Insights into the Regulatory Effect of Danggui Buxue Tang in Postpartum Dairy Cows Through an Integrated Analysis of Multi-Omics and Network Analysis

Postpartum dairy cows often face significant challenges due to metabolic disorders. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a botanical drug composed of Astragali radix and Angelica sinensis radix in a 5:1 ratio, has been recognized for its potential to alleviate metabolic disorders. Its regulatory mechanisms on livestock metabolic health have remained unexplored. This study integrated the analyses of serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, serum metabolomics, and fecal microbiota to investigate the regulatory effects of DBT on metabolic adaptation in postpartum dairy cows. Following the oral administration of DBT, levels of blood non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate were decreased in multiparous dairy cows one week after calving. Five absorbed prototype metabolites of DBT were identified, specifically formononetin and nicotinic acid, both of which play roles in the regulation of lipid metabolic homeostasis. Furthermore, DBT modified the composition of the gut microbial community and glycerophospholipid levels. Decreases in serum phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine levels were closely correlated with the relative abundance of Bacillus and the concentration of circulating beta-hydroxybutyrate. These findings suggest that DBT contributes positively to metabolic health in postpartum dairy cows by regulating the gut microbiota and glycerophospholipid metabolism, providing new insights into strategies for promoting metabolic adaptation in dairy cows.