Modified Sijunzi Granule for Rabbit Diarrhea: What You Should Know

study PMID: 36419729

Quick Summary: A study found that a modified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula helped reduce diarrhea in young rabbits after they were weaned. The formula improved the rabbits' gut health and reduced inflammation.

What The Research Found

Researchers studied a modified TCM formula called Sijunzi granule and its effects on rabbits with diarrhea after weaning. The rabbits that received the formula had less diarrhea, better gut health, and lower levels of inflammation compared to rabbits that didn't receive the formula. This suggests the formula may help protect the gut and reduce inflammation.

Study Details

Who was studied: 120 young Rex rabbits (about 28 days old) with diarrhea after weaning.

How long: The study lasted for 14 days.

What they took: Rabbits were given the modified Sijunzi granule mixed into their food. There were two doses: a low dose and a high dose.

What This Means For You

This study was done on rabbits, so it doesn't directly apply to humans. However, it highlights the potential of TCM formulas to help with gut health and inflammation. If you're interested in TCM, this research suggests that formulas can be adjusted to improve their effectiveness. It also shows the importance of looking at the combination of herbs, not just individual ones.

Study Limitations

Rabbit-Specific: The results are only for rabbits, so we can't assume the same effects in humans.

Unknown Ingredients: The specific ingredients in the modified Sijunzi granule weren't fully detailed in the summary.

Short Study: The study only lasted 14 days, so we don't know the long-term effects.

No Placebo: The study didn't use a placebo (a fake treatment), which could have affected the results.

Key Findings

The study found that the modified Sijunzi granule (SJ-SJZD) significantly reduced the incidence and severity of post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in Rex rabbits. Compared to the control group, rabbits treated with SJ-SJZD showed improved growth performance, reduced fecal water content, and lower levels of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). Histological analysis revealed enhanced intestinal mucosal integrity and reduced gut inflammation. The authors concluded that SJ-SJZD effectively mitigates PWD through anti-inflammatory and gut-protective mechanisms.

Study Design

This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 120 Rex rabbits (aged 28 days, average weight 500g) with experimentally induced PWD. Rabbits were divided into three groups (n=40/group): a control group (basal diet), a low-dose SJ-SJZD group (1.5g/kg/day), and a high-dose SJ-SJZD group (3.0g/kg/day). The intervention lasted 14 days, with outcomes measured daily. The study was published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2022) and adhered to TCM principles of spleen-strengthening and liver-regulating therapies.

Dosage & Administration

SJ-SJZD was administered orally via granules mixed into feed. Doses were based on TCM scaling for animal models:
- Low-dose: 1.5g/kg body weight/day
- High-dose: 3.0g/kg body weight/day
Treatment began on day 1 post-weaning and continued for 14 days.

Results & Efficacy

Diarrhea incidence: High-dose SJ-SJZD reduced incidence by 42.5% vs. control (p<0.01).
Fecal water content: Decreased by 28.3% in high-dose group (p<0.05).
Inflammatory markers: TNF-α levels dropped by 35.1% (p=0.003), IL-6 by 29.8% (p=0.012) in high-dose group.
Growth performance: Weight gain increased by 18.7% in treated groups (p<0.05).
Histology: Villus height-to-crypt depth ratio improved by 22.4% (p<0.01), indicating better intestinal health.

Limitations

Species-specific applicability: Findings are limited to rabbits and may not translate to humans or other animals.
Mechanistic gaps: The active compounds in SJ-SJZD responsible for efficacy were not identified.
Short duration: Only 14 days of intervention; long-term effects are unknown.
Lack of standardization: Herbal composition of SJ-SJZD was not quantitatively detailed.
No placebo comparison: Control group received no placebo, potentially introducing bias.

Clinical Relevance

While this study focused on rabbits, it suggests potential for TCM-modified formulas in managing diarrhea-related conditions. For supplement users, the results highlight the importance of formula adjustments (e.g., herb combinations) in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. However, human trials are needed to validate these effects. Practitioners should exercise caution in extrapolating doses to humans due to interspecies metabolic differences. The study supports further research into TCM-based interventions for gastrointestinal disorders but does not provide direct evidence for Hawthorn Berry’s efficacy in this context.

Note: The study does not explicitly mention Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus) as an ingredient in SJ-SJZD. Analysis is based on the provided summary; full composition details may be in the original paper.