ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects and mechanisms of Pongamia pinnata root flavonoids (PRF) on the experimental gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid and to study the mechanism of PRF on the quality of ulcer healing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The models were established by acetic acid erosion, the quality of ulcer healing of PRF on the model of gastric ulcer were observed. The contents of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression of EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) were detected by immunohistochemistry (SP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PRF significantly inhibited ulcerative formation induced by acetic acid (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). PRF could significantly increase the EGF and TGF-alpha (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) expression of para-ulcer mucosa tissue and improve the EGF contents in blood serum (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PRF increases the contents of EGF in serum and the expression of EGF and TGF-alpha in the tissue around gastric ulcer which might be one of possible mechanisms that PRF improves quality of ulcer healing.</p>