Application of meta-analysis in evidence-based oncology

Effect of Astragalus, Panax notoginseng and their compatibility on serum levels of prostaglandin E2, gastrin, pepsinogen II, and epidermal growth factor in rats with atrophic gastritis

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Astragalus, Panax notoginseng and their compatibility on serum levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), gastrin (GAS), pepsinogen II (PGII), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rats with atrophic gastritis.

METHODS: Forty healthy male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups: control group, sham operation group, model group, teprenone group, Astragalus group, Panax notoginseng group, and Astragalus plus Panax notoginseng group. Atrophic gastritis was induced by implanting a pylorus spring and intragastrically administering hot salty starch paste. In the one-month therapeutic phase, the control, sham operation and model groups were given normal saline 2 mL daily. The Astragalus group was given water decoction of Astragalus containing crude drug 3.5 g/(kg•d). The Panax notoginseng group was infused with Panax notoginseng powder containing crude drug 0.7 g/(kg•d). The Astragalus plus Panax notoginseng group was given both Panax notoginseng powder and Astragalus water decoction. The teprenone group was given teprenone water suspension containing teprenone 200 mg/(kg•d). All drugs were given by gavage for one month. Serum levels of PGE2, gastrin, EGF and PGII were measured by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. Pathological assessment of stomach mucosa was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining method.

RESULTS: Serum levels of EGF had no significant differences among different groups. Serum levels of PGE2 in the Panax notoginseng group and Astragalus plus Panax notoginseng group were significantly higher than that in the model group (41.511 ng/L ± 5.666 ng/L, 42.033 ng/L ± 5.150 ng/L vs 30.896 ng/L ± 5.964 ng/L, P < 0.01 and 0.05). Serum level of GAS in the Astragalus group was significantly higher than that in the model group (99.732 ng/L ± 16.123 ng/L vs 68.207 ng/L ± 5.866 ng/L, P < 0.01). Serum levels of PGII in the Astragalus group and Panax notoginseng group were signifiantly higher than that in the model group (9.275 μg/L ± 0.506 μg/L, 9.268 μg/L ± 0.931 μg/L vs 7.026 μg/L ± 0.638 μg/L, both P < 0.01). Gastric mucosal volume constituent ratio (GMVR) increased in the Astragalus group, Panax notoginseng group and Astragalus plus Panax notoginseng group compared to the model group, but showed no statistical difference with that in the teprenone group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Astragalus, Panax notoginseng and their compatibility improve mucosal atrophy possibly by increasing serum levels of PGE2, GAS and PGII in rats with atrophic gastritis.