Protective effect of polysaccharides from Radix Hedysari on gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats

Food Funct. 2019 Jul 17;10(7):3965-3976. doi: 10.1039/c9fo00433e.

Abstract

The dry root of Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz., commonly known as "Hong Qi", has a variety of health benefits. The present study was undertaken to explore the anti-gastric ulcer potential effect of Hedysarum polysaccharides (HPS; HPS-50, HPS-80), the principal active fraction of Radix Hedysari (RH). The anti-gastric ulcer effects of HPS were evaluated using an animal model of ulcerative lesions induced by acetic acid. The effects of antioxidant factors, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and mucosal blood flow regulatory factor levels in the gastric tissue homogenate of rats were analyzed for the bioactivities of HPS. The results showed that, compared with the acetic acid-induced ulcerated group, the ulcer inhibition rate of HPS-treated rats was significantly increased. The pathological findings suggested that mucosal regeneration, cell migration, and inflammatory cell infiltration were decreased, and collagen fibers were significantly reduced. Extensive granulation tissue proliferation indicated the healing stage was initiated, suggesting a good prognosis. The oxidative stress status of the gastric ulcer rats was improved, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly decreased, and the levels of PGE-2 and NO were increased (P < 0.05). HPS-80-H may be a promising ingredient for incorporation into functional foods or nutritional supplements for the prevention of gastric ulcers.

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • China
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mucous Membrane / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Ranunculaceae / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stomach / drug effects
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy*
  • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
  • Stomach Ulcer / prevention & control*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Interleukin-6
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Dinoprostone
  • Acetic Acid