Both Gut Microbiota-Dependent and -Independent Constituents of Xinglou Chengqi Decoction Highlight Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide in Treatment of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of Xinglou Chengqi Decoction (XCD) on severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) and its relationship with gut microbiota.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into sham, controlled cortical impact (CCI), and 3 doses of XCD (4.1, 8.2, and 16.4 g/kg) groups by using a random number table, n=7 per group. A CCI device was employed to establish the TBI model. XCD was administered intragastrically for 3 consecutive days. The effects of XCD on post-sTBI neurological deficits and histopathology were assessed. The contribution of gut microbiota to XCD-mediated improvement in sTBI was investigated using antibiotic-treated TBI mice. The gut microbiota-dependent mechanisms of XCD in sTBI were explored through 16S rDNA sequencing and serum metabolomics. The mechanisms underlying the absorbed ingredients of XCD in sTBI were examined using network pharmacology and metabolomics. Finally, mice were divided into sham, CCI, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-treated groups, n=10 per group. FAD was administered to sTBI mice via daily tail vein injection (830 µg/kg) for 3 consecutive days to evaluate and verify its therapeutic effect.

Results: XCD significantly mitigated neurological impairments, neuronal damage, apoptosis, and blood-brain barrier disruption in CCI model mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The medium dose (8.2 g/kg) exhibited the greatest effect. The gut microbiota partly contributed to these protective effects. 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that XCD promoted beneficial gut microbiota. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that XCD regulated serum metabolic profiles, particularly FAD. Network pharmacology combined with metabolomics analysis revealed that the gut microbiota-independent components of XCD also targeted FAD in TBI. FAD exerted neuroprotective effects, improved energy metabolism, and promoted angiogenesis following TBI (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

Conclusion: XCD exerts neuroprotective effects on sTBI through both gut microbiota-dependent and -independent mechanisms, which highlight the therapeutic role of FAD.