• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

Deterioration of the immune function weakens the body's resistance to various infections, leading to a series of diseases. Immunomodulatory biomaterials have been used to reduce the side effects of immunosuppressants or to enhance immunity. Agarwood is the aromatic resinous portion of Aquilaria trees that has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases. Although previous studies have shown that agarwood can improve the body's immunity, evidence for this claim is still lacking. In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of the agarwood methanol extracts of Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk were evaluated in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Based on the results, the agarwood extracts markedly enhanced phagocytosis in the absence of cytotoxicity. The agarwood extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells exhibited the typical morphology of activated macrophages, which are spindle-shaped with elongated filopodia. Agarwood extract also significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase. Moreover, the secretion and expression levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were increased by agarwood treatment. Notably, these are also associated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence that agarwood has potential immune-enhancing effects in vitro.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.536-545
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of agarwood (Thymelaeaceae) inhalation using an electric incense burner on stress and brain waves. Sixteen participants were included in the study during the period from September 2019 to April 2020. Participant recruitment was undertaken by the 'H' center. This paper focused on stress reduction and compared the differences in stress and brain waves before and after agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner. Electroencephalography was measured by a 19 Channel, Brainmaster Discovery, and analyzed using a NeuroGuide, LORETA (Brain Mapping). The analysis of technical statistics was carried out using SPSS/WIN 21.0 and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The study observed that the stress response index was reduced by a significance level of 0.01 in patients with anxiety, depression, and somatization disorders after agarwood inhalation. Secondly, alpha waves were increased by a significance level of 0.05, in 18 out of 19 regions measured, except FP 1. The difference after agarwood inhalation was the most significant in the region that affects emotion. Thirdly, a LORETA analysis found that alpha waves were increased in the brain region (BA 40) predominantly responsible for memory and emotion. This result clarifies that agarwood inhalation using an electric incense burner reduced stress and had a positive effect on brain waves and hence, has potential as an alternative therapy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1-27
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the modern research achievements of agarwood and its association with the efficacy of herbal medicine based on the in vivo and in vitro activities of volatile compounds detected in agarwood. Methods : Databases such as PubMed and ScienceOn were searched for medicinal in vivo and in vitro activity studies on agarwood. They were categorized into "medicine and pharmacy" and "others not related to medicine and pharmacy," and the studies on medicine and pharmacy were organized according to active efficacy. The efficacy and virtue of agarwood as identified in the book (or herbal medicine/herbology) corresponded to modern medical terms and diseases in reference to the . Separately, the Gas Chromatography & Mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis results of agarwood from a total of 5 production areas of Aquilaria crassna from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia as identified in previous studies were consulted to search for research papers on the medicinal activity of the 13 compounds of the aromatic sesquiterpene family detected in agarwood, and they were categorized according to topic. Results : There were 123 studies on the medicinal activity of agarwood. Overall, 46 studies on single extracts of agarwood reported activities such as improving mental health, including anti-anxiety and stability, and antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and digestive system protective effects. In total, 59 papers on the activities of single compounds isolated from agarwood reported anti-inflammatory and mental health benefits. Separately, 13 compounds detected in agarwood, such as α-agarofuran and β-caryophyllene, were reported by 110 studies to have anticancer, stabilizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. There were also papers on the cultivation methods and resin formation conditions of agarwood trees unrelated to the efficacy of herbal medicine. Conclusion : Among the pharmacological papers, a total of 57 papers corresponded to the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine, including 33 papers related to agarwood extracts and 24 papers analyzing 8 types of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and cedrol, from previous studies. Based on the research findings of each paper, it was possible to correlate the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine with the achievements of modern pharmacological research. In addition, further research is anticipated in new areas related to traditional herbal medicine, including the improvement of mental health such as anti-depression, as well as activities related to anticancer, antioxidant, and hair growth.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.201-214
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• 2001

Objective : To study needling sensation and the flow of the needling sensation the ancient and the present literatures were reviewed. Results : 1. The needling sensation was getting the Qi and a normal reaction of acupuncture. 2. The flow of the needling sensation was promoted the Qi and normalized the flow of the Qi 3. The needling sensation of a patient expressed soreness, distension, heaviness, numbness, tingling, flushing, fervor, chill, itching, and so forth. 4. The needling sensation of a patient expressed simple or complex syndrome. 5. The needling sensation of a doctor expressed objectively more than the needling sensation of a patient in the hand feeling of a doctor. 6. The doctor was compared good needling sensation and bad needling sensation. 7. The needling sensation and the flow of the needling sensation were processed continuously. 8. The needling sensation and the flow of the needling sensation were connected with a nervous system and expressed variously in the anatomical structure and hand acupuncture tenchnique.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.255-259
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• 1997

Effects of the aqueous extract of Aquilariae Lignum (Thymelaeaceae) on the allergic reactions were investigated. Oral administration of this extract (50, 250, and 500mg/kg) exhi bited a dose-dependent inhibition on passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions in rats. Administrations of this extract (500mg/kg, i.p.) at 60 min before and 5, 10 min after the compound 48/80 treatment (8mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the mortality rates to 0, 0, and 14.2%, respectively. The aqueous extract of Aquilariae Lignum (0.05 ~ 1.6mg/ml) showed a dose-related inhibition on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. The morphological examination also clearly showed that the aqueous extract of Aquilariae Lignum prevented the degranulation of mast cells in rats.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of cell morphology of two different agar woods (Aquilaria agallocha Roxburgh (AAR) and imitative agar wood (IAW)) using microscopic techniques. Methods : Both light and scanning electron microscopes were used to observe morphological and histological features of the cell of agar woods collected from commercial products in the market. Results : The cell morphology and tissue arrangements of AAR depending on either the adsorption of resin into vessels or no adsorption of resin were observed to compare these features with those of both IAW and Aquilaria sinensis Gilb (ASG). Conclusions : As a result, the vessels of AAR with the resin adsorption was packed with lots of yellow-brownish materials, which were quite different from those of IAW and ASG. The cell walls were thick, and had well-developed traumatic parenchyma tissues with squared cells of the same height and width, which appeared as a clump of small grains packed.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.368-378
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• 2004

In Oriental Medical theory, origin of kidney's weakness or atrophy is shen qi(腎氣) and function of san jiao(三焦) deteriorate, it result in a passage of evacuation is blocked. - In Oriental Medicine, Shen(腎) take charge of storing and evacuating function, by taking qi(氣) of the five viscera and the six bowels. - The cause of reducing of shen qi and san jiao's evacuative function is xu han(Emptiness and Coldness) of the five viscera and the six bowels' activity. So we do not treat only kidney, but we also must focus the five viscera and the six bowels' organic function and ying wei's function. A Renal Failure is similar in symptom to Kwan-kyuk(關格), oliguria or anuria, edema, Hu-son(虛損), Sin-pung(腎風) and Yuk-kuk(六極) in chenxiang(沈香). We grasp symptom of 7 cases of chronic renal failure, and diagnose its pathology based on Sa-jin(四診), and prescribed herbal medicines. And in the point of the chenxiang, we separate two group, Ater one is taken herbal medicine with chenxiang and the other is only taken herbal medicine with no using chenxiang, we compared the rate of treating with only herbal and herbal compounded chenxiang. We repeat medical examination for continuation of effective result, report clinical progress and result which based on this examination.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is searching for grounds of new regulations about submerging properties of Aquilariae Lignum described in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Methods : Through the investigation of the various Chinese histories and herbal classics, the definitions of Aquilariae Lignum and documents on actual trade and discrimination methods by sinking under water. Results : In Jiaozhouyiwuzhi(交州異物志) written in the early 2nd century, Aquilariae Lignum was defined as heart wood part or knots sinking under water due to hard and dark deposition of resins. Also, which are not sinking were defined as zhan xiang(棧香), and which are floating were named as qian xiang(槧香). The definitions of Aquilariae Lignum had not been changed till Ching Dynasty era, but the classification and the names about not-sinking and floating Lignum materials were a little changed. Conclusions : These results indicate that it is reasonable to make a regulation that "Aquilariae Lignum sinks under water" in the property description of The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.163-168
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the origin of Aquilariae Lignum. Method : Firstly identify the production areas of Aquilariae Lignum and its trading status with China in Chinese history through Chinese historical books such as Twenty-Five Histories(二十五史) and the records of the Chosun Dynasty and then, compare the distribution of the genus Aquilaria in the concerned areas. Result : Since the records in the NanfangCaomuZhuang(南方草木狀) written in 304 saying that Aquilariae Lignum was produced in Vietnam and had white flowers, Vietnam had led production and trading of Aquilariae Lignum until Qing Dynasty(淸代). Even though Thailand traded Aquilariae Lignum during Qing Dynasty, however, the volume was at a low level. Aquilariae Lignum from southern Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia was rated as low quality and low-priced because of its fishy smell and strong flavor. Conclusion : These results show that the origin of Aquilariae Lignum comes from Vietnam and this species is distinguished from the ones of Indodesia or Malaysia.