Effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on pica and gut microbiota in rats treated with cisplatin

Abstract

Xiaodi Feng,*,1 Qianqian Cheng,*,1 Qi Meng,2 Yanhong Yang,3 Ke Nie11School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, People’s Republic of China; 3The First Affiliated Hospital (School of Clinical Medicine), Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: [6]-gingerol is one of the main components of ginger with many biological activities. In this study, the effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on pica and gut microbiota in rats injected with cisplatin were evaluated.Materials and methods: Rat model of cisplatin-induced pica was established, and the effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on the gut microbiota were further studied by 16S rDNA gene analysis.Results: The results showed that the total intake of kaolin of the rats injected with cisplatin was significantly increased, and treatment of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol in advance could significantly ameliorate the pica induced by cisplatin. The body weight of the rats injected with cisplatin was decreased compared with the control group. The 16S rDNA gene analysis has shown that ondansetron, [6]-gingerol and cisplatin could increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decrease Firmicutes on phylum level.Conclusion: [6]-gingerol was as effective as ondansetron in the treatment of pica induced by cisplatin in rats, and it seemed that [6]-gingerol had the potential to ameliorate the alteration of gut microbiome, but it needs further study.Keywords: [6]-gingerol, ondansetron, kaolin, pica, gut microbiota, cisplatin

Keywords

• [6]-gingerol
• ondansetron
• kaolin
• pica
• gut microbiota
• cisplatin