Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the apoptosis of gastric mucosa cells in gastric ulcer rats / 中成药

ABSTRACT

AIM To explore the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the gastric ulcer rats infected by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and its action mechanism.METHODS Gastric ulcer rat models were induced by acetic acid stress and then followed by Hp infection.After treatment with low and high doses of glycyrrhetinic acid,the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in gastric ulcer rats were analyzed.The effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the expressions of BCL2 and Caspase-3,the GSK3β activity in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,and the cell apoptosis level were then detected.RESULTS Glycyrrhetinic acid reduced the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in rats.Besides,the expression of BCL2 was significantly up-regulated by glycyrrhetinic acid in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,whereas the expression of Caspase-3,level of cell apoptosis,and GSK3β activity were significantly reduced.After the treatment with GSK3 β activator LY294002,the level of BCL2 was down-regulated,Caspase-3 expression was increased,and the level of cell apoptosis was enhanced.CONCLUSION Glycyrrhetinic acid promotes the healing of gastric ulcer infected by Hp via regulating GSK3β activity and inhibiting apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.