Korean folk medicine 'SaCheolNaMuIp' has been used to cure jaundice. The botanical origin of the crude drug has been no pharmacognostical confirmation on it. To clarify the botanical origin of 'SaCheolNaMuIp', the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the leaves of Euonymus species growing in Korea, i.e. E. japonica and E. fortunei var. radicans were studied. As a result, it was clarifyed that SaCheolNaMuIp was the leaf of Euonymus japonica.

'JaGuiNaMu' is one of the Korean crude drugs used mainly to cure neuralgia, bone fracture, jaundice, and headache. With regard to the botanical origin of 'JaGuiNaMu', it has been considered to be Albizzia species of Leguminosae, but there was no pharmacognostical confirmation on it. To clarify the botanical origin of 'JaGuiNaMu', the anatomical characteristics of the branch of Albizzia species growing wild in Korea, A. julibrissin and A. coreana were studied. As a result, it was clarified that 'JaGuiNaMu' was the branch of Albizzia julibrissin.

Rumex species (Polygonaceae) is widely distributed in Korea and its little sprout has been used as wild greens. The roots of Rumex sp. are used as a substitute for Rhei Rhizoma in Korea for its antipyretic and laxative properties. For the purpose of researching the value of Rumex sp. plants as natural resources, pattern recognition for the analysis of those plants was conducted using HPLC method. Two anthraquinone compounds, chrysophanol and emodin, were isolated from Rumex crispus to use standards. Chrysophanol and emodin from R. crispus were detected at retention time of 14.96 and 12.21 min, respectively. These compounds were detected from Rhei Rhizoma and all Rumex sp. plants. The content of chrysophanol of R. conglomeratus was higher than any other Rumex sp. plants. The amount of emodin was much higher from R. crispus than any other Rumex sp. The HPLC patterns of Rumex sp. are similar to that of Rhei Rhizoma, so they have something valuable as natural resources.

As a part of our ongoing program on finding biologically active components from natural source we found three known constituents from the EtOH extract of the wheat bran. The known compounds were identified as tachioside (1), pinellic acid (2) and tryptophan (3). The structure and relative stereochemistry were determined from MS, 1D and extensive 2D NMR techniques as well as by comparison of their data with the published values. All isolates were tested their inhibitory effects on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The effect of compounds from wheat bran on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation were measured by Oil Red O staining. These results demonstrate that tachioside (1) and pinellic acid (2) decreased lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by inhibiting lipogenesis. These compounds had shown antiobesity activities.

Fatty liver disease refers to a range of disorders associated with fatty liver, which occur in excessive eating, evident infection or significant consumption of alcohol. This study was to investigate the effects of water and ethanol extracts of Triticum aestivum young leaf on lipid metabolism and accumulation in liver of mice fed with high-fat diet. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal diet group, high fat diet (HFD) group, high fat diet group administrated with 200 mg/kg/day of T. aestivum water extract (HFD-TAWE) and high-fat group administrated with 200 mg/kg/day of T. aestivum ethanol extract (HFD-TAEE). TAWE and TAEE were administrated orally for 5 weeks once at the same time point. Both TAWE and TAEE significantly reduced body weight, food intake and liver tissue weight, which were augmented in high fat-fed mice. The serum levels of triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol also were significantly attenuated in both HFD-TAWE and HFD-TAEE groups compared to the HFD group. Moreover, administration of HFD-TAWE or HFD-TAEE reduced the lipid accumulation in liver tissue of mice fed with high fat diet. Levels of total lipids and triglyceride in liver tissues also was significantly reduced in HFDTAWE and HFD-TAEE groups compared to HFD group. The activities of serum ALT and AST revealed in HFD group were remarkedly decreased in HFD-TAEE groups. These results indicate that both water and ethanol extract of T. aestivum may improve the lipid accumulation in liver as well as lipid metabolism in serum, and that in particular, the ethanol extract of T. aestivum may has the potent anti-hyperlipidemic effect, suggesting that it may be a useful candidate for the therapy preventing fatty liver diseases.

Traditionally, the thorns of Gleditsia sinensis LAM. (GS) have been used for the treatment of various types of cancer and heart, skin, vascular and inflammatory diseases. However, there have been no reports on the antinociceptive or antiinflammatory properties of the thorn of GS. The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the ethanolic extract of GS (EEGS) and its sub-fractions. The administration of EEGS (500 mg/kg) or its butanolic fraction (50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the frequency of the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex in mice. In addition, the administration of the butanolic fraction of EEGS (50 and 100 mg/kg) prolonged the latency of reaction at the hot plate in mice. The butanolic fraction of EEGS also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin $E_2$, and tumor necrosis factor-$\acute{a}$ production in the RAW 264.7 cell line. These results suggest that EEGS has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and is a potential therapeutic for inflammation and nociception.

We investigated antioxidative activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and melanin production inhibitory activity of the methanol extract of Paeoniae Radix and its fractions. The total polyphenol content of the extract was 73.45 mg/g, and content of the ethyl acetate fraction was 514.50 mg/g as the highest content of fractions. In DPPH radical scavenging ability, $SC_{50}$ values of the ethyl acetate was 3.86 ${\mu}g/ml$ as a result of greater activity in the positive control (ascorbic acid). Moreover, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate fraction showed higher activity than arbutin used as a positive control. In the cytotoxicity measurement by MTT assay, the extract and fractions were exhibited cell viabilities of 76.96~157.26% against Raw 264.7 and B16F10 cell in concentration of 10~100 ${\mu}g/ml$. In nontoxic concentration range, the ethyl acetate fraction showed strong melanin production inhibitory effect in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cell. As a result, the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract from Paeoniae Radix could be applicable to functional materials for skin-whitening agents.

Antimicrobial studies on reproductive organs have been scarcely reported. Candida albicans and Neisseria gonorrhoea test to find out the natural substances of various concentrations in the antimicrobial experiments have been made. Antimicrobial effect of biopole as the natural compound biosynthesis matter that contain anti-inflammatory material, catechin polyphenols and lactic acid as a single natural substance on C. albicans were of great significance. Also the results of antimicrobial effects of biopole, catechin and lactic acid as a single natural substance on N. gonorrhoea, respectively, showed lower concentration than those of the antimicrobial effects on C. albicans. Through the survival of Lactobacillus acidofillus that acts for the protection of the genital tissue the importance of lactic acid was confirmed. Lactobacillus acidofillus protection and C. albicans firmly into disinfected to low concentrations of the natural mixture from biopole and catechin with lactic acid were found and the antimicrobial effects of this natural mixture on N. gonorrhoea were perfect. C. albicans and N. gonorrhoea to disinfect the optimal natural mixture from 2% concentration biopole, 0.2% concentration of catechin and 2% lactic acid were obtained. Through the survival of Lactobacillus acidofillus in the reproductive organs protectable effects were acquired to prevent the infections of reproductive tissue and the recurrence.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible utilization of Zanthoxylum schinifolium as a source of antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial effects of Zanthoxylum schinifolium extracts were investigated against Acinetobacter baumannii, which is a multi-drug resistant pathogen, and 5 other pathogenic microorganisms. The hexane extract of Zanthoxylum schinifolium was more effective than the ethyl acetate, n-butanol and methanol extracts which were active against Acinetobacter baumannii 25, with minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC) ranging from 0.8 mg/ml to 1.6 mg/ml. Tetracycline had no effect on Acinetobacter baumanniii. The hexane extract was highly active against Candida albicans IFO 6258, with an MIC of 1.5 mg/ml. In contrast, the ethyl acetate, n-butanol and methanol extracts showed no activity against the 5 pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, a combination of hexane extract and ethyl acetate extract was significantly more active against the 5 Acinetobacter baumannii strains than n-butanol and methanol. These results suggest that Zanthoxylum schinifolium extracts have great potential as antimicrobial compounds against multi-drug resistant pathogens, and further studies are warranted.

The neuroprotective effects of herbal ethanol extracts from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP-EX) in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease treated with L-DOPA were investigated. Rats were prepared for the Parkinson's disease model by 6-OHDA-lesioning for 14 days. The rats were then treated with L-DOPA (10 and 20 mg/kg) with or without the oral administration of GP-EX (30 mg/kg, daily) for 28 days. L-DOPA (20 mg/kg) treatment for 28 days enhanced dopaminergic neuronal cell death in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups, but L-DOPA (10 mg/kg) did not. However, the oral administration of GP-EX (30 mg/kg) for 28 days ameliorated the enhanced neurotoxic effects induced by chronic L-DOPA treatment in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups by increasing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunohistochemical staining and the number of TH-immunopositive cells surviving in the substantia nigra. In addition, GP-EX administration (30 mg/kg) for 28 days recovered the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine of the striatum in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups, which were markedly reduced by L-DOPA treatment (20 mg/kg). GP-EX (30 mg/kg) did not produce any signs of toxicity, such as weight loss, diarrhea, or vomiting in rats during the 28-day treatment period. These results suggest that GP-EX has protective functions against chronic L-DOPA-induced neurotoxic reactions in dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, GP-EX may be beneficial in the prevention of adverse symptoms in parkisonian patients.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the cytokine production inhibitory effect of a Dictamni Radicis Cortex (DRC). DRC has been commonly used as important medicinal herb in China and it used to control eczema, atopic dermatitis, fever and inflammatory diseases. Inflammation, such as a bacterial infection in vivo metabolites, such as external stimuli or internal stimuli to the defense mechanisms of the biological tissue a variety of intracellular regulatory factors deulin inflammatory TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, such as proinflammatory cytokines, prostagrandin, lysosomal enzyme, free radicals are involved in a variety of mediators. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the DRC on proinflammatory factors such as NO, iNOS expression and TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The cell toxicity was determined by MTS assay. To evaluate of anti-inflammatory effect of DRC, amount of NO was measured using the NO detection kit and the iNOS expression was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. As a result, the DRC reduced NO, iNOS expression and TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production without cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that the DRC may have an anti-inflammatory property through suppressing inflammatory mediator productions.

In order to screen new allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (allo-MLR) inhibitor which is expected to be immunomodulating drug lead, we have investigated allo-MLR inhibitory activity on the marine-derived symbiotic microorganisms (1,895 strains) from the marine algae. The potent inhibitory activities (over 45% inhibition of proliferation at 10 and 2 ${\mu}g/ml$) without cytotoxicity were observed in the extracts of 46 strains. While, the significant stimulating activities (over 100% proliferation at 10 and 2 ${\mu}g/ml$) without cytotoxicity were observed in the extracts of 5 strains. In the second assay using 46 bioactive strains, 14 strains exhibited again significant allo-MLR inhibitory activity. Finally, 11 strains among the 14 strains inhibited proliferation and IFN-${\gamma}$ production of CD4+ T cells during the stimulation with specific antigen in the third assay. On the basis of above results, the marine algae is nice source for isolation of immunomodulating microorganism, and the marine algae-associated microorganism is also nice target for development of the new immunomodulating drug lead.

The objective of this study is to provide basic information for developing a high-value ginseng product using ginseng saponin and prosapogenin. In order to achieve the proposed objective ginsenoside compositions of Black (BG) and Red (RG) ginseng extract with 95% ethyl alcohol were examined by means of HPLC. The crude saponin and ginsenoside composition of processed ginseng products were analyzed and compared, with BG topping the list with a crude saponin content of 7.53%, followed by RG (5.29%). Ginseng prosapogenin (ginsenosides $Rg_2$, $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $Rh_1$, $Rh_4$, $Rk_1$, $Rk_3$, $F_1$ and $F_4$) in BG was found to be contained almost 2.6 times as much as that in RG. Ginsenosides $Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rk_1$, $Rh_4$ and $F_4$ in BG in particular were found to be almost 3 times as much as those in RG. $Rg_6$ and $Rk_3$ in BG were also found to be almost 4 times as much as those in RG.

Bee venom (BV) has been used as a treatment for a wide variety of ailments such as inflammatory diseases in korean traditional medicine. Despite its well documented anti-inflammatory property, it has not been fully demonstrated regarding the influence of BV against Propionibactierium acnes (P. acnes), which promotes follicular inflammation (inflammatory acne). This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory property of BV against P. acnes in vivo. To induce inflammation in vivo using P. acnes, $1{\times}10^7$ CFU of living P. acnes were intradermally injected into the ear of mice. BV (1, 10, 100 ${\mu}g$) in vaseline was applied epicutaneously on the ear resulting in P. acnes-induced ear swelling and inflammation. Epicutaneous administration of BV with P. acnes decreased the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in the ear, thereby relieving P. acnes-induced ear swelling and granulomatous inflammation, especially at the dose of 1 ${\mu}g$ of BV. In this report, we demonstrated the therapeutic effects of BV on P. acnes-induced inflammation in vivo using the mouse model. These data highlight the potential of using BV as an alternative treatment to the antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris.

Aldose reductase (AR) has been implicated in the development of the diabetic complications. To discover novel treatments for diabetic complications from natural sources, 65 Korean herbal medicines have been investigated for inhibitory activities on AR. Of these, 23 herbal medicines exhibited a significant inhibitory activity compared with 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (TMG). Particularly, 8 herbal medicines, Acer tataricum (twig, stem and leaf), Acer tataricum (fruit), Rhododendron schlippenbachii (twig, stem and leaf), Weigela subsessilis (twig, stem and leaf), Acer mono (branch and leaf), Ailanthus altissima (twig, stem and leaf), Lindera obtusiloba (branch and leaf), Solidago serotina (whole plant) showed three times more potent inhibitory activity than the positive control, TMG.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is predicted to be therapeutic target for treatment of cancer and immune disease. Thus, we examined methanol extracts prepared from 156 Korean local plants for their inhibitory effects on IDO in vitro. Among them sixteen extracts showed more than 50% inhibition of IDO activity at the concentration of 30 ${\mu}g/ml$. Especially, the extracts of Platycarya strobilacea, Quercus acutissima, Acer ginnala and Alnus japonica were most potent because their $IC_{50}$ value were 6.5, 8.1, 3.9 and 4.2 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively.