Objectives : In oriental medicine, Daeseungki-tang is one of the most useful prescriptions for the therapy of constipation. And we also frequently use this prescription for constipated stroke patients. Methods : In order to identify the effects of Daeseungki-tang on constipated stroke patients, we administrated the extract of Daeseungki-tang(code number, HH264) to constipated stroke patients. We gave the medicine in two ways, one-pack group and two-pack group by random allocation and investigated the amount of stool, the frequency of defecation, the stool-form and the changes of blood pressure and body temperature before and after defecation. We also tried to examine the difference of symptoms between defecation-group and non-defecation group. Results : 1. There were no distinct symptoms between defecation-group and non-defecation-group in one-pack group. 2. After defecation, body temperature decreased significantly(P<0.05) in one-pack group and blood pressure decreased significantly(P<0.05) in two-pack group. 3. As for the stool-form, watery-soft was 41.9% in the firstt defecation and 47.1 % in the second defecation. 4. In one-pack group(23 cases), 13 cases(57%) defecated and 10 cases(43%) didn't defecate. And in two-pack group(24 cases), 19 cases(80%) defecated and 5 cases(20%) didn't defecate. These results meant that the effect of Daeseungki-tang was dose dependent. The amount of stool and the frequency of defecation were also dose dependent.

Objectives : To direct methods of management and development of herbs and their derived products, and at the end of this study to inform the process of making new herbal drug regulations in Korea. Methods : This study analyzed the regulations and laws of western medicine drugs. Results : We have got some herbal prescriptions which are not in the eleven books of oriental medicine now in use but which have proved effective. We need to establish standards for permissions to produce medical products through those prescriptions. Besides, we need the special permissions to produce herbal products through prescriptions, especially those which have been used to treat incurable diseases. And, we can contribute to globalization of oriental medicine and to well situating of herb products and medicinal acupunctures if we produce them according to international standards. It is thought that herbal medicine has no side effect in the medical society in Korea. But, it is getting popular to administer herbal medicine and western medicine together. Thus, the side effects of taking both medicines at the same time should be documented. Conclusions : Herbal medicines and herbal products should be under the control over the whole process of production, circulation, and sales. Now, it is time for herbal medicine to be known to all over the world. Therefore, herbal medicine must meet and adhere to the standards set by the western society and WHO.

Objectives : This study demonstrates the effects of Daejo-hwan on learning and memory impairment induced by L-NAME (75 mg/kg) treatment and on cerebral ischemic damage induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Methods : Daejo-hwan emulsion (73.3 mg/100 g/l ml) was administered to rats along a timed study schedule. The Moms water maze was used for learning and memory test of the rats. The MCA was occluded by using the intraluminal thread method. The brain slices were stained by 2 % triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 1 % cresyl violet solution. Infarct size, neuron cell number and size in penumbra was measured by using computer image analysis system. Results : 1. The escape latency of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 2.The memory score of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed increase tendency, And the swimming distance was not different between the normal, the control, and the Daejo-hwan treated group. 3. The infarct size of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 4. The total infarct volume of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed decrease tendency. And the brain edema index of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 5. The neuron cell number and cell size in penumbra of the Daejo-hwan treated group increased significantly with respect to the control group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is supposed that Daejo-hwan is clinically applicable to the vascular dementia.

Objectives and Methods : Unlike respiratory anaphylaxis responses, mediators responsible for cardiovascular responses are not clearly elucidated. Main characteristics of cardiovascular anaphylaxis include hypotension and cardiac failure (anhythmia and cardiac contraction failure). In this experiment, the fractionations of Sophorae Radix (SR) were tested for its preventive effects against cardiovascular anaphylaxis in pithed rats. Results : Of the SR fractionations, water fractions, at the concentration of 20 and 60mg/kg, was significantly effective on all the cardiovascular changes in pithed rats. Also, of the cardiovascular changes, depressor response was significantly attenuated by the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction, at the concentration of 60mg/kg. Conclusions : These results suggest that water and EA fractions of the SR fractionations possess anti. anaphylactic effects in pithed rats. Additional research is needed to identify active principles for the observed pharmacological effects.

Objectives : It is well known that vegetables and fruits contain minerals, including potassium, sodium and phosphorus etc. Though most oriental herbal medications are made of natural plants, western scientists suppose that they also contain certain amounts of minerals and so are injurious to kidney disease such as chronic renal disease. However, by the reason of the limitation of western medical treatment on kidney disease, many patients depend on oriental medical treatment, which includes taking oriental herbal medicine. So, in order to find out the mineral contents in oriental herbal medicine, and to establish the oriental herbal medication's safety in kidney disease, studies were performed. Methods : In this study, we analyzed 42 oriental herbs commonly used in kidney disease by the Inductively Coupled Plasma(ICP) method. Results : 1. The potassium and sodium contents of oriental herbs were 3-10 times as much as of food. 2. The mineral contents of a daily dose of oriental herbal medicine satisfied the restriction of dietary mineral in CRF, though the amount of mineral intakes by food was considered. Conclusions : The mineral contents of oriental herbal medicine are less than the limits of mineral restriction in renal failure. The yielded results, we carefully suggest that oriental herbal medicine does not induce accumulation of minerals or damage in kidney disease patients.

Objectives: The root and stem of Sinomenium acutum has been used for treatment of arthritis and neuralgia in oriental medicine. To find new substances of the anti-anaphylactic drugs, we studied Sinomenium acutum. Methods: To investigate the effect of this plant, the effect on anaphylactic reaction, plasma histamine level, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}-(TNF-{\alpha})$ production were measured after the aqueous extract of Sinomenium acutum stem (SSAE) was administrated to mice and rats. Results: The SSAE (0.1 to 1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in mice. Especially, SSAE reduced compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction with 50% at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. SSAE (100 to 1000 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When mice were pretreated with SSAE at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. SSAE (1 to 1000 g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. The level of cAMP in RPMCs, when SSAE was added, increased compared with that of a normal control. In addition, SSAE (0.1 g/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. Conclusions: These results indicate that SSAE inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production from mast cells.

Objectives : Radix Angelicae Gigantis(RAG) and Resina Ferulae(RF) have been used in oriental medicine or folk medicine to increase stamina. The aim of this study was the characterization of the mechanism of action of RAG and RF on smooth muscle and macrophages in rats to find new substances for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases and immune dysfunction. Methods : We investigated the effects of the water extracts of RAG and RF on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta, the production of NO in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and the production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The water extracts of the RAG and RF showed significant concentration-dependent relaxation effects on phenylephrine or KCl-contracted rat endothelium-denuded aorta. It also reduced the tension of the rat endothelium denuded aorta which was contracted in $Ca^{2+}-free$ media. On the other hand, it increased production of NO in VSMC which was stimulated with $IL-{\beta}$ or $IL-{\beta}$ plus $IFN-{\gamma}$. The water extracts of RAG and RF increased production of NO and induction of iNOS in the $IFN-{\gamma}-primed$ RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : According to the above results, the water extracts of RAG and RF relaxed the smooth muscle effectively and increased the production of NO in VSMC and macrophages. So, these herbs can be applied to erectile dysfunction, hypertension, angina pectoris, artherosclerosis and a defense defect for virus or microbe.

Objective : This research was performed to investigate protective effects of Sophora subprostrata, against ischemic brain damage after a middle cerebral artery(MCA) occlusion. The effect was estimated using histological test, neurobehavioural test, and biochemical test. Methods : Rats(Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups: Sham operated group, MCA occluded group, Sophora subprostrata administrated group after MCA occlusion, and Normal group. The MCA was occluded by intraluminal method. Sophora subprostrata was administrated orally twice(l and 4 hours) after middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neurobeavioural test was performed at 3 hours, 6 hours, 9 hours and 24 hours after the surgery by posture reflex test and swimming behavioural test. All groups were sacrificed at 24 hours after the surgery. The brain tissue was stained with 2% triphenyl tetrazolium chioride(TTC) or 1 % cresyl violet solution, to examine effect of Sophora subprostrata on ischemic brain tissue. The blood samples were obtained from the heart of rats. Tumor necrosis factor-a level was measured from sera using Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay(ELISA). Results : The results showed that (1) Sophora subprostrata reduced infarct size and total infarct volume by 54.8% compared to the control group, (2) that neuronal death, which was shown by decrease in cell number and size, was attenuated significantly in the boundary area of the infarction, (3) that serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ㆍlevel was reduced significantly, and finally, there was significant recovery of motor deficit at 3 hours after MCA occluded by Swimming behavioural test. Conclusions :In conclusion, Sophora subprostrata has protective effects against ischemic brain damage at the early stage of ischemia.

Objectives and Methods : In order to elucidate toxic mechanism of myocardial damage and protective effect of myrrha water extract against cytotoxic effect of xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine(XO/HX), cardioprotective effect of myrrha water extract was examined by MTT assay, LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) activity and heart beating rate after cultured myocardial cells derived from neonatal mouse were treated with various concentration of XO/HX, a free radical. Results : XO/HX induced a decrease of cell viability, an increase in the amount of LDH, and a decrease of heart beating rate on cultured myocardial cells in a dose-dependent manner. In cardioprotective effect of myrrha water extract, it showed a decrease in the amount of LDH and an increase of heart beating rate on cultured myocardial cells damaged by XO/HX. Conclusions : From the above results, it is suggested that XO/HX showed toxic effect in cultured myocardial cells derived from neonatal mouse and that myrrha water extract is very effective in the prevention of XO/HX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis(HypoPP) is characterized by an abrupt onset of flaccid paralysis with a clear mentality, but muscles of speech and swallowing are usually spared. We report on three patients who suffered attacks of acute paralysis. After exclusion of central nervous system involvement, the patients showing hypokalemia was diagnosed as hypokalemic periodic paralysis, which was completely reversible on parenteral potassium substitution.