Effects of Flavonoids from Alpinia galanga and Alpinia officinarum on Energy Metabolism in Rats with Gastric Ulcer of Cold Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effects of flavonoids from Alpinia galanga and Alpinia officinarum on energy metabolism in gastric tissue of rats with gastric ulcer of cold syndrome, and to explore their warm medicinal properties and material basis for treating gastric ulcer of cold syndrome. Methods: Flavonoids from A. galanga and A. officinarum were extracted and purified by ethanol reflux extraction. The extraction yield, total flavonoid content, and main marker compounds were determined. A rat model of gastric ulcer of cold syndrome was established by intragastric administration of 4˚C Anemarrhena asphodeloides decoction combined with 15% glacial acetic acid solution. The successful modeling criteria were defined as the presence of cold syndrome manifestations (huddling, lethargy, loose stools) and visible gastric ulcers on histopathological examination. After successful modeling, rats were divided into blank control group, model group, dried ginger gingerol positive group, A. galanga high/low dose groups, and A. officinarum high/low dose groups, with 8 rats in each group. Administration began on the second day after modeling, with a total of 4 doses over 2 days. Doses were calculated based on crude herb mass, with high dose at 16 times and low dose at 4 times the clinical dose. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of isoleucine, aspartic acid, valine, glutamic acid, histidine, lactic acid, and arachidonic acid in gastric tissue of rats in each group. All ELISA readings were converted to concentrations using standard curves and expressed as μmol∙g −1 wet tissue weight. Results Compared with the blank control group, the contents of all 7 detected indicators in gastric tissue of the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the contents of all 7 indicators in gastric tissue of the A. officinarum high-dose group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In the A. galanga high-dose group and A. officinarum low-dose group, except for histidine, the contents of the remaining 6 indicators were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In the A. galanga low-dose group, except for histidine and lactic acid, the contents of the remaining 5 indicators were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: Flavonoids from A. galanga and A. officinarum can regulate amino acid, lipid, and glycolysis metabolic processes in gastric tissue of rats with gastric ulcer of cold syndrome, ameliorate energy metabolism disorders, and represent an important material basis for their warm medicinal properties and therapeutic effects on gastric ulcer of cold syndrome.