1.Mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription Against Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Jie WANG ; Yunxiao GAO ; Hongyu MA ; Xuemei JIA ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Danyang ZHAO ; Tong ZHANG ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(18):161-168
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) based on network pharmacology and animal experiments,so as to provide scientific basis for clinical application. MethodThe possible targets and pathways of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription in the treatment of CAG were obtained based on the prediction of network pharmacology. The CAG rat model was induced by sodium salicylate,N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and hunger and satiety disorder. Then the CAG rats were treated with Xianglian Huazhuo prescription and morodan for 60 days. After administration,the rats were sacrificed,and the content of interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In addition, the protein expression of Bad and Bcl-2 in gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultA total of 241 active components of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription and 53 core targets were obtained. Xianglian Huazhuo prescription affected multiple biological processes,such as cell proliferation and apoptosis,inflammatory reaction,regulation of DNA metabolism,and cell response to redox,as well as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt),TNF,mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK),cancer and cancer-related signaling pathways. The animal model verification showed that Xianglian Huazhuo prescription lowered the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β and VEGF in serum of CAG rats,and reduced the protein expression of Bad and Bcl-2 in gastric tissue. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription could regulate PI3K/Akt signal pathway and improve gastric mucosal injury in CAG by participating in biological processes such as cell proliferation,apoptosis and inflammation.
2.Effect of Coptisine on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Rats
Jie WANG ; Pengli DU ; Jiaqi DONG ; Yuewei YANG ; Yunxiao GAO ; Hongyu MA ; Xuemei JIA ; Yuxi GUO ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):117-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of coptisine on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in rats based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. MethodA CAG rat model was induced by multiple factors, including sodium salicylate, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, folic acid group, and high- and low-dose coptisine groups. The high- and low-dose coptisine groups were given coptisine (50, 10 mg·kg-1, respectively), and the folic acid group was given folic acid at 2 mg·kg-1 for 60 days. The pathological changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells was observed by electron microscopy. Serum pepsinogen Ⅰ (PGⅠ), pepsinogen Ⅱ (PGⅡ), and PGⅠ/PGⅡ ratio (PGR) were detected by immunoturbidimetry. Serum gastrin-17 (G-17) level was detected by radioimmunoassay. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum of rats was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELSIA). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in gastric mucosa. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, PTEN, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ), and Beclin-1 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed atrophy and reduced number of intrinsic glands in the gastric mucosal tissues, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells in the model group displayed nuclear condensation, reduced and swollen mitochondria, and abnormal structure. The serum levels of G-17, PGⅠ, PGR, and the protein and mRNA levels of PTEN in gastric tissues were significantly lower in the model group (P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in gastric tissues were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, various drug intervention groups showed different degrees of improvement in pathological damage and gastric mucosal cell ultrastructure, significantly increased serum levels of G-17, PGⅠ, and PGR (P<0.05,P<0.01), and significantly decreased levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05,P<0.01). The high-dose coptisine group significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionBerberine has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats, possibly exerting a protective effect on gastric mucosa by inhibiting inflammation and blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.