Integrating network analysis and experimental validation to reveal the ferroptosis-associated mechanism of velvet antler in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis

Quan Liao, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Zhenzhen Guo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Chenchun Ding, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Renjie Zuo, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Guoyan Liu, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaFollow

Keywords

Chronic atrophic gastritis, velvet antler, network analysis, Ferroptosis

Abstract

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is precancerosis with limited treatment options. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of velvet antler (VA), a traditional natural medicine, on CAG, with a focus on ferroptosis. In vivo experiments demonstrated the efficacy of VA in alleviating CAG, and network pharmacology analysis revealed its involvement in related terms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. Analyses further confirmed the modulation of ferroptosis by VA, particularly via the Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway. In vitro assays supported these findings, demonstrating the ability of VA to reduce methylnitronitrosoguanidine-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in GES-1. This study provides a basis for exploring VA as a potential treatment for CAG, and offers new therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis.

Abstract Image

Recommended Citation

Liao, Quan; Guo, Zhenzhen; Ding, Chenchun; Zuo, Renjie; and Liu, Guoyan (2025) "Integrating network analysis and experimental validation to reveal the ferroptosis-associated mechanism of velvet antler in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis," Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Vol. 33 : Iss. 2 , Article 4.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3546