Effects of Yunpi Runtong Formula on Gut Microbiota and 5-HT Signaling Pathway in Children with Functional Constipation of Spleen Deficiency Type
10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.09.014
- VernacularTitle:运脾润通方对脾虚型小儿功能性便秘肠道菌群及5-HT信号通路的影响
- Author:
Cong SHEN
1
;
Haijie JI
;
Hanzhong FAN
;
Xiujuan LIANG
Author Information
1. 山西省中医药研究院,山西省中医院,山西太原 030012
- Keywords:
functional constipation;
spleen deficiency type;
children;
Yunpi Runtong Formula;
gut microbiota;
gastrointestinal function;
serotonin;
5-HT signaling pathway
- From:
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;42(9):2183-2191
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Yunpi Runtong Formula(composed of Haematitum,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Cinnamomi Ramulus,Ophiopogonis Radix,Angelicae Sinensis Radix,Cannabis Fructus,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus,Cimicifugae Rhizoma,Picrorhizae Rhizoma,etc.)in treating functional constipation(FC)of spleen deficiency type in children and to analyze its effects on gut microbiota,defecation patterns,and the serotonin(5-HT)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 160 children with FC of spleen deficiency type treated at Shanxi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2022 to August 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a study group,with 80 patients in each group.The control group received conventional western medicine(lactulose oral solution)treatment,while the study group received Yunpi Runtong Formula treatment in addition to the control group's treatment.Both groups underwent treatment for one month.Changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,defecation parameters[mean defecation time,spontaneous complete bowel movements(SCBM),Bristol Stool Form Scale(BSFS)],gastrointestinal function markers[substance P(SP),gastrin(GAS),motilin(MLT)],gut microbiota composition,and 5-HT signaling pathway components(serum 5-HT levels,5-HT3R and 5-HT4R protein expression)were analyzed.Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results(1)The intergroup comparison(by chi-square test)showed that the study group exhibited significantly higher total efficacy[95.00％(76/80)]than the control group[81.25％(65/80);P＜0.01].(2)Both groups exhibited reduced TCM syndrome scores(defecation duration,stool features,difficulty of defecation,interval of defecation,and secondary symptoms;all P＜0.05),with greater improvements in the study group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,both groups had shorter mean defecation time,increased SCBM,and higher BSFS scores(all P＜0.05),and the study group demonstrated superior improvements(P＜0.01).(4)Serum SP,GAS,and MLT levels increased in both groups(P＜0.05),with more pronounced elevations in the study group(P＜0.01).(5)Gut microbiota analysis revealed decreased levels of Enterococcus and Enterobacter(P＜0.05)and increased levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus(P＜0.05)in both groups,with the study group showing significantly greater modulation(P＜0.01).(6)The 5-HT pathway activation(serum 5-HT,5-HT3R/5-HT4R expression)was enhanced in both groups(P＜0.05),more markedly in the study group(P＜0.01).(7)No adverse events or abnormal liver/renal function were observed.Conclusion Yunpi Runtong Formula combined with lactulose effectively alleviates FC symptoms,improves defecation patterns,gastrointestinal function,and gut microbiota,likely via 5-HT pathway activation,with high safety.
