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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Microorganisms in Vertebrate Digestive Systems
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1557345
Dangua Fang Induces Anti-Glucolipid Metabolism Disorder Effects Similar to Those of Direct NFIL3 Inhibition
Provisionally accepted
Zhuang Han 1,2
Linxi Jin 1,2
Zhita Wang 1
Liuqing Yang 1
Liang Li 1 Yi Ruan 1,2
Qiwei Chen 1,2 Shuhong Yao 1,2
Weidong He 1 Xianpei Heng 1*- 1 People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
- 2 Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
Background: Dangua Fang (DGF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula widely used to regulate glucolipid metabolism. Nuclear factor, interleukin-3 regulated (NFIL3) plays a regulatory role in intestinal fat absorption and energy metabolism. Gut microbiota can modulate NFIL3 expression and affect host metabolism. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of DGF or NFIL3 inhibition on the gut microbiota and their metabolites in mice with glucolipid metabolism disorder (GLMD) and explore the relationship between DGF anti-GLMD effects and those of direct NFIL3 inhibition. Methods: A GLMD mouse model was established by induction with a high-glucose and high-fat diet. The mice were divided into the control group (CG), model group (MG), DGF group (DFG), DGF + siRNA group (DFSG), and siRNA group (SG). The mice were administered sterile water, DGF, and/or intraperitoneal injections of siRNA-NFIL3 or normal saline for 15 weeks, following which glucolipid metabolic indicators, NFIL3 levels, and histopathological alterations in the liver and small intestinal tissues were evaluated. Additionally, the gut microbiota and differential metabolites were analysed, and linear regression analysis was conducted between gut microbial species and metabolic indicators to assess the role of the gut microbiota in metabolic regulation.Results: Significant differences were observed between the CG and MG groups for various indicators. Compared with that in the MG group, the GLMD in the DFG, DFSG, and SG groups was significantly improved, and the pathological morphology of the liver and small intestine was altered.
Keywords: Dangua Fang (DGF), Nuclear factor, interleukin-3 regulated (NFIL3), glucolipid metabolism disorder (GLMD), Gut Microbiota, lipid metabolism Language: British English
Received: 08 Jan 2025; Accepted: 05 Mar 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Han, Jin, Wang, Yang, Li, Ruan, Chen, Yao, He and Heng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Xianpei Heng, People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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