Hibiscus syriacus L. Flower attenuates ethanol-induced gastric ulcer via modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1, AKT, and JNK pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hibiscus syriacus L. flower (HSF) is a well-established medicinal and dietary resource in traditional practices across China, Japan, and Korea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is characterized by a sweet-bitter taste and cool nature, and is traditionally used to clear heat, promote diuresis, cool the blood and detoxify. Documented use dates back to the Ming Dynasty in China for treating gastric ailments. The custom of consuming HSF tea for gastrointestinal benefits remains common, particularly in southern China. However, the active components and mechanism of action underlying its efficacy against gastritis are not fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the material basis and potential mechanism of gastric mucosal protective activity of HSF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical profile of HSF can be characterized using UPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap HRMS and phytochemical isolation techniques. The efficacy of HSF was evaluated in vivo using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats and in vitro using ethanol-stimulated GES-1 cells. The ELISA, Hoechst 33342 staining, ROS staining, network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed for mechanistic analysis. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and western blotting analysis was used to validate the underlying mechanism of anti-gastric ulcer.

RESULTS: A total of 158 compounds, primarily flavonoids, phenolic acid, benzoic acids, and cinnamic acids, were identified from HSF extracts, suggesting flavonoid glycosides as the characteristic components. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that HSF significantly alleviated ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage by mitigating inflammatory responses, ameliorating oxidative stress and enhancing cell vitality. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the protective effects of HSF were mediated through the modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1, AKT, and JNK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that Hibiscus syriacus L. flower protects against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1, AKT, and JNK pathways. These findings provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of HSF and underscore its dual value as a dietary ingredient and a health-promoting agent.