Improving Effect of Co-administration of Gastrodia elata and Probiotics on the Digestive Function in Rats

Abstract:

[Objective] To investigate the effects of co-administration of Gastrodia elata (G. elata) and probiotics on the digestive function and intestinal microbiota in rats. [Method] SD rats were utilized to explore the effects of G. elata extract on the digestive function, and the mass fractions of total phenols and polysaccharides in the extract were determined. The extract was then combined with probiotics for gavage in rats. After 30 d of gavage, the body weight, food intake, food utilization rate, pepsin activity, and mass concentrations of gastrin (GAS) and somatostatin (SS) were measured. The intestinal microbiota structure was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. [Result] The co-administration group showed increases in body weight, food intake, pepsin activity, pepsin excretion, and GAS level compared with the control group (P<0.05), with a decrease in SS level (P<0.05). Additionally, the co-administration of G. elata and probiotics adjusted the intestinal microbiota structure by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. [Conclusion] The co-administration of G. elata and probiotics positively affects the digestive function in rats and holds the potential for development.