[Protective effect of Codonopsis Radix fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum on gastric mucosa in rat model of acute gastric ulcer].

This study aims to decipher the mechanism of the broth of Codonopsis Radix fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum(FCR) on the gastric mucosa in the rat model of acute gastric ulcer. A total of 64 SD rats were randomized into 8 groups: control, model, positive control(omeprazole), probiotic, unfermented Codonopsis Radix, and low-, medium-and high-dose FCR, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of acute gastric ulcer was established by gavage with anhydrous ethanol. The morphological and pathological changes of the gastric mucosal tissue were observed, and the gastric ulcer index, inhibition rate, antioxidant capacity of gastric tissue, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and gastric mucosal protective factors were determined in each group. In addition, the changes of intestinal microbiota in the rat model were measured. The results showed that FCR significantly attenuated the damage of the gastric mucosal tissue, reduced the ulcer area, increased the inhibition rate, elevated the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GSH), nitric oxide(NO), and lowered the level of malondialdehyde(MDA) in rat gastric tissue. Compared with the model group, FCR elevated the level of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and myeloperoxidase(MPO) in the serum of rats. In addition, anhydrous ethanol damaged the intestinal microbiota of rats, which was mitigated by the administration of FCR. Specifically, FCR increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decreased the relative abundance of Allobaculum. In conclusion, FCR can protect rats from acute gastric ulcer by exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, up-regulating the expression of gastric mucosal protective factors, and restoring the balance of intestinal microbiota.