• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.79-89
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• 2019

Objective : This study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of DM1, a herbal mixture with Atractylodis Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, and Cinnamomi Cortex in high fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice and the mechanism in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Methods : The C57B/6 mice were fed high fat for 12 weeks, and then administrated DM1 extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 4 weeks. The changes of body weight, calorie and water intakes, fasting blood glucose levels and the serum levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, AST and ALT were measured in mice. The histological changes of liver and pancreas tissues were also observed by H&E stain. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes and then treated with DM1 extract (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/㎖) for 24 hr. The expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC), PGC1α, Sirt1 and NRF1, and the AMPK phosphorylation were determined in the myotubes by western blot, respectively. Results : The DM1 extract administration significantly decreased the calorie and water intakes, glucose, triglyceride, AST and ALT levels and increased insulin and HDL-cholesterol in HFD-induced diabetic mice. DM1 extract inhibited lipid accumulation in liver tissue and improved glucose tolerance. In C2C12 myotubes, DM1 treatment increased the expression of MHC, PGC1α, Sirt-1, NRF-1 and the AMPK phosphorylation. Conclusion : In our results indicate that DM1 can improve diabetic symptoms by decreasing the obesity, glucose tolerance and fatty liver in HFD-induced diabetic mice, and responsible mechanism is might be related with energy enhancement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1081-1090
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a functional porridge prepared with mulberry leaf and mulberry fruit powder, which can ameliorate hypertension. The experiment was designed according to the central composite design. For optimization of the mixture ratio of mulberry leaf powder (MLP) and mulberry fruit powder (MFP), the independent variables were defined as MLP (X1) and MFP (X2) and the dependent variables were defined as K (Y1), Na (Y2), ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (Y3), cyanidin-3-glycoside (C3G) (Y4), rutin (Y5), and flavonoid (Y6). The optimal MLP to MFP mixture ratio according to the response surface method were 5.41 g of MLP and 2.65 g of MFP. The amounts of K, Na, GABA, C3G, rutin, and flavonoid in the optimal MLP and MFP mixture were 1,844.22 mg/100 g, 52.74 mg/100 g, 139.98 mg/100 g, 1,134.89 mg/100 g, 101.56 mg/100 g, and 201.28 mg/100 g, respectively. The amounts of Ca, K, Mg, and Na in the functional porridge at this optimal point were 27.66 mg/100 g, 131.32 mg/100 g, 19.57 mg/100 g, and 3.59 mg/100 g, respectively. Overall, this functional porridge can help reduce hypertension.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6963-6966
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• 2015

Background: During the past few years, Hesa-A, a herbal-marine mixture, has been used to treat cancer as an alternative medicine in Iran. Based on a series of studies, it is speculated that Hesa-A possesses special cytotoxic effects on invasive tumors. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the selective anticancer effects of Hesa-A on several cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential. Materials and Methods: Hesa-A was prepared in normal saline as a stock solution of 10 mg/ml and further diluted to final concentrations of $100{\mu}/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$, $300{\mu}g/ml$ and $400{\mu}g/ml$. MTT-based cytotoxicity assays were performed with A549 (lung non small cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. Results: All treated cancer cells showed significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences in comparison to negative control at almost all of the tested doses ($100-400{\mu}g/ml$). At the lower dose ($100{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A reduced cell viability to 66%, 45.3%, 35.5%, 33.2% in SKOV3, A549, PC-3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Moreover, at the highest dose ($400{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A resulted in 88.5%, 86.6%, 84.9% and 79.3% growth inhibition in A549, MCF-7, PC-3 and SKOV3 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Hesa-A exert potent cytotoxic effects on different human cancer cells, especially those with a high metastatic potential.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3449-3453
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• 2013

Background: Telomerase has been considered as an attractive molecular target for breast cancer therapy. The main objective of this work is to assess the inhibitory effects of silibinin and curcumin, two herbal substances, on telomerase gene expression in breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: For determination of cell viability tetrazolium-based assays were conducted after 24, 48, and 72 h exposure times and expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene was measured with real-time PCR. Results: Each compound exerted cytotoxic effects on T47D cells and inhibited telomerase gene expression, both in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The mixture of curcumin and silibinin showed relatively more inhibitory effect on growth of T47D cells and hTERT gene expression as compared with either agent alone. Conclusions: These findings suggest that cell viability along with hTERT gene expression in breast cancer cells could be reduced by curcumin and silibinin.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.130-137
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• 2017

The leaves (Mori Folium; MF), branches (Mori Ramulus; MR), and root bark (Mori Cortex Radicis; MCR) of the mulberry tree have been used as therapeutic herbs for centuries. Existing analytical methods were developed specifically for different parts of the tree and cannot be applied to samples containing a mixture of tree parts. Such method specialization is time-consuming and requires separate identification and quality control of each tree part. This report describes an HPLC method for the simultaneous quality control and discrimination of MF, MR, and MCR using four marker compounds: rutin, kuwanon G, oxyresveratrol, and morusin. An Optimapak $C_{18}$ column ($4.6{\times}250mm$, $5{\mu}m$) was used with a gradient elution of 0.1 % formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detection wavelength was 270 nm. In quantitative analyses of the three parts, rutin (0.11 % w/w) was detected only in MF. The oxyresveratrol content (0.12 % w/w) was highest in MR. Kuwanon G (0.33 % w/w) and morusin (0.18 % w/w) were higher in MCR than in other parts. The HPLC method given herein can be used to simultaneously classify and quantify three herbal medicines from the mulberry tree.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 2018

A This study evaluated the antidepressant effects of the herbal mixture CPAE(Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, Phlomis umbrosa Turcz, and Angelica gigas Nakai) using several tests, including a test for serotonin 6($5-HT_6$) receptor activity, the forced swimming test(FST), and tests for corticosterone(CORT) and monoamine levels. CPAE showed antagonistic effects on the $5-HT_6$ receptor in a stable $5-HT_6$ receptor-expressing cell line. We subsequently confirmed the antidepressant effects of CPAE in chronic stress model in mice and explored the underlying mechanisms of its action. Specifically, we observed that CPAE treatment significantly reduced immobility time in the FST and effectively restored abnormal levels of CORT in plasma and of monoamines(serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These results suggest that CPAE has significant antidepressant effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.398-404
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• 2013

During a screening program to search the anticolitic herbal medicines, 80% ethanol extract of the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides (AA) was found to potently inhibit the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$, as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-stimulated colonic macrophages, followed by that of the rhizome of C. chinensis (CC). AA also potently inhibited TNBS-induced colitic markers, shortening of the colon and increase of macroscopic score, myeloperoxidase activity, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and IL-6, in mice. The synergistic effect of CC against the anticolitic effect of AA was investigated. CC synergistically inhibited the anticolitic effect of AA. AC-mix (AA+CC, 1:1) potently inhibited them. AC-mix also inhibited the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, as well as the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2. The effects of AC-mix against oxazolone-induced colitis were investigated in mice. AC-mix also potently inhibited oxazolone-induced inflammatory markers, colon shortening, macroscopic score, myeloperoxidase activity, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, the anti-colitic effect of AC-mix was superior to that of mesalazine. Based on these findings, AC-mix may improve colitis by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2009

The dried roots of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Sanchi (Panax notoginseng) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation as well as various other bodily functions. Here we investigated the effects of a mixture of aqueous extracts of Danshen and Sanchi, named PASEL, on blood pressure and vascular contractility in rats. Orally administered PASEL (62.5 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, for 5 weeks) lowered the blood pressure of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) but this was not observed in normal Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKR). We then investigated the effects of PASEL on the arterial contraction of the small branches of cerebral arteries (CAs) and large conduit femoral arteries (FAs) in rats. PASEL did not affect high-K (KCI 60 mM)- or phenyleprine (PhE)-induced contracture of FAs. The myogenic response, a reactive arterial constriction in response to increased luminal pressure, of small CA was dose-dependently suppressed by PASEL in SHR as well as control rats. Interestingly, the KCI-induced contraction of small CAs was slowly reversed by PASEL, and this effect was more prominent in SHR than control WKR. PASEL did not inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. These results demonstrated that the antihypertensive effect of PASEL might be primarily mediated by altering the arterial MR, not by direct inhibition of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels or by ACE inhibition.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.25-33
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• 2017

This study was to investigate the effects of enzyme on quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice. pH levels and S.S (soluble solid) values in all samples ranged from 3.86 to 4.13 and from 48.0 to $55.0^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. The TA (total acidity) values of control (not treatment enzyme) were higher than those of the others. The highest 'L', 'a' and 'b' values were observed on PWP (preserved wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice of cellulase/pectinase (1:1, w/w) sample. Glucose (26.65 g/100 g) and fructose (17.42 g/100 g) in PWP product were determined, however sucrose and maltose were not detected. The predominating organic acid components analyzed in PWP sample were tartaric (32.36 g/100 g) and lactc acids (209.34 g/100 g), whereas citric acid, acetic acid and malic acid were not detected. Higher scores for taste, flavor, color and overall acceptance were found for PWP products compared to other samples. The total phenolic content (13.31 mg GAE/mg dry weight) analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent, of PWP sample was higher than those of the others and the total flavonoid concentrations were also 10.95 mg CE/mg dry weight. The DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical scavenging activities in all samples ranged from 55.16 to 74.29% and from 39.59 to 82.79%, respectively. The antioxidant activities were affected by addition of enzyme. These results indicate that the use of the mixture of cellulase and pectinase could increase the quality, and antioxidant potentials of sugar preserved wild peach (Prunus persica L.) juice by enzymatic treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.110-110
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• 2002

Rapidly progressive interstitial renal fibrosis has recently been reported in young women who have been on a slimming regimen including chinese herbs. Aristolochic acid, suspected as the causal factor of this renal disease, is a well known carcinogen. It has been known that Madouling (Aristolochiae fructus) contains aristolochic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Madouling, Madouling-tang, which are the extract mixture from 10 different chinese herbs including Madouling, and aristolochic acid on reproductive and developmental toxicity. Female rats were administered orally with the extracts of Madouling, madouling-tang, and aristolochic acid from 14 days before mating to day 17 of gestation. Madouling (8mg/kg) decreased fertility in the 8mg/kg group, but Madouling-tang and aristolochic acids did not. Significant decrease of mean fetal body weights were observed in the 16mg/kg group of aristolochic acids. External, visceral and skeletal malformation of fetuses were not observed with treatment. Histopathological examination showed the discrete damage of kidney in the 8mg/kg group of Madouling and 16mg/kg groups of aristolochic acid. In whole embryo culture, Madouling and Madouling-tang caused the retardation of growth and development of embryo in the dose of 1 $\mu$g/ml and 0.02 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, respectively while aristolochic acids showed the similar effect in the dose of 300 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg. These results indicate that Madouling, up to 0.05mg/kg (prescription dose to human) has no adverse effects on the fertility, reproduction and development of Sprague-Dawley rats.