title: Protective effect of Rhei Rhizoma on reflux esophagitis in rats via Nrf2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rhei Rhizoma has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat various inflammatory diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity against experimental reflux-induced esophagitis (RE) in SD rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rhei Rhizoma was administered at 125 or 250 mg/kg body weight per day for 7 days prior to the induction of reflux esophagitis, and its effect was compared with RE control and normal rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rhei Rhizoma administration markedly ameliorated mucosal damage on histological evaluation. The elevated reactive oxygen species in the esophageal tissue of RE control rats decreased with the administration of Rhei Rhizoma. RE control rats exhibited the down-regulation of antioxidant-related proteins, such as nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression levels, in the presence of esophagitis; however, the levels with Rhei Rhizoma treatment were significantly higher than those in RE control rats. Moreover, RE control rats exhibited the up-regulation of protein expressions related to oxidative stress in the presence of esophagitis, but Rhei Rhizoma administration significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory proteins through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related signaling pathways. The protein expressions of inflammatory mediators and cytokines by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation were modulated through blocking the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB)α.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for Rhei Rhizoma ameliorating the development of esophagitis via regulating inflammation through the activation of the antioxidant pathway.
authors.affiliation: Daegyeong Institute for Regional Program Eveluation, Global Bencheodong, Gyeongbuk Techno Park, 300, Sampungdong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 712-210, Republic of Korea. ojkwon@irpe.or.kr.
authors.forename: O Jun
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Agriculture and Life Science, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea. bkchoo@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Byung Kil
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. jyhappy0130@daum.net.
authors.forename: Joo Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. oo9199@naver.com.
authors.forename: Min Yeong
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. ikarus121@daum.net.
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. jangsan@dhu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Bu-Il
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. genin@dju.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Young-Bae
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology & Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea. rheemh@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Man Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. with750@naver.com.
authors.forename: Mi-Rae
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungnam University, 7 Kyungnamdaehak-ro, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, 51767, Republic of Korea. gnkim@kyungnam.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Gyo-Nam
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. ptman123@daum.net.
authors.forename: Chan Hum
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, DaeguHaany University, 136, Shinchendong-ro, Suseong-gu, Deagu, 42158, Republic of Korea. ddede@dhu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seong-Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Roh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012250:Rheum / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents