• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.149-162
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• 2024

Ginseng, the roots of Panax species, is an important medicinal herb used as a tonic. As ginsenosides are key bioactive components of ginseng, holistic chemical profiling of them has provided many insights into understanding ginseng. Mass spectrometry has been a major methodology for profiling, which has been applied to realize numerous goals in ginseng research, such as the discrimination of different species, geographical origins, and ages, and the monitoring of processing and biotransformation. This review summarizes the various applications of ginsenoside profiling in ginseng research over the last three decades that have contributed to expanding our understanding of ginseng. However, we also note that most of the studies overlooked a crucial factor that influences the levels of ginsenosides: genetic variation. To highlight the effects of genetic variation on the chemical contents, we present our results of untargeted and targeted ginsenoside profiling of different genotypes cultivated under identical conditions, in addition to data regarding genome-level genetic diversity. Additionally, we analyze the other limitations of previous studies, such as imperfect variable control, deficient metadata, and lack of additional effort to validate causation. We conclude that the values of ginsenoside profiling studies can be enhanced by overcoming such limitations, as well as by integrating with other -omics techniques.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2005

Oxidant stress is a well-known pivotal parameter for the degenerative immune diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rhinitis. In order to screen for anti-asthma agents effectively, we first established the infrastructure of high throughput screening(HTS) for anti-oxidant agents from agricultural products and/or oriental medicine library extracted with water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate and juice, Using the screening system, we found that Chaenomelis langenariae, Rhus javanica L., Camellia sinensis, Helianthus annuus and Angelica utilis Makino had strong anti-oxidant activity. Moreover, Helianthus annuus, Rehmannia glutinosa Libo and Angelica utilis Makino have protection activities by treatment of an oxidant hydrogen peroxide. Together, these results suggest that screened agents could be potential agents against asthma, although the in vivo studies should be clearly tested.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2022

Objectives : Acupoints are divided into three categories: classical acupoints, extra-acupoints, and Ashi points. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning and features of Ashi points. Methods : We examined the original meaning of Ashi points from the classical medical texts, including the Beijiqianjinyaofang, the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, and the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. Results : First, the Ashi method is to locate the points for the acupuncture and moxibustion based on the patients' reactions mainly manifested by sensations of comfort and pain, which can help identify not only Ashi points but also classical and extra-acupoints. Thus, Ashi points may or may not match to classical or extra-acupoints, and we propose that Ashi points should not be classified mutually exclusive to classical or extra-acupoints. Second, there are several similarities between Ashi points and myofascial trigger points. They are located by palpation and have no fixed anatomical positions. Patients experience painful but pleasant feeling when Ashi and myofascial trigger points are pressed, and stimulation of these points have treatment effects. Conclusions : We suggest that Ashi method be used to identify the acupoints based on how patients react when these points are pressed. Ashi points may or may not correspond to classical or extra-acupoints, and share traits with myofascial trigger points.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.803-806
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• 2020

The body shape measurement method using 3D images has been widely used due to the recent development of 3D measurement cameras and algorithms. Existing 3D imaging devices are expensive devices, and there is a limit to their universalization. Due to the recent spread of inexpensive 3D cameras and the development of various measurement methods, various possibilities are being shown. It is expected to have a great impact on the medical device market that requires accurate data collection. Various medical device products using artificial intelligence are emerging, and accurate data collection is the most important to develop accurate artificial intelligence algorithms. Collection equipment using 3D cameras is expected to act as a major factor in the development of artificial intelligence algorithms using 3D images.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.274-280
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• 2009

To survey the status of quality control of major ingredients of 'Ssanghwatang (Oriental medicine used for fatigue)', we analyzed 1,024 samples (9 kinds) of medical herbs to determine amounts of ashes, acid-insoluble ashes, loss on drying that are major elements to ensure basic quality of herbal drugstuffs. After ash analysis, Paeoniae Radix (from China) failed to meet the herbal standard criterion. After yielding Z-score(indicating the probability of exceeding its criterion) Zizyphi Fructus, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata became objects of intense quality control (=IQC). Analysis on loss on drying shows Cinnamomi Cortex was unsuitable and was put under the IQC. In case of respective heavy metals, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex exceeded the maximum permissible range for Cd. The 3 kinds of sub-standards were put to the IQC. Statistic figures showed a significant correlation (t-test, p<0.01) between country-of-origin and sub-quality rates. Compared to domestic one, imported medicinal herbs were less suitable in regard of acid-insoluble ash, loss on drying and Pb/Hg content. Meanwhile, amounts of Acid-insoluble ash showed positive relation with amounts of Pb (r=0.202) and As (r=0.243) among heavy metals leading to an inference that herbs of which root/rhizome is used for medical purposes attribute its high heavy metal content to the fine earth/sand being stuck to its root stalk.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.297-310
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• 2024

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory and laxative effects of Polycan in TNF-α-treated HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells and loperamide-induced constipation in vivo models, respectively. Methods : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Polycan, HT-29 cells were treated with TNF-α in the presence or absence of Polycan. IL-8 production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MAPK phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and phosphorylation of IκB were assessed by Western blot analysis. To investigate the laxative effects of Polycan, 6-week-old SD rats (8 female rats per group) were orally administered Polycan or Chicory Fiber as a positive control for 4 weeks, and constipation was induced with loperamide treatment for 10 days before sacrifice. One day before sacrifice, a charcoal meal was administered to evaluate intestinal transit times. The periodically collected feces were used to assess the number of fecal pellets and fecal water content. Results : Polycan inhibited TNF-α-induced IL-8 expression in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Polycan suppressed TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK1/2, p38 and JNK), degradation of Iκ-Bα and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. In an in vivo constipation model, the number of fecal pellets per food intake was significantly increased in rats administered with Polycan, both 1 day and 7 days after loperamide treatment. The water content of fecal pellets was restored in the Polycan groups starting 7 days after loperamide treatment. In addition, Polycan intake significantly enhanced the gastrointestinal transit ratio of a charcoal meal but reduced the number of intestinal fecal pellets. Conclusions : These results suggest that Polycan suppressed TNF-α-induced inflammation by blocking both the MAPK and NF-κB pathways in HT-29 cells. Additionally, in a loperamide-induced constipation model, Polycan showed clear laxative effects by increasing the number of fecal pellets, fecal water content, and intestinal transit ratio of a charcoal meal.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.627-634
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• 2024

Sesquiterpene lactones, a class of natural compounds abundant in the Asteraceae family, have gained attention owing to their diverse biological activities, and particularly their anti-proliferative effects on human cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the structure-activity relationship of ten sesquiterpene lactones with the aim of elucidating the structural determinants for the STAT3 inhibition governing their anti-proliferative effects. Our findings revealed a significant correlation between the STAT3 inhibitory activity and the anti-proliferative effects of sesquiterpene lactones in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Among the compounds tested, alantolactone and isoalantolactone emerged as the most potent STAT3 inhibitors, highlighting their potential as candidates for anticancer drug development. Through protein-ligand docking studies, we revealed the structural basis of STAT3 inhibition by sesquiterpene lactones, emphasizing the critical role of hydrogen-bonding interactions with key residues, including Arg609, Ser611, Glu612, and Ser613, in the SH2 domain of STAT3. Furthermore, our conformational analysis revealed the decisive role of the torsion angle within the geometry-optimized structures of sesquiterpene lactones in their STAT3 inhibitory activity (R=0.80, p<0.01). These findings not only provide preclinical evidence for sesquiterpene lactones as promising phytomedicines against diseases associated with abnormal STAT3 activation, but also highlight the importance of stereochemical aspects in their activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2010

A simple and reliable reverse phase HPLC method was developed to determine pharmacologically active marker compounds of Ephedrae Herba, Phytolaccae Radix and Polyporus. The stability test of water-extract of three natural medicines were examined for six months. However, no significant change in the content of the marker compounds of each extract observed during the time of investigation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.726-740
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• 2023

Objectives: This review investigated the research on warm herbal foot bath therapy (WHFT) for insomnia. Methods: A search was conducted on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database to collect relevant studies published up to August 29, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing WHFT and sleeping pills in patients with insomnia were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. The results of the meta-analysis were presented as risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 11 RCTs were included. WHFT as monotherapy resulted in a significantly higher total effective rate (TER) (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.36; I²=25%) and an improved Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global sore (MD, -3.10; 95% CI, -4.24 to -1.95; I²=73%) compared to benzodiazepines. Additionally, WHFT as a combined therapy with benzodiazepines resulted in a significantly higher TER (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.27; I²=0%) and an improved PSQI global score (MD, -2.23; 95% CI, -4.09 to -0.38; I²=80%) compared to benzodiazepines alone. In network analysis visualizing the components of HWFT, four clusters were discovered, and Polygoni Multiflori Ramuls and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen were the key herbs used in WHFT. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies was poor. Conclusions: There was limited evidence that WHFT as a monotherapy or combined therapy was effective in improving insomnia. The findings can be used as basic data for future WHFT research in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.133-138
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• 2006

In order to enhance the components of bioactive ginsenosides and the manufacturing process of red ginseng, we developed the simplified method for red ginseng production. The red ginseng extract was prepared from red ginseng produced with the simplified method, and the production rate of extract ($62^{\circ}$ brix) was more than 60%. The ginsenosides of red ginseng were purified and analyzed by HPLC using ELSD. Ginsenoside-$Rg_3,\;Rh_2$ and $Rh_1$, specific artifacts found only in red ginseng, were detected by HPLC. Especially, contents of ginsenoside-$Rg_3$ and Rh1 were detected high than two times in red ginseng produced the simplified method compared to commercial products.