Effects of Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Decoction on the expression of GAS, MTL, GC, and TGF-β3 signaling pathways in CAG rats

To study the effect of Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Decoction on gastrointestinal hormones and TGF-β3 signal pathways in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). The model was created by methylnitrosoguanidine (MNNG) comprehensive method. After successful modeling, it was divided into three groups: model group (MC group), frolic acid group (AC group), modified Huangqi Guizhi Decoction high dose group (HH group), modified Huangqi Guizhi Decoction middle dose group (HM group), and modified Huangqi Guizhi Decoction low dose group (HL group). Gastric pathology was observed by HE staining. The levels of gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL) in rat serum were detected by ELISA assay. After HE staining, the histopathological sections were analyzed. Inflammatory factors infiltration and disorder of mucosal epithelial cells were found in the model group, which were improved to some extent after administration. According to the pathological chart analysis and score of rats in each group, compared with the model group, the gastric tissue damage of rats in each administration group has been improved in different degrees, among which the pathological scores of HH and HM groups were lower, and the corresponding damage degree was smaller. According to the test results of ELISA, Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Decoction could reduce the contents of GAS, TGF-β3, and increase MTL abundance in the serum of rats, thus accelerating the apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibiting cancer. Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Decoction played a positive role in preventing the occurrence of gastric cancer through reducing the concentrations of GAS and TGF-β3 in serum, and increasing the concentration of MLT in serum. This results provided a new treatment idea for CAG.

Keywords:
Jiawei Huangqi Guizhi Decoction; GAS; MTL; GC; TGF-β3 signaling pathways; CAG rats