Gut microbiota and ABC transporter pathway: potential links to the therapeutic efficacy of Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San against antibiotic-associated diarrhea in juvenile rats.

BACKGROUND: Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SLBZS) recorded in the Song Dynasty text "Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang," is traditionally used to "strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness and stop diarrhea." making it a commonly used prescription for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). This study examined microbial and metabolite changes accompanying SLBZS treatment for AAD and analyzed their potential biological correlates. METHODS: Juvenile rats were randomly assigned to control, model, and SLBZS groups. An antibiotic cocktail was administered orally to induce AAD, followed by SLBZS decoction treatment. Body weight and fecal characteristics were monitored. Gut microbiota and fecal metabolites were analyzed using 16 S rDNA sequencing and widely targeted metabolomics, respectively, with correlation analysis performed on the data. RESULTS: SLBZS significantly reduced diarrhea incidence and fecal consistency scores in AAD rats. Antibiotic gavage induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic disturbances. The abundances of Muribaculaceae, Tannerellaceae, Parabacteroides, and Parabacteroides distasonis were favorably modulated by SLBZS. Twenty-nine common differential fecal metabolites exhibited favorable regulation, with 11 metabolites enriched in the ABC transporter pathway. Correlation analysis revealed that seven metabolites significantly correlated with Parabacteroides distasonis, five of which culstered in the ABC transporter pathway. CONCLUSIONS: SLBZS treatment for AAD was associated with altered Parabacteroides distasonis abundance and ABC transporter pathway changes. These factors likely represent key biological targets of SLBZS therapy.