Protective effects of total flavonoids from Alpinia officinarum rhizoma against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

Context Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae) is traditionally used to treat inflammation, pain, colds and digestive diseases. Objective To investigate the potential protective mechanism of total flavonoids from the rhizomes of A. officinarum (F-AOH) in ethanol-induced acute gastric in vivo and in vitro. Materials and methods In vivo: Gastric damage was induced in BALB/c mice by administering ethanol (10 mL/kg) after oral treatment with F-AOH at 126.8, 63.4 and 31.7 mg/kg or ranitidine (Ran) at 100 mg/kg (1 week of continuous gavage). In vitro: Gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were incubated with F-AOH (8, 4 and 2 μg/mL) for 16 h and treated with 7% ethanol for 4 h. The extent of gastric damage was assessed histopathologically, and the expression of NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, iNOS and IL-1β was quantified by Western blot analysis. In addition, proinflammatory mediators and concentrations of motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS) were measured by ELISA test. Results F-AOH effectively reduced the ulcer index (from 23.4 ± 4.28 to 8.32 ± 1.5) and reduced release of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2), increased the content of nitric oxide and improved GAS and MTL secretion. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of F-AOH on cell damage was 17 μg/mL. F-AOH increased ethanol-induced cell survival (from 47 to 85%) and inhibited the expression of NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS proteins. Conclusions F-AOH inhibits ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, provides a theoretical basis for galangal in the treatment of other causes of GU, and promotes the application of galanga in the treatment of GU.