Probiotic-fermented Qushi decoction alleviates reserpine-induced spleen deficiency syndrome by regulating spleen function and gut microbiota dysbiosis.

BACKGROUND: Spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS) is associated with elevated inflammatory factors and dysregulation of gastrointestinal motility hormones and intestinal microbiota. Qushi decoction (QD), a traditional formula, has not been reported using modern scientific research methods for changes in its probiotic fermented QD (FQD) composition and its potential mechanisms to alleviate SDS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the splenic protection of FQD in SDS rats by modulating gastrointestinal motility hormones and intestinal microbiota. RESULTS: The results showed that FQD increased total polysaccharides, total protein, total flavonoids and the other active ingredients compared to QD, effectively improved splenic inflammation and apoptosis in SDS rats, and modulated gastrointestinal motility hormones to alleviate diarrhea and other symptoms. In addition, the dysregulation of the gut microbiota was reversed by increasing the levels of Bifidobacterium and decreasing the levels of Escherichia-Shigella and Proteobacteria, which may be related to the regulation of bacterial metabolites to alleviate SDS. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FQD is an effective formula for improving SDS. Our findings show that FQD beneficial to the implications for the treatment of SDS. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of antidiabetic effects of Dendrobium officinale derivatives in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In this research, two sequential Dendrobium officinale water extracts (WDOE and WDOP1) were shown to significantly ameliorate type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) in a mouse model. WDOP1 was identified as a glucomannan with a backbone of 1,4-linked Manp and 1,4-linked Glcp and an average molecular weight of 731 kDa. We also found that both WDOE and WDOP1 could significantly alleviate glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress injury, serum lipid metabolism disturbances, and histopathological damage in T2DM mice. In addition, we demonstrated that WDOE and WDOP1 reversed gut dysbiosis by reshaping the microbiota spectrum in T2DM mice. It should be emphasized that both Dendrobium officinale extracts afforded beneficial effects in T2DM mice comparable to metformin, despite differences in examined dosages. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Dendrobium officinale derivatives have potential as T2DM management nutraceuticals.