• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.57-67
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• 2024

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential biological activity of Veronica incana extracts (VIE) through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments. Methods : In vitro, we conducted analyses on the total polyphenol (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) levels, alongside DPPHand ABTS radical scavenging activities. Ex vivo evaluations on adipose tissue measured glycerol release as a marker of lipolysis. In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, we quantified nitric oxide (NO) production. Following H₂O₂ induction in U2OS cells, we performed mitochondrial assays such as MitoSox and MitoTracker. Moreover, Bodipy assays were conducted in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo, we performed anti-osteoarthritis effect of VIE against monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Results : The results presented encompass a myriad of models, from cell culture to animal experiments as well as ex vivo studies. VIE demonstrated high TP and TF contents, potent DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, and regulated glycerol release. Moreover, the inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced inflammation was notably confirmed and the reduction of lipid droplets was distinctly shown. Furthermore, in H₂O₂-induced U2OS cells, MitoSox was effectively reduced while MitoTracker noticeably increased. In vivo assays confirmed a significant increase in hindpaw weight distribution (HWD) decreased by MIA after VIE treatment. Additionally, VIE inhibited serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-𝛼, IL-6, and IL-1𝛽) and MDA levels in joint tissue. Conclusion : In conclusion, Veronica incana exhibited various pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2007

Objectives : A morphological classification among Sinomenium acutum, Cocculus trilobus and Aristolochia fangchi was made through microscopic observation. Method : 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. Result : 1. Fiber bundles of pericycle in S. acutum are like a crescent moon, stone cells were found among fiber bundles, and starch grain and raphides of calcium oxalate were included in parenchyma. 2. C. trilobus has the fiber bundle of pericycle resembling a crescent moon, but does not have the raphidesof calcium oxalate. 3. A. fangchi has the raphides of calcium oxalate, but does not have the fiber bundles of pericycle. 4. Stems and roots of S. acutum arc mostly similar, but only stems have the pith. Conclusion :' C. trilobus and A. fangchi can be distinguished from each other by the fiber bundles of pericycle and the raphides of calcium oxalate.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

Objectives : In this study, we investigate that Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract contributes to growth inhibitory effect and anti-cancer activity on the HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Methods : Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen was extracted from the Semen of the plant using 80% Methanol. The Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract was treated to different concentrations for 24 hr, 4Shr or 72hr. Growth inhibitory effect was analyzed by measuring FACS study and MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was confirmed by surveying caspases cascades activation using Westem blot. Results : Exposure to Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract (0.4mg/ml) results in an inhibitory effect on cell growth in HT-29 cells. Growth inhibition by Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract in HT-29 cells was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract induces DNA fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract induces cell apoptosis through the activation of caspases-3, caspase-9 and PARP cleavage. Conclusion : Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells, therefore, we suggest that Euphorbiae lathyridis Semen extract can be used as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.187-199
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• 2007

Objectives : The present study purposed to compare the antioxidant effect, anti inflammatory effect and cancer cell multiplication inhibition effect of Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui aqueous extract according to extraction temperature. Methods : We medicated animal models, which had experimental oxidation, with Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and $50^{\circ}C$ low temperature leachate, and performed hematological analysis and blood chemical analysis with measuring SOD, GSH, catalase, NO and MDA content in the liver. In addition, we made comparative observation of anti inflammatory effect and anti-cancer effect. Results : Compared to the control group, both the group medicated with Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and with $50^{\circ}C$ low-temperature leachate were found to decrease the number of thrombocytes in blood plasma and NO content while to increase SOD activity and catalase activity significantly. Both groups also showed anti-inflammatory effect against THP-1 cells and a multiplication inhibition effect against liver cancer cells and stomach cancer cells significantly. Conclusions : Both Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui total extract and Fructificatio Inonoti Obliqui $50^{\circ}C$ low-temperature leachate have significant antioxidant effect, anti inflammatory effect and anti cancer effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-55
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was carried out to know the effect of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on the immune inflammatory responses of spleen cells and function or immunocytes of the normal mouse. Methodes: We investigated effects of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on normal immunocytes, gene expression of IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$ and surface-receptor expression of $CD3_{\epsilon}+$, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cells were measured by PCR and FACS. Results : CS activated adhisive splenic cells morphologically as compared with the control group in the normal spleen cells of BALB/C mice. CS enhanced gene expression of interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma in a dose-dependent manner in the normal spleen cells of BALB/C mice. CS reduced the number of activating cells and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+. Conclusion : Cordyceps sinensis will be used as a stable remedium in the auto-immune diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Objectives : We examined to know the effect of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on arthritis mouse induced by type II collagen. Methods : To analyse immunomodulatory effects of CS, arthritis index, incidence, hind paw edema, DTH, spleen weight, the number of hemocytes, and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cells in DBA/IJ mice which is experimental model of arthritis induced by collagen were measured in vivo. Results: CS reduced arthritis index, incidence, hind paw edema and DTH significantly as compared with the control group in experimental model of arthritis induced by collagen. CS enhanced the spleen weight significantly as compared with the control group but didn't enhanced the number of leukocytes and thrombocytes in experimental model of arthritis. CS enhanced the number of activating cells and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ cells as compared with the control group but didn't enhanced those of CD19+ cells in experimental model of arthritis. Conclusion : We found out that CS may have a suppressing effect againist auto-immune disease and will be need continuous research in looking for the more effective mechanism in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.67-76
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was carried out to know the effect of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on the immune inflammatory responses of athritis and function. Methodes : To analyse immunomodulatory effects of CS, cytotoxicity and inhibition of proliferation against of synovial cells, gene expression of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$ and IL-6, DNA-binding activity of $NF-_{k}B$ and AP-1 were measured in vitro. Results : CS didn't show cytotoxicity against human synovial cells and inhibited proliferation of human synovial cells in a dose-dependent manner in combination with rIL-6. CS reduced the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1$\beta$ in a dose- dependent manner but didn't reduced that of TNF-$\alpha$ in human synovial cells. CS reduced the binding-activity of $NF-_{k}B$ and also reduced that of AP-1 remarkably. Conclusion: We found out that Cordyceps sinensis has immunomodulatory effect of suppressing synovial cells. And Cordyceps sinensis will be used as a stable remedium in the auto-immune disease in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1297-1302
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• 2007

Uncaria sinensis(OIi.) Havil (USH) is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat inflammation such as amebic dysentery. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of USH. The water extract of USH significantly inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6and IL-12 productions in murine peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, USH selectively inhibited activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not of p38 MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ $(NF-{\kappa}B)$. In murine model, we found that administration of USH reduced serum levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-12 productions in LPS-treated mice. Our results suggest that USH exerts ant-inflammatory effects in macrophages via inhibition of ERK activation and may be a useful therapeutic approach to inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.73-80
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• 2010

Objectives：The present study purposed to evaluate the effects of Leonuri Herba and Leonuri Semen on hypercholesterolemia and provide data for the appropriate clinical application of Leonuri Herba and Leonuri Semen. Methods：We applied the water extracts of Leonuri Herba and Leonuri Semen to rats with hypercholesterolemia induced by high-cholesteroldiet, and examined their effects. Results：The levels of the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were reduced by the uptake of Leonuri Herba to rats with hypercholesterolemia, but there was no significant effect on the level of TG(triglyceride), HDLc(HDL-cholesterol), FFA(free fatty acid), and Fc(free cholesterol), while the amount of AST and ALT was inhibited. The application of Leonuri Semen brought about the decrease of the total cholesterol and Fc, the increase of TG, HDLc, and FFA, and the significant decrease of the activation of AST. Leonuri Herba had only a weak effect on hypercholesterolemia, while Leonuri Semen had a strong effect on the reduction of the symptoms of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion：Based on the fact that Leonuri Herba had only a weak effect on hypercholesterolemia, while Leonuri Semen had a strong effect on the reduction of the symptoms of hypercholesterolemia, it is concluded that Leonuri Semen is a better solution for hypercholesterolemia than Leonuri Herba.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.137-143
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• 2010

Objectives : The present study was conducted to examine the effect of Cudraniae Tricuspidatae Radix(CTR), which is the radix part of Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau, on cytokine secretion from the joint cells and spleen cells of mice with arthritis induced by collagen and verify its efficacy against rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Three kinds of extract were prepared from CTR through extraction with hot-water and ethanol. The levels of cytokine secreted from the cells were measured, after the mice knee joint cells were cultured with each extract. Results : The three kinds of extracts from CTR decreased the growth rate and levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ from knee joint cells of mice. All of the organic-soluble fraction, such as hexane, ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, butanol, and residual water-soluble fraction decreased the levels of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-10. Conclusion : These results suggest that CTR had some effects on rheumatitis, with fat and water-solubles in organic solvent considered as the effective element.