Gardeniae Fructus 50% EtOH extract (GE) is a traditional herb that has been used to treat a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties of GE on acute reflux-induced esophagitis (RE) model in rats. 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays were performed to determine the antioxidant activity of GE. GE was given orally at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight 1h 30 min prior to RE induction. And its effect was assessed in comparison with RE control and normal groups. The administration of the extract of the GE showed remarkable protection of mucosal damage in esophageal tissue, and the histologic observation showed that the gastric lesion was improved. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the serum were diminished by GE treatment. The antioxidative biomarkers including nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were significantly increased. GE administration significantly reduced the inflammatory protein expression through MAPK-related signaling pathways and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. These results suggest that GE protects the esophagus mucosal membrane by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory response under reflux esophagitis condition through the antioxidant pathway. Therefore, it is suggested that GE may be a potential remedy for the treatment of reflux esophagitis.

Objectives : Positive effects of Ginseng has great research attentions such as anticancer, anti-diabetic, antiaging, liver, immune function, CNS, etc. In this study, we investigated Hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium fermented by Bacillus subtilis to establish fermentation conditions for enhancing functionality.Methods : Ginseng Folium were cultivated hydroponic-cultured and were extracted with methanol. We inoculate Bacillus subtilis for fermentation by adding to 0%, 3% and 5% sugar respectively and checked antioxidant activities, total phenolic content and total saponin content in 2 days intervals during 11 days. The antioxidant activities were studied by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) radical scavenging assay and Reducing power assay. We analyzed the Total phenol content, crude saponin content and ginsenoside content. Moreever, Hepatoprotective effects by Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and Glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) in Sprague-Dawley rat. Results : The results of DPPH and ABTS were 66.89% and 96.72%, respectively. The reducing power was resulted in optical density of 0.7312 with 3% sugar after 9 days of fermentation. and the concentration at 200 ㎍/㎖. Total phenol content was 36.92㎎/g with 3% sugar after 9 days of fermentation, in which crude saponin content wasn't changed, and ginsenoside content such as Rg3, Re and Rb was increased. Activities of GOT and GPT concentration were decreased in rat.Conclusions : This study suggests that hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium fermented by Bacillus subtilis in 9 days showed significant efficacy of hepato-protection as well as antioxidant compared to the others. In addition, it shows not only improved value but also utilized hydroponic-cultured Ginseng Folium by fermentation.