• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.128-144
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• 2006

This Study aims at looking into the use of oriental medical services in treating hypertension. The first objective to be explored through this study is the morbidity caused by the disease, classifying them by age, gender, and occupation. The second is to determine the regular use of anti-hypertensive medicine and their efficacy in controlling blood-pressure. The third is to investigate the use-rate and satisfaction of oriental medical service. 838 households across the country, were asked to answer questionnaires for the period of time from Apr. to Jun. 2005. The conclusion from the survey can be summarized as following. The age of which the first medical diagnosis of hypertension were made showed lower in males, those with higher education and income. The study showed females were more active in blood-pressure control, with their frequent monitoring of blood-pressure for the past year. With age, people in under 50 age group proved to be less active. The management of high blood pressure was more effective in group with regular dosage compared to group with irregular use of anti-hypertensive medication, but their difference was minimal. Also, group with no medication showed signs of blood-pressure control. The use of oriental medical service for the past year, were more frequent in groups with lower education, either low or high income, old age, females and occupations in agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. Females, people over 51 years old and with lower education showed more intentions in utilizing oriental medical services in the future. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. It is necessary to offer a more accurate information on oriental medical treatments. Also, a systematic reform to reduce the patient's share of the treatment cost, as well as, heightening public awareness on the infirmity of present blood-pressure management system is crucial.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.77-84
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• 2005

Objectives: Chunghyul-dan is a combinatorial herbal medicine, and previous studies reported it had therapeutic effects for microangiopathy, which is a major part. in the progression of stroke, as well as having anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities, Therefore, we examined the inhibitory effect of Chunghyul-dan on stroke occurrence in patients with silent brain infarction. Methods: We prescribed Chunghyul-dan at 600 mg a day to patients with silent brain infarction confirmed by brain MRI, and monitored stroke occurrence, drug compliances, and adverse effects for 1 year, We then performed follow-up brain MRI to detect new vascular lesions after 1 year of Chunghyul-dan medication. As for the subjects lost to follow-up, we assessed their prognosis after 1 year by telephone. Results: There were twenty-one subjects who were treated with Chunghyul-dan for more than 1 year, None of them experienced new clinical syndromes characterized by rapidly developing clinical symptoms and signs of focal and at times global loss of brain function, which could be accompanied with evidence of stroke occurrence, or any adverse effects during the Chunghyul-dan medication period. These results might be explained by various biochemical effects of Chunghyul-dan on microangiopathy, which is closely related with cell cycle progression, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, vascular inflammation, and oxidative damage. Of the 10 subjects lost to follow-up, six were reached; two of them had stroke occurrence. Conclusions: We suggest Chunghyul-dan could be useful for prevention of stroke occurrence in patients with silent brain infarction by preventing the progression of microangiopathy. Further study with a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm this suggestion.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.343-347
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• 2005

Bambusae caulis in Liquamen is one of the important herbal medicine produced by heating bamboo indirectly and is used for treatment of stroke, hypertension, and diabetes etc. Recently the mechanism of clinical effects on Bambusae caulis in Liquamen has been studied. This experiment was conducted to confirm the clinical effects of Bambusae caulis in Liquamen on type 1 diabetes and its related mechanism. We divided C57BL/6 mice into 3 groups and induced them to be type 1 diabetes by injection of streptozocin into peritoneum. The dosage of each group was 150 mg/kg once only, 140 mg/kg once only and 40 mg/kg for 5 days respectively. The two groups injected streptozocin for once took orally Bambusae caulis in Liquamen after the induction of diabetes, and the other one group was given Bambusae caulis in Liquamen during the diabetes inducing period. As the result, the two diabetes-induced groups showed blood glucose decreasing effect by Bambusae caulis in Liquamen on an average, but they didn't show the signiftcant differences statistically. But Bambusae caulis in Liquamen showed the anti-diabetic effect suppressing blood sugar rising trend during the diabetes inducing peried (P<0.05). The anti-oxidative effect of Bambusae caulis in Liquamen was measured with the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XOD) system. The quantity of ROS was measured using DCFDA reagent indirectly. As the result, $10\%$ solution of Bambusae caulis in Liquamen showed anti-oxidative effect by scavenging $93.4\%$ superoxide as compared with control group. It is suspected that the anti-oxidative effect of Bambusae caulis in Liquamen suppressed the increase of blood glucose in the diabetes-inducing group. These results could be useful data to understand the effect of Bambusae caulis in Liquamen on type 1 diabetes and type 1 diabetes developing because ROS were closely connected with the induction and complications of diabetes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.483-490
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 50% ethanol extracts of ripe black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis, RBR) on hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The final systolic blood pressure of the group treated with RBR for 12 weeks was significantly lower than that of the SHR group. The mRNA expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was significantly decreased in SHR. However, treatment with RBR and captopril increased the level of eNOS mRNA in SHR. Moreover, plasma levels of homocysteine and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were significantly reduced by RBR. Plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in SHR than Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). However, there was no significant difference in plasma triglyceride level between WKY and SHR. The number of eosinophilic cardiac muscle cells was reduced in heart muscles after treatment with captopril and RBR. Therefore, this study suggests that RBR extracts may be useful for improvement of hypertension.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) forms a multigene family of phase II detoxification enzymes which are involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics by conjugating substances with glutathione. The aim of this study is to assess the antioxidative status and the degree of DNA damage in the subclinical hypertensive patients in Korea using glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We examined whether DNA damage and antioxidative status show a difference between GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype in 227 newly diagnosed, untreated (systolic blood pressure $(BP){\geq}130mmHg$ or diastolic $BP{\geq}85mmHg$) subclinical hypertensive patients and 130 normotensive subjects (systolic BP < 120 mmHg and diastolic BP < 80 mmHg). From the blood of the subjects, the degree of the DNA damage in lymphocyte, the activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, the catalase, and the glutathione peroxidase, the level of glutathione, plasma total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), anti-oxidative vitamins, as well as plasma lipid profiles and conjugated diene (CD) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 227 subjects studied, 68.3% were GSTM1 null genotype and 66.5% were GSTT1 null genotype. GSTM1 null genotype had an increased risk of hypertension (OR: 2.104, CI: 1.38-3.35), but no significant association in GSTT1 null genotype (OR 0.982, CI: 0.62-1.55). No difference in erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase, and plasma TRAP, CD, lipid profiles, and GSH levels were observed between GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype. Plasma levels of ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ increased significantly in GSTT1 wild genotype (P < 0.05); however, plasma level of ${\beta}-carotene$ increased significantly in GSTT1 null genotype (P < 0.01). DNA damage assessed by the Comet assay was significantly higher in GSTM1 null genotype than wild genotype (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the association between GSTM1 null genotype and risk of hypertension as they suggest that GSTM1 null genotype leads to an increased oxidative stress compared with wild genotype.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.345-360
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was examined to investigate the effects of Cheonmagudeng-um gagam (CGG) extract on spontaneous hypertension. Methods : For the study of CGG, we divided rats into three groups. The normal group was Wister Kyoto rats (WKY). The control group was spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The treatment group was SHR which were administered CGG extract (SHR-CGG). SHR-CGG were orally administered CGG extract that was diluted in distilled water at the various concentrations for 4 weeks (234.5 mg/kg) and SHR were orally administered the same dosage of plain distilled water as SHR-CGG. Then we measured anti-oxygen effects, ACE inhibitory activity, weight of heart and kidney, blood pressure, heart rate, plasma aldosterone, electrolyte, creatinine, uric acid, BUN, and observed the cortex of the cardiac muscle, kidney, and adrenal gland. Results : CGG increased DPPH scavenging activity and SOD similar activity depending on the concentration. CGG significantly decreased ROS, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, heart weight, blood pressure, heart rate, aldosterone, and BUN in SHR. CGG increased ACE inhibition activity depending on the concentration. CGG inhibited the heart, kidney and adrenal gland tissue injury that is caused by hypertension. Conclusions : These results suggest that CGG is effective in treatment and prevention of hypertension.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-184
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• 1998

The aim of the study was the experiment of the effect that Kami-Daesihotang had on the essential hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Rats were orally administered with Kami-Daesihotang for 30days and the constituent of the plasma and serum were analysed at the 10th, 20th and 30th day from the first day of experiment, respectively. The heart rate, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma level of aldosterone, catecholamine, sodium and angiotensin II were measured after an oral administration of Kami-Daesihotang in SHR. In addition, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and total lipid were measured with cholesterol-fed rats. The results were summarized as following ; 1. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang remarkably decreased the blood pressure in SHR. 2. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang were recognized as having the effect on the decreased of the pulse rate in SHR. 3. Plasma renin activity was significantly decreasd in SHR after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 4. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang considerably reduced the plasma angiotensin level in SHR. 5. Noticeable decreased of plasma norepinephrine level was showed in SHR, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 6. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang noticeable reduced body weight in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 7. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang had a significantly decreasing effect on serum total cholesterol in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 8. Serum triglyceride level was importantly decreased in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 9. Remarkable decreased of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level was found in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 10. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang was showed a significantly decreasing effect on serum total lipid level in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 11. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang noticeably reduced organ weight of liver, kidney, spleen and testis in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang significantly decreased organ weight of liver, kidney and spleen in hyperlipidemia rats. These Findings suggest a possible anti-hypertensive and hyperlipidemic effect of Kami-Daesihotang.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2004

This study was undertaken to evaluate the general pharmacological properties of CJ-11828, an amlodipine adipate, in experimental animals and in vitro system. CJ-11828 had no effects on general behavior, motor coordination, writhing syndromes, pentetrazol-induced chemoshock and electric shock in mice at dose levels of 3,10, anti 30 mg/kg, po. But there were decrease of body temperature, prolongation of sleeping time, and inhibition of intestinal activity in mice treated with CJ-11828 at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, po. CJ-11828 decreased the blood pressure in coscuous fog at the dose level of 2mg/kg, po, but it was expected as a result of pharmacological activity of CJ-11828. Any effect on respiratory system was not observed in conscious rat at doses of 3,10, and 30 mg/kg, po. The slight decrease in spontaneous motor activity was observed in mice treated with CJ-11828 at high dose, 30 mg/kg. In vitro experiments, CJ-11828 had no effect on agonists-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum at 0.1, 1, and 10 ${\mu}$M. Based on these results, it was concluded that CJ-11828 had no pharmacological effect ill these studies even up to the 36-fold anticipated clinical dose, 3 mg/kg.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2012

Fagopyrum esculentum(FE) is an important food crop and medicinal plant that is used to improve diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and constipation in Korea, but the underlying mechanisms involved in its anti-allergic activity are not fully understood. We investigated the effects on the release of inflammatory mediator and proximal signal events in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated RBL-2H3 cell activation. FE reduced antigen (DNP-HSA)-induced release of histamine, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and cysteinyl Leukotriene (cysLT) in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, it inhibited antigen-induced HDC2 and COX-2 and 5-LO mRNA expression in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. FE also suppressed antigen-induced $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\beta}$ and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\gamma}$ subunit mRNA expression in these cells. To identify the mechanisms underpinning the inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators such as histamine and PGD2 and cysLT by FE, we examined the proximal signal events of intracellular FceRI signaling molecules. FE suppressed antigen-induced phosphorylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, $PLC{\gamma}1$, PI3K, Akt and cPLA2. Collectively, the anti-allergic effects of FE in vitro suggest its possible therapeutic application to inflammatory allergic diseases, in which its inhibition of inflammatory mediator and FceRI-dependent signaling events in mast cells may be hugely beneficial.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.455-461
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• 2012

Obesity is associated with numerous diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Inhibition of adipogenesis is a effectite strategy to anti-obesity. In this study, Galla Chinenisis extract (GCE) inhibited adipocyte differentiation in OP9 cells. There was no cytotoxicity when cells were treated with GCE in designated time intervals, unaffected by concentration. In this cell model, increases in fat storage were inhibited by 2 days treatment with various concentration of GCE, visualized by Oil red-O, BODIPY and DAPI staining. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level, the effects of GCE were examined on the expression of the genes involved in adipogenesis by real-time PCR. In the progress of adipocyte differentiation with GCE-treated, the mRNA level of adipogenic genes such as peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$), computer-assisted axial tomography/enhancer binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) were decreased. Also, GCE treatment inhibited increase of mRNA expression, which is adipogenic factor such as fatty acid synthase (FAS), hormone-sensitve lipase (HSL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte-specific lipid binding protein (aP2). Therefore, the result of this study suggest that Galla Chinenisis extract can prevent adipocyte differentiation and GCE may have a great potential as a novel anti-adipogenic agent.