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Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis can improve the structure of gut microbiota and relieve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Identifier
021297
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Mar 13;162:7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.12.029. Epub 2014 Dec 30.
Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis can improve the structure of gut microbiota and relieve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Guo M1, Ding S2, Zhao C3, Gu X4, He X1, Huang K1, Luo Y1, Liang Z1, Tian H5, Xu W6.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Many Chinese herbs are traditionally used as medicine to improve the functions of gastrointestinal tract. Some of these herbs are also promising agents for the improvement of the gut microbiota and the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
By screening seven traditional Chinese herbs, we found that Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis were the most effective in promoting the growth of probiotics including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in vitro. We then evaluated the effects of Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis on the growth of the bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp.) in vitro. In in vivo experiment, we gavage administrated trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rats with Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis extracts. After two weeks treatment, we analyzed the structure of the gut microbiota and examined the UC symptoms by employing qPCR and animal pathology detection techniques.
RESULTS:
Both Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis promoted the growth of probiotics - Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in vitro. Red Ginseng also inhibited the growth of some pathogen strains. In vivo, Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis improved the structure of gut microbiota and relieved the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in vivo. Compared with Semen Coicis, Red Ginseng was more effective in relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Red Ginseng could promote the growth of probiotic bacteria in vitro. Red Ginseng and, to a lesser extent Semen Coicis, gave positive results in an experimental in vivo model for ulcerative colitis.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Chinese herbs; Gut microbiota; Ulcerative colitis
PMID:
25554637