ZhiZhu pill on constipation. Exploring the therapeutic effects of the ZhiZhu pill on rats with chronic transmission constipation based on intestinal microbiota and metabolomics

The effects of Atractylodes macrocephala and Citrus aurantii (ZhiZhu pill, ZZP) on the defecation function, intestinal bacteria, and short-chain fatty acid metabolism of slow transit constipation (STC) rats were observed, and the mechanism of ZZP was initially understood. Methods Loperamide was used to construct chronic transmission constipation in rats. The fecal pellet number was recorded in 24 hours. Water content was measured following drying stools in a 60ºC oven for 12 hours. Activated carbon is used to detect intestinal transit rate. ELISA was used to detect the changes in serum GAS and SP. H&E staining was used to observe the changes in colon tissue structure. Analysis of changes in rat intestinal microbiota by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Determining changes in short-chain fatty acids with the help of microbiome insights into the relationship between intestinal microbiota and host disease. Results Loperamide caused reduced fecal volume, dry feces, and reduced intestinal motility in rats. The number of STC rat feces increased after ZZP treatment, the water content increased, and the activated carbon advanced farther. In STC model rats, the alpha-diversity and beta-diversity was reduced, the composition of flora was changed, and the content of short-chain fatty acids was significantly reduced. ZZP treatment increased intestinal microbiota alpha- and beta-diversity, increased the abundance of probiotics, decreased harmful bacteria, and increased short-chain fatty acid content. Conclusions ZZP regulates intestinal microbiota levels and short-chain fatty acid content to effectively improve STC caused by loperamide.