A Study on the Gut Microbiome Mechanism of the Combination of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos for Prevention of Constipation due to ‘Pi’ Deficiency

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-1456

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the preventive effect and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos (1∶3) compatibility on constipation due to ‘pi’ deficiency, and to provide experimental evidence for the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of “treating disease before it arises.” Methods Thirty SPF-grade KM mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and a Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group (1∶3). Using a preventive administration method, the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group was intragastrically administered the medicinal liquid (1.95 g/(kg·d), twice daily) for 29 consecutive days; the model group and the normal group were given an equal volume of sterile water. During the 15-day modeling phase, the constipation due to ‘pi’ deficiency model was established in the model group and the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group by intragastric administration of Folium Sennae decoction, restriction of water intake, and a low-fiber diet. After the experiment, fecal water content, serum gastrointestinal motility hormone (MTL, CCK, 5-HT, VIP) levels, colonic pathological changes, hepatic MDA content and SOD activity, and intestinal microbiota structure and function were measured. Results The fecal water content of the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group was higher than that of the model group. Serum 5-HT content was higher than that of the model group (P=0.05), VIP content was significantly lower (P=0.013), MTL content was significantly higher (P<0.001), and CCK content was significantly higher (P=0.018) than that of the model group. Hepatic MDA content was significantly lower than that of the model group (P=0.030), and SOD activity was significantly higher (P<0.01); the colonic mucosal structure was intact, and the number of goblet cells was greater than that in the model group; the diversity of the intestinal microbiota approached that of the normal group, and the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Actinobacteriota (P<0.001) and Bifidobacterium was significantly higher than that in the model group, while the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Proteobacteria and Escherichia_Shigella was significantly lower than that in the model group (P=0.040, P=0.037). Functional prediction of the intestinal microbiota indicated that the abundance of pathways such as amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism was restored, and the abnormal activation of pathways related to environmental stress adaptation was inhibited. Conclusion Preventive intervention with the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos (1∶3) combination improved the general condition and fecal characteristics of mice with constipation due to ‘pi’ deficiency, enhanced gastrointestinal motility, alleviated oxidative stress, protected colonic mucosal structure, and regulated gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings suggest that this combination has a preventive effect against constipation due to ‘pi’ deficiency.

Key words: Polygonatum sibiricum, Poria cocos, constipation due to ‘pi’ deficiency, gut microbiota, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal motility

SUN Xian-qing, XIAO Nen-qun, TAN Zhou-jin. A Study on the Gut Microbiome Mechanism of the Combination of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos for Prevention of Constipation due to ‘Pi’ Deficiency[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2026, 42(7): 328-340.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on general signs, fecal characteristics, and water content in miceA-C: Fecal characteristics and general activity status of mice after modeling; D-F: body weight of mice at different time points; G: fecal water content of mice after modeling. NC: Normal control group; MD: model group; HFC: Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group. The same below

Fig. 2 Effect of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on serum levels of 5-HT, VIP, MTL, and CCK in mice

Fig. 3 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on MDA content and SOD activity in mouse liver tissue

Fig. 4 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on the morphology and function of mouse intestinal tissueA： Histopathological features of the intestine in mice from each group； B： crypt length in the colon of mice； C： number of goblet cells in the colon of mice

Fig. 5 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on the gut microbiota composition of miceA: NMDS analysis; B: PCoA analysis; C: Ternary plot; D: bar plot of species abundance at the phylum level; E: phylogenetic tree at the genus level; F: comparison of the relative abundances of Campylobacterota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Escherichia_Shigella among groups

Fig. 6 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on gut microbial communities in miceA: Comparative analysis of differential bacterial taxa between the normal control group and the model group; B: comparative analysis of differential bacterial taxa between the normal control group and the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group; C: comparative analysis of differential bacterial taxa between the model group and the Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos group; D: comparative analysis of differential bacterial taxa among the three groups; E: LEfSe cladogram

Fig. 7 Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum and Poria cocos combination on gut microbiota function in mice

Fig. 8 Correlation between mouse gut microbiota and constipation due to 'pi' deficiencyA: Heatmap of correlation factors at the phylum level; B: heatmap of correlation factors at the genus level; C: CCA plot

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