.…”

“…It can be seen from the results of the group of GQD without S. baicalensis and C. chinensis that the combination of P. montana and G. uralensis increases the abundance of Bacteroidales_S24-7_ukn, which is a beneficial bacterium, and Allobaculum, which is an SCFA-producing bacterium, while the abundance of pathogenic bacteria Parabacteroides decreases, but at the same time, the abundance of Desulfovibrio, which is toxic to colon cells, increases. The genomes of Bacteroidales_S24-7_ukn and Akkermania both encode the ability to produce propionate, and the increase of propionate is closely related to the stability of intestinal inflammation (Borton et al, 2017); Allobaculum can rapidly ferment glucose to produce lactic acid and butyric acid; Parabacteroides, as a pathogen in infectious diseases, can induce inflammation and immune disorder (Larsen, 2017); Desulfovibrio can damage the intestinal barrier by producing (Liu et al, 2022).…”

“…FIGURE 1Therapeutic effect of the combination of S. baicalensis and C. chinensis on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by acting on intestinal flora (DSS, dextran sulfate sodium; ABX: Antibiotic interference, FMT: Colony transplantation)(Liu et al, 2022).…”

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“…CR or SR significantly improved the gut microbiota composition and glycolipid metabolism of T2DM rats (Xiao et al, 2020). In particular, when CR was combined with SR, the effect was more powerful (Liu et al, 2022) (Figure 5). Some studies have demonstrated that the ratio of SR and CR had a substantial synergistic impact when it was 3:2 or 1:3.…”