• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2006

Objectives : Coptidis Rhizoma has been known traditional medicine with antimicrobial activities. We investigated inhibitory effects of Coptidis Rhizoma extract on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide production from mouse macrophages. Methods : After Coptidis Rhizoma extract was pretreated in BV2, mouse brain macrophages and RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, cells were activated with LPS. To investigate cytotoxicity Coptidis Rhizoma extract, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The production of nitric oxide(NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) was determined in each culture supernatant and mRNA by Griess reaction and RT-PCR. The production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ from cells was measured by ELISA. Results : Coptidis Rhizoma extract significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in BV2 and RAW264.7 cells. Coptidis Rhizoma extract also greatly suppressed mRNA expression of iNOS in BV2 and RAW264.7 cells activated by LPS. Conclusion : These data suggests that Coptidis Rhizoma extract may have an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of NO production.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2016

Objectives : This objective of this study was to develop the Korean herbology of the plants belonging to Amygdalaceae in Korea. The literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article.Methods : The 22 herbological books and research papers published at home and abroad were researched into their total catalog, medicinal plants, distribution, medicinal properties, actions etc.Results : There are totaled to 1 genus and 48 species in Amygdalaceae in Korea and among them, medicinal plants were 1 genus, 17 species, some 35 % in total. The Fructus is the main medicinal parts in the Amygdalaceae, which was used in 18 species. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Amygdalaceae, they were classified into balance 22 species, and warm 11; bitter taste 23, sweet taste 14 and sour taste 13 in the order. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Amygdalaceae, they were classified into large intestine meridian 13 species, lung and liver meridian 11 species respectively. According to the properties and principal curative action, they were classified into drugs for activation of blood 11 species, drugs for detoxification 10 species, drugs for clearing away heat 9 species in the order. The number of toxic species in the Amygdalaceae was examined to be 5 species.Conclusions : Among 48 species in Amygdalaceae in Korea, medicinal plants are 17 species, and are mostly used for drugs for activation of blood, which are 11 species.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is searching for grounds of new regulations about submerging properties of Aquilariae Lignum described in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Methods : Through the investigation of the various Chinese histories and herbal classics, the definitions of Aquilariae Lignum and documents on actual trade and discrimination methods by sinking under water. Results : In Jiaozhouyiwuzhi(交州異物志) written in the early 2nd century, Aquilariae Lignum was defined as heart wood part or knots sinking under water due to hard and dark deposition of resins. Also, which are not sinking were defined as zhan xiang(棧香), and which are floating were named as qian xiang(槧香). The definitions of Aquilariae Lignum had not been changed till Ching Dynasty era, but the classification and the names about not-sinking and floating Lignum materials were a little changed. Conclusions : These results indicate that it is reasonable to make a regulation that "Aquilariae Lignum sinks under water" in the property description of The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Objectives : To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of modified Bo-Yang-Hwan-O-Tang (BHT), we investigated the neuronal death protection effects to oxidative damages in N2a neuroblastoma cells. Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of BHT on N2a neuronal cells, the cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To investigate the neuronal death protection of BHT, N2a neuronal cells were induced oxidative damages by H2O2, and assayed the cell viability and DNA fragmentation. We also investigated DPPH free radical scavenging effects of BHT by tube test. Results : In MTT assay, $500{\mu}g/ml$ of BHT was not showed cytotoxic effect on N2a neuronal cells. BHT protected N2a neuronal cells from H2O2-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. BHT also protected N2a neuronal cells from H2O2-induced DNA fragmentation. BHT scavenged DPPH free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These data suggest that BHT may have strong anti-oxidant effects through the free radical scavenging and neuroprotective effects in neuronal cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2006

Objectives : Increasing evidence has linked chronic inflammation to a number of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease(AD), Parkinson's disease(PD) and Huntington's disease(HD) in the inflammatory process. Uncontrolled activation of microglia may directly toxic to neurons by releasing various substances such as inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6), NO, PEG2 and superoxide. In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of the herbal extract Panax notoginseng on cultured BV2 microglial cells and primary microglia were investigated to address potential therapeutic or toxic effects. Notoginseng radix extracts extracted from the root of the plant using Methanol. Methods : Cells were stimulated with LPS and treated with notoginseng at different concentrations. Results : Notoginseng significantly decreased LPS-induced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by the cultured microglial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of iNOS mRNA and secretion of nitric oxide(NO) in microglial cells were inhibited in microglial cells in a dose-dependent manner by notoginseng. Conclusion : These results indicate that notoginseng inhibits LPS-induced activation of microglial cells and demonstrates notoginseng possess anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in vitro.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate cisplatin-induced apoptosis by ethanol extract of bojungbangam-tang (EBJT). Methods : To evaluate of anti-apoptic effects of EBJT, we examined several kinds of cell populations such as $CD4^{+}$ T cells, $CD8^{+}$ T cells and macrophages in spleen. Result : 1. EBJT inhibited cisplatin-induced cell death in spleen. 2. EBJT inhibited the death of $CD4^{+}$ and $CD8^{+}$ T cells. 3. EBJT slightly recovered the number of macrophages by cisplatin. Furthermore, cisplatin-induced upregulation of class II were inhibited by EBJT. Conclusion : EBJT prevented cisplatin-induced cell death, which could provide a clinical basic for side effects of anti-tumor therapeutics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Pulsatilla koreana $N_{AKAI}$ (PK) on the peritoneal macrophage. Methods : To evaluate of anti-inflammatory of PK, we examined cytokines and NO production in lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced macrophages. Furthermore, we examined molecular mechanism using western blot. Results : 1.Extract from PK reduced LPS-induced NO, tumor necrosis factor-a ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 production in peritoneal macrophages. 2.Extract from PK itself does not have any cytotoxic effect. PK inhibited the activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase(ERK 1/2) but not another mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and the degradation of inhibitory kappa B a ($I_{k}B_{a}$) does not any effect in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion : PK down-regulated LPS-induced NO and cytokines production, which may be provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties of PK.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2002

목적 : 적소두가 비만에 관하여 어떠한 효능을 발휘하는 가를 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 적소두의 추출물을 고지방식이 흰쥐에 투여한 후 체중, 혈청 중의 변화 및 조직화학적 변화에 미치는 영향을 살펴보았다. 결과 : 체중에 미치는 영향을 살펴보면, 대조군에 비하여 체증이 감소되었으나, 유의성은 없었다. 혈청 중 triglyceride, free fatty acid 함량이 대조군에 비하여 유의성 있게 감소하였다. 부고환 지방세포의 평균 면적에서는 대조군에 비하여 감소 되었으나 유의성은 없었으며 , 간소엽내 지방면적 비율의 감소는 대조군에 비하여 유의성이 있었다. 결론 : 적소두는 임상에서 비만증의 치료에 응용할 수 있을 것으로 생각되며, 특히, 이수소종의 치료법이 필요할 경우에 더 좋은 효능을 발휘할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.69-74
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was undertaken to determine if a combined(SPe) has a protective effect against functional failure induced by $CCl_4$ in rat liver. Methods : Acute liver injury which initiated from free radical induced by $CCl_4$, were applied to rats and data were obtained. Liver injury was estimated by measuring aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activity in serum. Lipid peroxidation was examined by measuring malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation. GSH activities in liver tissues were also measured. Results : When rats were treated intraperitoneally with $CCl_4$, serum AST and ALT were increased compared with the control, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of SPe. SPe also prevented reduction in GSH induced by $CCl_4$. Conclusion : Above results suggest that SPe exerts protective effect against $CCl_4$ by its antioxidant action in liver tissues. Thus, SPe may be used in prevention and treatment of drug-induced liver cell injury. However, the precise mechanisms of SPe protection remain to be determined.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.75-81
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effect of Coicis Semen extract(CSe) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy rats. CSe was given to rats with oral administration. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups : normal group of rats, control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, sample group with CSe treatment. Experimental diabetes was induced by the injection of STZ(60 mg/kg) to the rat via the peritoneum. The effects of CSe on STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy were observed by measuring the serum level of creatinine, BUN and uric level of glucose. Kidney level of lipid peroxidation and the activities of reduced glutathione(GSH) were also examined Results : STZ-induced increase of serum creatinine was lowered by CSe treatment, but BUN and uric level of glucose did not show significant changes. CSe oral administration showed statistical decrease of lipid peroxidation in renal cortical tissues, but it has no effect on the activities of GSH. Conclusion : CSe treatment showed protective effect on rat diabetic nephropathy model, but action mechanism of the effect was still not dear. We thought to be concerned with anti-oxidative stress.