[Mechanism of total flavonoids from Astragali Complanati Semen in treating chronic liver injury based on intestinal flora].

TFACS intervention significantly altered intestinal flora composition at the phylum level in chronic liver injury mice.

• Compared with the model group, Bacteroidetes was decreased significantly at the phylum level under TFACS intervention.
• Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were increased significantly under TFACS intervention.
• Mouse CLI models were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride.
• TFACS was administered at doses of 50 or 100 mg·kg⁻¹ for 6 consecutive weeks.
• Intestinal flora components were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing technology.

TFACS intervention altered intestinal flora at the genus and species levels in CLI mice.

• At the genus level, TFACS promotes the proliferation of Lactobacillus.
• At the species level, TFACS significantly increases the abundance of Roseburia faecis.
• TFACS significantly decreased the levels of Alistipes onderdonkii and Clostridium leptum.
• Analysis was performed using 16S rDNA sequencing technology on cecal contents collected 16 hours after the final administration.

TFACS intervention significantly increased the contents of multiple short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in intestinal contents of CLI mice.

• TFACS significantly increased the contents of propionic acid, acetic acid, isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, caproic acid, and valeric acid.
• SCFAs content was analyzed by GC-MS from cecal contents.
• The increase in SCFAs was observed compared with the model group.
• Mice were treated with TFACS at 50 or 100 mg·kg⁻¹ for 6 consecutive weeks.

TFACS intervention upregulated key structural proteins of intestinal tight junctions in CLI mice.

• TFACS up-regulated the expression of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), key structural proteins of intestinal tight junctions.
• TFACS intervention effectively promotes the adhesion complex formation between intestinal epithelial cells.
• These changes resulted in improved intestinal barrier function.
• Cecum tissue was observed by fluorescent staining to assess these protein expressions.

TFACS improved serum liver function indexes and reduced liver lesions and collagen deposition in CLI mice.

• Serum liver function indexes were determined by an automatic biochemical analyzer.
• Liver lesions were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.
• Collagen deposition was assessed by Masson staining.
• The study included four groups: blank group, model group, silybin group, and TFACS (50 or 100 mg·kg⁻¹) groups.
• CLI was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride with treatment lasting 6 consecutive weeks.