• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.804-809
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• 2003

Kagam-bojungikgitang is the water extracts prepared from Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix. Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astractylodis Rhizoma alba, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Artemisiae iwayomogii Herba, and Scutellariae Radix. This is a modified prescription of Bojungikgitang, which has been used for the treatment of indigestion, and immunological disease in oriental countries. In this study, the effects of Kagam-bojungikgitang and Bojungikgitang on the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the release of PGE2 and expression of COX-2 caused by stimulation of LPS without cytotoxic effect. Kagam-bojungikgitang's inhibitory effects were better than Bojungikgitang in PGE2 production and COX-2 expression. Moreover, Kagam-bojungikgitang also attenuated markedly the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 than Bojungikgitang in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that Kagam-bojungikgitang decreases PGE2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Kagam-bojungikgitang.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.6-13
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• 2016

The effect of blast oxygen furnace (BOF) slag used as filling materials on the soil environment was studied using column tests that simulated the flow of the BOF slag leachate through the soil layer. The Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni, and F contents of the leachate affected soil were similar to that of the controls (i.e., soils that were not affected by the leachate). The As, Cd, and Pb contents were lower in the leachate affected soils than the controls. The changes in these contaminants contents can be attributed to the interactions between anions such as alkalinity generating anions (e.g., CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, OH⁻) or calcium ions with heavy metals or F, which consequently affected the fate of heavy metals and F in the leachate affected soils. The germination and growth of Spinapis alba in the soils affected by the leachate and the controls were also similar. However, the proportion of alkalophilic bacteria in the soils affected by the leachate significantly increased, and this can be explained by the increased soil pH due to the alkaline leachate. Overall, this study shows that the alkalinity of the BOF slag leachate, rather than the presence of heavy metals and F in the leachate, needs to be considered when the BOF slag is to be reused as structural filling materials.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.115-128
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• 2003

Bojungikgitang is the water extracts prepared from Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astractylodis Rhizoma alba, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Bupleuri Radix, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, which has been used for the treatment of indigestion, and immunological disease in oriental countries. In this study, the effects of Bojungikgitang on the productions of nitiric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bojungikgitang (10-400 ${\mu}$g/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but this compound dose-dependently reduced the release of NO and $PGE_2$ caused by stimulation of $LPS/IFN-{\gamma}$. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein were markedly suppressed by the treatment with Bojungikgitang in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, Bojungikgitang also attenuated the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (1L)-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that Bojungikgitang decreases the NO and $PGE_2$ production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Bojungikgitang.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.25-34
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the Mulberry Extract Complex in a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial and animal study on degenerative arthritis. Methods : Animal study: Mulberry Extract Complex is composed of extracts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit, mulberry leaves and black beans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To evaluate the serum level of interleukin-2, interferon-$\gamma$, and prostaglandin E2, an animal model of degenerative arthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate was employed. Clinical study: The efficacy index (VAS, K-WOMAC) was compared among patients with symptoms of degenerative arthritis before and after Mulberry Extract Complex ingestion as well as the one in groups. Evaluations of the improvement by the subjects and by doctor assessment were also performed. Results : Animal study: Mulberry Extract Complex reduced the serum level of interferon-$\gamma$ and prostaglandin E2 in an animal model with degenerative arthritis. Clinical study: The VAS change showed statistical significance in the experimental groups after 4 weeks (PP set) and 8 weeks (ITT set) of ingestion. When the K-WOMAC was analyzed using a modified ITT set to determine the effectiveness, statistically significant results were obtained in the fields of pain & symptom within the Mulberry Extract Complex group as well as between the Mulberry Extract Complex and placebo groups after 8 weeks of ingestion. Results from the improvement evaluation by subjects and the assessment of improvement by doctors showed statistical significance in the experimental groups (PP set) after 8 weeks. Conclusions : Mulberry Extract Complex could be useful for the improvement of various symptoms of degenerative arthritis based on its anti-inflammatory activity and its reduction of VAS and K-WOMAC pain scores.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2002

Anti-fungal potential of 5 plant extracts viz., Eucalyptus citriodora, Allium sativum, Cassia sophera, Chromolaena odorata and Datura metel on the growth of mulberry brown leaf spot pathogen Myrothecium roridum were examined. Except fur the aqueous extract of Allium bulb, ethanolic leaf extract of all other plants more efficiently reduced the colony growth of the fungus on potato-dextrose-agar, Of which, Allium and Eucalyptus extracts were more effective. Initiation of radial growth of M. roridum on solid media was deferred maximum 6 days by ethanolic Eucalyptus extract and 4 days by aqueous Allium extract at $0.4 mg.ml^{-1}$. In the liquid media amended with Eucalyptus extract ($0.4 mg.ml^{-1}$) complete inhibition of sporulation was noticed upto 8 days, and initial inhibition of mycelial bio-mass generation was considerably diminished with time and reduction was 1.3 fold 14 days after application. While, complete inhibition of mycelial growth for 6-14 days was recorded with $\geq$0.1 mg.ml$^{-1}$ commercial eucalyptus oil. However, rejuvenation of growth appeared when fungus was re-inoculated in fresh media. Post-inoculate application of different doses Of Eucalyptus and Allium extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the disease severity in pot-ted mulberry. However, persistence of the effect up to 28 days was apparent at $\geq$ 1.0 mg.ml$^{-1}$ and effectively was on par with carbendazim (1 mg.ml$^{-1}$ ). Almost equal control ability of 1.0 mg.ml$^{-1}$ Eucalyptus extracts can be achieved by ca. 10 times lowered dose of commercial eucalyptus oil. It seems, the toxic principle of E. citrodora to M. roridum is fungistatic in nature and may have essential oil based origin.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2011

Herbicidal effects and crop selectivity of aqueous leaf extracts of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were evaluated against several weed species for developing sustainable weed management in organic farming. Aqueous sorghum leaf extracts were highly phytotoxic to different weed species. No broadleaf weeds were germinated in the concentration of 5 fold or higher concentrated sorghum leaf extracts and 90% of seed germination was inhibited within that range in grass species. Sorghum leaf extracts strongly inhibited the growth of different weeds by pre-emergence and foliar applications in greenhouse condition. Foliar application of sorghum leaf extracts had a higher inhibitory effect than the pre-emergence application. Broadleaf weed species were more susceptible than grasses to the application of sorghum leaf extract in foliar applications than grasses. Galium spurium, Erigeron candensis, and Rumex japonicus were completely killed at the highest concentrated sorghum leaf extract both in pre-emergence and foliar application. Most broadleaf weed species were inhibited more than 80% at pre-emergence application at 50 fold concentrated sorghum leaf extract. G. spurium, E. candensis, R. japonicus, Eclipta alba, Plantago asiatica and Portulaca oleraeea were most susceptible to sorghum leaf extract in foliar application. Growth of most broad leaf weed species was suppressed by greater than 90% at 50 fold concentrated sorghum leaf extract. Most crop species were tolerant to sorghum leaf extract but shoot growth was slightly reduced by the application of 40~50 fold concentrated extracts, Sorghum leaf extract may used to control weeds in organic fanning without affecting the growth of crop.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives : Cheongnoimyungshin-hwan (CNMSH) is a Herbal compound prescription that is composed mainly of herbal medicines such as Ginseng Radix Alba, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Longan Arillus and cornus cervi parvum, and for the purpose of improving memory and preventing dementia. Methods : In this study, it was investigated whether CNMSH could suppress inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. As a result, CNMSH decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and cyclooxygenase-2, and also inhibited production of NO, prostaglandin E2. Results : This effect was associated with the suppression of the expression of p65, one of the nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) subunits, and increased expression of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, inhibit the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor. In addition, CNMSH significantly blocked intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation in response to LPS stimulation. Furthermore, CNMSH increased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf)-2 activation and heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Conclusions : Therefore, it has been shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the expression and production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and is associated with ROS generation and is activated by Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of common fodder tree leaves with goats fed at 50% of total ration. In experiment 1, leaves from six fodder tree species i.e., Ailanthus aitissima, Elaeagnus angustifolic, Morus alba (Mulberry), Populus spp, Robina pseudoacacia and Salix babylonia were harvested in spring and winter from northern areas of Pakistan. Chemical composition and apparent in situ dry matter digestibility (DMD) of fodder tree leaves were measured. Results showed that crude protein (CP) values were higher (p<0.05) in all the species during spring compared to winter (17.9% vs 12.0%). The concentration of NDF in Elaeagnus and Robinia was higher in spring, whereas no seasonal difference was found in other species. In situ DMD was higher (p<0.05) in Ailanthus and Populus at spring while it was higher (p<0.05) in Elaeagnus, Mulberry and Robinia at winter. There was no (p<0.05) seasonal effect on in situ DMD of Salix. In experiment II, four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric rations viz., A, B, C and D were prepared containing 50% (winter harvested) sun dried leaves of Salix, Robinia, Mulberry and Elaeagnus, respectively and 50% concentrate. Dry matter and crude protein intakes were higher (p<0.05) given ration A (Salix) whereas DM and CP digestibility was lowest (p<0.05) given ration B. Nitrogen retention was higher (p<0.05) given ration A. Goats fed on fodder tree leaves and concentrate showed moderate intake and digestibility.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.13
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• 2012

Jeechool-Whan (JW) is a prescription of Ponciri Fructus Immaturus and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba and improves the functions of the stomach and the spleen. Although it is said in Korean Medicine that the spleen and the stomach are the roots of the body's resistance, the meaning of 'improving the spleen and the stomach' is very comprehensive. Moreover, there are lots of drugs that are said to improve the spleen and the stomach, and the number of prescriptions using these drugs is huge. In this study, we focused on the new effect and mechanism of the JW on the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) model. The increased number of rubs and the increased levels of IgE and histamine in the OVA-sensitized mice were inhibited by JW administration. The balance of Th1/Th2 cytokine level was regulated by JW administration. The levels inflammatory proteins were decreased by JW administration in the nasal mucosa of the OVA-sensitized mice. Eosinophils and mast cells infiltration increased by OVA-sensitization was also decreased in the JW-administered mice. In addition, JW inhibited caspase-1 activity in the same nasal mucosa tissue. In activated human mast cells, JW inhibited the receptor interacting protein-2, I${\kappa}$B kinase-${\beta}$, nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B/Rel A, and caspase-1 activation. In conclusion, this study will be support the clear understanding of the concept of the spleen and the stomach in traditional Korean medicine as well as for a possibility of finding a cure for this AR in traditional medical treatments.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.463-469
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• 2010

This research is performed to obtain positive evidences of Mori cortex, a kind of oriental medicinal herbs, in the cellular levels. The extracts of M. cortex have shown anti-inflammatory effects against cutaneous inflammation and clinical effects on pulmonary asthma and congestion in oriental medicine. Thus BV2 cells were chosen because microglia are considered as the main immunocompetent cells in the central nervous system. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation of cultured BV2 cells and subsequent release of nitric oxide (NO) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were effectively suppressed by methylene chloride extract of Morus alba L. (MEMA). From the inflammation-mediated mRNA and protein analyses, we showed that inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) induced by LPS were markedly decreased by MEMA treatment. From the observation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-${\kappa}B$) which is controlling and mediating inflammation through COX-2 and iNOS, there showed that p65, a subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$, was increased in nuclear and $I{\kappa}B$, a competitor of NF-${\kappa}B$, was recovered in cytosol after MEMA treatment. These are corresponding with results of iNOS, COX-2, IL-$1{\kappa}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, and confirm some suppressive effect against transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory action of M. cortex against BV2 microglia cells is expected to protect nerve tissues through suppression of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.