The mechanism of Lycii Cortex intervention in essential hypertension was analyzed based on metabolomics and gut microbiota

Abstract Objectives:To determine the hypotensive effect of Lycii Cortex on spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) based on gut microbiota and untargeted metabonomics. Methods：8-9 weeks of ages SHR rats were randomly divided into a model group, model drug delivery group; Wistar-Kyoto Rat (WKY) were used as controls. Feces were collected after 4weeks of gavage. Study the influence of SHR’s fecal metabolites and gut microbiota after Lycii Cortex extract administation by using LC-MS and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The data were also analysed using methods such as multivariate statistical analysis and Spearman’s correlation. Result: Lycii Cortex had a significant hypotensive effect on SHR (p<0.01), and regulated levels of metabolites such as serotonin, Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid and Glycochenodeoxycholic Acid. Its associated metabolic pathways are bile secretion, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, etc. Lycii Cortex extract was also found to modulate the abundance of benefical bacteria in the gut of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Conclusion: Lycii Cortex extract can improve the state of essential hypertension by regulating the balance of gut microorganisms. From the perspective of metabolimics and gut microbiota, it can help to explore the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and the intervention mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Lycii Cortex at the molecular level.