Combining 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Lipidomics to Study the Therapeutic Effects of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction on Chronic Non-Atrophic Gastritis Rats

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) effects of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction (CGGD) and explore its impact on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive approach was employed, including biochemical parameter assessment, histopathological analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) detection, and lipidomic analyses. A CNAG rat model was established, and after a 4-week CGGD intervention, changes in weight, serum inflammatory cytokines, gastric pathology, gut microbiota diversity and composition, SCFA levels, and lipid metabolism were measured and analyzed. Results: The four-week CGGD intervention reversed weight loss, reduced serum inflammatory cytokine levels, and alleviated gastric pathological injury in CNAG rats. It modulated the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Muribaculaceae ) and decreasing harmful taxa (e.g., Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group). CNAG-induced reductions in SCFAs were reversed by CGGD. Lipidomic analyses showed that CGGD restored reduced levels of fatty acyls and triacylglycerol (TAG) and activated glycerophospholipid metabolism. Integration analysis revealed that CGGD promoted SCFA production via SCFA-producing bacteria, enhanced polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation into TAG stores, and induced lysophospholipid accumulation. Conclusions: CGGD exerted therapeutic effects on CNAG by regulating gut microbiota homeostasis, restoring SCFA metabolism, and modulating lipid metabolic pathways, highlighting its potential as a treatment for CNAG.