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Guo Y, Wu Y, Huang T, Huang D, Zeng Q, Wang Z, Hu Y, Liang P, Chen H, Zheng Z, Liang T, Zhai D, Jiang C, Liu L, Zhu H, Liu Q. Licorice flavonoid ameliorates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats by suppressing apoptosis via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117739. [PMID: 38301986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yufan Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tairun Huang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Dehao Huang
- Huizhou Jiuhui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huizhou, 516000, China
| | - Quanfu Zeng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zhuxian Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Peiyi Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongkai Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Zeying Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Dan Zhai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Cuiping Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Hongxia Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Gong H, Zhao N, Zhu C, Luo L, Liu S. Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117793. [PMID: 38278376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Gong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Conglei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fuyang People's Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Lin Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Liu D, Liu R, Zhuang Z, Yao B, Qin C, Ma F, Shi J. Preparation of Self-microemulsion Solids of Kaempferia galanga (L.) Volatile Oil and Its Effect on Rats with Gastric Ulcer. AAPS PharmSciTech 2023; 24:243. [PMID: 38030940 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-023-02693-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongrong Liu
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruiping Liu
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Zebin Zhuang
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Bijin Yao
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuyue Qin
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Fangli Ma
- Faculty of Rehabilitation & Medical Science, Guangzhou International Economics College, No. 28 Dayuan North Road, Shatai Road, Guangzhou, 510540, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Shi
- School of Chinese Material Medica, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No. 280 Waihuandong Road, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- Engineering & Technology Research of Topical Precise Drug Delivery System, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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