Therapeutic effect of Zuojin Pill on chronic atrophic gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori through JMJD2B/COX-2/VEGF

Abstract Background: Zuojin Pill (ZJP), a famous Chinese medicinal formula, is widely accepted for treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in China. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of ZJP in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) - induced chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in vivo and in vitro. Methods: CAG rat model was induced by H. pylori. ZJP (0.63, 1.26, and 2.52 g/kg, respectively) was administered orally for four weeks. Therapeutic effects of ZJP were identified by H&E staining and serum indices. In addition, cell viability, morphology and proliferation were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and high-content screening assay (HCS), respectively. Moreover, relative mRNA expression and protein expression related to JMJD2B/COX-2/VEGF axis was detected to investigate the potential mechanisms of ZJP in CAG.Results: Results showed the symptoms (weight loss and gastric mucosa damage) of CAG were alleviated, and the contents of TNF-α in serum was markedly decreased after treating with ZJP. Moreover, cell viability, proliferation and morphology changes of GES-1 cells were ameliorated by ZJP intervention. In addition, proinflammatory genes and JMJD2B/COX-2/VEGF axis related genes were suppressed by ZJP administration in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot confirmed down-regulation of these genes by ZJP intervention. Conclusion: ZJP treatment can alleviate gastric mucosal damage induced by H. pylori via JMJD2B/COX-2/VEGF axis.