• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2021

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-known traditional medicine, with numerous biological functions in the body. Portulaca oleracea (P. ole) belongs to the Portulacaceae family and has bioactive potential as a traditional medicine. This study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) and P. ole extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The combination of RGE (50 ㎍/mL) and P. ole (6.25 ㎍/mL) extracts significantly suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide synthesis. The expression of proinflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, were markedly decreased by the combined treatment with RGE (50 ㎍/mL) and P. ole (6.25 ㎍/mL). Moreover, iNOS and COX-2 protein expression levels were also significantly reduced in the combined treatment compared to the LPS-stimulated group. In addition, the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B was suppressed by the treatment with RGE and P. ole. Moreover, the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was also partially inhibited by the combination treatment with RGE and P. ole. Our results demonstrate that the treatment mixture with RGE and P. ole could be used as functional food and therapeutic herbal medicine in various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2019

Purpose: Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is an important traditional medicinal herb. Pharmacological research has indicated that AM has various physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and hepatoprotective activities. The bioactive substances responsible for the physiological activities in AM, including many antioxidant substances, change during the roasting process. This study investigated and compared the changes in the antioxidant constituents of AM caused by roasting. Methods: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and $ABTS^+$ (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging activities and their total phenolic content (TPC) were measured. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to confirm any changes in the isoflavonoids of roasted AM (R-AM),. The cell viability of UVB-induced HDF (Human dermal fibroblast) cells treated with AM and R-AM extracts was investigated. The comet assay was used to examine the inhibitory effects of R-AM extracts on DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. Results: The DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activities were $564.6{\pm}20.9$ and $108.2{\pm}3.1$ ($IC_{50}$ value) respectively, from the 2R-AM. The total phenol content was $47.80{\pm}1.40mg$ GAE/g from the 1R-AM. The values of calycosin and formononetin, which are the known isoflavonoid constituents of AM, were $778.58{\pm}2.72$ and $726.80{\pm}3.45{\mu}g/g$ respectively, from the 2R-AM. Treatment of the HDF cells with R-AM ($50{\sim}200{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the cell viability. Furthermore, the R-AM extracts effectively protected against UVB-induced DNA damage. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that R-AM increases its isoflavonoid constituents and protects against UVB-induced DNA damage in HDF cells.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.552-557
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• 2012

Bamboo salt is a special processed salt by Korean traditional recipe. Recent study results showed that bamboo salt or bamboo salt with some other materials like herbal extracts have the anti-microbial activity, inhibition effects of dental plaque and gingival inflammation. Bamboo salt also showed anti-cariogenic effects; remineralization and acid resistance. Compare to fluoride toothpaste, bomboo salt toothpaste with fluoride showed the more effective remineralization on inner part of the early dental caries lesion. It increased the surface hardness and decreased lesion depth of early dental caries lesion. Thus, it is suggested thai bamboo salt could be used as a anti-microbial, anti-plaque, anti-inflammatory and anti-cariogenic material for oral disease prevention. Especially, bamboo salt dentifrice with fluoride can be recommanded as a useful remineralizing agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.903-906
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• 2008

Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz (Lythraceae) is used in the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicines. DPPH activity guided fractionation and purification process was used to identify the free radical-scavenging components from the flowers of this plant. The methanolic extract of the plant was first fractionated into four extracts; namely, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water fractions. Among them, the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be the most effective and was further subjected to activity guided-fractionation and isolation procedures. After successive column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, gallic acid, which is responsible for the radical scavenging activity, was isolated and its structure was elucidated by spectral methods ($^1H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR) and by comparison with literature.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-236
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• 2019

Dengropanax morfiferus (D), Broussonitia kazinoki (B), and Cudriania tricuspidata (E), a widely cultivated species in South Korea, has been used as traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases. In this study, we evaluated the antidiabetic effects in a various signaling mechanisms using mixed extract and major component contents were analyzed by HPLC in the combined extracts from Dengropanax morfiferus, Broussonitia kazinoki, and Cudriania tricuspidata (DBCE). DBCE inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase activation and showed potent antioxidant effects, which are evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD assay. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. DBCE showed the protective effects in RINm5F cells against cytokines-induced damage by suppressing inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and COX-2 expression and NO production. Insulin resistance is the primary characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the regulatory effect of DBCE on glucose uptake and production are investigated in insulin-responsive human HepG2 cells. DBCE stimulated glucose uptake, prevented Glut2 and phosphor-IRS1 downregulation induced by high glucose (HG, 30 mM). Moreover, DBCE pretreatment diminished glucose levels, PEPCK and G6Pase overexpression provoked by HG. These findings suggest that DBCE might be used for diabetes treatment through alpha-glucosidase or alpha-amylase activity regulation, pancreatic beta cell protection, hepatic glucose sensitivity improvement. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells' infiltrations around the pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Objectives : Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) is an herbal medicine, which has been used for the treatment of fatigue, chills, and poor physical conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of AOF hot aqueous extract. Methods : The cytotoxicity of AOF extract was evaluated using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess reaction. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine production (IL-1tion co6, and TNF- F- was measured by ELISA. The anti-oxidative effect of AOF extracts was measured by the DPPH method. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and aluminum chloride, respectively. Results : AOF hot aqueous extract did not show toxicity at doses of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL.PGE_2$ production was inhibited by AOF extract treatment at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extracts reduced IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1ent maTNF- F- 1ent mannerd IL-6 production in uction at doses of 100 and ${\mu}g/mL$. The DPPH free radical scavenging capability was above 50% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : This study suggests that AOF hot aqueous extract may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are required for validating the safety and efficacy of AOF.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.670-681
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• 2012

Herb extracts commercially used in Korea were screened for PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist test and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition assay. Total 16 herb plants had a PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist activity. Specially, Alisma orientale Juz (108.41%), Ephedra sinica (98.22%), Sasa japonica Makino var. purpurascens Nakai (140.68%), Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (106.79%) and Cnidium officinale Makino (113.00%) showed high PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist activity rate compared with rosiglitazone's (167.46%). And Cornus officinalis S. et Z. (90.3%), Cinnamomum cassia Blume (89.2%), Psoralea corylifolia L. (89.8%), Paeonia japonica (Makino) Miyabe (92.4%) and Paeonia suffruticosa Andr (93.2%), showed high ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition rates. These results support previous reports of the efficacy of Oriental medicinal plants used for diabetes mellitus.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2005

Numerous natural herbal compounds have been reported to inhibit adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the site of inflammation Licorice extracts, which have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, possess various pharmacological effects. Isoliquiritigenin, a biogenetic precursor of flavonoids with various pharmacological effects, is a natural pigment present in licorice. We attempted to explore whether licorice extracts and isoliquiritigenin mitigate monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In addition, it was tested whether the inhibition of monocyte adhesion to the activated HUVEC accompanied a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule-l expression(VCAM-l). Dry-roasted licorice extracts in methylene chloride but not in ethanol markedly interfered with THP-l monocyte adhesion to INF-$\alpha$-activated endothelial cells. licochalcone A compound isolated from licorice extract in methylene chloride appeared to modestly inhibit the interaction of THP-l monocytes and activated endothelium. In addition, isoliquiritigenin abolished the monocyte adhesion with attenuating VCAM-l protein expression on HUVEC induced by INF-$\alpha$. These results demonstrated that non-polar components from dry-roasted licorice extracts containing licochalcone A as well as isoliquiritigenin were active in blocking monocyte adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelimn, which appeared to be mediated most likely through the inhibition of VCAM-l expression on HUVEC. Therefore, licorice may hamper initial inflammatory events on the vascular endothelium involving induction of endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2012

Panax ginseng has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine. More recently, it has received attention for its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects in humans and in animal models of type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we tested the hypoglycemic effects of ginseng berry extract in beta-cell-deficient mice and investigated the mechanisms involved. Red (ripe) and green (unripe) berry extracts were prepared and administered orally (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice daily for 10 wk. The body weight was measured daily, and the nonfasting blood glucose levels were measured after 5 and 10 wk after administration. Glucose tolerance tests were performed, and the serum insulin levels were measured. The proliferation of beta-cells was measured in vitro. The administration of red or green ginseng berry extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels and improved the glucose tolerance in beta-cell deficient mice, with the higher doses resulting in better effects. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was significantly increased in berry extract-treated mice compared with streptozotocin-induced diabetic control mice. Treatment with ginseng berry extract increased beta-cell proliferation in vitro. Both red berry and green berry extracts improved glycemic control in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and increased insulin secretion, possibly due to increased beta-cell proliferation. These results suggest that ginseng berry extracts might have beneficial effects on beta-cell regeneration.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2004

Geniposide and its related iridoid compounds have been used in traditional herbal medicine for thε treatment of Jaundice hepatic diseases and various inflammatorys. For the purpose to increase trandsdermal absorption, the hydrolyzed products of Gardeniae Furctus were identified and assayed of active ingredients and investigated trandsdermal absorption and anti-inflammatory effects. Geniposide was hydrolyzed to genipin by ${\beta}-glucosidase$ and it was suggested that genipin was more suitable form than geniposide for transdermal absorption by its lipophilic property. Using Franz type diffusion cell and the skin of hairless mouse, the permeation rate of hydrolyzed products and their emulsion preparation were determined. Genipin have more increased absorption ratio through the skin of hairless mouse than geniposide. Also, the emulsion of hydrolyzed products of extracts showed higher permeability than that of nonhydrolyzed preparations. After 9 hours $280.85\;{\mu}g/cm^2$ of genipin was absorbed and $193.52\;{\mu}g/cm^2$ in case of geniposide. The Js of geniposide and genipin were $26.27{\pm}4.11\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$ and $40.35{\pm}5.04\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$ respectively. After carrageenan injection, the swelling was increased repidly to 24 hr and maintained as plateau. but emulsion group weer reached about 2.5 mL and the swelling decreased successively form 24 hr to 72 hr. The anti-inflammation effects of extracts and hydrolyzed products emulsion were increased with significant difference with control group after 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr. In carrageenan induced edema, inhibition of swelling was increased in case of hydrolyzed product emulsion compare with nonhydrolyzed group at 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr after swelling. In histological study, the anti-inflammatory effects of hydrolyzed products were remarkable at 48 hr and 72 hr compare with nonhydrolyzed. Hydrolyzed products of Gardeniae Fructus extracts containing genipin would be a suitable preparation to increase the transdermal absorption and anti-inflammatory effects.