Protective Effect and Potential Mechanism of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Licorice flavonoid ameliorates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by suppressing apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Licorice is the dry roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., which was first recorded in Shengnong's herbal classic. Licorice flavonoid (LF) is the main compound isolated from licorice with an indispensable action in treating gastric ulcer (GU). However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate and further elucidate the mechanisms of LF against ethanol-induced GU using an integrated approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-GU effects of LF were evaluated in an ethanol-induced gastric injury rat model. Then, the metabolomics approach was applied to explore the specific metabolites and metabolic pathways. Next, the network pharmacology combined with metabolomics strategy was employed to predict the targets and pathways of LF for GU. Finally, these predictions were validated by molecular docking, RT-qPCR, and western blotting.

RESULTS

LF had a positive impact on gastric injury and regulated the expression of GU-related factors. Upon serum metabolomics analysis, 25 metabolic biomarkers of LF in GU treatment were identified, which were primarily involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and other related processes. Subsequently, a "components-targets-metabolites" network was constructed, revealing six key targets (HSP90AA1, AKT1, MAPK1, EGFR, ESR1, PIK3CA) that may be associated with GU treatment. More importantly, KEGG analysis highlighted the importance of the PI3K/AKT pathway including key targets, as a critical route through which LF exerted its anti-GU effects. Molecular docking analyses confirmed that the core components of LF exhibited a strong affinity for key targets. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and western blotting results indicated that LF could reverse the expression of these targets, activate the PI3K/AKT pathway, and ultimately reduce apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

LF exerted a gastroprotective effect against gastric ulcer induced by ethanol, and the therapeutic mechanism may involve improving metabolism and suppressing apoptosis through the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gastric ulcer (GU) is the injury of the gastric mucosa caused by the stimulation of various pathogenic factors penetrating the deep mucosal muscle layer. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in treating GU due to its multitarget, multilevel, and multi-pathway effects.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review the latest research progress in the treatment of GU by TCM, including clinical and experimental studies, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of drugs and providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of GU by natural herbs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the keywords "gastric ulcer", "gastric mucosal lesion", "TCM" and or paired with "peptic ulcer" and "natural drugs" for studies published in the last fifteen years until 2023.

RESULTS

TCM, including single components of natural products, Chinese patent medicines (CPM), and TCM decoction, is expected to treat GU by regulating various mechanisms, such as redox balance, inflammatory factors, angiogenesis, gastric mucosal protective factors, intestinal flora, apoptosis, and autophagy.

CONCLUSIONS

We discussed and summarized the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of GU, which provided a sufficient basis for TCM treatment of GU.

Preparation of Self-microemulsion Solids of Kaempferia galanga (L.) Volatile Oil and Its Effect on Rats with Gastric Ulcer

Kaempferia galanga volatile oil (KVO), the main effective component of the medicinal plant Kaempferia galanga L., possesses a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic activities and has therapeutic potential for gastric ulcer (GU). However, poor solubility as well as instability limits the clinical application of KVO. In this study, K. galanga volatile oil self-microemulsion solids (KVO-SSMEDDS) were prepared to improve its bioavailability and stability, and the therapeutic effects were evaluated in a rat model with GU. The ratio of oil phase, emulsifier, and co-emulsifier in the KVO-SMEDDS prescription were optimized by plotting the pseudo-ternary phase diagram with the star point design-response surface method. Based on the optimal prescription, self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was prepared as solid particles (S-SMEDDS). The prepared KVO-SSMEDDS had a rounded and non-adhesive appearance, formed an O/W emulsion after dissolution in water, and had a uniform particle size distribution with good stability and solubility. It was administered to GU model animals, and the results showed that a certain dose of KVO-SSMEDDS solution could increase the content of gastric mucosal protective factors PGE2, TGF-α, and EGF in gastric tissues and serum, and the expression of inflammatory factors IL-8 and TNF-α was downregulated. Meanwhile, the expression of the NF-κB/COX-2 pathway proteins was inhibited. In conclusion, the prepared KVO-SSMEDDS has good dispersion, solubility, and stability and has a therapeutic effect on rats with GU.