Protocatechuic acid, the main effective monomer in Wuqi Powder, can inhibit gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid and Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effective ingredients of Wuqi Powder and their mechanism of action, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical application.

METHODS

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Rapid urease test and Giemsa staining were conducted to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in gastric tissue. CCK-8, EdU and wound healing assay were used to measure the proliferation and migration of GES-1 cells. The number of intracellular and extracellular bacteria of GES-1 cells was counted to evaluate infection and adhesion of H. pylori. RT-qPCR was conducted to evaluate the level of alpA, alpB and cagA genes of H. pylori. Bioinformatics methods were used to predict the potential targets and signaling pathways of protocatechuic acid (PCA) in GES-1 cells. Then, RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of target genes, and Western blot was conducted to detect the interaction of the target pathways.

RESULTS

PCA is the effective ingredient in Wuqi Powder, which alleviated the symptoms of gastric ulcers, reduced H. pylori in gastric tissue and IL-6, TNF-α in rat serum. In addition, PCA accelerated the proliferation and migration of GES-1 cells and inhibited the infection and adhesion of H. pylori to GES-1 cells. Furthermore, PCA inhibited the TNF and Smad pathways and activated the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) pathway of GES-1 cells.

CONCLUSION

PCA is the key component in treating gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid and H. pylori. It promotes gastric ulcer repair by inhibiting the Smad pathway, TNF pathway and activating the VEGFA pathway.