Burdock Tea Affects Pulmonary Microbiota and Physiology Through Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Wistar Rats

The impact of burdock tea (BT) made from burdock (<i>Arctium lappa</i>) roots in normal individuals and animal models remains largely unknown, particularly on lung protection. This study examined responses of oxidative stress, inflammation, and the microbiota within the cecum and the lung to BT treatment in healthy Wistar rats. A middle-dose BT reduced the Chao1 and Shannon indices, and both low and middle doses induced structural alterations in the cecal microbiota. Additionally, low doses increased the abundances of <i>Phascolarctobacterium</i>, <i>Alloprevotella</i>, <i>Desulfovibrio</i>, and the <i>NK4A214</i> group. In the lung, middle and high doses increased <i>Corynebacterium</i>, with high doses also boosting <i>Megasphaera</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>. Functionally, low doses downregulated the biosynthesis of antibiotics in the cecal microbiota, while middle doses reduced the Epstein-Barr virus and <i>Escherichia coli</i> pathogenic infection pathways; additionally, middle and high doses modulated chromosomal proteins and bile acid biosynthesis in the pulmonary microbiota. BT treatment enhanced the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), upregulated the expression of <i>GPR43</i>, and suppressed <i>NLRP3</i> expression in both the colon and lung tissues, while concurrently promoting the expression of <i>ZO-1</i> and <i>Occludin</i>. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6, as well as tissue levels of MDA, were significantly reduced. Notably, propionate exhibited an inverse correlation with MDA, IL-6, and <i>NLRP3</i>, while showing a positive correlation with <i>ZO-1</i>. Similarly, acetate was negatively correlated with MDA and <i>NLRP3</i> and positively correlated with <i>ZO-1</i>. Overall, BT exhibits a nontoxic profile and may protect lung tissue through its antioxidant nature and gut-lung axis mediated by SCFAs.