Danggui Liuhuang Decoction Modulates Gut Microbiota to Improve Liver and Neurological Outcomes in High-Fat Diet Rats

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common worldwide, and it is tied to brain problems. Traditional Chinese medicine, especially Danggui Liuhuang decoction (DGLHD), may help NAFLD by changing gut microbes. This work looks at DGLHD effects on NAFLD and brain problems from the gut- liver-brain axis view. Methods: NAFLD was induced in male SD rats by feeding a high-fat diet (60% fat) for nine weeks. Rats were then given DGLHD (6.0 g/kg) by mouth for three weeks. Liver function, blood lipids, inflammation markers, and apoptosis were tested by biochemical assays and tissue staining (H&E and immunohistochemical analysis). Cognitive function was tested with the Morris water maze. Gut microbiota composition was checked by 16S rDNA sequencing on the Illumina platform. Results: DGLHD treatment improved liver function, reduced inflammation and apoptosis in liver and brain tissues, and improved cognitive performance in NAFLD rats. It also increased gut microbial diversity and changed microbial composition, with more s_Alistipes_finegoldii. DGLHD brought Firmicutes/Campilobacterota and Desulfobacterota/Campilobacterota ratios back to control levels. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher expression of neuroprotective proteins Calbindin-D28K and MAP2 in the hippocampal CA1 region after DGLHD treatment. Discussion: This study gives some clues on how DGLHD works and says it could be used for NAFLD treatment. Future work should test DGLHD in people. Conclusion: DGLHD may help treat NAFLD and related brain problems by changing the gutliver- brain axis, maybe through specific microbial changes. conclusion: DGLHD demonstrates potential in treating NAFLD and associated neurological complications by modulating the gut-liver-brain axis, possibly through specific microbial alterations. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of DGLHD's therapeutic effects and suggests new avenues for NAFLD treatment. Future research should explore the clinical applications of DGLHD in human subjects.