Objective To explore the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu Formula on reflux esophagitis. Methods Sixty normal Wistar rats were equally divided into blank control group

model group

western medicine treatment group and Chinese medicine treatment group. Three groups other than blank control group were all made reflux esophagitis models by a comprehensive method encompassing subtotal pylorus ligation

Heller myotomy

feeding damp-heat environment and high lipid and high sugar diet. After modeling

western medicine treatment group was intragastrically administrated by 0. 36 mg /100 g given omeprazole and traditional Chinese medicine treatment group was intragastrically administrated by 1. 25 g /100 g given Huazhuo Jiedu Formula

blank control group and model group were intragastrically administrated with distilled water. After 8 weeks

histopathological changes in esophagus tissues were observed.Meanwhile

the content of Nitric oxide（ NO） in esophageal tissue and the levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide（ VIP） and substance P（ SP） in esophagus tissues were tested. Results Pathological changes of esophageal mucosa were improved in both treatment groups

and the difference was statistically significant compared with model group（ P < 0. 05）. Decrease of NO concentration and increase of SP in Chinese medicine treatment group were significant difference（ P < 0. 05） compared with the model group and western medicine treatment group. Decrease of VIP in the Chinese medicine treatment group was significantly different（ P < 0. 05） compared with the model group

but was not significantly different（ P > 0. 05） compared with the western medicine group. Conclusion By means of elevating the levels of SP and reducing the levels of NO and VIP in esophagus tissues

Huazhuo Jiedu Formula can serve therapeutic effect on reflux esophagitis.