Modulation of NF-κB and oxidative stress pathways in ethanol-induced gastric injury by a multi-component herbal formula: An in vivo study.

[BACKGROUND] Chronic alcohol consumption can damage the gastric mucosa and increase the risk of severe gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and potentially gastric cancer. Modern research has demonstrated that Erchen decoction possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gastric mucosal protective properties and has been applied in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.

[OBJECTIVES] This study aimed to investigate the effects of Erchen decoction on chronic ethanol-induced gastric injury.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] Seventy-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: Con group (control), Mod group (model), OXY group (oxymatrine, 5 mL/kg), ECDH group (high-dose Erchen decoction, 10 mL/kg), ECDM group (medium-dose Erchen decoction, 5 mL/kg), and ECDL group (low-dose Erchen decoction, 2.5 mL/kg). Gastric histopathological changes were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proliferation of gastric mucosal cells was assessed using immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical analysis. Western blot (WB) was used to analyze protein expression associated with inflammatory pathway activation.

[RESULTS] Compared with the Mod group, Erchen decoction significantly alleviated gastric injury and increased PCNA expression in the gastric mucosa. Its therapeutic efficacy decreased in a dose-dependent manner, with weaker effects observed at lower doses. Erchen decoction significantly reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA while enhancing SOD activity; however, these effects were less pronounced in the ECDL group than in the ECDM and ECDH groups. Importantly, Erchen decoction markedly decreased the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), cleaved caspase-1, IL-1β, and interleukin-18 (IL-18).

[CONCLUSIONS] Erchen decoction alleviates ethanol-induced gastric injury by reducing inflammation, attenuating oxidative stress, preserving cellular structural integrity, and regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.