Huanglian‐banxia promotes gastric motility of diabetic rats by modulating brain‐gut neurotransmitters through MAPK signaling pathway

Abstract Background Gastric motility disorder is an increasingly common problem among people with diabetes. Neurotransmitters have been recognized as critical regulators in the process of gastric motility. Previous study has shown that herb pair huanglian‐banxia (HL‐BX) can improve gastric motility, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of HL‐BX in modulating brain‐gut neurotransmission to promote gastric motility in diabetic rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods The diabetic rats were divided into five groups. Gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, body weight, and average food intake were determined. Substance P (SP), 5‐ hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), and glucagon‐like peptide −1 (GLP‐1) in the serum were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain were analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Protein expression of the tissues in the stomach and brain was determined by Western blot. Key Results HL‐BX reduced average food intake significantly, increased body weight, and improved gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate. HL‐BX administration caused a significant increase in SP, GLP‐1, and 5‐HT, but a significant decrease in DA and NE. Interestingly, HL‐BX regulated simultaneously the different expressions of MAPK and its downstream p70S6K/S6 signaling pathway in the stomach and brain. Moreover, berberine exhibited a similar effect to HL‐BX. Conclusions These results indicated that HL‐BX promoted gastric motility by regulating brain‐gut neurotransmitters through the MAPK signaling pathway. HL‐BX and MAPK provide a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of gastroparesis.