Emodin Improves Intestinal Health and Immunity through Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice Infected by Pathogenic Escherichia coli O(1)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Diarrhea is associated with intestinal inflammation and ecological imbalance of the intestinal flora. Emodin is an herbal ingredient with various pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. Although several characteristics of emodin have been reported, the effects of orally administered emodin on the structure of the intestinal microbial community and immunological parameters in mice with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection are not well understood. Therefore, this study focused on determining whether emodin mitigates the negative effects of ETEC infection on intestinal barrier function and immune response in mice by altering intestinal flora. The results suggest that emodin protects against intestinal damage induced by E. coli O(1) and improves intestinal mucosal barrier function in mice by increasing the abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiota and inhibiting the abundance of harmful bacteria, thereby alleviating diarrhea. The findings of this study will contribute to our understanding of how emodin attenuates the effects of ETEC on intestinal mucosal barrier damage by modulating the microbial composition of the gut. ABSTRACT: The effect of emodin on the intestinal mucosal barrier of a mouse E. coli O(1)-induced diarrhea model was observed. Following successful establishment of a diarrhea model, the mice were treated with drugs for seven days. Intestinal lesions and the shape and the number of goblet cells were assessed via hematoxylin-eosin and periodic-acid-Schiff staining, while changes in inflammatory factors, ultrastructure of the small intestine, expression of MUC-2, and changes in the intestinal microbiota were analyzed via RT-PCR, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Examination showed that emodin ameliorated pathological damage to the intestines of diarrheic mice. RT-PCR indicated that emodin reduced TNF-α, IL-β, IL-6, MPO, and COX-2 mRNA levels in duodenal tissues and increased the levels of sIgA and MUC-2 and the number of goblet cells. Microbiome analysis revealed that Escherichia coli O(1) reduced bacterial richness and altered the distribution pattern of bacterial communities at the phylum and order levels in cecum contents. Notably, pathogenic Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales were significantly increased in diarrheic mice. However, emodin reversed the trend. Thus, emodin protected against intestinal damage induced by E. coli O(1) and improved intestinal mucosal barrier function in mice by increasing the abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiota and inhibiting the abundance of harmful bacteria, thereby alleviating diarrhea.