Investigating the effect of italicTongxie Yaofang Formula /italic（痛泻要方） on the intestinal flora of IBS-D patients with liver depression of spleen deficiency based on 16S rDNA gene sequencing

Key Points

• The study aims to explore differences in intestinal flora and metabolites between healthy controls and IBS-D patients with liver depression of spleen deficiency, and to evaluate the impact of Tongxie Yaofang.
• Included 60 healthy controls and 120 IBS-D patients randomized into control and treatment groups.
• Collected stool samples before treatment and at 14 days post-treatment.
• Analyzed gut microbiota changes using 16S rDNA sequencing.
• Significant differences in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio between IBS-D and healthy controls.
• Post-treatment, increased abundance of Roseburia, Romboutsia timonensis, and Streptococcus salivarius was observed.
• KEGG pathway analysis revealed enhanced activity in MAPK signaling, autophagy, and T cell receptor signaling pathways in IBS-D patients.