• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2024

Unlike resistant cells, persister cells resist antibiotics due to a decreased cellular metabolic rate and can transition back to normal susceptible cells when the antibiotic is removed. These persister cells contribute to the chronic symptoms of infectious diseases and promote the emergence of resistant strains with continuous antibiotic exposure. Therefore, eliminating persister cells represents a promising approach to significantly enhance antibiotic efficacy. Here, we found that Coicis Semen extract reduced Staphylococcus aureus persister cells at a concentration of 0.5 g/L. Linoleic acid and oleic acid, the major components of Coicis Semen extract, exhibited a comparable reduction in persister cells when combined with three antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, oxacillin, and tobramycin. Conversely, these effects were nullified in the presence of the surfactant Tween 80 (1%), suggesting that the hydrophobic characteristics of linoleic acid and oleic acids play a pivotal role in reducing the number of S. aureus persister cells. Considering the concentration-dependent effects of linoleic acid and oleic acid, the persister-reducing activity of Coicis Semen extract was primarily attributed to these fatty acids. Moreover, Coicis Semen extract, linoleic acid, and oleic acid increased the cell membrane permeability of S. aureus. Interestingly, this effect was counteracted by 1% Tween 80, indicating a close association between the reduction of persister cells and the increase in cell membrane permeability. The identified compounds could thus be used to eliminate persister cells, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and shortening treatment duration. When used in conjunction with antibiotics, they may also mitigate chronic symptoms and significantly reduce the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.269-288
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• 1996

Coicis Semen is one of the oriental medicine that has been used for the treatment of the diseases such as pulmonary abscess, periappendicular abscess and wart since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the action of the drug is not well studied. This study was done to investigate the effects of Coicis Semen on the host defence mechanism. Effects of Coicis Semen on the immune responses were analysed by measuring the contact hypersensitivity, hemagglutinin, hemolysin and rosette formation, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen intermidiates production. As the results, water extract of Coicis Semen administration enhanced the antibodies (hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen. Also Coicis Semen increased the allogeneic immune response in the mouse, showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cell line(K562) and decreased the contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. Also administration of Coicis Senlen slightly increased NK cell activity and enhanced the production of such reactive oxygen intermediates as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from the macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The above results demonstrate that Coicis Semen has enhancing effects on cellular and humoral immune responses against disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2002

Objectives : In this study, water extracts from Coix lachryma-jobi Linne var. mayuen Stapf. were investigated for their effects on insulin-like action and glucose uptake in 3T3-Ll cells. Methods : We examined the effects of insulin-like action on the differentiation of 3T3-Ll fibroblasts. The Coicis Semen was treated with hot water and the extract was freeze-dried. The hot water extract was chromatographed on nonionic polymer resin (Amberlite XAD-4, Sigma) with distilled water (Fr. 1), 20% (Fr. 2), 40% (Fr. 3), 60% (Fr. 4), 80% (Fr. 5), and 100% EtOH (Fr. 6), successively. Results : Total extract of Coicis Semen was fractionated into 0 to 100% MeOH with Amberlite XDA-4 column. Treatment of cells with $10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ of total extracts of Coicis Semen significantly increased the differentiation (p<0.05). At $1{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ level of insulin, the differentiation was accelerated (p<0.01). The effect of extracts plus insulin on the differentiation was greater than that of insulin alone. In 3T3-Ll adipocytes, glucose uptake was higher by 2.7 times with 5 uM of total extract in low dosage of insulin (3 ng/ml) than without total extract. 5 and 50 uM of water and 40% MeOH fractions increased glucose uptake by 3.5 times in 3T3-Ll adipocytes (p<0.00l). Conclusions : Coicis Semen contains compounds which playa role of insulin-like action and insulin sensitizer.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.159-171
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• 2009

Objectives This study was evaluated the effects of CSE the regulatory mechanism of NO and cytokines in the LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods The Coicis Semen MeOH extract dissolved in EMEM for 1 hour prior to the addition of LPS(1${mu}g/ml$). The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and Nitric Oxide production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. The levels of cytokine and PGE2 were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. Results CSE inhibited the production of NO (0.03 and 0.1 mg/ml), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (0.03 and 0.1 mg/ml), $IL-1{\beta}$ (0.03 and 0.1 mg/ml), IL-6 (0.03, 0.1 mg/ml) and PGE2(0.03 and 0.1 mg/ml) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS(lipopolysaccharide). Conclusion According to the results above, Coicis Semen can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was conducted to 9% compared with the previous experimental obesity-induced metabolic function in rats that it was a mixture of pear extract and herbal drugs(Lycii Fructus, Coicis Semen, Alimatis Rhizoma and Astragali Radix) on high fat diet-induce obesity rats. Methods : The animals were used in male rats. Control group fed high-fat diet only. Experimental groups were divided four, ExpI group was fed high-fat diet with a mixture pear extract and Lycii Fructus 9%, Exp II group was fed high-fat diet with a mixture pear extract and Coicis Semen 9%, Exp III group was fed high-fat diet with a mixture pear extract and Alimatis Rhizoma 9%, and Exp IV group was fed high-fat diet with a mixture pear extract and Astragali Radix 9% for 4 weeks. Results : The body weight gain increased in all groups, but attenuated gradually in the experimental groups compared to the control group. The food intakes were significantly lower in all Exp groups than the control group. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, and free fatty acid were significantly lower in Exp II than in the control group. Also the concentration of serum free fatty acid was significantly lower in the Exp IV group than in the control group. In inflammatory activities, the Exp II, IV group was significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion : The results indicated that Exp I group (administered a mixture of pear extract and Lycii Fructus) reduced fat accumulation, body weight and the highest elevated lipid metabolism, while the Exp II group (administered the mixture of pear extract and Coicis Semen) and Exp IV group (administered the mixture of pear extract and Astragali Radix) had the highest elevated immune activity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

Objective : This study was conducted to observe the anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the metabolic benefits, of pear extract and herbal drug mixture (Lycii Fructus, Coicis Semen, Alimatis Rhizoma, and Astragali Radix) on rats fed with a high fat diet. Methods : The animals used were male rats and the control group was fed a high fat diet only. The experimental groups were divided into four. Exp I group was fed a high fat diet with a mixture of pear extract and 3% Lycii Fructus; Exp II group was fed a high fat diet with a mixture of pear extract and 3% Coicis Semen; Exp III group was fed a high fat diet with a mixture of pear extract and 3% Alimatis Rhizoma; and Exp IV group was fed a high fat diet with a mixture of pear extract and 3% Astragali Radix for 4 weeks. Results : The body weight gain increased in all groups, but attenuated gradually in the experimental groups compared to the control group. The food intakes were significantly lower in Exp I and Exp III groups than the control group. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher in Exp II than in the control group, and lower in Exp III group than in the control group. Also the concentration of serum free fatty acid was significantly lower in the Exp III group than in the control group. In inflammatory activities, the Exp II group was significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion : The results indicated that Exp III group (administered a mixture of pear extract and Alimatis Rhizoma) most efficiently reduced fat accumulation and body weight, while the Exp II group (administered the mixture of pear extract and Coicis Semen) had the highest elevated lipid metabolism and immune activity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects Rehmannia glutinosa, Radix puerariae, Semen coicis, Fructus hordei, Cortex acanthopanacis, Fructus chaenomelis, or Radix glycyrrhizae extracton 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation. Methods : We adopted Oil Red O staining methods to observe the formed lipid droplets. And the amount of lipids in adipocytes was measured using absorptiometric analysis. Results : The extracts of Rehmannia glutinosa, Radix puerariae, Semen coicis, Fructus hordei, Cortex acanthopanacis, Fructus chaenomelis, or Radix glycyrrhizae stimulated the preadipocytes differentiation and lipid droplet formation. And the complex extract of the traditional herbal medicines stimulated there actions more than single extracts. Conclusions : The extract of Rehmannia glutinosa, Radix puerariae, Semen coicis, Fructus hordei, Cortex acanthopanacis, Fructus chaenomelis, or Radix glycyrrhizae has stimulatory effects. on adipogenesis. Moreover, the complex extract of the traditional herbal medicines has more effect than single extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.75-81
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effect of Coicis Semen extract(CSe) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy rats. CSe was given to rats with oral administration. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups : normal group of rats, control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, sample group with CSe treatment. Experimental diabetes was induced by the injection of STZ(60 mg/kg) to the rat via the peritoneum. The effects of CSe on STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy were observed by measuring the serum level of creatinine, BUN and uric level of glucose. Kidney level of lipid peroxidation and the activities of reduced glutathione(GSH) were also examined Results : STZ-induced increase of serum creatinine was lowered by CSe treatment, but BUN and uric level of glucose did not show significant changes. CSe oral administration showed statistical decrease of lipid peroxidation in renal cortical tissues, but it has no effect on the activities of GSH. Conclusion : CSe treatment showed protective effect on rat diabetic nephropathy model, but action mechanism of the effect was still not dear. We thought to be concerned with anti-oxidative stress.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.520-532
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Coicis Semen Extract (CSE) on the experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods : Experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days in 6-week-old male ICR mice. The colitic mice were divided into three groups: the normal (N) group consisted of mice that were not inflammation-induced. The control (C) group was composed of untreated colitis elicited mice. The sample (S) group was administered CSE after colitis elicitation. The effects on colonic mucosal ulcers were evaluated by the morphological, histological and immunohistochemical change of the large intestine. Results : Inhibition of LPS-induced NO decreased in the S group. Inhibition of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 mRNA noticeably decreased in the S group from 0.25 mg/ml. In the common morphological and histochemical change, the erosion and the infiltration of inflammatory cells increased in the C group, while they noticeably decreased in the S group. The length of colon was shortened more in the C group than in the S group. The distributions of MUC2 and Hsp70 treated with CSE increased noticeably more in the S group than in the C group (p<0.05). It was confirmed histochemically and immunohistochemically that the distributions of iNOS, COX-2, MAC387, serotonin, apoptosis and PCNA treated with CSE decreased in the S group more than in the C group (p<0.05). Conclusions : It is confirmed that CSE has cytoprotective effect, so can alleviate inflammation process. Therefore, it is expected to have potential protective effect on colitis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Objectives: Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS) has been frequently prescribed for the treatment of obesity. However, effects of combinational extracts of these two herbs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EH and CS on lipid accumulation and glucose absorption in free fatty acids (FFAs) or palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Five samples of EH and CS were extracted by combination ratios (S1=0:100, S2=25:75, S3=50:50, S4=75:25, S5=100:0). Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation in FFAs-induced steatosis cells. Intracellular triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were measured in FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. In PA-treated cells, intracellular 2-NBDG was detected using a fluorescence microplate reader and flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of key metabolism-related factors of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, expression of key lipid synthesis-related factors carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 alpha (CPT1α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) were confirmed by western blot. Results: Treatment of EH-CS combination in the FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells significantly reduced lipid accumulation. As the relative ratio of Ephedrae herba increased, the lipid-lowering effects of the combination were increased. However, S1 and S5 of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen did not significantly reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by FFAs. However, the combination of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen restored glucose absorption in PA-induced HepG2 cells. Major makers of SREBP1, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and CPT1α expression tended to decrease with EH ratio. Conclusions: The EH-CS combination has advantages over sole EH and CS extracts in improving lipid and glucose metabolism in liver steatosis models.