Study on the effects of italicHuagan Decoction/italic (化肝煎) on gut microbiota in CClsub4/sub-induced hepatic fibrosis rats based on 16S rDNA

Key Points

• This study investigates the effect of Huagan Decoction on gut microbiota in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4.
• 48 male SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, model, three doses of Huagan Decoction, and a colchicine group.
• Rats were injected with CCl4 for 8 weeks and treated with oral administration of Huagan Decoction starting from week 5.
• Gut microbiota analysis was conducted using 16S rDNA sequencing, with assessments of alpha and beta diversities, community composition, and marker analysis.
• Huagan Decoction reduced hepatic fibrosis severity in the medium and high-dose groups compared to the model group.
• Significant decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P<0.05) in the treatment groups.
• Increased abundance of Blautia and Allobaculum with Huagan Decoction treatment (P<0.05).