Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Shenfu decoction(SFD) prepared with a traditional Chinese formula, on sepsis in rats with the condition induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP), and to study the possible mechanism underlying its action.METHODS: Forty clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups:normal control group(NCG, n = 10), model control group(MCG, n = 15) and Shenfu decoction group(SFDG, n = 15). Sham-operated rats in NCG were served as operation control, while rats in both MCG and SFDG were exposed to CLP, a procedure to develop experimental sepsis. Rats in SFDG were administered with SFD by gavage(3 mg/g of body weight, twice a day) 2 h prior to CLP and directly after successful CLP, while rats in NCG and MCG were gavaged with equivalent volume of sterilized water. Rats in all groups were starved with free access to drink. After 24 h of administration, the mortality of rats in each group was assessed. The indicators of inflammatory response [the peritoneal inflammation by Simon's method Classification as well as serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)] in survival rats were evaluated. The indicators of gut barrier [The intestinal mucosal injury index, serum concentrations of D-lactic acid and secretory IgA(sIgA) in intestinal mucosa by ELISA, as well as gut microbiota by16 S rRNA gene sequencing] in survival rats were evaluated.RESULTS: The mortality(20%) of rats in SFDG was lower than that(33.3%) of the MCG(P < 0.01). The mortality(20%) of rats in SFDG was lower than that(33.3%) of the MCG(χ2= 6.533, P = 0.011). Compared with the MCG,the peritoneal inflammation as well as serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly in SFDG(all P < 0.01). Compared with the MCG, the IMII, serum concentrations of D-lactic acid, s Ig A in intestinal mucosa were alleviated by SFD treatment(all P < 0.01). Increase in levels of Proteobacteria and reduction levels of Bacteroidetes induced by sepsis were observed, and these two disturbed gut microbiota phyla could be regulated after SFD treatment. Increase in levels of Proteobacteria and reduction levels of Bacteroidetes induced by sepsis were observed, and these two disturbed gut microbiota phyla could be regulated after SFD treatment.CONCLUSION: SFD may play a protective role in sepsis by alleviating sepsis-induced inflammatory response and gut barrier damage in rats.

Key words: Sepsis, Punctures, Inflammation, Shenfu decoction, Gut barrier