ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pharmacol.

Sec. Ethnopharmacology

Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1505642

Mechanisms of Lushi Runzao Decoction in Treating Sjögren's Syndrome by Remodeling Gut Flora to Regulate Bile Acid and Short-Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism

Provisionally accepted
Fengtao  PangFengtao Pang*Quan  JiangQuan JiangXiaopo  TangXiaopo Tang*Kesong  LiKesong Li*
  • Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of Lushi Runzao decoction (LSRZT) in Treating Sjögren's Syndrome(SS) through gut flora, short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) and metabolomics. Methods: Non Obese Diabetes (NOD) /LtJ mice were used as the model group, LSRZT and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered to the treatment group. Fecal samples were collected 4 weeks after the intervention. The microbiota, SCFAs and metabolites were analyzed using 16S ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid, Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.Results: LSRZT had obvious anti-inflammatory effect and can effectively improve the functional injury of submandibular gland; It improves the imbalance of gut microbiota and the related metabolic levels of SCFAs and bile acids, and regulates the levels of inflammatory factors and the contents of bile acids and caproic acid by regulating the abundance of Erysipelatoclostridiaceae, Gammaproteobacteria and Ruminococcaceae.Conclusion: LSRZT can reduce the level of inflammation and improve the imbalance of gut microbiota and metabolism. It provides a scientific basis for the clinical treatment of SS by LSRZT.

Keywords: Sjögren's syndrome, Lushi Runzao Decoction, gut flora, Metabolomics, Bile acid, short-chain fatty acid

Received: 03 Oct 2024; Accepted: 03 Jun 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Pang, Jiang, Tang and Li. 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:
Fengtao Pang, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Xiaopo Tang, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Kesong Li, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China

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