• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.523-531
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities in ethanol extracts from herb mixture (Ephedra sinica, Atractylodes lance, Gypsum fibrosum, and Theobroma cacao). DPPH, ABTS⁺ radical and xanthine oxidase scavenging activities were measured for antioxidant activity. Extracts of the herb mixture had 75.0, 100.8, and 79.5% scavenging activities at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. We investigated the inhibition of adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation with an extract of an herb mixture in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. An extract from the herb mixture at concentrations between 0 and 50 ㎍/ml did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. Treatment with herb mixture extracts of 25, 50, and 75 ㎍/ml in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes inhibited lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of a Western blot experiment, it was shown that the herb mixture inhibited the differentiation transcription factors, PPARγ and C/EBPa, by 44.2 and 77.6%, respectively, at a concentration of 75 ㎍/ml in MDI-induced differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. As a result of RT-PCR, the gene expression of C/EBPa, SREBP-1c, and PPARγ was significantly inhibited by 43.4%, 59.6%, and 55.3%, respectively, at the concentration of 75 ㎍/ml of the herb mixture compared with the MDI-treated group. In addition, the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS), a fatty acid synthesis regulator, was suppressed. These results can be applied to develop a functional food for anti-obesity with a herb mixture.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2010

Objectives : It was investigated new herbal prescription HT005 supported by traditional Korean medicine has a activity on the longitudinal bone growth of rats. HT005 were consisted of the root of Angelica sinensis, the fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla, the root of Astragalus membranaceus, the stem of Eleutherococcus senticosus, and the root of Dioscorea japonica, and Poria cocos. Method : To investigate the effect on longitudinal bone growth in adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats, the longitudinal length of growth plate was measured directly by the tetracycline fluorescent labeling method and chondrocyte staining method. HT005 administered orally for four days, and the tetracycline was injected twice on the growth plate of the animals for fluorescent dying. The rate of longitudinal bone growth was measured the length between the tetracycline bands which fixed on the 3rd day and 5th day after injection. Cresyl violet was also used to stain the chondrocytes in the growth plate. The length of growth plate after administration was compared. Expression of IGF-1 and BMP-2 in the growth plate was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results : HT005 showed a significant longitudinal bone growth which was $301.0{\pm}6.1\;{\mu}m/day$ at the dose of 100 mg/kg and $283.8{\pm}1.25\;{\mu}m/day$ (p < 0.001)at the dose of 10 mg/kg of HT005, compared to control group by the tetracycline fluorescent labeling method. HT005 showed a significant chondrocyte length on growth plate which was measured $797.19{\pm}3.31\;{\mu}m$ (p < 0.001) at the dose of 100 mg/kg and $720.14{\pm}2.19$ (p < 0.001) ${\mu}m$ at the dose of 10 mg/kg compared to the control group by cresyl-violet staining method. Both the number and intensity of BMP-2 and IGF-1 positive cells were increased in the hypertrophic zone of growth plate. There was a significant correlation between BMP-2 and IGF-1 expression and heights of chondrocytes in growth plate. Conclusions : Treatment of HT005 on Sprague-Dawley rats markedly increased the longitudinal bone growth. Therefore, HT005 may be an alternative herbal source to growth hormone as it promotes bone growth in children afflicted by growth retardation.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.33
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• pp.5-17
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• 2012

An Ola leaf manuscript, which consists of words carved on an Ola leaf and is filled up with a mixture of herbal oils made from Vateria acuminata Hyne and charcoal, is one of the native writing media in Sri Lanka. According to historical records, Ola leaf manuscripts had been used from the 1st to the 18th century A.D. From the recent findings that Ola leaf manuscripts have been preserved well for the past 400 years and are in good state of preservation, it is supposed that herbal oils preserve Ola leaves against environmental and biological factors such as fungi and insects. To evaluate the anti-biological susceptibility of the herbal oils, the molds isolated from wooden printing blocks in Janggyeong Panjeon of Haeinsa Temple in South Korea and bacteria and fungi isolated from Ola leaves were cultured. After spreading the microorganisms suspension on an agar plate, a disk paper containing a certain volume of herbal oil was placed on the agar plate. It was found in the experiment that herbal oil exhibits a clear zone, which is optically clear and inhibits the growth of microorganisms, against some molds and bacteria. The study results indicate that the herbal oil from the plant Vateria acuminata Hyne has the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.270-275
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• 2014

This study was conducted to select and develop effect of eco-friendly organic materials for the eco-friendly prevention of Anthracnose occurred in the ginseng. Anthracnose on ginseng is occurred by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the crop damage is severe especially from July to August after rainy season. The test results showed that control effect by test products materials on the three years ginseng and four years ginseng field was lower in eco-friendly organic materials than that of chemical pesticide. However, the control effect of bordeaux mixture was higher with 71.3% and 73.8% levels than those of mineral matter, microbial agent, and developed plants extract mixtures (Eugenol, Curcumin, Wood vinegar, etc). On the other hand, three types of developed plants extract mixtures (3 types) showed control effect in a range of from 58.1% to 63.6% against Anthracnose which was higher as compared with plant extract alone and sodium silicate regardless of ages of ginseng. The results of this study would attribute in verifying the control effect of eco-friendly materials against Anthracnose for ginseng through investigating antimicrobial compounds contained in the plants body. Also, it would be used as control method against Anthracnose occurred in ginseng by judging the right control time through monitoring occurrence of disease.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.17-30
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• 2013

Objectives This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Mulberry leaves contained herbal mixture (MLHM) on body weight, serum lipid level and adipocyte differentiation in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Methods Four-week old mice (wild-type C57/BL6) were used for all experiments. Cells were incubated with MLHM at the indicated concentration (0.04-4mg/ml) for 24h, and growth rate was assessed by MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated in DMEM for 2 days with the indicated concentrations of MLHM, and on Day 6, the cells were fixed and the cellular lipid contents were assessed by Oil-Red-O staining. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) and cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymine (CCAAT)/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$) as adipocyte-specific proteins were determined by real time RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition, body weight gain and serum lipid levels were measured in the mice with obesity induced by the high fat-diet for four weeks. Results Though MLHM did not show toxicity even at the concentration of 4mg/ml, MLHM significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocites in a dose-dependent manner. Also, MLHM significantly reduced the expressions of PPAR ${\gamma}$ and C/EBP ${\alpha}$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MLHM significantly reduced body weight gain and LDL-cholesterol contents in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Conclusions These results demonstrate that MLHM exerts anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 cells and mice with obesity by high-fat diet.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2003

Several growth factors and polypeptides are not commonly yet used for regenerators of bone tissue or alveolar bone because of the insufficiency of studies on their side effects, genetic engineering for mass production and stability for clinical application. Recently, many herbal medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, antiinflammatory and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have been traditionally used as medicines for treatment of bone disease in Eastern medicine. The objective of the present study is to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human fetal osteoblast (hFOB1) when several natural medicines were supplemented. hFOB1 were cultured with Dulbecuo's Modified Eagle's Medium Nutrient Mixture F-12 HAM ( DMEM/F-12 1:1 Mixture, Sigma, USA) and negative control, dexamethasone (positive control), and each natural medicines for 3 days. And then ALP activity was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and Alizarin red S staining for morphometry. Among the natural medicines of this study, Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba induced higher activity of ALP synthesis than negative controls in all experimental group. Albizziae Cortex showed mild increases than negative control group. According to measurement of positively stained area, all of the natural medicines of this study increased compared to negative control. Especially, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba showed statistical significance compared to negative control (p<0.05). These results indicate that Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblast.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity activity of the herbal extract mixture (HEM). The inhibitory effect of HEM on triglyceride accumulation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte was examined by Oil-Red O staining. HEM inhibited the triglyceride accumulation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell and reduced glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity. We further investigated the effect of HEM in prevention of obesity in male ICR mouse for 5 weeks. Experimental groups were divided into high fat diet group (HFD), HFD supplemented with 100 mg/kg HEM group (HEM1) and HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg HEM group (HEM2). Body weight and food efficiency ration of HEM1 and HEM2 was decreased by 52% and 50% and by 45% and 50%, respectively. The amount of adipocyte in body weight was decreased. Blood triglyceride and total cholesterol of HEM1 was significantly decreased. These results indicate that HEM may be useful in preventing obesity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antiperspirant and deodorant effect of herb mixtures including Schisandra chinensis(SC). This herb mixtures including Schisandra chinensis was made of Astragalus membranaceus(AM), Triticum aestivum(TA), Atractylodes japonica(AJ) and peppermint essential oil extracted from Mentha piperita(MP). We examined antimicrobial activity, antiperspirant activity and L-leucine dehydrogenase activity of the herbal extracts. We found that the mixture of SC and MP have the best antimicrobial effects on B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii and mixture of SC, AJ, AM and TA have best antiperspirant effect. Moreover, the combination of SC and AM showed the most inhibitory effect on L-leucine dehydrogenase activity. These results suggested that the herb mixtures Including Schisandra chinensis have good antimicrobial and antiperspirant effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.23-28
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• 2012

Objectives : Samhwangsashim-tang(SHSST), a mixture of Rhei radix et rhizoma, Scutellariae radix, and Coptidis rhizoma, has been regarded as being able to treat bleeding, gastric discomfort, dry mouth, insomnia and purpura due to Blood Heat. Currently, this herbal formula is applied to gastritis, gastric ulcer, hypertension, atherosclerosis or other types of vascular inflammatory disorders. Methods : We extracted this herbal mixture with 30% ethanol and examined for its effects on systemic inflammatory responses and in vitro macrophage activity. Mice were orally given to SHSST for 7 days and then lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was intraperitoneally injected. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) levels in serum were measured 1 h after LPS challenge. Peritoneal macrophages were isolated from thioglycollate-injected mice and used for in vitro cellular activity. Cell death was measured using the MTT method and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. LPS-stimulated signaling molecules necessary for TNF-${\alpha}$ expression were determined by Western blotting. Results : Oral administration of SHSST for 7 days resulted in a significant reduction in LPS-stimulated TNF-${\alpha}$ release into serum. In vitro treatment of SHSST was cytotoxic in a concentration-dependent manner. However, SHSST caused a concentration-dependent reduction in necrosis and increase in apoptosis in mouse peritoneal macrophages. SHSST inhibited the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, p38 and JNK signaling molecules in response to LPS. Conclusion : Taken together, our results demonstrated that SHSST was effective in lowering LPS-stimulated TNF-${\alpha}$ serum levels, possibly through its modulation of NF-${\kappa}B$, p38 and JNK in macrophages.