• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1404-1408
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• 2013

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, has been shown to have strong antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive effects. However it is unknown whether EGCG can recover alcohol-associated pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on pancreatic enzyme activities and the expressions of pancreatic regenerating related markers, such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), and Regenerating gene 1 (Reg1), in mice pancreatic primary acinar cells. Our results revealed that activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase and chymotrypsin were significantly increased in the cells treated with ethanol compared to the untreated control cells; however, the increased activities of both enzymes were markedly reduced by pretreatment with EGCG. Phosphorylation of AMPK and total expression of RKIP were decreased in the ethanol-treated primary acinar cells; however, these were both significantly increased in the EGCG-pretreated cells. In addition, when EGCG was treated, expression of Reg1 was markedly increased compared with that of the control or the ethanol-treated primary acinar cells, demonstrating that EGCG can modulate pancreatic regenerating related genes. Therefore, our findings suggest that EGCG may have therapeutic utility in the prevention or treatment of alcohol-associated pancreatitis.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.357-365
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• 2015

Folk medicine is traditionally passed down to cure disease, and adverse events (AEs) of folk medicine are any unfavorable and unintended discomforts temporally associated with the use of folk medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze AEs types and risks of folk medicine through the internet news articles. Included in this analysis are all articles on the topic of folk medicine and AE reported in the top 3 online news websites (NAVER, DAUM and NATE) determined by InternetTrend$^{TM}$(www.internettrend.co.kr). It was searched in the last five years (between 1 January 2009 and 28 February 2014). In total, 18 AEs articles of 973 news articles met our inclusion criteria. A total of 27 people were experienced AEs associated with use of folk medicine. Age was from 4 months to 76 years old, and it was occurred in both men and women. Folk medicine that caused AEs in twice or more was therapy that patient taking the dictamnus or aconitum of toxic herbal medicines, vinegar therapy of external use to topical skin, and cupping or bee sting therapy by practitioners. Death as a kind of serious AEs was 11 people, and 10 people were died after treatment by unqualified practitioner. Folk medicine that is popular and widely used in Korea is actively interacted with information on the internet, so it apt to misuse and abuse without guidance of health professionals. Aspects of health care system, we point out that the need for government and medical society establish not only correct health information plan and promotion of risk but also system as reporting and monitoring of AEs by folk medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mycelia of Lentinus edoes mushroom-cultured Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (LAM) on proliferation of cancer cell lines (Hep3B, MCF-7 and HeLa), sarcoma 180 (S-180), and anti-allergy. In an anti-cancer test using Hep3B (hepatic cancer cell), MCF-7 (breast cancer cell) and HeLa (uterine cancer cell), LAM extract showed higher antiproliferating effect than that of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (AM) extract. In an anti-cancer testing using Hep3B cells and MCF-7 cells, LAM extract showed growth-inhibitory effect of 65.23% at 3 mg/mL and 69.23% at 5 mg/mL, respectively. In an anti-cancer testing using HeLa cells, LAM extract showed growth-inhibitory effect of 42.01% at 5 mg/mL. In addition, LAM showed the tumor suppressive effect in mice injected with S-180 cells. The growth-inhibitory rates against tumor cells were 47% for LAM and 37% for AM. LAM inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80. These results suggest that Lentinus edodes mushroom-cultured herb has an antiproliferating effect against cancer cell lines (Hep3B, MCF-7 and HeLa), S-180 tumor and will be beneficial in the treatment of allergic reaction.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

Cervical dystonia (CD) is a disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent, involuntary muscle contractions which cause twisting, repetitive movements and abnormal postures. In this case report, a CD patients was treated with transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy and conventional Korean medicine, which consists of acupuncture, Chuna manual medicine, pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine. For outcome measures, this study evaluated Cobb's angle, EuroQol five dimension scale (EQ-5D), numerical rating scale (NRS), neck disabillity index (NDI) and cervical range of motion. As a result, improvements were found in Cobb's angle ($18.65^{\circ}$ to $15.90^{\circ}$), EQ-5D score (0.808 to 0.862), NRS (5 to 3), NDI (16 to 8) and angle of cervical lateral bending ($15^{\circ}$ to $25^{\circ}$). In conclusion, this study shows that combined therapy of conventional Korean medicine treatment and TECAR therapy can be effective for CD patients.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.129-144
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• 2002

We investigated anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax ginseng berry extract and its major constituent, ginsenoside Re, in obese diabetic C57BL/6J ob/ob mice and their lean littermates. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of Panax ginseng berry extract for 12 days. On Day 5, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice $(156{\pm}9.0\;mg/dl\;vs.\;243{\pm}15.8mg/dl,$ P<0.01). On Day 12, the extract-treated ob/ob mice became normoglycemic $(137{\pm}6.7\;mg/dl)$ and had significantly improved glucose tolerance. The overall glucose excursion during the two-hour intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), calculated as area under the curve (AUC), decreased by $46\%$ (P<0.01) compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice. Glucose levels of lean mice were not significantly affected by the extract. The improvement in blood glucose levels in 150 mg/kg extracttreated ob/ob mice was associated with significant reduction in serum insulin levels of fed and fasting mice. Consistent with an improvement in insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study revealed a more than 2-fold increase in the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in treated ob/ob mice $(112{\pm}19.1\;vs.\;52{\pm}11.8{\mu}mol/kg/min$ for the vehicle group, P<0.01). In addition, 150 mg/kg extract-treated ob/ob mice, but not the lean mice, lost significant weight (from $51.7{\pm}1.9g\;on\;Day\;0\;to\;45.7{\pm}1.2$ on Day 12, P<0.01 compared to vehicle-treated ob/ob mice), associated with a significant reduction in food intake (P<0.05) and a very significant increase in energy expenditure (P<0.01) and body temperature (P<0.01). A 12-day treatment with 150 mg/kg Panax ginseng berry extract also significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in ob/ob mice. Additional studies demonstrated that ginsenoside Re, a major constituent of the ginseng berry, but not from the root, plays a significant role in anti-hyperglycemic action. This anti-diabetic effect of ginsenoside Re was not associated with body weight changes, suggesting that other constituents in the extract have distinct pharmacological mechanisms on energy metabolism. The identification of a significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in ginsenoside Re may provide an opportunity to develop a novel class of anti-diabetic agent.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-74
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• 2010

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis(AD) is a chronic recurrent skin disease which usually developed in infancy or childhood. AD often repeat improvement and relapse. The cause of AD is so indefinite that many methods of therapies(moisturizer, steroid ointment, antihistamine, immunomodulator, immunosuppressant, herbal medicine, alternative medicine, etc.) are tried. Recently, a lot of studies were made. But there is no report about the effect of Samulsopungeum(SM) and Prednisolone(PN) on AD. So, author aimed to investigate the effects of SM and PN on AD of NC/Nga mice. Methods : Thirty two mice(8 Balb/c mice and 24 NC.Nga mice) were divided into four groups; Balb/c mice was normal group. NC/Nga mice were divide into three group : control, PN, SM group. AD was induced in the control, PN, SM group by spreading DNCB. Then normal saline, PN and SM were orally administered three times in a week for 8 weeks to the control, PN, SM group, respectively. We observed changes of clinical skin severity score, serum IgE, IgG1, IFN-$\gamma$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and so on. We used one-way ANOVA test statistically(p<0.01). Results : The clinical skin severity scores of PN group and SM group in 8th week were decreased compared to the control group. Serum IgE, IgGl levels of PN group and SM group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum IFN-$\gamma$ in SM group was significantly increased compared to the control group. But, Serum IFN-$\gamma$ in PN group was significantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum IL-10 levels of PN group and SM group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels of PN group and SM group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. mRNA expression levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the dorsal skin tissues of PN group and SM group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. According to biopsy reports of the ear and skin tissues showed that the tissue damage of PN group and SM group were highly reduced compared to the control group. Creatinine, BUN, ALT, AST levels of PN group and SM group were normal. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is considered that SM is effective treatment for the AD.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to determine whether the 9 herbal complex induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and adriamycin-resistant MCF7/adR cells. Ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang (BBTE) and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng (GIN) induced cell death in both MCF-7 and MCF7/adR cells. Ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng also induced $G_2/M$ cell cycle arrest and increased TUNEL positive cells in MCF7/adR cells. In addition, flow cytometric analysis revealed the decreased expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng treated MCF7/adR cells. Similarly, decreased protein levels of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance associated proteins-1 were also determined by immunocytometry in ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang treated MCF7/adR cells. Taken together these data indicate that ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng inhibit the function of ABC transporters such as multi drug resistance associated proteins (MRPs) and P-glycoprotein as well as induce apoptosis in MCF7/adR cells. Thus, these data suggest that ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and polysaccharide of Red Ginseng can be candidates for the treatment of multidrug-resistant MCF7/adR cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.109-115
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• 2021

Objectives : 'Johyun' yulmoo which is a new variety of Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout was developed and registered by Rural development administration in 2004. This variety was derived from the cross between single cross of Suwon-6 and Okayama and UCN300-25 as F1. It is characterized by early maturity, short plant height, a strong resistance, and a superior yield and is suitable for the central and northern regions. Accordingly, we were performed and evaluated single oral dose toxicity test of 'Johyun' yulmoo sprout (JYS) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Single oral dose toxicity test was performed using with male and female rats. Rats were divided into two groups: Group 1, vehicle-treated rats (Control); Group 2, JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated rats. JYS was orally administered to male and female rats at dose levels of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored on the mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and necropsy findings for 14 days. groups : Group 1, vehicle-treated rats (Control); Group 2, JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated rats. JYS was orally administered to male and female rats at dose levels of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored on the mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and necropsy findings for 14 days. Results : After oral treatment of JYS, we could not find any mortality at 5000 mg/kg. Compared with the control group, there were also no significant differences in clinical sign, weight changes, weight gain, and gross abnormalities in JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated group. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that approximate lethal dose of JYS was considered as over 5000 mg/kg. Results from this study provide scientific evidence for the safety of JYS. Moreover, this study could be used as a basis for dose-setting data of the repeated dose 13-week oral toxicity test of JYS.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.665-675
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• 2018

A total of 80 pigs [(Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) ${\times}$ Duroc] with an average body weight of $72.9{\pm}2.6kg$ were used in the present study to investigate the effects of fermented whole crop wheat and barley with or without supplementing inoculums throughout the restricted feeding in finishing pigs. There were 4 replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were fed ad libitum throughout the experiment as the control (CON), and the other four groups were restricted to 10% in the CON diet and fed ad libitum fermented whole crop cereals: fermented whole crop barley with inoculums; fermented whole crop barley without inoculums; fermented whole crop wheat with inoculums; and fermented whole crop wheat without inoculums. During the entire experiment, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased in the fermented barley and fermented wheat groups compared to the CON, while no difference was observed in the average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (gain : feed ratio, G : F) between the control and fermented whole crop barley, wheat diet group. Dry matter and nitrogen digestibility did not show a significant difference among the treatments. In the blood constituents, concentrations of blood urea nitrogen were significantly lower in pigs fed fermented whole crop barley without inoculum diets compared with the other treatments. In conclusion, restricted feeding with fermented whole crop barley and wheat regardless of the supplementing inoculums showed no significant difference in growth performance compared to the CON. This suggests that there is a possibility that fermented whole crop barley and wheat could replace part of the conventional diets.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2019

Thymus vulgaris L. is widely used as an ingredient in cooking and in herbal medicine. However, there is little information about its toxicity. The present study was performed to evaluate the acute and repeated 28-day oral dose toxicity of thyme essential oil in rats. For the acute toxicity test, two groups of three rats were used. The rats received a single dose of essential oil: 300 or 2,000 mg/kg of body weight (bw). The rats were observed individually during the first four hours, and then daily until day 14. For the toxicity test with repeated doses, four groups of 10 rats were used. Doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day were tested for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected and the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological examination showed that in the lungs of rats given the 2,000 mg/kg bw dose, polymorph nuclear infiltrates, hemosiderin macrophages, and interstitial space thickening were present. In the repeated dose study, all rats survived the 28-day treatment period and apparently showed no signs of toxicity. The hematological and biochemical parameters were not altered. The histopathological study of the organs showed severe changes in the lung, with the dose of 500 mg/kg/day; in the other organs, no alterations were observed or the changes were slight. The body weight was only altered in male rats given the 500 mg/kg dose. The relative weight of the organs did not show any significant changes. Our studies revealed that the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris has moderate oral toxicity according to the results of the acute test, whereas the results of the 28-day oral toxicity test suggest that the no-observed-adverse effect level (NOAEL) is greater than 250 mg/kg/day.