Scutellariae Radix and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Mixture Regulate PPAR γ /RXR Signaling in Reflux Esophagitis.

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which stomach contents reflux into the esophagus, causing complications such as mucosal damage. GERD is a very common disease and is on the rise worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a Scutellariae Radix and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium mixture (SC) on esophageal mucosal injury in rats with chronic acid reflux esophagitis (CARE).
Methods: After inducing reflux esophagitis through surgery, the group was separated and the drug was administered for 2 weeks: normal rats (Normal, n  = 8), CARE-induced rats were treated with distilled water (Control, n  = 8), CARE-induced rats were treated with vitamin E 30 mg/kg body weight (VitE, n  = 8), CARE-induced rats were treated with SC 100 mg/kg body weight (SC100, n  = 8), and CARE-induced rats were treated with SC 200 mg/kg body weight (SC200, n  = 8).
Results: SC treatment significantly reduced the degree of esophageal mucosal damage, significantly reduced levels of MDA and MPO, and inhibited the activation of the NF- κ B inflammatory pathway by activating the PPAR γ /RXR pathway. In addition, SC treatment significantly regulated the expression of arachidonic acid-related proteins (COX-1, COX-2, and PGE ₂ ) and modulated the MMP/TIMP proteins in reflux esophagitis.
Conclusion: Consequently, SC improved the damage to the esophageal mucosa. Also, the anti-inflammatory effects of the SC suggested the inhibition of NF- κ B pathway through the activation of the PPAR γ /RXR pathway, thereby reducing the expression of inflammation-related cytokines.
Competing Interests: All authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.
(Copyright © 2022 Jin A. Lee et al.)