Experimental Studies on the Effect of Gamibaegi-eum

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine whether Gamibaegi-eum (BGU) in vitro and in vivo exerts a beneficial effect against cell injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the human intestine. Methods : Effects of BGU in vitro on cell injury were examined using Caco-2 cells, cultured human intestinal cell line. Exposure of cells to H₂O₂ induced increases in the loss of cell viability in a time and dose-dependent fashion. Results : BGU prevented H₂O₂-induced cell death and its effect was dose-dependent over a concentration range of 0.05­1%. H₂O₂-induced cell death was prevented by catalase, the hydrogen peroxide scavenger enzyme, and deferoxamine, the iron chelator. However, the potent antioxidant DPPD did not affect H₂O₂-induced cell death. H₂O₂ increased lipid peroxidation, which was inhibited by BGU and DPPD. H₂O₂ caused DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner, which was prevented by BGU, catalase, and deferoxamine, but not DPPD. BGU restored ATP depletion induced by H₂O₂. BGU inhibited generation of superoxide and H₂O₂ and scavenged directly H₂O₂. Oral administration of mepirizole in vivo at a dose of 200mg/kg resulted in ulcer lesions in the stomach and the proximal duodenum. Pretreatment of BGU(0.1%/kg, orally) and catalase (800Units/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased the size of ulcers. Mepirizole increased lipid peroxidation in the mucosa of the duodenum, suggesting an involvement of ROS. Pretreatment of BGU and catalase significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by mepirizole. Morphological studies showed that mepirizole treatment causes duodenal injury and its effect is prevented by BGU. Conclusion : These results indicate that BGU exerts a protective effect against cell injury in vitro and in vivo through antioxidant action. The present study suggests that BGU may playa therapeutic role in the treatment of human gastrointestinal diseases mediated by ROS.