Wumei-Pill Alleviates Parkinson's Disease Induced by Dopamine Neuron Damage in Mice by Regulating the Gut-Brain-Microbiome Axis

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the protective effects and the ways WuMei-Pill (WMP) work on Parkinson's disease (PD), focusing on its ability to restore the PD-induced gut microbiota imbalance and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: This study employed LPS-induced inflammation BV2 cells and a PD mouse model induced by 6-OHDA to explore the treatment of WMP. A series of assessments were performed, encompassing behavioral evaluations, immunohistochemistry, Western blot (WB), as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to evaluate neurological function of WMP on PD. Fecal samples as well as brain tissues were collected for microbiome and transcriptome analysis.

Results: WMP treatment elevated neurological function, increased the number of TH+ cells, as well as brain dopamine levels. 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuronal damage was connected to an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria (Bacteroides), bacteria involved in tryptophan metabolism (Azospirillum_sp.47_25 as well as unclassified Bacteroidia), as well as cholesterol metabolism (unclassified [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group), while the number of anti-inflammatory bacteria (Roseburia) was reduced. The WMP study investigated the shifts in the microbiota and changes in key brain metabolites, including L-tryptophan and Bambuterol.

Conclusion: Dopaminergic neuron damage-induced microbiome dysbiosis worsen Parkinson's disease symptoms. WMP corrected these microbial and metabolic imbalances, reducing dopaminergic neuron loss, increasing dopamine levels, and improving neurological function.