• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this research was to determine the diverse effects of Lithospermi Radix Water Extract (LR) on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, and to examine whether those effects could be applied to the human skin. Methods : We examined effect of LR on the cell viability of using the MTS assay in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The antioxidation effect of LR was analyzed relative to the well-known antioxidant resveratrol, using an ABTS assay. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that, in HaCaT cells, LR influenced the mRNA expression of tight-junction genes associated with skin moisturization. Furthermore, a wound-healing assay demonstrated altered cell migration in LR-treated HaCaT cells. Result : The cytotoxicity was confirmed to be higher in LR at a concentration of $800{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using the MTS assay in HaCaT cells. In comparison to $100{\mu}M$ resveratrol, $1,600{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ LR showed either a similar or superior antioxidation effect. LR treatment in HaCaT cells reduced the mRNA expression levels of claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 6, claudin 8, and ZO-2 to less than 0.80-fold, whereas JAM-A and Tricellulin mRNA expression level increased more than 1.33-fold. In addition, HaCaT cells migration was decreased to 83.9% by LR treatment. Conclusions : LR of antioxidation activity will have an anti-aging effect on the skin by reducing oxidative stress. Further studies are required to address the implications for human skin, given LR's effects of altering mRNA expression of tight junction-related gene and decreasing cell migration of HaCaT cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.35-41
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• 2018

Objectives : Hyeonggaeyeongyotang Gagambang (HYT) is a herbal medicine prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but it is necessary to study the exact therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflmmatory activities of HYT. Methods : Antibacterial activity of HYT was confirmed by staining Escherichia coli, a gram negative strain, and Staphylococcus aureus, a gram positive strain, on solid Lysogeny Broth (LB) medium containing HYT. Antioxidant activity of HYT was confirmed by 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. The phosphorylation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment with HYT-treated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells was confirmed by immunoblot analysis and the level of interleukin 1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) mRNA expression level was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results : HYT showed a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and also showed excellent antioxidant activity. HYT treatment attenuated the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$induced by LPS treatment in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells. The phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$is crucial for the regulation of the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression level of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages cells stimulated by LPS treatment was also inhibited by HYT treatment. Conclusions : Through experimental demonstration of the antioxidative, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of HYT, we demonstrated that HYT is a herbal medicine effective for the treatment of inflammatory diseases caused by various bacterial infections.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Objectives : Natural extracts have been extensively studied to replace single agent drugs that cause a variety of side effects. However, studies of changes to the formulation of natural extracts has not been nearly proceed. We aimed to investigate whether pharmacological stability of hyeonggaeyeongyotang gagambang (HYT) is altered by formulation changes for foaming tablet. Methods : In this study, we performed freeze - drying of HYT, which is known to have antioxidant and anti - inflammatory properties, and then changed the formulation by foaming. Results : As a result, the foaming reaction appeared normally when HYT foamed tablets were put into water, and almost all of the substances were dissolved in the aqueous solution. In addition, we confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatograph that the geniposide used as an indicator material of HYT was stable in most of the formulations. It was confirmed that the change of HYT formulation did not affect the antioxidant efficacy by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assay. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the inhibitory effect of HYT on IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression induced by lipopolysaccharides treatment in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells was similar in the solution of foaming tablet. Conclusions : These results suggest that the materials with various pharmacological effects can be stably maintained even when the formulation is changed by the foaming action of HYT. Our results are expected to provide important basic knowledge on formulation changes using various natural extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fermented Artemisiae Argyi Folium(AAF) on some activities of human hepatoma cell, HepG2. Method : To investigate the effect of fermented Artemisiae Argyi Folium(AAF) activity on the human hepatoma cells, AAF extracts was fermented by Lactobacillus pentosus K34(AFL) and Sacchromyces cerevisiae STV89(AFS). And the effects of AFL or AFS on the activities of HepG2 cell, such as cell viability, nitric oxide(NO) production and reactive oxygen species(ROS) production, were tested. Result : Human Hepatoma Cells were incubated each for 3 hours and 24 hours. Human Hepatoma Cells treated with the extract was measured with MTT assay. Then AFL was found to be non-toxic at concentrations of 10 ug/mL(3h), 100 ug/mL(24h) or more. AFS was the same result at concentrations of more than 10 ug/mL. The extract increased ROS generation in Human Hepatoma Cells. AFL increased at concentrations of 100 ug/mL more (3h, also 10 ug/mL more) and 50 ug/mL(24h) and AFS increased both 50 ug/mL. In point of NO generation, AFL inhibited at concentrations of 10 ug/mL(3h) and 100 ug/mL(24h) more (3h, also 10 ug/mL more) and AFS also inhibited 50 ug/mL or more. Conclusion : AFL and AFS, obtained from Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts by fermentation, reduced the NO production and increased ROS production in HepG2 cell, without cytotoxicity on HepG2 cell. The results suggested that AFL and AFS increased the immunological effects of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Objectives : Puerariae Radix extracts are a rich source of isoflavones that affect the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes. However, the effect of these extracts on hair growth in human dermal papilla (DP) cells is unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects between juice and water extracts of Puerariae Radix on the mRNA expression levels of hair growth-related genes in dermal papilla (DP) cells. Methods : The antioxidant activity of juice and water extracts of Puerariae Radix was analyzed using an ABTS assay. The cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTS assay in DP cells. mRNA expression levels of hair growth-related genes in dermal papilla (DP) cells were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Results : Juice and water extracts of Puerariae Radix showed strong antioxidant activity. The cytotoxicity was confirmed to be higher in the juice extract than the water extract, using the MTS assay on DP cells. The mRNA expression levels of CTNNB1, FGF7, and BMP6 were significantly increased after treatment with water extract, whereas the juice extract did not affect the expression of hair growth-related genes. Conclusions : Our study provides evidence that water extract of Puerariae Radix is effective at inducing hair growth, by promoting the mRNA expression levels of hair growth-related genes. Also in the future, studies should be conducted to investigate the effects of Puerariae radix extracts on the various hair growth mechanisms of dermal papilla cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.25-32
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• 2019

Objectives : Gardeniae Fructus extract is used as a component of various cosmetics. However, the effect of the extract on the motility of keratinocytes has not been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of ethanol extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFET) or ethyl acetate extract of Gardeniae Fructus (GFEA) on oxidation and motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : Antioxidant activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts were determined by the 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. To investigate the cytotoxicity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Cell migration assay was employed to determine the activity of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on motility of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Results : GFET and GFEA showed strong antioxidant activity. GFEA showed stronger cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells than GFET until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. Cell migration assay demonstrated that GFET and GFEA decreased the motility of HaCaT cells. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by GFET or GFEA treatment. Conclusions : We investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Gardeniae Fructus extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. In addition, the mRNA expression level of claudin 8 among tight junction genes was significantly reduced by either GFET or GFEA treatment. This study provides basic information on the application of Gardeniae Fructus extract to cosmetics component.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2019

Objectives : Decrease in muscle mass and loss of muscle function due to aging are associated with various diseases. As interest in healthy aging increases, efforts to prevent and treat muscle hypoxia as an illness are increasing. Considering the physical limitations, a pharmacologic approach to the treatment of myopenia is needed. Methods : Terminalia chebula Rets has a wide range of pharmacological effects and is used as a medicinal product in traditional medicine. However, the drug effect on the treatment of muscle disorders has not been revealed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of water extract of Terminalia chebula (WETC) as a therapeutic agent to relieve symptoms of muscle hypoxia. Results : WETC showed strong radical scavenging ability. In addition, WETC increased cell activity of myoblast, and we observed that WETC induces myoblast differentiation by immunoblot analysis using differentiation protein markers as well as cell morphology of myoblast. Based on these results, we examined the effect of chebulic acid, chebulagic acid, gallic acid, geraniin, and punicalagin on cell activity and differentiation of myoblasts. Gallic acid significantly increased cell activity of myoblast, and it was found to be an effective substance which not only induces myoblast differentiation but also promotes proliferation. Conclusions : We suggest that the WETC with antioxidant effect and its indicator gallic acid on cell activity, proliferation and differentiation of myoblast can be studied and developed as a food and medicine for prevention and treatment of various muscle diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2019

Objectives : Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is well-known traditional herbal remedy and its root, leaf and fruit were used for treatment of inflammation, tumor and painkilling. However, effect of C. tricuspidata fruit on tight junction is still unknown. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of C. tricuspidata fruit extract on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : The antioxidant effects of water extract of C. tricuspidata (WECT) and ethanol extract of C. tricuspidata (EECT) were analyzed by using an ABTS assay. To confirm the cytotoxicity of WECT and EECT, MTS assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Furthermore, dispase assay was used to investigate the alteration of cell-cell adhesion strength of EECT treated HaCaT cells. Results : WECT and EECT showed strong antioxidant activity. No obvious cytotoxicity was observed in both WECT and EECT until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. The mRNA expression level of Claudin 6 were significantly increased by EECT treatment, whereas the WECT did not affect the expression of Claudin 6. Furthermore, EECT treatment enhances cell-cell adhesion strength. Conclusions : In this study, we investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. EECT might have an anti-aging activity on the skin by reducing oxidative stress. Moreover, it may be a useful ingredient in atopic dermatitis and skin-moisturizing, given its effects of altering Claudin 6 gene expression and enhancing cell-cell adhesion strength.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.9-16
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• 2020

Objectives : Sarcopenia is a disease that leads to a decrease in skeletal muscle, and the importance of prevention and treatment thereof is increasing in an aging society. However, there is a definite limitation of exercise therapy for sarcopenia, and thus, there is an urgent need for a pharmacologic research to the treatment of sarcopenia. Methods : 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was performed to confirm the antioxidant efficacy of water extract of Lacca Sinica Exsiccata (WELSE). To determine the effect of WELSE on myoblast activity, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. To confirm the effect of WELSE on the differentiation of myoblast into myotubes, protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain 3 (Myh3) and paired box 3/7 (pax3/7) were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to confirm the effect on myotube formation of WELSE. Results : It was confirmed that WELSE had high antioxidant activity and showed no cytotoxicity to myoblast up to 200 ㎍/㎖ concentration. Myoblast was treated with WELSE at a concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖ and differentiated for 5 days. The expression of Myh3, which forms myotubes, was promoted and the morphology of myotubes was changed and Increasing the thickness. Conclusions : In this paper, we confirmed the excellent antioxidant efficacy of WELSE and positive effects on muscle differentiation and myotube formation. These results suggest valuable as a material for pharmaceutical research on the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2020

Objectives : At present, aging-related degenerative muscle diseases are considered a serious problem. However, the effects on muscles regarding the efficacy of blueberry have not been studied. In this study, we tried to find out the correlation between blueberry and muscle. Methods : 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was performed to confirm the antioxidant efficacy of blueberry hydrothermal extract. To determine the effect of blueberry hydrothermal extracts (BHE) on myoblast activity, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay was performed. To confirm the effect of blueberry hydrothermal extracts on the differentiation of myoblast into myotubes, protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain 3 (Myh3) and paired box 3/7 (pax3/7) were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to confirm the effect on myotube formation of blueberry hydrothermal extracts. Results : Antioxidative efficacy and low toxicity were confirmed through ABTS assay and MTS assay of blueberry extract for myoblasts. As a result of immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence analysis, the decrease in myogenic marker Pax3/7 was not confirmed, but myotubes The specific expression inhibitory activity of the forming protein Myh3 was confirmed. Through this, it was confirmed that the blueberry extract has a negative activity against myoblast differentiation. Conclusion : This experiment confirmed that blueberry hydrothermal extract has excellent antioxidant efficacy and negative results in inhibiting the differentiation and proliferation of myoblast. This requires deep study of certain ingredients and requires reassessment of the dietary intake of blueberries.