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.

Licorice flavonoid alleviates gastric ulcers by producing changes in gut microbiota and promoting mucus cell regeneration.

Licorice flavonoid (LF) is the main component of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, a "medicine food homology" herbal medicine, which has anti-digestive ulcer activity, but the mechanism in anti-gastric ulcer (GU) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we manifested that LF increased the viability of human gastric mucosal epithelial (GES-1) cells, attenuated ethanol (EtOH)-induced manifestations, reduced histological injury, suppressed inflammation, and restored gastric mucosal barrier in GU rats. After LF therapy, the EtOH-induced gut dysbiosis was partly modulated, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyric acid, propionic acid, and valeric acid were found in higher concentrations. We discovered that the majority of genera that increased in the GU group had a negative correlation with SCFAs in the intestinal tract. In addition, LF-upregulated SCFAs boosted mucus secretion in the gastric epithelium and the expression of mucoprotein (MUC) 5AC and MUC6, particularly the MUC5AC in the gastric foveola. Moreover, LF triggered the EGFR/ERK signal pathway which promoted gastric mucus cell regeneration. Therefore, the findings indicated that LF could inhibit inflammation, promote mucosal barrier repair and angiogenesis, regulate gut microbiota and SCFA metabolism; more importantly, promote epithelial proliferation via activation of the EGFR/ERK pathway, exerting a protective and regenerative effect on the gastric mucosa.

Liver Transplantation in a Patient With Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Due to Traditional Chinese Medicine Intoxication Using Donation After Circulatory Death From a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical manifestation of acute liver failure and decompensation on the basis of chronic liver disease. To date, hepatitis B virus-related ACLF is still the main cause of liver failure in China. Liver transplantation is currently the most likely treatment option to cure ACLF, but the shortage of donor livers is a barrier to its widespread use. The shortage of organs has led to increased use of expanded-criteria donors (ECDs), that is, donation after cardiac death (DCD) and its variant donation after brain and cardiac death (DBCD-China, DCBD-Switzerland). Here we report a case of liver transplantation, whose recipient was diagnosed with ACLF as a result of use of traditional Chinese medicine while the donor liver was retrieved from a renal transplant patient 4 years after transplantation. This transplant was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Congress and the Declaration of Istanbul.

[Effect of pectins of different degree of esterification on in-vitro sophoridine release of hydrophilic matrix tablets containing total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare colon-targetting tablets of total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides and evaluate the effect of pectins of different degree of esterification (DE) on sophoridine release profiles in-vitro. METHOD: Wet granulation technique was employed to prepare petin-based matrix tablets, then tablets were coated the optimal formulation with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP based on the optimal formulation and analysed their release. RESULT: Coated formulation E could target total alkaloids of S. alopecuroides to colon and various DE of pectin exerted different effects on sophoridine release. The release of low DE pectin-based matrix tablets coating with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP approximatedly fitted zere-order eqution, which was erosion depended. CONCLUSION: Low DE pectin-based matrix tablet coating with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP can deliver sophoridine to colon, hence improve the effectiveness of sophoridine.