• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.141-153
• /
• 2024

Objective : Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra) has been frequently used in the East Asian traditional medicine including Korea, China and Japan in the clinical treatment of asthma, cold and influenza etc. This study was performed to explore an anti-fibrogenic potential of Ephedra Herba water extract (EHE) using immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line, LX-2 cells. Methods : We examined the anti-fibrogenic effects of EHE on canonical pathway of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling in LX-2 cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Proteins expression were detected by Western blot. Results : Treatment of EHE 30 ㎍/ml did not show any cytotoxicity on LX-2 cells. Pre-treatment of EHE (30 ㎍/mL) significantly inhibited α-smooth muscle actin expression induced by TGF-β1. Additionally, EHE significantly decreased Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylations, Smad binding element-driven luciferase activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 expression by TGF-β1. Furthermore, increases of matrix metalloproteinases 2 genes by TGF-β1 was also attenuated by EHE treatment. Conclusion : These results suggest that EHE has an ability to suppress fibrogenic process in activated HSC via inhibition of TGF-β1-TGFBR mediated canonical (Smad dependent) pathway.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.260-273
• /
• 2004

Backgrounds : In recent years, asthma has become recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated pathologically with airway epithelial inflammation and airway remodeling. Objectives : To evaluate the different effects of Hirudo depending upon pharmaceutical manufactures on the expression and the activities of IL-6 and GM-CSF in airway epithelial cells, samples of Hirudo(水蛭), Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) and Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) were tested. Methods : After inducing enhanced messenger RNA(mRNA) expression and secretion of each cytokine by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(10 ng/ml) treatment, cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was added to each sample$(l,\;10,\;100\;&\;1000\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Subsequently, DNA activities were analyzed. Specifically mRNA expression and culture supernatants(protein levels) of IL-6 and GM-CSF from BEAS-2B cells, were analyzed using luciferase reporter gene assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) inhibited IL-6 activities in BEAS-2B cells remarkably, and inhibited mRNA expression levels and protein levels in supernatant of IL-6 and GM-CSF at various concentrations, significantly(p<0.05). However, Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) had no effect on mRNA expression levels and showed a slight inhibitory effect on GM-CSF protein levels in supernatant of culture medium. Conclusions : These results strongly suggest that Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) would be serve as effective medicaments in the treatment of airway inflammation and remodeling of asthmatic patients.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.363-380
• /
• 2018

Objectives : We analyzed the principle of compatibility of socheongnyong-tang and expanded the range of application in clinical practice. Methods : Socheongnyong-tang was analyzed by the compatibility principle through the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, but the basic formulas of "Discussion of Cold Damage" and "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" was used. Results : Socheongnyong-tang treats exterior wind-cold and interior water accumulation. Exterior wind-cold is treated mainly by exterior-releasing herbs constituting mahwang-tang and gyeji-tang in "Discussion of Cold Damage", and interior water accumulation is treated mainly by retained fluid-resolving herbs constituting yeonggamomigangsinha-tang, yeonggamomigagangsinbanhahaengin-tang and yeonggamomigagangsinbanhaengdaehwang-tang in "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber". Depending on the weight of exterior wind-cold and interior water accumulation, the disease condition is classified as a case where exterior wind-cold is heavier than interior water accumulation, a case where exterior wind-cold is lighter than interior water accumulation, and a case where it is equivalent. When exterior wind-cold is heavier than interior water accumulation, chief herbs are Ephedrae Herba and Cinnamomi Ramulus of exterior-releasing herbs series and deputy herbs are Zingiberis Rhizoma and Asari Radix et Rhizoma of retained fluid-resolving herbs series. When exterior wind-cold is equal to the disease condition of interior water accumulation, chief herbs are Ephedrae Herba of exterior-releasing herbs series and Zingiberis Rhizoma of retained fluid-resolving herbs series, and deputy herbs are Cinnamomi Ramulus of the exterior-releasing herbs series and Asari Radix et Rhizoma of retained fluid-resolving herbs series. When exterior wind-cold is lighter than interior water accumulation, chief herbs are Zingiberis Rhizoma and Asari Radix et Rhizoma of retained fluid-resolving herbs series and deputy herbs are Ephedrae Herba and Cinnamomi Ramulus of exterior-releasing herbs series. In any case, assistant herbs are Pinelliae Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix alba, and Schisandrae Fructus, and envoy herb is Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata. Conclusions : In conclusion, socheongnyong-tang must differently formulate the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy according to the grade of exterior wind-cold and interior water accumulation. These results suggest that socheongnyong-tang can be applied flexibly when applied in clinical practice to enhance the therapeutic effect.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.533-564
• /
• 1998

In order to know the effect of proliferation and differentiation on edipocyte 3T3-L1 by prescriptions and herbs, Taeyangin(太陽人)'s Okapijangcheok-tang(五加皮壯脊湯) Mihudeungsikjangtang Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮) Phragmitis Rhizoma(蘆根) and Taeumin(太陰人)'s Taeumjowi-tang(太陰調胃湯) Cheongsimyonja-tang(淸心蓮子湯) Cheongpaesagan-tang(淸肺瀉肝湯) Galkeunbupyong-tang(葛根浮萍湯) Coicis Semen(薏苡仁) Rhei Undulati Rhizoma(大黃) Mori Cortex(桑白皮) Ulmi Cortex(楡根白皮) Holotrichia Vermiculus Kalopanaxii Cortex(海桐皮) Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) Imperatae Rhizoma(白茅根), were used and had some effects. 1. The proliferation effect of edipocyte 1) At the Taeyangin(太陽人)'s prescriptions and herbs, Okapijangcheok-tang(五加皮壯脊湯) Mihudeungsikjang-tang Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮) have a control effect at the boiling water-extract and ethyl alcohol-extract. Phragmitis Rhizoma(蘆根) have a control effect at the ethyl alcohol-extract. 2) At the Taeyangin(太陽人)'s prescriptions and herbs, Taeumjowi-tang(太陰調胃湯) Cheongsimyonja-tang(淸心蓮子湯) Cheongpaesagan-tang(淸肺瀉肝湯) Galkeunbupyong-tang(葛根浮萍湯) have a control effect at the boiling water-extract and ethyl alcohol-extract. Coicis Semen(薏苡仁) Rhei Undulati Rhizoma(大黃) Morl Cortex(桑白皮) Ulmi Cortex(楡根白皮) Kalopanaxii Cortex(海桐皮) · Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) of the boiling water-extract, Holotrichia Vermiculus Kalopanaxii Cortex(海桐皮) of ethyl alcohol-extract have a control effect on edipocytes. Rhei Undulati Rhizoma(大黃) Ulmi Cortex(楡根白皮) Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) of high-density have a cyto-toxicity. 2. The differentiation effect of edipocyte 1) At the Taeyangin(太陽人)'s prescriptions and herbs during the natural differentiation, Phragmitis Rhizoma(蘆根) of the boiling water-extract, Okapijangchek-tang(五加皮壯脊湯) Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮) of the ethyl alcohol-extract have a cyto-toxicity on the first-differentiation. 2) At the Taeumin(太陰人)'s prescriptions and herbs during the natural differentiation, Ulmi Cortex (楡根白皮) Kalopanaxii Cortex(海桐皮) of the boiling water-extract have a cyto-toxicity on the first-differentiation. Cheongsimyonja-tang(淸心蓮子湯) Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) of ethyl alcohol-extract have a control effect on the redifferentiation. 3) At the Taeyangin(太陽人)'s prescriptions and herbs on the first-differentiation during the induced differentiation, Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮) of ethyl alcohol-extract has a control effect. Okapijangchek-tang(五加皮壯脊湯) Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮) Phragmitis Rhizoma(蘆根) of the boiling water-extract have a cyto-toxicity. 4) At the Taeumin(太陰人)'s prescriptions and herbs on the first-differentiation during the induced differentiation, Coicis Semen(薏苡仁) Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) Imperatae Rhizoma(白茅根) of the boiling water-extract and Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) of the ethyl alcohol-extract have a control effect. Kalopanaxii Cortex(海桐皮) of the boiling water-extract and the ethyl alcohol-extract has a cyto-toxicity. Considering this result, the Taeyangin(太陽人) Taeumin(太陰人)'s prescriptions and herbs have a control effect on edipocytes during the proliferation. Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮), Coicis Semen(薏苡仁) Ephedrae Herba(麻黃) Imperatae Rhizoma(白茅根) have a control effect on edipocytes during the induced differentiation. In the future, for treating a obesity need a vivo assay and hope this study to help to know the mechanisms of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2005

The immune activities of the extracts from Ephedrae Herba and Rubi Frutus extraction with ultrasonification at $60^{\circ}C$ were compared with the extracts though water extraction at $100^{\circ}C$. The growth of human T cells was increased up to $13{\times}10^4\;viable\;cells/m{\ell}$ in adding $1.0\;g/{\ell}$ of the ultrasonification extracts of R. Fructus at $60^{\circ}C$, compared to adding the extracts at $100^{\circ}C$. The secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ for human T cells were also increased up to $13.9{\times}10^{-4}$ pg/cell by adding extracts at $60^{\circ}C$, compared to extracts at $100^{\circ}C$. The extracts of R. Fructus at $60^{\circ}C$ increased NK cell activities up to 50% and the secretion of $NO^{-1}$ from macrophage to $31\;{\mu}M$ for ultrasonification extracts at $60^{\circ}C$.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.59-74
• /
• 2010

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyzing clinical trials of the current acupoint sticking treatment on Sambok* to prevent winter diseases through summer prophylactic treatment. Methods 33 Chinese clinical studies published in last fifteen years were selected for analysis. Results Acupoint sticking treatment on Sambok* is used in asthma, rhinitis, bronchitis. Commonly used herbs are Sinapis Semen(白芥子), Asari Herba Cum Radix(細辛), Euphorbiae Kansui Radix(甘遂), Corydalis Tuber(玄胡索), Moschi Moschus(麝香), Ephedrae Herba(麻黃), Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus(肉桂) and Commonly used acupoints are Feishu(肺兪), Kohwang(膏肓), Shinsu(腎兪), Pisu(脾兪). 33 studies showed that the effect of treatment in different age, symptom, acupoints, herbs, methods. However, it shows that acupoint sticking treatment on Sambok* is effective in various diseases, especially in respiratory disease. Conclusions This study shows that acupoint sticking treatment on Sambok* is effective in preventing many diseases. More clinical studies about acupoint sticking treatment and standardizations to evaluate effectiveness are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the trends in foreign clinical trials for pediatric asthma in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods : We reviewed 31 randomized controlled trials (RCT) for pediatric asthma treatment in CAM published from 2005 to 2015 in PubMed and analyzed their treatments, compounds of herbal medicines, acupoints, methods of assessment, and treatment results. Results : The treatments used in the studies were herbal medicines, acupuncture, acupoint application, breathing training, supplement, normocaloric diet, yoga, massage therapy, and art therapy. The frequently used herbs were Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛). Ephedrae Herba (麻黃), Astragali Radix. The most common acupoints were Feishu (肺兪, BL13). The methods of assessment in pediatric asthma were symptom scale, questionnaire of Quality of Life, lung function test, laboratory studies, and medication usage. In 28 out of 31 studies, treatment group gets better than non-treated group. Conclusions : This study shows that CAM is effective in treating pediatric asthma. More clinical studies using objective outcome measures are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 1982

In order to investigate the pharmacological action of combined preparation of crude drugs, 'Oyo-Tang' were studied. 'Oyo-Tang' consist of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ephedrae Herba, Armenicae Semen, Platycodi Radix and Nepetae Herba. They have widely been prescribed in Oriental Medicine for controlling of cough, asthma, nasal abstraction, pharygeal pain and hoarseness. Experimental studies were implemented on analgesic, sedativc, anticonvulsive and ileum relaxing actions. The results of the studies were as follows; Significant anticonvulsive action was recognized by fraction IIII. Sedative and analgesic actions were noted by fraction I and III. Relaxing action was shown on the extracted ileum in mice, antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2-induced$ contraction of the ileum of mice and Histamine-induced contraction of the ileum of guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.255-261
• /
• 2005

Gami-Samhwang-San, a herbal prescription for obesity treatment, is composed of seven crude herbs such as Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Ephedrae Herba, Scutellariae Radix, Acori Gramineri Rhizoma, Polygalae Radix, Typhae Pollen, Armeniacae Semen, Menthae Herba. In this study, marker substances in n-butanol fraction (SH-21-B) from Gami-Samhwang-San were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and acute toxicity of standardized SH-21-B was evaluated by good laboratory practices (GLP) guideline of Korea Food and Drug Administration. Therefore we confirmed that there were baicalin of 15.92%, amygdalin of 6.57% and ephedrine of 2.49% in SH-21-B. SH-21-B was administered in rats at dose of 0 mg/kg, 2,000 mg/kg, and 5,000mg/kg. Clinical signs of both sexes of rats were observed daily for 14 days after single oral administration. Two female rats one administered at 2,000 mg/kg and the other administered at 5,000 mg/kg, died, but no dead animal was observed among male rats. Therefore $LD_{50}$ in the female rat is observed to be 8,710 mg/kg, and MLD (Minimun Lethal Dose) of the male rat is observed to be more than 5,000 mg/kg.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.1512-1515
• /
• 2004

In this study, we investigated in vitro nitric oxide (NO) scavenging effect on nine herbal extracts using an NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) compared with vitamin C. All herbal extracts effectively reduced the generation of NO radicals in a dose-dependant manner and over 65% in 10h. Especially, Ephedrae herba, Carthami flos and Lonicerae flos declined over 75% of NO scavenging effect, suggested that the herbal extracts are the powerful free radical scavengers and may be effective in clinical applications.