• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2017

This study was designed to investigate the contents of icariin during ripening of Epimedium koreanum with sugar and Soju (25, 30, and 35% alcohol contents) using a homemade method. Contents of icariin of Epimedium wine were examined using high performance liquid chromatography. Icariin levels in Epimedium wine increased during the first 3 days of storage; after 6 days, icariin contents decreased gradually until 30 days. Contents of icariin in Epimedium wine by storage temperature (5 and $20^{\circ}C$) were not different during storage. After 30 days, icaiin was not detected in all tested Epimedium wines. Epimedium wines were assessed for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities increased in early storage periods, however, after 6 or 9 days, activities decreased gradually.

• Plant Resources
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.210-213
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Epimedium brevicornum Herba extract on the treatment of chromaticity and colorfastness. Epimedium brevicornum Herba has been used as a Korean medicine. It is effective in sexual excitement, depressant of blood pressure and anti-virus. It is also good as a tonic and in treating involuntary emission of semen. In the long history of Korea, dyeing has been applied for a means representing the grace of natural and inner esthetic consciousness of man. Vegetable dyes give us such great benefits, diversified color, but no pollution. And ramie fabric has distinctive features such as beautiful brilliance, elegance, and strong durability. So, it is regarded as a special product of Korea traditionally. These studies were carried out to treat with acetate iron, dichloride copper and alum with a mordant to ramie fabric. The ramie fabric was died with Epimedium brevicornum Herba extract. The results of experiment showed as follows: First, the chromophoric degree was the highest in acetate iron but not distinction in another mordants. Second, the light colorfastness was the highest in non treated and dichloride copper, but alum was the lowest. Third, the discoloration was alum and dichloride copper showed first grade in washing colorfastness. Abrasion colorfastness was not significant in this test. According the previous results, Epimedium brevicornum Herba has an efficiency in sexual excitement, depressant of blood pressure and anti-virus. So it is considered that Epimedium brevicornum Herba can be applied effectively to tonic and in treating involuntary emission of semen.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.55-68
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Epimedium Herb extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered the extract solution of Epimedium Herb 0.3 ml/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline as the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Epimedium Herb extract solutions in the mice. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules with the control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120 days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 days group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. And the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Epimedium Herb has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the testicular tissues and the activities of sperm hyaluronidse in 60 days administration group. We can suggest that Epimedium Herb extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of major constituents of Epimedium koreanum Nakai (Icariin, epimedium A, epimedium B, and epimedium C) on melanin synthesis. Methods : We measured melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, and expression of Rab27a in B16F10 cells cultured with Epimedium koreanum Nakai ethanol extract (EKN) and their major constituents. After treatment with H89 and dibutyryl cAMP, which inhibit or promote the activation of PKA, we observed changes in melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity stimulated by EKN. Results : Among them, EKN and icariin enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin contents. We confirmed that EKN augmented melanin synthesis via cAMP/PKA pathway. Icariin-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content were attenuated by PKA inhibitor H89, while melanogenic effect of icariin was further augmented by cAMP analog, dbc AMP. However, icariin did not affect the expression of small GTPase Rab27a involved in melanosome transport. Conclusions : These results suggest that icariin promotes melanogenesis through cAMP/PKA pathway but does not affect small GTPase Rab27a.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.437-446
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• 2022

In this study, to obtain icaritin with high pharmacological activities from icariin, which has a content ratio of over 58% in the total flavonoids of Epimedium herb, a special Epimedium flavonoid-glycosidase was produced, purified and characterized from Aspergillus sp.y848 strain. The optimal enzyme production was gained in a medium containing 5% (w/v) wheat bran extract and 0.7% (w/v) Epimedium leaf powder as the enzyme inducer, and strain culture at 30℃ for 6-7 days. The molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 73.2 kDa; the optimal pH and temperature were 5.0 and 40℃. The enzyme Km and Vmax values for icariin were 15.63 mM and 55.56 mM/h. Moreover, the enzyme hydrolyzed the 7-O-glucosides of icariin into icariside II, and finally hydrolyzed 3-Orhamnoside of icariside II into icaritin. The enzyme also hydrolyzed 7-O-glucosides of epimedin B to sagittatoside B, and then further hydrolyzed terminal 3-O-xyloside of sagittatoside B to icarisiede II, before finally hydrolyzing 3-O-rhamnoside of icarisiede II into icaritin. The enzyme only hydrolyzed 7-O-glucoside of epimedin A or epimedin C into sagittatoside A or sagittatoside C. It is possible to prepare icaritin from the high-content icariin in Epimedium herb using this enzyme. When 2.5% icariin was reacted at 40℃ for 18-20 h by the low-cost crude enzyme, 5.04 g icaritin with 98% purity was obtained from 10 g icariin. Also, the icaritin molar yield was 92.5%. Our results showed icaritin was successfully produced via cost-effective and relatively simple methods from icariin by crude enzyme. Our results should be very useful for the development of medicines from Epimedium herb.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1159-1162
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• 2001

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.93-96
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• 1988

Three flavonoids were isolated from Epimedium koreanum and identified as quercetin(1), $anhydroicaritin-3-O-{\alpha}-rhamnoside(2)$ and icariin(3) by spectroscopic methods. The former two compounds are the first isolation from this plant.

• Plant Resources
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2003

To improve industrial scale extraction method for extraction of icariin from Epimedium koreanum Nakai, the yields under different extracting conditions such as solvent, temperature, duration and solvent to plant material weight ratio were compared. Regarding extracting solution, highest extracts and icariin yield could be achieved when 10% EtOH was used. In case of plant material to extracting solvent ratio, no significant differences could be observed from 1/10 to 1/50, indicating 1/10 was the most efficient. Extracting temperature significantly affected extracts and icariin yields in that 9$0^{\circ}C$ increased the collected extracts and icariin contents up to 29.6% and 0.76%, respectively, compared to 27.2%, 0.33% at 7$0^{\circ}C$. The yield of extracts was less dependent upon extracting temperature compared to icariin yield. Regarding extraction time, 4 hr and 6 hr resulted in high extracts and icariin yield, respectively. We found extracting Epimedium koreanum Nakai in 10 times volume of 10% EtOH for 4 and 6 hr at 9$0^{\circ}C$ seem to be relatively efficient methods for extracts and icariin, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.535-540
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• 1992

The antioxidant activities of Epimedium koreanum N. methanol extract on the oxidation of fats and oils were studied by measuring peroxide values during storage at $75^{\circ}C$. The methanol extract showed high antioxidant activity on the oxidation of lard and corn oil, and the antioxidant effectiveness increased as the concentrations of the extract in lard increased. After heating the extract at $180^{\circ}C$ for 120 min, the heat-treated extract exhibited above 66% of the original antioxidant effectiveness on the oxidation of lard during storage at $75^{\circ}C$. Epimedium koreanum N. extract, however, accelerated the oxidation of soybean oil during storage under irradiation of ultraviolet light. The main antioxidant components in Epimedium koreanum N. extract seemed to be tocopherols and flavonoids. The contents of ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$ and ${\delta}-tocopherol$ in the extract were 21.61, 1.48, 5.50 and 3.75 mg%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.422-427
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• 1997

Vegetation and environment in natural habitats of Aster scaber and Epimedium koreanum around Chunchon was studied to eatablish agroforestry technology for high quality production of wild vegetable. The number of species within the quadrat in natural habitat of Aster scaber was respectively 20, 26, and 25 in Chunchon A, Mt. Yeonyup A, and Mt. Yeonyup B. The number of species within the quadrat in natural habitat of Epimedium koreanum was respectively 15, 32, and 26 in Chunchon B, Bukbangmyon, and Mt. Taeryong. The dominant species in habitat of Aster scaber was respectively Artemisia keiskeana, Disporun smilacinum, and Calamagrostis arundinacea in Chunchon A, Mt. Yeonyup A, and My. Yeonyup B while that in habitat of Epimedium koreanum was respectively Pteridium aquilinum. Artemisia keiskeana, and Disporun smilacinum in Chunchon B, Bukbangmyon, and Mt. Taeryong. Soil pH in habitats of Aster scaber and Epimedium koreanum ranged from 4.5 to 5.3. The contents of organic matter in habitat soil ranged from 1.5% in Chunchon A to 5.5% in Mt. Yeonyup B. The contents of ammonia-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen in soil were respectively 0.0043 mg/kg in habitat of Aster scaber and 0.0025mg/kg in habitat of Epimedium koreanum.