Maintaining immune homeostasis with Coptis Chinensis water extract to mitigate sepsis severity via modulating gut microbiome and metabolism

Huihui Meng; Di Xu; Qing Wang; Lin Liu; Wenya Liu; Junsong Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115719

Maintaining immune homeostasis with Coptis Chinensis water extract to mitigate sepsis severity via modulating gut microbiome and metabolism

J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2023 Nov 30:236:115719. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115719. Epub 2023 Sep 14.

Authors

Huihui Meng¹, Di Xu¹, Qing Wang², Lin Liu², Wenya Liu¹, Junsong Wang³

Affiliations

¹ Center of Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental & Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, No. 200 Xiaolingwei Street, Nanjing 210094, China.
² Department of Interventional Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, No.54 Gongqingtuan Road (W), Zhangdian District, Zibo City, Shandong, China.
³ Center of Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental & Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, No. 200 Xiaolingwei Street, Nanjing 210094, China. Electronic address: wang.junsong@gmail.com.

PMID: 37742503
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115719

Abstract

Sepsis arises from an uncontrolled inflammatory response to infection that can lead to organ failure. The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key modulator of sepsis progression. This study investigated whether Coptis chinensis water extract (CCWE) could attenuate sepsis by modulating the gut microbiome and immune response. A rat model of sepsis induced by cecum ligation and perforation was used. 16 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) metabolomics and flow cytometry assays were used to evaluate microbial, metabolic and immune profiles. CCWE treatment reversed sepsis-induced loss of beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and restored gut microbial balance. CCWE increased short-chain fatty acids, carnitine and phenylacetate, which provide energy and curb inflammation. By enhancing immune homeostasis and maintaining regulatory T cells (Tregs), CCWE treatment also exerted bidirectional regulation on T cells for initially suppressing hyperactivation then enabling recovery. Overall, CCWE may benefit sepsis by regulating the gut-microbiome-immune axis. By restoring microbiome balance, improving metabolism, and modulating immunity, CCWE treatment shows potential for alleviating sepsis severity and progression. The increases in beneficial bacteria, Tregs, and anti-inflammatory metabolites coupled with decreases in opportunistic pathogens likely contributed collectively to CCWE's protective effects. CCWE may emerge as an alternative or adjunctive option for managing disorders of dangerous inflammation like sepsis. Future research should explore CCWE's mechanisms of action clinically to determine its potential as a safe, effective means of modulating health through natural regulation of the gut microbiome and immune function.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Coptis chinensis; Gut microbiota; Immunomodulatory; Metabolomics; Sepsis.