Effect of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on LPS, TNF-α, IL-6, and intestinal flora in diabetic KK-Ay mice / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the effect of Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GGQLD) on LPS, TNF-α, IL-6, and intestinal flora in diabetic KK-Ay mice. Methods: C57BL/6J mice with ordinary feed were taken as the normal control group and orally administrated with equal distilled water. The KK-Ay mice fed with high-fat diet were divided into five groups: pioglitazone group, blank group (model group), high, medium, and low dose GGQLD group, and orally administrated with pioglitazone hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), distilled water, and GGQLD (crude drug 40, 13.3, and 4.44 g/kg), respectively. The oral administration for six groups lasted for four weeks. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and endotoxin (LPS) levels in the plasma were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Gut microbial communities were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) methods. Results: Compared with the model group, the LPS levels in the plasma of mice were significantly reduced by 15.61% and 14.48% respectively in the Gegenqinlian Decoction of high and medium dose group (P < 0.05), the IL-6 levels in plasma of mice were significantly reduced by 56.86%, 37.12% and 30.21% respectively in high, medium, and low dose GGQLD group (P < 0.05), and the TNF-α levels in plasma of mice were significantly reduced by 28.32%, 30.70%, and 23.42% respectively in high, medium, and low dose GGQLD group (P < 0.05). The number of DGGE bands in high dose group significantly increased, and by cloning, sequencing, and Blast analysis, Lactobacillus johnsonii only existed in the high dose group; The results showed that GGQLD could regulate the structure of intestinal flora in KK-Ay mice. Conclusion: The mechanisms of anti-diabetic effects of GGQLD in type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice are probably related with the anti-inflammation and regulation of intestinal flora.