Biomaterial Database

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai Formula Improves Obesity Induced by High-Fat Diets. 2020

Zhen Wang, and Junfeng Lu, and Jingwei Zhou, and Weiwei Sun, and Yang Qiu, and Weihong Chen, and Yabin Gao, and Ruibing Yang, and Sinan Ai, and Zhongjie Liu, and Yingbo Guo, and Wei Jing Liu, and Yaoxian Wang, and Liang Peng

Department of Nephrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Renal Research Institution of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

Obesity and related metabolic disorders are associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, disrupted intestinal barrier and chronic inflammation. Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (SYFSF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula composed of Astragali Radix, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rheum Officinale Baill, and four other herbs. In this study, we identified that SYFSF treatment prevented weight gain, low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. SYFSF also substantially improved gut barrier function, reduced metabolic endotoxemia, as well as systemic inflammation. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes obtained from fecal samples demonstrated that SYFSF attenuated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, seen an decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios. Microbial richness and diversity were also higher in the SYFSF-treated HFD group. Furthermore, similar therapeutic effects and changes in gut microbiota profile caused by SYFSF could be replicated by fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). Taken together, our study highlights the efficacy of SYFSF in preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders. Its therapeutic effect is associated with the modulation of gut microbiota, as a prebiotic.