Objective:

2

To explore the effect of Scutellariae Radix on the diversity of intestinal flora in rats under physiological conditions

in order to determine the property of Scutellariae Radix property.

Method:

2

16S rRNA high-throughput gene sequencing technique was used to detect the cecum solutes of rats treated with Scutellariae Radix (10 g·kg

-1

). The number

richness and diversity index of the intestinal flora taxon (OTUs) and the differential phylum and genus were comprehensively analyzed. The network visualization was used to find the correlation between differential phylum and genus.

Result:

2

Based on the Illumina Miseq platform

compared with the blank group

the number of OTUs and the index of richness and diversity of the intestinal flora of the rats treated with Scutellariae Radix decreased. Bacteroidetes and Spirochaetes were significantly up-regulated(

P

<

0.01)

while Firmicutes

Actinobacteria

Proteobacteria and Tenericutes were significantly down-regulated(

P

<

0.01). Among the 24 differential bacteria genera

17 were significantly down-regulated(

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01)

while 7 species were significantly up-regulated(

P

<

0.01). On the basis of the network visualization analysis

the most influential phylua were Bacteroides and Firmicutes

in which Firmicutes showed a negative correlation with the rest of phylum

with the strongest negative correlation with spirochetes. There was a positive correlation between Bacteroides

Proteobacteria and Firmicutes

but a negative correlation with Actinobacteria

and no correlation with other phylum. Most of the differential bacteria were enriched in

Ruminococcus

Paraprevotella

Prevotella

and

Oscillospira

.

Conclusion:

2

Scutellariae Radix can reduce the diversity of intestinal flora and inhibit the metabolism of the body

so its property is cold.