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Objective To investigate the effect of balanophora polysaccharide (BPS) on neuro-autophagy and its therapeutic effect on spinal cord injury. Methods The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(sham, n=10),model group(SCI, n=15,which were established according to the Allen's weight-striking method), and the BPS treatment group(BPS, n=45),which were given intra-gastrically with low, medium and high dose of BPS solution for 14 days). The BBB scores were measured to evaluate motor function. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Nissl staining was used to observe the morphological changes. The expression of autophagy markers of Beclin 1, LC3-Ⅱ and p62 was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the sham operation group,the curve of BBB score-time in SCI group was significantly lower and the injury was severer(P＜0.05). In SCI group, the dorsal white matter and central gray matter of spinal cord were seriously injured with obvious cavity. Further observation showed that the number of neurons in SCI group was significantly decreased; the structure of cell body was incomplete. The result of Western bolt showed that the relative change of LC3 Ⅱ /Ⅰ and p62 was up-regulated on day 1,7 and 14, the highest expression of both protein was found on day 7(P＜0.05). At the same time,Beclin 1 was decreased after injury with lowest expression on day 7(P＜0.05). The BBB scores of BPS group were increased with a dose-dependent manner as compared with SCI group. The cavity of dorsal white matter and central gray matter shrinked. The number of neurons was increased with intact morphology. The expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ was increased significantly in BPS group, while p62 decreased as compared to SCI group(P＜0.05). Conclusions BPS has a well-demonstrated neuron-protective effect and the underlying mechanism might be related to the protection of injured nerve cells.

This study explores the effects and mechanisms of Modified Xiaoyao Powder on the intestinal barrier and intestinal flora in mice with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD) based on the " gut-liver axis". Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, bifidobacterium tetrad tablet group(SQ), and Modified Xiaoyao Powder groups with low,medium and high doses(XL, XM, XH), with 10 mice in each group. All the mice were administrated with a high-fat diet to build the MAFLD model except the normal group and then treated with related drugs for 12 weeks. Body mass, liver wet weight, and liver index were detected. Serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total cholesterol(TC), triacylglycerol(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)levels were detected using the biochemical kits. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL-6) in the liver were tested simultaneously. The morphological changes of the liver and intestine were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining. The goblet cells in the ileum were detected by periodic acid Schiff and alcian blue stain(AB-PAS) staining.The expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), recombinant occludin(occludin), and recombinant claudin 1(claudin-1) in ileum and colon were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The changes of intestinal flora in mice were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that compared with the normal group, body weight, liver wet weight and liver index in the model group increased. The contents of TC, TG, ALT, AST, LDL-C, and LPS in the serum of the model group increased, while HDL-C decreased. Meanwhile, the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in liver tissue increased and liver lipid accumulation increased, indicating successful model induction. Compared with the model group, body weight, liver wet weight, and liver index were decreased in XM,XH groups and SQ group. Serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT and AST in XM group and SQ group were significantly decreased,and HDL-C levels were increased. The levels of IL-6, TNF-α in liver tissue and serum LPS in the XL, XM groups and SQ group were significantly decreased. The protein expression of claudin-1, occludin and ZO-1 in XL, XM groups and SQ group were increased. The analysis of intestinal flora showed that compared with the model group, Modified Xiaoyao Powder with a medium dose could significantly improve the richness and diversity of intestinal flora in mice. At the phylum level, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio decreased; at the genus level, Lactobacillus, Brautella, Bacteroides, and Ackermannia increased, while Prevotella, Desulfovibrio and Turicibacter decreased. The main differential species were Odorbacteraceaeae and Peptostreptococcaceae. In conclusion, Modified Xiaoyao Powder could inhibit inflammation, regulate intestinal flora homeostasis, and promote the repair of the intestinal mucosal barrier in mice with MAFLD.