Effect of Shenling Baizhu powder on diarrhea induced by fatigue and high-fat diet: association with gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism
摘要
This study evaluated the protective effect of Shenling Baizhu Powder (SLBZP) against diarrhea induced by fatigue combined with a high-fat diet and explored the potential associations with changes in gut microbiota, bile acid metabolism, intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory responses. A mouse model of diarrhea was established by continuous standing on a multiple-platform apparatus 4 h/day for 14 days, combined with twice-daily lard gavage during days 8–14, followed by gavage with SLBZP decoction at 0.637 g/mL for 7 days. SLBZP intervention alleviated fatigue and diarrhea in mice. Histopathological analysis showed that SLBZP alleviated small intestinal and hepatic injury. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that SLBZP decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the small intestine and liver. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that SLBZP increased the expression of the tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and Claudin-1. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing showed that SLBZP reshaped the gut microbiota, including increased relative abundances of Muribaculum and Dwaynesavagella and a decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria. Targeted bile acid metabolomics showed that SLBZP altered the fecal bile acid profile, with increased levels of 7-ketolithocholic acid, norcholic acid, glycocholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid. Correlation analysis further suggested associations among specific microbial taxa, differential bile acids, and intestinal barrier markers. These findings indicate that SLBZP may alleviate diarrhea induced by fatigue combined with a high-fat diet by regulating the gut microbiota–bile acid–intestinal barrier axis and reducing inflammatory responses.