• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.608-620
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• 2008

Objectives : This study investigated the protective effects of the water extracts of Chongmyung-tang, Polygalae Radix, and Acori Graminei Rhizoma in an in vivo Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. Methods : Memory impairment was induced by an intraventricular injection of $A{\beta}25-35$ peptides and subsequently Chongmyung-tang, Polygalae Radix, or Acori Graminei Rhizoma extract were administered orally for 14days. Results : In the water maze task, Chongmyung-tang, Polygalae Radix, and Acori Graminei Rhizoma extracts improved learning ability during the acquisition period and significantly increased memory scores during the retention period versus $A{\beta}-injected$ controls. Furthermore, the toxicity of $A{\beta}25-35$ on hippocampus was assessed immunohistochemically (Tau, MAP2, TUNEL, Bax) and by in vitro study. Chongmyung-tang, Polygalae Radix, and Acori Graminei Rhizoma demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage and apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons damaged by $A{\beta}25-35$. Conclusions : These results suggested that Chongmyung-tang, Polygalae Radix and Acori Graminei Rhizoma extract improve memory impairment and reduce Alzheimer's dementia via anti-apoptotic effects and by modulating the expressions of Tau and MAP2 protein in the hippocampus.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1418-1425
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• 2004

The water extract of Chongmyung-tang has been traditionally used for treatment of memory-disorder in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of Chongmyung-tang on β-amyloid or H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells. The water extract of Chongmyung-tang significantly reduced both β-amyloid or H₂O₂-induced cell death and apoptotic characteristics through reduction of intracellular peroxide generation. Also, it inhibited the mitochondrial dysfunction including the disruption of mitochondria membrane permeability transition(MPT) and the modulation in expression of Bcl-2 family proteins in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment of quercetin inhibited the activation of caspase-3, in turn, degradation of ICAD/DFF45 were completely abolished in H₂O₂-treated cells. Taken together, that data suggest that the protective effects of the water extract of Chongmyung-tang against β-amyloid induced oxidative injuries may be achieved through modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.471-476
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• 2006

Chongmyung-tang(CMT, 聰明湯), oriental herbal medicine which consists of Polygaglae Radix(遠志), Acori Graminei Rhizoma(石菖蒲) and Hoelen(白茯神) has effect on amnesia, dementia. In order to evaluate effect of CMT on memory and learning in mice, CMT extract was used for studies. This paper describes the effects of CMT extract on memory and learning processes by using the passive and active avoidance performance tests, novel object recognition task and water maze task. The CMT extract ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by ethanol in the passive avoidance responses but did not affect ambulatory activity of normal mice. These results suggest that CMT has an ameliorating effect on memory retrieval impairment. CMT extract decreased spontaneous motor activity(SMA) in the latter sessions of memory registration in active avoidance responses. These results suggest that CMT has partly transquilizing or antianxiety effects. In novel object recognition task to measure visual recognition memory, CMT-administered mice enhanced in long term memory for 1-3 days. In water maze task to measure spatial learning, which requires the activation of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus, spatial learning in CMT-administered mice was faster than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that CMT enhances memory and activates NMDA receptors.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2010

The Chongmyung-tang (CMT) has been used as an oriental herbal medicine for the purpose of enhanced learning and memory. Recently, since fermentation may give a positive effect on pharmacological actions of herbal medicine, many studies are focused to find fermented medicinal herbs with improved bioactivity. In the present study, memory enhancing, antioxidant and reducing power activity of CMT and fermented CMT with Aspergillus oryzae (FCMT-A) or Saccharomyces cerevisiae (FCMT-S) were determined. To evaluate the memory enhancing activities of CMT, FCMT-A and FCMT-S, we performed passive avoidance test using scopolamine induced amnesia model. Administration of CMT, FCMT-A and FCMT-S showed a significant memory enhancing effect about 72.5, 78.3, 71.8% of the normal group respectively. CMT, FCMT-A and FCMT-S also exhibited strong $DPPH{\bullet}$, ${\bullet}{O_2}^-$, $NO^{\codt}$, $ABTS^{{\cdot}+}$ scavenging activities and reducing ower. It was also found that fermented CMT has slightly higher scavenging activities on $DPPH{\bullet}$, $ABTS^{{\cdot}+}$ radicals compared to CMT. These results revealed that CMT, FCMT-A and FCMT-S had memory enhancing and radical scavenging activities. In addition, the fermentation of CMT was more or less important for elevated memory enhancing and antioxidant activities of CMT.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2012

Objectives : This research investigates the single oral dose toxicity of ACM in SD rats. Methods : ACMs were administered to female and male SD rats, as an oral dose of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. Results : We could not find any mortality. Compared with the control group, significant weight change was not observed in the experimental group. First day after administration, compound-colored stool was observed in all rats. After the second day of administration, the more common symptoms were not observed. There were no gross abnormalities in all cases. [ED NOTE: highlight: given the context, this is very vague] Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that the approximate lethal dose of ACM in both female and male rats were considered as over 5000 mg/kg.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2014

Objectives & Methods : The objective of this study was to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of Chongmyung-tang (CMT) in ICR mice. Korean traditional herbal prescription CMT has traditionally been used as a neuroprotective for treatment of learning disability and memory improvement. CMT, lyophilized aqueous extracts (yield=9.7%) were administered to female and male mice with oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines. Animals were monitored for mortality, changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after administration upon necropsy; organ weight and histopathology of 14 principle organs were examined. Results : We could not find any CMT extracts treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes in body and organ weight, or gross and histopathological observations against 14 principle organs up to 2,000 mg/kg in both female and male mice, except for some accidental sporadic findings which did not show any obvious dose-relations and most of which also demonstrated in both the female and male vehicle control mice in this experiments. Conclusions : Based on the results of this experiment, the 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) and approximate lethal dose (ALD) of CMT extracts after single oral treatment in female and male mice can be considered to be over 2,000 mg/kg, and is likely to be safe in humans.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2010

Objectives : This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Chongmyung-Tang Prescription Combination(CmTP-$C_{1-10}$) extract on the production of amyloid $\beta$ protein and $\beta$-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme(BACE) activity. Methods : The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by lipopolysacchride(LPS) and amyloid $\beta$ protein fragment(A$\beta$ fragment) were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on production of amyloid $\beta$ protein(A$\beta$) in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on BACE activity were investigated. Results : 1. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly suppressed the expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 2. CmTP-$C_9$ extract significantly suppressed the production of A$\beta$ in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 3. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly inhibited BACE activity. Conclusions : These results suggest that CmTP-$C_9$ may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Investigation into clinical use of CmTP-$C_9$ for Alzheimer's Disease is suggested for future research.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.143-160
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• 2012

Objectives : To provide information on the safety of ACM, we carried out a 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity and a 4-week recovery test of ACM in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : Female and male rats were treated with ACM with oral doses of 800, 2000, and 5000 mg/kg. The ACM was administered for 13 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, ophthalmologic findings, urinalysis, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights and histological markers were monitored during the study period. Moreover, the rats were monitored for 4 extra weeks to determine recovery time after the study period. Results : We found no mortality and no abnormalities in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmologic findings, urinalysis, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights and histological markers in any of the rats tested. Conclusions : The no-observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) was considered as over 5000 mg/kg for male and female rats.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2007

Objective: The purpose of this study is to indicate further research direction in dementia by examining recent Korean-medicine journals. Method: We have reviewed eleven different journals that have been published from 1997 to 2006. Result 1.In philological study paper, cerebrovascular dementia is most common type of dementia and age, sex, past history have influence on the attack of disease. Introduced medical treatment to dementia of Korean medicine are Removing wind(祛風), Be in the peace(安神), Refreshing lung and raising blood(淸肺養血) etc. 2.According to the research paper, a prognosis of dementia which Is mixed(Alzheimer type and cerebrovascular type) is bad. Sinmac(申脈)-BL.62), Jeohae(照海)-Kl.06), waegwan(外關)-TE.05), naegwan(內關)-PC.6) among the palmacgyohoeheol(八脈交會穴) have good effect in medical treatment. Medical treatment which is based on chaejil(體質)) shows up to be more effective. Also many medicines have good effect, especially chongmyung-tang(聰明湯)) and chongmyung-tang-gamibang(聰明湯加味方)) have good effect on decreasing memory caused by nerve cell degeneration. Conclusion: The Korean medical treatments have many advantage in taking the dementia so the researches about this are more needed.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.131-144
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• 2013

Objectives : To provide information on the safety of ACM, we carried out a single oral dose-increasing toxicity and 4-weeks repeated oral dose determining test of ACM in beagle dogs. Methods : In a single oral dose-increasing toxicity test, beagles were treated with ACM orally increasing dose level (1,000, 2,000, 5,000 mg/㎏) at interval of 3 days. After administration, signs of toxicity were observed for two weeks. In 4-weeks repeated oral dose determinating test, beagles were treated with ACM with oral dose 500, 1,000, 2,000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, urinalysis, hematological and biochemical parameters, organ weights, necropsy findings, and histological findings were monitored during the study period. Results : In a single oral dose-increasing toxicity test, we found no mortality, abnormalities in clinical signs, body weight, and necropsy findings during the study period. In 4-weeks repeated oral dose determinating test, we found no mortality, abnormalities in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis, hematological and biological parameters, gross findings, organ weights, necropsy findings, and histopathological findings in any of the beagles tested. Conclusions : The results obtained in these studies suggest that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of ACM in male and female beagle dogs was supposed to be over 5,000 mg/kg. For the future studies of toxicity, it is advisable that high dose and low dose are set at 2000 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively.