Abstract: 【Objective】 The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Cangpu Wumei powder on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced diarrhea in mice, and provide theoretical basis for the protection of Cangpu Wumei powder against enteritis diarrhea. 【Method】 60 ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with 10 mice each group and half male and half female.Mice in blank control group and LPS model group were given 20 mL/kg of purified water by gavage.Berberine hydrochloride group was given 5 mg/mL berberine hydrochloride solution as 20 mL/kg.The Cangpu Wumei powder low, medium and high dose groups were given the suspension of 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 g/kg of Cangpu Wumei powder (the final concentrations were 40, 80 and 160 mg/mL, respectively) according to 20 mL/kg.After 7 consecutive days of administration, except for blank control group, mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mg/mL LPS solution at the dose of 20 mL/kg at 24 h after the last administration, which induced diarrhea in mice.The defecation of mice within 2 h was observed and recorded, and the starting time of diarrhea, diarrhea rate and diarrhea index were calculated.The initial body weight, pre-modeling body weight and final body weight of mice were counted.After 2 h post LPS treatment, the blood of the mice was collected and routine blood test was performed.The ileum, cecum and colon tissues were collected and pathological sections were observed. 【Result】 The starting time of diarrhea of male and female mice in LPS model group was 8 and 6 min, respectively.The starting time of diarrhea of male mice in the Cangpu Wumei powder low, medium and high dose groups was 23, 29 and 41 min respectively, and the starting time of diarrhea of female mice was 22, 27 and 29 min, respectively.Compared with LPS model group, the diarrhea rate and diarrhea index of male and female mice in Cangpu Wumei powder medium and high dose groups were significantly decreased (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in white blood cells and lymphocytes counts between male and female mice in the low, medium, and high dose groups of Cangpu Wumei powder compared to the berberine hydrochloride group (P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in diarrhea index and weight gain rate of male and female mice in Cangpu Wumei powder medium and high dose groups compared with blank control group (P＞0.05).The histopathological observation showed that the inflammatory cell infiltration of ileum, cecum and colon was more serious and the villi was shorter in the LPS model group.A small number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the male and female mice in Cangpu Wumei powder low dose group.The intestinal villi and goblet cells of male and female mice in berberine hydrochloride group and Cangpu Wumei powder medium and high dose groups were not significantly changed. 【Conclusion】 Cangpu Wumei powder treatment could prolong the starting time of diarrhea, reduce the rate of loose stool and diarrhea index, and relieve LPS-induced enteritis diarrhea.The recommended dose of Cangpu Wumei powder was 1.6 g/kg under the experimental conditions.

Key words: Cangpu Wumei powder; mice; lipopolysaccharide; diarrhea