Zuojin Pill ameliorates chronic atrophic gastritis induced by MNNG through TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt axis

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Zuojin Pill (ZJP) is a classic prescription composed of Coptis chinensis and Tetradium ruticarpum (A.Juss.) T.G.Hartley, which is often used in the treatment of digestive system diseases. Aim of this study The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of ZJP on chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) induced by MNNG. Materials and methods The GES-1 and rat model of CAG was established by MNNG. Detection of cell viability, morphological changes and proliferation of GES-1 by CCK-8 and high content screening (HCS) assay. G-17, IL-8 and TNF-α in rat serum were detected by ELISA kit. The expression of related mRNA and protein on TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signal axis were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results The results showed that ZJP could significantly improve the GES-1 damage induced by MNNG and improve the gastric histomorphology of CAG rats. The intervention of ZJP could significantly reduce the content of G-17 and inflammatory factors IL-8, TNF- α, IL-6 and IL-1β, inhibit the expression of TGF-β1, PI3K and their downstream signals p-Akt, p-mTOR, P70S6K, and promote the expression level of PTEN, LC3-II and Beclin-1. Conclusion ZJP has a good therapeutic effect on CAG induced by MNNG, which may be closely related to the inhibition of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signal pathway.