EVALUATION OF BA ZHENG SAN'S THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS ON RECOVERY AND PHYSICAL RESILIENCE:INSIGHTS FROM A MOUSE URINARY TRACT INFECTION MODEL
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Ba Zheng San in promoting recovery and mitigating infection-related damage using a mouse urinary tract infection (UTI) model, with implications for enhancing physical resilience and overall health. Methods: A mouse UTI model was established to assess the effects of Ba Zheng San. Mice were treated via gavage with varying concentrations of Ba Zheng San or no treatment (control) for five days. Mortality rates, body weights, and urine bacterial counts were recorded daily, and bacterial counts were assessed on treatment days 1, 3, and 5 using standard plate count methods. On day 5, bladder and kidney specimens were collected for gross morphological assessment, bacterial analysis, and histopathological evaluation using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Results: After five days of treatment, Ba Zheng San groups exhibited lower mortality rates compared to the untreated model group. The low-dose group showed an increase in average body weight compared to the model group, while the medium- and high-dose groups showed slight reductions. Urine, bladder, and kidney bacterial counts were significantly lower in all Ba Zheng San treatment groups compared to the model group. Histological analysis revealed reduced bladder and kidney damage, with less severe bladder congestion in Ba Zheng San-treated groups compared to controls. However, no significant intergroup differences in kidney morphology were observed. Conclusions: Ba Zheng San demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits in reducing UTI-related mortality, bacterial load, and tissue damage in a mouse model. These findings highlight its potential for promoting recovery and resilience, making it relevant for applications in enhancing physical health and performance. Further research is warranted to explore its utility in human health, particularly for maintaining physical readiness and recovery in physically active populations.