• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2022

Objectives : The evaluation of academic achievement is pivotal for establishing accurate direction and adequate level of medical education. The purpose of this study was to firstly establish innovative item analysis technique of Item Response Theory (IRT) for analyzing multiple-choice test of herbology in the traditional Korean medicine education which has not been available for the difficulty of test theory and statistical calculation. Methods : The answers of 390 students (2012-2018) to the 14 item herbology test in college of Korean medicine were used for the item analysis. As for the multidimensional analysis of item characteristics, difficulty, discrimination, and guessing parameters along with item-total correlation and percentage of correct answer were calculated using Classical Test Theory (CTT) and IRT. Results : The validity parameters of strong and weak items were illustrated in multiple perspectives. There were 4 items with six acceptable index scores, and 5 items with only one acceptable index score. The item discrimination of IRT was found to have no significant correlation with difficulty and discrimination indices of CTT emphasizing attention of professionals of medical education as for the test credibility. Conclusion : The critical suggestions for the development, utilization and revision of test items in the e-learning and evidence-based Teaching era were made based on the results of item analysis using IRT. The current study would firstly provide foundation for upgrading the quality of Korean medicine education using test theory.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

Objectives : We proposed the hypothesis that administering Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract (TSE) could alleviate menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis resulting from estrogen deficiency. Methods : Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were administered TSE at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks, followed by measurement of serum lipid profile and serum bone markers using ELISA kits. Additionally, analysis of related genes in the femur and uterus was performed using Western blot and real-time PCR. Additionally, micro-CT analysis was performed to investigate the protective effect of TSE against bone loss due to oophorectomy. Results : The administration of TSE led to significant reductions in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and glucose levels in the serum of OVX rats. Furthermore, TSE increased estradiol levels in the serum and notably improved the levels of biochemical markers associated with bone metabolism. Additionally, TSE exerted significant regulatory effects on the mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-genes closely associated with bone metabolism in the femur. TSE also demonstrated pronounced effects on uterine tissue, with improvements observed in gene expression related to estrogen receptors. Conclusion : Our findings confirm the efficacy of TSE in ameliorating menopause symptoms by modulating elements associated with both bone and lipid metabolism in the serum, uterine tissue, and femur of OVX rats. The present findings suggest that TSE may offer potential therapeutic effects for symptoms related to menopause and osteoporosis in females.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2010

Objectives : The root and rhizome of "Gangwhal" have been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cold, fever, headache, swelling, arthritis, rhinitis, and cardiovascular diseases in Korea and china. In china, Gangwhal is well known as a useful oriental medicinal plant that treats cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, headache and hypertension, but little research exists about the effect of O. koreanum on cardiovascular disease. Therefore we investigated the vasorelaxant effects of O. koreanum and compared the vasorelaxant effects of four species of Gangwhal. Methods : The vasorelaxant effects of the ethanol extracts of Ostericum koreanum (NK and BK), Notopterygium incisium (NI), and N. forbesii (NF) on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. The vasorelaxant effects of the water extract and ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. And the vasorelaxant effects of chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. Results : Ethanol extracts of NK, BK, NI and NF relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings with a concentration-dependent manner, and NK showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect. And ethanol extract of NK was much more effective than water extract of NK. Finally, chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK also relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings, and chloroform fraction showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.75-81
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• 2011

Objectives : Magnoliae officinalis Cortex (MOC) has been used in traditional medicine for digestive diseases in Korea, China and Japan. However, Machili thunbergii Cortex (MTC) also has been used as a substitute of MOC in Korea sometimes. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate and compare the effects of MOC and MTC on intestinal motility of isolated small intestinal segments from ICR mouse. Methods : Changes in motility were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system and amplitude, frequency and area under the curve (AUC) of intestinal spontaneous phasic contraction were compared. Results : The MOC extracts ($1{\sim}{\mu}g/mL$) dose-dependently decreased both amplitudes and frequencies of the spontaneous phasic contraction, but not AUC. However, high concentration of MOC (100 ${\mu}g$/mL) evoked tonic contraction. And it was not inhibited by tetrodotoxin, a sodium channel blocker, and nifedipine, a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel antagonist. These results suggested that MOC (100 ${\mu}g$/mL)-induced tonic contraction is not mediated by nerve or L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel. On the other hand, the MTC extracts dose-dependently inhibited amplitude and AUC, but not the frequency. Conclusions : Although both MOC and MTC affected intestinal motility, MOC is more effective on intestinal motility than MTC. And MOC has been used as a traditional medicine for a long time but not MTC. Thus, we suggested that MTC should not be used in Korea as a substitute of MOC and MOC might be useful traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disease. The mechanism of MOC is still remained to elucidate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1392-1398
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Sophora Japonica (SJ) on the RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SJ, we examined the cytokine productions including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and also inhibitory mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa b (NF-kB) using Western blot. SJ inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-a but not of IL-1b and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. SJ inhibited the activation of MAPKs such as extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 but not of NF-kB in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, SJ down-regulated LPS-induced NO and TNF-a productions via MAPKs, which could be a clinical basis for inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2021

Objectives : Forsythiae Fructus has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in many diseases, and Corydalis Tuber has been used as a pain suppressor in Eastern Asia. However, the protective effects of individual water extract of Forsythiae Fructus (FF) and Corydalis Tuber (CT) and the mixture of FF and CT (FC) on chronic pancreatitis (CP) were not well-investigated. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of FF, CT, and FC on CP in mice. Methods : To induce CP, cerulein was injected 6 times a day, 4 times a week for 3 weeks. 1 h before the every cerulein injection, 200 mg/kg of FF, CT, or FC was intraperitoneally injected to mice. Histological analysis of pancreas was examined by hematoxylin and eosin stain and collagen deposition was examined by Masson's trichrome stain. Fibrogenic parameters such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and fibrotic cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were also analyzed by immunofluorescence stain and real-time PCR. Results : Histological damages in pancreas were inhibited by pre-treatment of FF or FC but not CT. α-SMA and ECM in pancreas were inhibited by pre-treatment of CT or FC but not FF. Moreover, the expression of TGF-β1 and PDGF in pancreas were inhibited by FF, CT or FC. Conclusions : Our results suggest that FC have protective effect on CP in mice through inhibition of α-SMA, ECM, TGF-β1 and PDGF in pancreas, and these findings could suggest new clinical strategy for CP.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

Objective : This study was intended to examine the effects of water extract of Prunellae Spica (PS), which is a herb with 'cold' nature based on hot and cold theory of traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Hyperthyroidism was induced in SD rats by LT4 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for four weeks. After 2 weeks of LT4 injection, rats were divided randomly into four groups; normal, LT4-induced hyperthyroid control, PS extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.)-treated group, and propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg, s.c.)-treated positive group. After 2 weeks of drug treatment, all rats were sacrificed and harvested blood samples and thyroid tissues. The changes of body weight, food and water intake, and body temperature were measured weekly. Serological markers were analyzed in sera using an enzyme-based assay, and thyroid tissues were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). Brain and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues were isolated and analyzed the expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by Western blot. Results : PS extract administration attenuated the loss of body weight and the increase of body temperature in LT4-induced hyperthyroidism rats. PS extract increased the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased tiiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). In action mechanism, PS extract regulated the expression of transient receptor potential channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and transient Receptor Potential channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), the thermoregulators. Conclusion : To conclude, PS extract can improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism through regulation of the thyroid hormones imbalance and thermoregulation via TRP channels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.47-52
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate effects on the immune system of Bombyx mori L. and Liriopis seu Ophiopogonis Tuber mixture (BL) in Thymus, Lymph Nodes. Methods : Eight-week-old male Balb/c mice were divided into five groups : Group one included the normal mice (Nor). Positive control group two administrated with red ginseng (RG) 100 mg/kg. Group three administrated with Bombyx mori L. (BX) 300 mg/kg. Group four administrated with Liriopis seu Ophiopogonis Tuber (LP) 300 mg/kg. Group five administrated with the mixture of Bombyx mori L. and Liriopis seu Ophiopogonis Tuber (BL) 300 mg/kg. After 2 weeks administration, mice were sacrified and antigen receptor in Thymus, Lymph Nodes was analyzed by using Fluorescence Activated Cellorter Sorting (FACS). we counted the total of Thymus and Lymph Nodes cells. GOT (glutamlc oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamlc pyruvic transamlnase) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Results : In Effects of Nor, RG, BX, LP, BL on the ratio of CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+ T cell in Thymus and Lymphnode, BL is higher than other groups except Nor in CD4+, CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+ T cell. The number of Thymus and Lymph Nodes increased in BL. In the level of GOT and GPT, BL decreased comparing to others group except Nor. Conclusions : BL may have effect on T cells in Thymus, Lymph Nodes. In addition, Bombyx mori could be immune functional material with others herb materials.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.43-60
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was conducted to compare the effect of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix on antioxidant changes and antihyperlipidemics in hypercholesterolemic rats according to changes in the number of steams. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into six groups: normal (Nor), high cholesterol diet (Veh), high cholesterol diet with Simvastatin 5 mg/kg (Sim), high cholesterol diet with AR0 extract 200 mg/kg (AR0), high cholesterol diet with AR6 extract 200 mg/kg (AR6) and high cholesterol diet plus AR9 extract 200 mg/kg (AR9). I measured HDL, LDL TC, TG contents and ROS from each serums and compared them. I analyzed antioxidant-related protein expressions and cholesterol-related protein expressions in each liver tissues. I also performed optical microscopic analysis through liver tissue staining. Results : The Antioxidant activity of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix was increased by steaming processes. In vivo, AR0 decreased liver weight in hyperlipidemic rats. LDL TC, TG, AI and CRF were decreased but HDL was increased in AR0. AST, ALT, creatinine, and BUN were decreased in AR0. ROS was decreased in AR0, AR6, and AR9. SOD, catalase and GPx were decreased by steaming processes. p-AMPK was decreased but SREBP-2, p-ACC, and HMGCR were increased by steaming processes. Histologic analysis showed that AR0 decreased liver fat accumulation. Conclusion : In conclusion, AR0 can be developed as a treatment for hyperlipemia. And it is required to research on antioxidant effect changes among different times steamed Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.89-103
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• 2018

Objectives : This study is aimed to compare the changes in Antioxidative capacity of Liriopis Tuber by steaming process and to compare the effects in hyperlipidemia induced rats fed high cholesterol diet between Simvastatin and Liriopis Tuber by steaming process. Methods : The SD rats were divided into six groups: normal diet (Nor), high cholesterol diet (Veh), high cholesterol diet plus Simvastatin 5 mg/kg (Sim), high cholesterol diet plus LT0 extract 200 mg/kg (LT0), high cholesterol diet plus LT6 extract 200 mg/kg (LT6) and high cholesterol diet plus LT9 extract 200 mg/kg (LT9). We compared the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) from each serums. Protein expression in liver tissues related to antioxidant and cholesterol was analyzed. Results : The Antioxidant activity of Liriopis Tuber increased by steaming process. In vivo, TC, TG, LDL-c, atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) decreased and HDL-c increased with increasing steaming frequency. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. ROS decreased only in LT9, and SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased with increasing steaming frequency. phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) increased and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), Phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) decreased with increasing steaming frequency. Liver staining showed a decrease in hepatic fat accumulation of LT9. LT9 showed significant results in all experiments. Conclusions : LT9 showed significance of anti-lipid effect and improved fatty liver of hyperlipemia induced rats fed on high cholesterol diet, In conclusion, LP9 can be effectively used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.