OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of different functional dyspepsia (FD) modeling methods and explore the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Banxia Xiexin Decoction on FD.

METHODS BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group, iodoacetamide group, loperamide group, tail clamp group and vinegar group. After 1 week of intervention, the status of mice in each group was observed and their gastrointestinal motility, hormone levels and pathological changes were detected. A more ideal FD modeling method was evaluated and determined. After modeling, different doses of Banxia Xiexin Decoction were given to intervene, and the changes in the gastrointestinal function of mice were observed. The expression of related proteins was studied by immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western Blot and other experimental methods.

RESULTS Comparing the four modeling methods, it was found that the mice in the iodoacetamide group, loperamide group, and vinegar group showed weight loss compared to the blank group; the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of mice in the iodoacetamide group and vinegar group decreased; changes in gastrointestinal hormones were found in the serum of mice in the tail clip group and vinegar group. Finally, the iodoacetamide method was evaluated as the optimal FD modeling method. The administration results showed that Banxia Xiexin Decoction had no significant effect on the food intake and body weight of FD mice, while medium and high doses could improve the physical condition of FD mice, increase their gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate. The experimental results of immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA confirmed that medium and high doses of Banxia Xiexin Decoction can significantly reduce the expression levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the duodenum and serum of FD mice.

CONCLUSION The iodoacetamide method is a better FD modeling method. Banxia Xiexin Decoction can improve the condition of FD mice, increase gastrointestinal motility, reduce the secretion of inflammatory factor, thereby achieving the therapeutic effect of treating FD.