Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis can improve the structure of gut microbiota and relieve the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Many Chinese herbs are traditionally used as medicine to improve the functions of gastrointestinal tract. Some of these herbs are also promising agents for the improvement of the gut microbiota and the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Materials and methods By screening seven traditional Chinese herbs, we found that Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis were the most effective in promoting the growth of probiotics including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in vitro . We then evaluated the effects of Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis on the growth of the bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Salmonella spp.) in vitro . In in vivo experiment, we gavage administrated trinitro–benzene–sulfonic acid induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rats with Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis extracts. After two weeks treatment, we analyzed the structure of the gut microbiota and examined the UC symptoms by employing qPCR and animal pathology detection techniques. Results Both Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis promoted the growth of probiotics – Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in vitro . Red Ginseng also inhibited the growth of some pathogen strains. In vivo, Red Ginseng and Semen Coicis improved the structure of gut microbiota and relieved the symptoms of ulcerative colitis in vivo . Compared with Semen Coicis , Red Ginseng was more effective in relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Conclusions Red Ginseng could promote the growth of probiotic bacteria in vitro. Red Ginseng and, to a lesser extent Semen Coicis , gave positive results in an experimental in vivo model for ulcerative colitis.