Effect of Xingzhong HeJi on Gastric Precancerous Lesion Biomarkers and Microbial Homeostasis
Tianjian Long, Feifei Xu, Bo Huang, Jingxue Wang, Man Gong, Erping Xu, Liping DaiAbstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of XingZhong HeJi (XZHJ) on rat precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) and its regulatory impact on biomarkers and gut microbiota.
SD rat PLGC model was established using a four-factor combined method (1-Methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, ranitidine, intermittent fasting, sodium salicylate). From week 12, rats were intragastrically administered XZHJ (13.59 g/kg) daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric tissue, serum, and fecal samples were collected sequentially. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; serum biomarkers (PGI, PGII, G-17, EGF) and core genes (CXXC4, RORA) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction; gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing at week 24.
XZHJ alleviated gastric mucosal injury, delayed mucosal atrophy, and reduced the occurrence of moderate-severe atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. It elevated serum PGI and EGF, decreased G-17 (p < 0.01), and regulated CXXC4 (week 16) and RORA (weeks 12, 20, 24) mRNA levels (p < 0.05, 0.01). XZHJ also restored gut microbial α-diversity, increased the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Akkermansia and Lactobacillus, and reduced Actinobacteriota and Helicobacter (p < 0.05).
XZHJ delays PLGC progression by regulating key biomarkers and reshaping gut microbiota homeostasis.