Protective effects of camellia oil (Camellia brevistyla) against indomethacin-induced gastrointestinal mucosal damage in vitro and in vivo

Accumulating evidence reveals that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which consequently cause gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal damage. Camellia oil, a common edible oil used in Asia, has excellent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Herein, we examined the benefits and protective effects of camellia oil in indomethacin-induced human intestinal Int-407 cells and a mouse model of indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage. Camellia oil pretreatment significantly increased cell viability and wound healing and reduced reactive oxygen species production in indomethacin-induced Int-407 cells. In vivo experiments revealed that camellia oil preadministration prevented gastric wound generation by decreasing inflammatory mediators interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 levels; increasing heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant protein level; and elevating transforming growth factor-β and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in indomethacin-induced BALB/c mice. Thus, camellia oil is a functional dietary oil that prevents oxidative damage and inflammation in NSAID-induced GI mucosal damage.