• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.189-195
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• 2009

Objectives : In this study, the effect of Dipsaci Radix(DR, Dipsacus asperoides C.Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai) water extract on LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells were investigated. Methods : Dried roots of DR was extracted with water for 3 h(DR-W extract). RAW264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage line, were incubated with different concentrations of DR-W extract for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS at indicated times. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) were measured by Griess assay and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), respectively. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthease (iNOS) and cyclooxyganase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results : DR-W extract was significantly inhibited LPS-induced productions of NO and PGE2 in RAW264.7 cells. DR-W extract was not suppressed the expressions of iNOS mRNA and protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions : This study suggests that DR-W extract can attenuate inflammatory response via inhibition of the NO and PGE2 production in activated macrophages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.11-17
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• 2024

Objective : The purpose of this dissertation is to make a list of the Rhodophyta growing naturally in the Korean coastal waters, and to carry out a survey on the current distribution status to investigate the Bangiaceae which can be used as medicinal herbs. Methods : References and research papers about herbology published at home and abroad were examined. Results : A list was made about Bangiaceae plant which were cultivated or grew naturally in Korea, after investigated the data on domestic and foreign Bangiaceae plants. Out of those lists, serviceable plants were selected , their distributions were analysed. 1. A total of 2 genera and 18 species of Bangiaceae were found in the Korean coastal waters among which 1 genera and 4 species(approximately 22%) were medicinal plants. 2. Out of the 18 species of Bangiaceae 16 species belonged to Porphyra, and out of the 4 species of medicinal plants 4 species belonged to Porphyra. 3. Among the medicinal parts 4 species belonged to algae species had cold property, and had salty and sweet flavors. 4. 4 species had the efficacy of Lung, Spleen and bladder meridian had the potency of soften hardness, which helps to remove hard clots generated, cure phlegm in human body. 5. No toxic drugs were detected. Conclusion : There were totaled to 18 genera and 2 species in Bangiaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 1 genera, 4 species, some 22% in total.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Astragali radix on the asthma treatment. EAR-I is an extract of astragali radix cultured for one year and EAR-III is an extract of astragali radix cultured for three years. Methods : Two asthma-induced groups mice group was treated respectively with EAR- I and EAR- III. The other group was not. Each group was analyzed in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results : In asthma-induced mice by OVA treatment, the weight of lung, total cell number of leukocyte and eosinophil in BALF, both EAR- I and EAR- III treated groups were significantly decreased compared to control group. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, histamine, IgE in BLAF of group treated with both EAR-I and EM-III were significantly decreased compared to control group. In FACS analyzing, granulocytes, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3^+$/$CD19^$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ and $GR-1^+$/$CD11b^+$ were significantly increased in asthma induced mice group by OVA treatment compared to control group, and decreased in group treated with both EAR- I and EAR-III. Conclusions : The present data proves that extract of astragali radix has an effect on the inhibiting asthma. Moreover, astragali radix cultured for three years was proved to be superior to the one cultured for one year.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Objectives : In order to distinguish morphological characteristics, because the inside portion of the root bark of Scutellariae Radix decomposes as time goes by, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th year Scutellariae Radix were sampled and compared according to their external, internal, and flour states through optical microscope. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and the flour of it was mounted by the liquid made by the same ratio of each of glycerin, acetic acid, and water, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Results : 1. The inside of 2nd year Scutellariae Radix was rich and golden, the transverse section of Scutellariae Radix that was 3rd years of age was golden, but there were many Scutellariae Radix whose center portion turned redish brown, and the center portion of 5th year Scutellariae Radix had been decomposed or empty. 2. 2nd year Scutellariae Radix had the most starch grain, 5th year Scutellariae Radix had the least, and the middle portion of xylem that was 5 years of age had a cell ring that was corkish, but 2nd and 3rd year Scutellariae Radix did not have it. 3. In the flour state, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th year Scutellariae Radix did not have any difference, but the amount of starch grain was the most in 2nd year Scutellariae Radix and the least in 5th year Scutellariae Radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objectives : The objective of this study is to determine the best numbers of steaming-drying cycles of Gastrodiae Rhizoma for both efficacy and taste. We investigated various characteristics among Gastrodiae Rhizoma samples (GSD1, GSD3, GSD5 and GSD7) through the number of steaming-drying cycles increased. Methods : Gastrodiae Rhizoma were steamed and dried at different repeated numbers. They were divided into samples (GSD1; steamed and dried once, GSD3; steamed and dried three times, GSD5; steamed and dried five times, GSD7; steamed and dried seven times) for experiment. They were extracted using water, freeze dried and powdered to analyze proximate composition, free sugar amount, functional components, antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation. Results : Proximate composition and the amount of free sugars of Gastrodiae Rhizoma did not have meaningful differences among samples. Phenolic and flavonoid content of samples were increased by increasing steaming-drying numbers. Gastrodin content had different values and GSD7 was the highest in comparison with others. Increasing steaming-drying numbers led to a increasing in radical and nitrate scavenging activity in samples. Regarding to sensory evaluation, GSD5 was selected as the best sample according to its highest hedonic score mean (5.54/7) among all samples for appearance, color, taste and overall acceptability. Conclusions : The results indicated that 5th-cycling sample was effective in views of functional components, antioxidant activity and sensory characteristics. Moreover, it was suggested that steaming-drying process improved remarkably the effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Objectives: This was study about identifying fine seed herbs that are highly mixed together: Celosiae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Cuscutae Semen, Perillae Semen. Methods: In non-distinctive herbs through sensory test, we can find accurate discriminative points by using a stereoscope. As a result, a new discriminative key was completed. Results: We identified a comparison of herbs which are mixed up in distribution. 1) In the case of Celosiae Semen and Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen which is mixed up is bigger and more glossy and especially have the sunk umbilicus. 2) In the case of Cuscutae Semen and Perillae Semen, Perillae Semen is discriminated by characteristic morado netting surface and impression of fruit stalk in the single-ended. 3) In the case of Cuscutae Semen which is distributed in three species, we discriminated by beak shape, location of umbilicus and vomiting thread shape or not when put in water. (1) Cuscuta chinensis has a weak beaky shape, an umbilicus in center and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (2) C. australis has very weak beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (3) C. japonica has clear beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is not vomiting thread shape when put in water. Conclusions: A stereoscope can be effectively used for identifying fine seed herbs hardly distinguishable by sensory tests.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.83-95
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• 2007

Objectives : The present study had been undertaken to investigate the effects of Korean Corni Fructus(KCF) on treatment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Method : In this experiment, the rats were ovariectomized. Rats were administered by KCF. The levels of bone mineral density, osteocalcin, ALP, calcium, phosphorus in serum, calcium, phosphorus, deoxypyridinoline in urine, calcium, phosphorus, ash weight of bone, body weight and uterus weight were measured. Results : The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial bone mineral density were significantly increased in comparison with OVX group at 4, 8 weeks in KCF group. The levels of serum osteoclacin showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 4, 8 weeks in KCF group. The levels of serum ALP showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 4 week in KCF group. The levels of serum calcium showed significant increase in comparison with OVX group at 8 week in KCF group. The levels of urine calcium and phosphoruls showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group in KCF group. The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial calcium didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in KCF group. The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial phosphorus didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in KCF group. The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial ash weight didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in KCF group. The levels of body weight were significantly decreased in comparison with OVX group at 4, 8 weeks in KCF group. The levels of uterus weight were significantly increased in comparison with OVX group in KCF group. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimetal results, it appeared that KCF had efficacy on treatment of osteoporosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objectives : Berberine, a main alkaloid component of Coptidis rhizoma, has an antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities and antiinflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated effect of berberine on the production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, Methods : BV2 cells were pre-treated with berberine and then stimulated with LPS. The cytotoxicity of berberine was determined by MTT assay. The NO production was measured by Griess assay. The mRNA expression and protein levels of inducible nirtic oxide synthase(iNOS) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The production of PGE2 and cytokines was measured by ELISA. Results : Berberine inhibited the production of NO, PGE2 and pro inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in a dose dependent manner in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, berebrine greatly suppressed the mRNA expression and protein levels of iNOS and inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS stimulation. These results indicate that the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of iNOS and/or inflammatory cytokine gene expression by berberine is involved in its anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Conclusion : The present study suggests that berberine can be useful as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alsheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.95-101
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• 2005

Objectives : In order to distinguish Cnidii Rhizoma and Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (cultivated in Korea and China), their external and internal states were observed via microscopic examination. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and then observed and photographed by olymphus-BHT. Results : Cnidii Rhizoma, Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (from Korea), and Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (from China) all demonstrated similar patterns as following : 1. external form 1) showing irregular nodular form with $2{\sim}7cm$ diameter. 2) having several trochites in parallel, and nodulose root trace on surface. 3) in addition to yellow-white or yellow-gray intersections, yellow-brown oil sacs were distributed, with cambium resembling a form of annulus. 2. internal form 1) its root and rhizome is composed of 10 layers of cork, with narrow cortical layers. 2) its phloem is wide, and oval light yellow-brown oil sacs are distributed around. The closer to the cambium, the smaller it is. 3) cambium is a form of a wave-like ring or an irregular polygon. 4) xylem and vessel are rare, most of which are arranged in a 'V' format, and sometimes xylem fiber is found. 5) pith is composed of parenchymatous cell, and parenchyma is full of starch grains. Conclusions : In conclusion, C officinale, L. chuanxiong (from Korea), and L. chuanxiong (from China) have rhizomes in a similar form with no special difference. Therefore, it is concluded that C. officinale, L. chuanxiong (from Korea), and L. chuanxiong (from China) are categorized into the same species.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims at examining the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix extract. Methods : Scutellariae Radix was hot water extracted to make the samples(SR) for the experiment. Their effects were examined on the increase of cell viability in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells, the creation of nitric oxide(NO) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 cells, and the creation of cytokines of interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ and others. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. The MTT assay was carried out to check the cellular toxicity of the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. The results were found no significant toxicity caused to macrophages by the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. 2. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the increase of NO in the LPS-induced macrophages after 24-hour culture. 3. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the creation of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, interferon-inducible protein(IP)-10, keratinocyte-derived chemokine(KC), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : The samples(SR) of hot water extract of Scutellariae Radix caused no significant cellular toxicity to macrophages and significantly restricted the creation of NO, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, IP-10, KC, and VEGF in the LPS-induced macrophages at $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher, thus demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory effects.