Therapeutic effects of Jingning decoction against Tourette syndrome model rats by regulating gut microbiota and mediating expressions of inflammatory factors and neurotransmitters

YUAN Jingwei; XIAO Heyin; GUO Kai; LI Xingxing; JIA Haiyan; ZHANG Mengdi; LIU Zuoxu; WU Yan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.02.004

Abstract：Objective This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Jingning Decoction(JND)in a rat model of Tourette Syndrome(TS)and to explore the potential mechanisms through which JND modulates gut microbiota,influences neuroinflammation,and alters neurotransmitter levels.Methods A total of 48 male Wistar rats were used to establish a TS model by administering intraperitoneal injections of 3,3-iminodipropionitrile(IDPN)at a dosage of 150 mg/kg/day for one week.A stereotyped behavior score greater than 1 indicated successful modeling.Using the random number table method,the patients were randomly divided into six groups:control group(Control group),model group(TS group),positive drug group(Hal group),low-dose Jingning decoction group(JND-LD group),medium dose Jingning decoction group(JND-MD group),and high-dose Jingning decoction group(JND-HD group).After 4 weeks of administration,the efficacy was evaluated through stereotype scoring,ELISA assay,and histopathological analysis;Extract fecal genome and perform 16S rRNA sequencing detection.Results After 4 weeks of administration,the stereotype scores of the JND-HD group,JND-MD group,and JND-LD group were lower than those of the TS group(P=0.032,＜0.001,0.160);The ELISA analysis results showed that the IL-4 levels in the JND group were higher than those in the TS group(P=0.002,0.015,＜0.001),while the IL-6 and DA levels in the Hal group,JND-MD group,and JND-LD group were lower than those in the TS group(P=0.016,0.017,0.006,＜0.001,0.016,0.006).The Glu levels in the Hal group and JND-MD group were lower than those in the TS group(P=0.040,0.027);The results of histopathological analysis showed that the protein levels of ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin-1 in the TS group were lower than those in the Control group(P=0.014,0.007,0.009),while the JND-MD group was higher than the TS group(P=0.004,0.021,＜0.001).The protein levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 in the Hal group were higher than those in the TS group(P=0.040,0.012).The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis results showed that the Shannon index and thickness/pseudo ratio of the TS group were lower than those of the Control group(P=0.033,0.006),while the JND-MD group was higher than the TS group(P＜0.001,=0.003).Conclusion JND demonstrates significant therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of Tourette Syndrome model in rats,with its mechanism of action mediated through the regulation of gut microbiota,modulation of inflammatory cytokines,and expression of neurotransmitters.