The Modulation of Chaihu Shugan Formula on Microbiota Composition in the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem Technology Platform and its Influence on Gut Barrier and Intestinal Immunity in Caco-2/THP1-Blue™ Cell Co-Culture Model
Liu L, Lu Y, Xu C, Chen H, Wang X, Wang Y, Cai B, Li B, Verstrepen L, Ghyselinck J, Marzorati M, Yao Q · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2022 March 15
DOI 10.3389/fphar.2022.820543
Objective
To investigate the influence of Chaihu Shugan Formula (CSF) on the modulation of colonic microbiota, gut barrier integrity, and intestinal immunity using a combination of SHIME® technology and cell co-culture models.
Conclusions
CSF stimulated the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), promoted the growth of health-related Bifidobacterium species, reduced the abundance of opportunistic pathogenic Escherichia coli, improved intestinal barrier integrity, and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by modulating cytokine production.
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Insights
The Chaihu Shugan Formula, a traditional Chinese medicine, not only effectively modulates intestinal gut microbiota but also strengthens gut barrier integrity and contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
The study began by analysing the impact of the Chaihu Shugan Formula (CSF) on the simulated colonic microbiota of five healthy donors, while concurrently examining gut barrier integrity, and intestinal immunity. This was achieved by marrying the use of the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem technology platform with the co-culture of intestinal and immune cells. The examination revealed an increase in the production of certain healthy short-chain fatty acids, a boost in health-promoting Bifidobacterium species, and a decrease in certain pathogenic branching short-chain fatty acids.
The proceeding phase of the study investigated the influence of colonic fermentation of CSF on gut barrier and intestinal immunity utilizing the Caco-2/THP1-blue™ cell co-culture model. The research demonstrated that CSF induces protective effects on inflammation-induced intestinal epithelial barrier disruption. Concurrently, the study benignly revealed the treatment of CSF unfailingly unveiling pronounced anti-inflammatory properties induced by the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 and the reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.
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