Effect of italicTongxie Yaofang/italic （痛泻要方） on intestinal mucosal barrier function and gut microbiota in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Key Points

• The research investigates the impact of Tongxie Yaofang on the intestinal mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
• Used a rat model of IBS-D created through a three-factor method involving maternal separation and acetic acid stimulation.
• Divided 30 rats into three groups: control, model, and Tongxie Yaofang treatment group.
• Administered Tongxie Yaofang via gavage for 14 days.
• Evaluated visceral hypersensitivity using abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores.
• Used TEM to observe colonic mucosal microstructure and 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota.
• TXYF treatment reduced AWR scores in rats compared to the model group (P<0.01).
• Decreased levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate (D-LA) in the TXYF group compared to the model group (P<0.05).
• TEM revealed improved tight junction structure after TXYF intervention.
• 16S rRNA sequencing indicated a return to a healthier gut microbiota composition in the TXYF group.