OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR) on the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infected gastric cancer cell line MKN 45, and its regulatory mechanism of p38MAPK signal transduction.

METHODSThe expressions of COX-2 mRNA and protein in human gastric cancer cell line MKN 45 infected by Hp type strain NCTC 11637 and the regulatory effect of JJR containing serum were detected using Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RFQ-PCR) and Western blot. The effects of Hp on COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions in human gastric cancer cell line MKN 45 were observed using blocking p38MAPK signal transduction pathway by p38MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580. The effects of JJR on Hp-infection activated p38MAPK signal transduction pathway and its downstream activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) were observed.

RESULTSCOX-2 mRNA and protein expressions were obviously higher after human gastric cancer cell line MKN 45 were infected by Hp (P<0.01). After blocking p38MAPK signal transduction pathway, COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions in Hp-induced MKN 45 cell line were obviously down-regulated (P<0.01). JJR containing serum down-regulated Hp-induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions in MKN 45 cell line in a dose dependent manner. Besides, it could inhibit the activation of Hp-induced p38MAPK signal pathway. It also showed obvious inhibition on the activity of its downstream transcription factor ATF-2.

CONCLUSIONSHp infection induced COX-2 expressions of gastric cancer cells via p38MAPK signal transduction pathway. JJR inhibited Hp-induced the expression of COX-2 through regulating p38MAPK/ATF-2 signal transduction pathway, which may be one of its mechanisms in prevention and treatment of Hp-induced gastric cancer.