Qingre Jiangni formula improves esophageal epithelial barrier function in gastroesophageal reflux rats through male hormones and the p38/MAPK pathway

The incidence rate of gastroesophageal reflux is high. Qingre Jiangni Formula has shown good clinical efficacy. In this study, the therapeutic effect of this formula on inflammation was analyzed in the gastroesophageal reflux model. A rat model of gastroesophageal reflux was constructed using surgical methods. The successful construction of the rat model was confirmed through case testing. The model rats were treated with Qingre herbs, Jiangni herbs, and Qingre + Jiangni herbs for 2 weeks, followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), Western Blot (WB), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for analysis. The modeling of gastroesophageal reflux reduced the levels of testosterone and androsterol. The Qingre Jiangni formula helped to improve testosterone and androsterol to normal levels. Treatments in the Qingre group, Jiangni group, and Qingre + Jiangni group can all decrease inflammatory factor levels (interleukin IL -1B, IL -6, IL -8), and lead to a decreasing trend in p38, Claudin-4, Occludin and ZO_S. In addition, the three groups also showed decreased inflammation pathological levels compared with those in the model group (p < 0.01). Qingre Jiangni Formula is helpful for male hormones (testosterone and androsterol) and can decrease gastroesophageal reflux disease inflammation, thereby treating gastroesophageal reflux disease.