Background
Excessive and continuous inflammation may be the main cause of various immune system diseases. Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a common gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is an inflammation of the esophagus caused by the reflux of gastric contents to the esophagus due to the dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter. Camellia japonica has high medicinal value and has long been used as a traditional herbal hemostatic medicine in China and Korea.
Materials and methods
Dried C. japonica buds were extracted with 75% ethanol. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay were evaluated according to previous method. The ROS production and anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonica buds ethanol extract (CJE) were evaluated on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The protective effects of CJE on RE were conducted in a RE induced Sprague Dawley rat model.
Results
CJE eliminated over 50% of DPPH and ABTS radical at concentration of 100 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. CJE alleviated changes in cell morphology, reduced production of ROS, NO and IL-1β. Also, down-regulated expression levels of iNOS, TNF-α, phosphorylated NF-κB, IκBα, and JNK/p38/MAPK. CJE reduced esophageal tissue damage ratio (40.3%) and attenuation of histological changes. In addition, CJE down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2 and phosphorylation levels of NF-κB and IκBα in esophageal tissue .
Conclusions
CJE possesses good anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory activity, and can improve RE in rats caused by acid reflux. Therefore, CJE may be a natural medicine source with good anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, and a candidate phytomedicine source for treating RE