• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a standardized special ethanol extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum as a management for anxiety and stress of normal population. This is a two-arm, parallelgroup, randomized, double blind clinical trial comparing Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract 200 mg bid (GP-EX, n=48) or placebo bid (n=54). The main outcome measures were the decrease in anxiety sensitivity index (ASI), the State version (S-STAI) of the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Trait version (T-STAT) of the STAI from baseline over a 6 weeks treatment period. In more anxious group (S-STAI50 or ASI19), the anxiety in group with GP-EX was decreased significantly than one in normal population with placebo [S-STAI50: T-STAI = from $57.7{\pm}6.5$ ($mean{\pm}S.D.$) to $46.8{\pm}11.2$ in normal population with GP-EX, p=0.002 vs. from $54.1{\pm}9.9$ to $49.0{\pm}9.6$ in normal population with placebo, p>0.05; ASI19: T-STAI = from $47.2{\pm}12.0$ to $42.4{\pm}11.1$ in normal population with GP-EX, p=0.022 vs. from $48.7{\pm}11.5$ to $46.0{\pm}10.4$ in normal population with placebo, p>0.05]. The most frequently reported adverse reactions considered possibly related to treatment were mild gastrointestinal events. GP-EX is more effective than placebo and is well tolerated as a therapy for anxiety and stress of normal population.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 2014

In order to discover ingredients for wrinkle-care cosmetics, we prepared 70% ethanol extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum and examined its activity on collagen synthesis using fibroblast HDFn cells. The G. pentaphyllum extract induced the production of type I procollagen in a dose-dependent manner without showing cell toxicity. The active constituents were isolated from the extract by solvent fractionation and chromatographic purification procedures. NMR data and literature studies led to determine the two isolated compounds as the flavonoid glycosides such as ombuine 3-O-rutinoside (1) and quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (2). The activity screening tests showed that the isolates 1 and 2 induced the production of type I procollagen in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that G. pentaphyllum extract containing the flavonoids 1 and 2 could be useful as an active ingredient for wrinkle-care cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 1996

This study was conducted to obtain basic information on growth characteristics and major components of three Korean endemic resource plant species, Artemisia sp., Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino and Humulus japonicus S. et Z. , growing in different areas in Korea. Three geographical types of artemisia, namely Pangssuk, Ongjinssuk and Yakssuk which were collect in Suwon, Ongjin and Eumsong, respectively were compared in yield, and Pangssuk artemisia was higher in yield than the others. However, essential oil content was the highest in Yakssuk artemisia. Dry weight of areal parts of G. pentaphyllum was higher in the cultural method with props for tendril growth than in the conventional cultural method without props. Rutin was detected in areal parts of G. pentaphyllum. Dry weight of areal parts of H. japonicus collected at the Kyeryong mountain in Chungnam province was higher than that collected in Eumsong. A phenolic compound isoquercitrin was detected in areal parts of H. japonicus.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.298-313
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of natural compounds in improving athletic ability has attracted attention in both sports and research. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) leaves are used to make traditional herbal medicines in Asia. The active components of G. pentaphyllum, dammarane saponins, or gypenosides, possess a range of biological activities. On the other hand, the anti-fatigue effects from G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its effective compound, gypenoside L (GL), remain to be determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study examined the effects of GPE on fatigue and exercise performance in ICR mice. GPE was administered orally to mice for 6 weeks, with or without treadmill training. The biochemical analysis in serum, glycogen content, mRNA, and protein expressions of the liver and muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: The ExGPE (exercise with 300 mg/kg body weight/day of GPE) mice decreased the fat mass percentage significantly compared to the ExC mice, while the ExGPE showed the greatest lean mass percentage compared to the ExC group. The administration of GPE improved the exercise endurance and capacity in treadmill-trained mice, increased glucose and triglycerides, and decreased the serum creatine kinase and lactate levels after intensive exercise. The muscle glycogen levels were higher in the ExGPE group than the ExC group. GPE increased the level of mitochondrial biogenesis by enhancing the phosphorylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) protein and the mRNA expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial DNA, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ, superoxide dismutase 2, and by decreasing the lactate dehydrogenase B level in the soleus muscle (SOL). GPE also improved PGC-1α activation in the SOL significantly through AMPK/p38 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that GPE supplementation enhances exercise performance and has anti-fatigue activity. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism was elucidated. Therefore, GPE is a promising candidate for developing functional foods and enhancing the exercise capacity and anti-fatigue activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, component analysis, antioxidative activity and cellular protective effects against oxidative stress on human skin cells in 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) Makino. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activites ($FSC_{50}$) of the 50% ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 246.8, 147.2, $128.9{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of the 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay were 37.15, 10.74, $7.19{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. We investigated the cellular protective activity and the results showed that treatment of aglycone fraction ($0.05-0.39{\mu}g/mL$) protect human skin cells in a concentration-dependent manner when the skin cell damages were induced by treating them with $H_2O_2$. These results suggest that extract/fractions of G. pentaphyllum Makino may be applicable as natural antioxidants in cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.303-309
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• 2016

The human skins had a lot of changes as aging. The synthesis of collagens and elastic fibers were reduced and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) was increased in the dermis. These changes have been known to be responsible for skin wrinkle formation. In this study, we tried to develop pre-indicator of inner skin aging, and investigated the effect of the cream product containing Gynostemma pentaphyllum gypenoside fraction (Gynostemma pentaphyllum gypenoside cream). 21 ~ 34 years old 52 Korean female volunteers without crow's feet were chosen for this clinical study. The starting point of inner skin aging was confirmed through dermal density measurement, even though outside skin wrinkles were not observed. In addition, 4 and 8 weeks treatment of G. pentaphyllum gypenoside cream significantly increased age-related reduction of dermal density. These results suggest that the evaluation of dermal density can be used as pre-indicator of skin aging. Furthermore, G. pentaphyllum gypenoside fraction is a potential anti-wrinkle agent for prevention and treatment of skin aging.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2011

The neuroprotective effects of herbal ethanol extracts from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP-EX) in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease treated with L-DOPA were investigated. Rats were prepared for the Parkinson's disease model by 6-OHDA-lesioning for 14 days. The rats were then treated with L-DOPA (10 and 20 mg/kg) with or without the oral administration of GP-EX (30 mg/kg, daily) for 28 days. L-DOPA (20 mg/kg) treatment for 28 days enhanced dopaminergic neuronal cell death in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups, but L-DOPA (10 mg/kg) did not. However, the oral administration of GP-EX (30 mg/kg) for 28 days ameliorated the enhanced neurotoxic effects induced by chronic L-DOPA treatment in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups by increasing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunohistochemical staining and the number of TH-immunopositive cells surviving in the substantia nigra. In addition, GP-EX administration (30 mg/kg) for 28 days recovered the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine of the striatum in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat groups, which were markedly reduced by L-DOPA treatment (20 mg/kg). GP-EX (30 mg/kg) did not produce any signs of toxicity, such as weight loss, diarrhea, or vomiting in rats during the 28-day treatment period. These results suggest that GP-EX has protective functions against chronic L-DOPA-induced neurotoxic reactions in dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, GP-EX may be beneficial in the prevention of adverse symptoms in parkisonian patients.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2008

The effects of the ethanol extracts from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP extracts) on body weights, grip strengths, endurances and catecholamine levels after electric footshock (EF) stress in mice and rats were investigated. The animals were treated with GP extracts (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 21 days before exposure to EF (duration and interval 10 sec for 3 min, 2 mA) once a day. The increases in body weights were delayed by 13.1% of the control levels by EF-induced stress in mice, which were recovered to 24.1% of the control levels in GP extract-treated groups. The grip strengths were significantly decreased by EF stress in mice and the EF-stressed groups treated with GP extracts increased grip strengths to 115.2% compared to control levels. The endurance times by forced swimming, which reduced significantly by EF stress, were also maintained similar to control levels by GP extracts in rats. In addition, the levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine in serum and brain, and dopamine in brain were significantly increased to 17.5-95.0% of the control levels after exposure of EF stress in mice. However, EF stressinduced increases in norepinephrine and epinephrine in serum were reduced to 17.1-17.3% of the control levels by treatments of GP extracts, and those in dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine in brain were also reduced to 5.0-19.5%. These results suggest that GP extracts showed the protective effects on EF stress-induced physiological functions and can be developed as the promising anti-stress agents.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2011

The effects of herbal ethanol extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP extract) on chronic stress-induced anxiety in mice were investigated. The animals were treated with GP extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 21 days before exposure to electric footshock (EF; duration and interval 10 sec for 3 min, 2 mA) for chronic stress once a day. The ambulatory locomotor activity was reduced by chronic EF stress and it was recovered by 12.9-15.1% in GP extract-treated groups. The grip strength was also significantly decreased by chronic EF stress, however, the EF-stressed groups treated with GP extract increased grip strength from 13.9% to 56.8% compared to EF-stressed groups. In addition, the serum levels of corticosterone were significantly elevated by chronic EF stress to 197% of the control levels, which was reduced to 73.1% by treatment with GP extract (100 mg/kg). In contrast, the brain levels of dopamine and serotonin were reduced to 67.6% and 63.1% by chronic EF stress, which was recovered to 90% of the control levels by treatment with GP extract. These results indicate that GP extract shows the ameliorating effects on chronic EF stress-induced anxiety in mice and it can be developed as the promising anti-anxiety agent.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.6 no.4 s.13
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• pp.69-83
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• 1990

Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino is a kind of perennial liana plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Since it was first discovered and reported to the Japanese academy in 1977, it came to be widely known to China and Southeast Asia areas as well as Japan. In Korea its name began to appear in the first half of 1980's, and it is now being nationwidely cultivated and popularized as tea stuffs. Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino has remarkably strong propagation power. In addition. since it contains a great quantity of beneficial components, especially saponin it is believed to have excellent medical effects, too. This study was undertaken to examine the value of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino as a health-promotint tea, by investigating the components creating the flaver of tea and the saponin ingredient making medical effects as well as by inspecting whether Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino products show different component arrangements according to their growing districts. As raw materials of the experiment, three kinds of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino samples produced in Suwon, Geochang and Uleungdo were taken. To accomplish the formerly stated goals, the contained quantity of the proximate composition, free sugar, reducing sugar, free amino acid, minerals, tannin, caffeine and vitamin C were measured respectively and compared between the samples, while the saponin content was compared with heat extracted from panax ginseng. The results of the experiment are as follows: 1. In the case of the proximate composition, the crude fat content was the highest in the Gymostemma pentaphyllum Makino material from Geochang (1.62%), the second in that from Suwon (1.56%), and the lowest in that from Uleungdo (1.0%). In addition the Geochang: produced sample had the greatest quantity of the crude protein and ash contents: the order of the crude Protein content was the Geochang produced (17.83%), the Suwon-produced (15.87%), and the Uleungdo-produced(12.28%), while that of the ash content was the Geochang-produced (14.80%), the Uleungdo-produced(10.17%), and the Suwon-produced(9.34%). 2. As for the reducing sugar contents, the Suwon-produced scored the highest of the three (3.3%), while the Geochang-produced was 1.3% and the Uleungdo-produced 0.5%. The total content of free sugar was 1.07% (the Suwon-produced), and 0.49% (the Geochang-produced) respectively but the sample from Uleungdo showed almost no free sugar content. The contained quantity of fructose and glucose was the highest among the kinds of free sugar both in the Suwon-produced and in the Geochang-produced. 3. The content of amino acid was the highest in the Suwon-produced(1.41%), the second in the Geochang-produced(1.37%), and the lowest in the Uleungdo-produced(0.53%). In the experiment, sixteen kinds of amino acid were extracted-Asp. Thr. Ser. Glu. Gly. Ala. Val. Het. Ileu. Leu. Tyr. Phe. Lys. His. Arg. Try. All of them except glutamic acid and methionine showed the highest quantity score in the Suwon-produced, while the glutamic acid content was the higest in the Uleungdo-produced and the methionine content in the Geochang-produced. The sequential arrangement of the sixteen contents according to their magnitude ranged from glycine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid (the highest) to tryptophan, serine and lysine (the lowest). 4. Ten kinds of mineral were detected-Ca, Mn, Cd, K, Na, Pb, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu. Among them, the content of Cd, Na, Mg, Zn and Fe was the highest in the Geochang-produced and that of K in the Suwon-produced. 5. The Geochang-produced materials contained much a larger quantity of tannin (6.3%) than the Suwon-produced (2.6%). Neither caffeine nor vitamin C was detected in the three kinds of materials. 6. In the case of the saponin content the Geochang-produced showd 2.39%, the Uleungdo-produced 1.77% and the Suwon-produced 1.49% respectively. However, it was found also that the saponin content of Gymostemma pentaphyllum Makino was the same kind as that of panax ginseng.