• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims at examining the effect of the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix on the immuno-modulating activity. Methods : Cell viabilities were measured by MTT assay. Effect of SFS on nitric oxide(NO), hydrogen peroxide production from RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by Griess reagent assay. Effect of SFS on productions of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by a multiplex bead array assay based on xMAP technology. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. As a result of carrying out MTT assay to check the cellular toxicity of the fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix. There was not any excessive toxicity to the macrophage when the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix was treated in different concentrations. 2. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix increased the generation of hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage and significantly restored the suppression of the generation of the hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage induced by LPS. 3. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix reduced the generation of NO in the macrophage and significantly suppressed the increase of the generation of NO in the macrophage induced by LPS. 4. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix significantly decreased the amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ generated in the macrophage induced by LPS when it was $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : These results suggest that SFS has anti-inflammatory moiety related with its inhibition of NO, hydrogen peroxide, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, in macrophage led by LPS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2010

Objectives : The present study purposed to compare the effects of Melandrii Herba and Vaccariae Semen, which are used as Wang-Bul-Yu-Haeng(王不留行) with vasodilatory effect in Korea and China, respectively, on hyperlipidemia. Methods : We applied the water extract of Melandrii Herba and Vaccariae Semen to rats with hyperlipidemia induced by high-cholesterol diet and high-fructose diet and evaluated their effects. Results : While Vaccariae Semen had significant effect on the reduction of the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, free cholesterol, and the activation of ALT, the application of Melandrii Herba had no significant effect on the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, free cholesterol, neutral fat, and free fatty acid, and the activation of AST. For the rats with hypertriglyceridemia, Vaccariae Semen reduced the levels of neutral fat and total cholesterol, but did not significantly reduce the level of free fatty acid and the activation of AST and ALT. The application of Melandrii Herba did not have any significant effect on the levels of neutral fat, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid, and the activation of AST and ALT, but it increased the level of HDL cholesterol. Conclusion : Vaccariae Semen showed a possibility as a remedy for hyperlipidemia, but Melandrii Herba did not show any significant effect. Thus, based on such a difference in remedial effect between Melandrii Herba and Vaccariae Semen, they need to be distinguished in clinical application.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2010

Objectives：For the purpose of developing Korean herbalogy of the plants belonging to Crassulaceae in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods：The examined herbalogical books and research papers which published at home and abroad. Results： 1. There were totaled to 6 genera and 39 species in Crassulaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 5 genera, 14 species, some 36% in total. 2. Sedum genus is main kind enough that it has 20 species among 39 species in the Crassulaceae, of which medicinal plants are 9 species. 3. The herb is the main medicinal parts of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae which is used in 14 species. 4. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into neutral 12 species; sour taste 14 in the order. 5. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into liver meridian 13 species. 6. According to the properties and principal curative action in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into drugs for detoxicant 19 species, drugs for styptic 18, drugs for detumescence 14 in the order. 7. The number of toxic species in the Crassulaceae was examined to be 3 species. Conclusions：There were totaled to 6 genera and 39 species in Crassulaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 5 genera, 14 species, some 36% in total.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.113-120
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was conducted to compare Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus with Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus, and to examine Fructus chaenomelis having an influence on Intestinal Motility. Methods : We compared Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus with Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus, by observing their effects on Intestinal Motility. Oral administration of water extracts of Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus and Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus into albino rats was followed by dealing with carbachol or loperamide, injecting charcoal meal and measuring the moving length in the intestine. Results : By Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus and Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus, the Intestinal Motility of normal albino rats did not change significantly. Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus and Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus controled the accelerated Intestinal Motility of albino rats. Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus was not different from the extracting method, Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus had effects of control on extracting by methanol significantly. When Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus was compared with Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus, the former was proved to have control effects on Intestinal Motility in decoction extracts and extracts by ethyl ether higher than the latter. By both Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus and Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus, the declined Intestinal Motility was not changed significantly. Conclusion : Chaenomelis Fructus suppressed the exasperated Intestinal Motility by carbachol, but did not influence the dropped Intestinal Motility by loperamide. In addition, Chaenomelis Sinensis Fructus was more excellent than Chaenomelis Lagenariae Fructus in its control effects of Intestinal Motility. inhibitory effects by DKT represent a potential therapeutic approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2006

Objectives : In this study, we investigate that Ulmi cortex extract contributes to growth inhibitory effect and anti-cancer activity on the HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Methods : Ulmi cortex was extracted from the leaves of the plant using water. The Ulmi cortex extract was treated to different concentrations for 24 hr. Growth inhibitory effect was analyzed by measuring FACS study and MTT assay. Cell cycle inhibition was confirmed by kinases assay. Cell apoptosis was confirmed by surveying caspases cascades activation using Western blot. Results : Exposure to Ulmi cortex extract (0.4mg/ml) results in an inhibitory effect on cell growth in HT-29 cells. Growth inhibition by Ulmi cortex extract in HT-29 cells was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The Ulmi cortex extract induces G1-cell cycle arrest and DNA fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, Ulmi cortex extract induces cell apoptosis through the activation of caspases-3 and PARP cleavage. Conclusion : Ulmi cortex extract induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells, therefore, we suggest that Ulmi cortex extract can be used as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.59-67
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• 2006

Objectives : Sam-Myo-Whan(SMW) has been known traditional prescription with anti- anthritis activities. We investigated inhibitory effects of SMW on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide(NO), $TNF-{\alpha}$ and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) production from RAW264.7 cells and BV-2 Microglia cells. Methods : SMW, which had been extracted with 70% MeOH, concentrated and freeze-dried was used for this experiment. After BV2 mouse brain macrophages and RAW264.7 mouse peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with increasing concentrations of SMW extract for 30min, and then activated with LPS. To investigate cytotoxicity of SMW extract, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. NO production was measured in each culture supernatant by Griess reaction. mRNA expression of iNOS in two type cells was investigated by RT-PCR. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was measured in each culture supernatant by ELISA. Results : SMW extract significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in BV2 cells and RAW264.7 cells dose-dependently. SMW extract also greatly suppressed mRNA expression of iNOS in both type cells activated with LPS. Conclusion : These data suggests that SMW extract may have an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of iNOS expression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.183-187
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• 2006

Objectives : Southern, northern, and wild types of Osterici Radix, and Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix imported from China are circulated in Korea. Morphological identification was attempted by comparing powder forms of these materials. Methods : To make the specimen, the samples were grinded, and the powder was mounted by a solution of Glycerin, Acetic acid and Water at the rate of 1 : 1 : 1. The specimen was mounted by optic microscope, photographs were taken and the characteristics were sketched in lines. Result : 1. Korean Osterici Radix was yellow-brown, but Chinese Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix was dark-brown. 2. Oil ducts were mostly broken, and most of secretory cells were narrow and long, including yellow or light yellow secretion and starch grain. 3. Parenchyma cells were rectangular, and southern type of Osterici Radix and Chinese Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix include lots of starch grain in parenchyma cells, while northern type of Osterici Radix and wild Osterici Radix include a little. 4. Vessels were usually reticulate vessel, and the diameter of the vessels of Korean Osterici Radix was $25{\sim}88{\mu}m$, while that of the vessels of Chinese Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix was $13{\sim}52{\mu}m$. 5. The surface of accessory cells were light brown with the shape of irregular polygon. Conclusion : Southern type of Osterici Radix, nothern type of Osterici Radix, wild Osterici Radix, and Chinese Notopterigii Rhizoma et Radix were all alike, except the amount of starch grain in parenchyma cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2007

Objectives : The plans can be used for medicinal purposes, among Farinales in korea and examined their effects and distributions. Methods : The examined herbalogical books and research papers which published at home and abroad. Results: 1. There were totaled to 8 genera and 24 species in Farinales Korea and among them medicinal plants arc 8 genera, 11 species, some 46% in total. 2. Eriocaulon is main kind enough that it has 11 species among total 24 species in the Farinales, of which medicinal plants are Commelina and Monochoria that they have each 2 species 3. The herb is the main medicinal parts of medicinal plants in the Farinales which is used in 9 species. 4. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Farinales, they were classified into cool 9 species; sweet taste 9 in the order. 5. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Farinales, they were classified into liver meridian 6 species. 6. According to the properties and principal curative action. they were classified into drugs for detoxicant 12, drugs for antifebrile 11 species, drugs for drain damp 8 in the order. 7. It was noticed that 1 medicinal plant in the Farinale is toxic. Conclusion: There were totaled to 8 genera and 24 species in Farinales in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 8 genera, 11 species, some 46% in total.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

Objective : Angelica Gigas Nakai is a popular oriental medicine used for the treatment of vascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate neuroprotective effect of the water extract of Anelicae Gigantis Radix Palva (AG) in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic rats via the regulation of angiogenesis-related molecules. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administrated with AG water extract at doses of 10, 25, 50 mg/kg body weight after tMCAO (90 min occlusion). reperfusion for 24 hr infarction volumes were measured by 2,3,5-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Brain tissues were observed neuronal cell injuries by nissl staining, and also brain-blood barrier (BBB) permeability change by evans blue. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Tie-2 receptor protein in brain tissues was determined by western blot. Results : AG water extract significantly reduced infarction volume in ischemic brains of rats, degradation of neuronal cell, BBB permeability and expression of VEGF protein dose-dependently. Ang-1 protein was increased dose-dependantly, not significantly. Conclusion : This study suggests that AG water extract shows neuroprotective effect by preventing BBB breakdown, with regulating angiogenesis factor VEGF and Ang-1.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2012

Objectives : This work was designed to investigate the effect of The root of Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJN) water extract on serum deprivation reperfusion-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cells and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic brains of rats. Methods : Apoptosis in PC12 cells was induced by serum deprivation and reperfusion. The cells were treated with AJN water extract at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml for 24 hr after inducing the apoptosis. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay. The expression of caspase-3 protein was determined by Western blot. Ischemic brains were prepared from tMCAO-induced ischemic rats after oral administration with AJN at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg, and then brain infarction was measured by TTC staining. Results : AJN significantly increased the cell viability in apoptocic-induced PC-12 cells, and also decreased the expression of caspase-3 protein. Furthermore, the administration of AJN significantly inhibited tMCAO-induced brain infarction in rats. Conclusions : Our results suggest that AJN extract has a neuroprotective property via suppressing the apoptosis in PC12 cells and the infarction of ischemic brains.