Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion

<b>Objective</b>: Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan decoction (TMDC), a traditional Chinese prescription, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating allergic asthma. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMDC in treating asthma from the perspective of Treg cells and gut micro...

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Main Authors: Yanfei Hong, Zheng Yang, Zirui Liu, Na Li, Jingbo Qin, Dongyu Ge, Guiying Peng, Ji Wang, Qi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/646
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author Yanfei Hong
Zheng Yang
Zirui Liu
Na Li
Jingbo Qin
Dongyu Ge
Guiying Peng
Ji Wang
Qi Wang
author_facet Yanfei Hong
Zheng Yang
Zirui Liu
Na Li
Jingbo Qin
Dongyu Ge
Guiying Peng
Ji Wang
Qi Wang
author_sort Yanfei Hong
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objective</b>: Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan decoction (TMDC), a traditional Chinese prescription, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating allergic asthma. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMDC in treating asthma from the perspective of Treg cells and gut microbiota across distinct gut segments (jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon). <b>Methods</b>: An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model was established in mice, followed by oral administration of TMDC at high, medium, and low dose. Immune cells and lung inflammation were examined to assess asthma severity. Microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Antibiotic cocktail and <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> GG (LGG) were administrated to confirm the key role of specific bacteria. <b>Results</b>: TMDC attenuated lung inflammation (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and eosinophilic infiltration (<i>p</i> < 0.01) as well as IL-4 and IL-5 secretion (<i>p</i> < 0.01); it was also associated with an increase in Treg cells in the lung, small intestine (SI), and colon (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Meanwhile, TMDC restored the number of microbiota species and the Shannon index in the hindgut and reinstated beneficial bacteria, such as <i>Allobaculum</i> and <i>Turicibacter</i>, which were diminished in asthmatic mice. Notably, TMDC significantly enriched <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, particularly in the hindgut. <i>Lactobacillus</i> abundance was significantly correlated (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with Treg cells, IL-4, IL-5, and eosinophils. Furthermore, LGG supplementation restored elevated lung inflammation (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and decreased Treg cells (<i>p</i> < 0.01) due to antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion. <b>Conclusion</b>: TMDC alleviated asthma by promoting Treg cell expansion in a <i>Lactobacillus</i>-dependent manner across different gut segments, providing new insights into its therapeutic mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-926937ef4daa42b3b1fee7fe742146f02025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-04-0118564610.3390/ph18050646Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell PromotionYanfei Hong0Zheng Yang1Zirui Liu2Na Li3Jingbo Qin4Dongyu Ge5Guiying Peng6Ji Wang7Qi Wang8Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaNational Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaWang Jing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100102, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaNational Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaScientific Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaNational Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, ChinaNational Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102401, China<b>Objective</b>: Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan decoction (TMDC), a traditional Chinese prescription, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating allergic asthma. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMDC in treating asthma from the perspective of Treg cells and gut microbiota across distinct gut segments (jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon). <b>Methods</b>: An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model was established in mice, followed by oral administration of TMDC at high, medium, and low dose. Immune cells and lung inflammation were examined to assess asthma severity. Microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. Antibiotic cocktail and <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> GG (LGG) were administrated to confirm the key role of specific bacteria. <b>Results</b>: TMDC attenuated lung inflammation (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and eosinophilic infiltration (<i>p</i> < 0.01) as well as IL-4 and IL-5 secretion (<i>p</i> < 0.01); it was also associated with an increase in Treg cells in the lung, small intestine (SI), and colon (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Meanwhile, TMDC restored the number of microbiota species and the Shannon index in the hindgut and reinstated beneficial bacteria, such as <i>Allobaculum</i> and <i>Turicibacter</i>, which were diminished in asthmatic mice. Notably, TMDC significantly enriched <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, particularly in the hindgut. <i>Lactobacillus</i> abundance was significantly correlated (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with Treg cells, IL-4, IL-5, and eosinophils. Furthermore, LGG supplementation restored elevated lung inflammation (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and decreased Treg cells (<i>p</i> < 0.01) due to antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion. <b>Conclusion</b>: TMDC alleviated asthma by promoting Treg cell expansion in a <i>Lactobacillus</i>-dependent manner across different gut segments, providing new insights into its therapeutic mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/646traditional Chinese medicineprobioticssegmental gut microbiota distributionregulatory T cellsallergic inflammationmicrobiome–immune axis
spellingShingle Yanfei Hong
Zheng Yang
Zirui Liu
Na Li
Jingbo Qin
Dongyu Ge
Guiying Peng
Ji Wang
Qi Wang
Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
Pharmaceuticals
traditional Chinese medicine
probiotics
segmental gut microbiota distribution
regulatory T cells
allergic inflammation
microbiome–immune axis
title Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
title_full Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
title_fullStr Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
title_full_unstemmed Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
title_short Tuo-Min-Ding-Chuan Decoction Alleviates Asthma via Spatial Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Treg Cell Promotion
title_sort tuo min ding chuan decoction alleviates asthma via spatial regulation of gut microbiota and treg cell promotion
topic traditional Chinese medicine
probiotics
segmental gut microbiota distribution
regulatory T cells
allergic inflammation
microbiome–immune axis
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/646
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