Immunostimulatory effect of a composition isolated from white peony root oral liquid in the treatment of radiation-induced esophagitis

The aim of this study was to explore the immune repairing effect of a composition isolated from white peony root oral liquid (cWPROL), a traditional Chinese herbal composition, in the treatment of experimental radiation-induced esophagitis in rats. A total of 128 Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups, irradiated with 43 Gy 60Co γ-rays to induce esophagitis and treated by different methods. Flow cytometry, hematological analysis and immune nephelometry were used to detect the absolute numbers and percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, numbers and classification of leukocytes, and the levels of IgG and complement C3 in the peripheral blood of the rats at each experimental time point. Following irradiation, the total number of leukocytes, absolute numbers and percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and levels of IgG and complement C3 in the peripheral blood of the rats were decreased. Furthermore, the total numbers of leukocytes, absolute numbers and percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and levels of IgG and complement C3 in the peripheral blood were higher in the administered with cWPROL by intra-esophageal perfusion compared with those in the untreated irradiated groups, but lower in the groups treated with a mixture of lidocaine hydrochloride, dexamethasone sodium phosphate and gentamicin sulfate. This study suggested that cWPROL is able to repair the impaired cellular and humoral immunity of rats with radiation-induced esophagitis.