• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.375-386
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• 2011

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR), a dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg with bioactivities in bone metabolism is one of the most famous tonic traditional medicines. To observe in vivo anti-osteoporotic efficacy of PMR extracts, we orally administered once a day for 28 days (Qd ${\times}$ 28) to bilateral ovariectomized (OVX)-induced osteoporosis ddY mice after 1 week of recovery periods at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg (of body weight). A positive control drug, Alendronate (FOSA) 10 mg/kg-dosing group was added. As results of OVX-induced osteoporotic process, estrogen-deficient osteoporotic changes were also dramatically decreased in all PMR extracts-dosing groups. Especially middle dosage of PMR extracts, 250 mg/kg constantly and significantly (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) inhibited the loss of bone strength and bone quality. Based on the results, it was concluded that PMR extracts (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg; orally dosing) has relatively good favorable effect to prevention and/or treatment of OVX-induced osteoporosis. Therefore, although the efficacy was slighter than that of Alendronate on the inhibition of bone loss, it is expected that PMR extracts will be promising as a new anti-osteoporotic agents for prevent the fracture induced in osteoporotic patients because natural herbal medicine origin PMR extracts will be dose not show serious side effects especially the problem in upper alimentary irritation by bisphosphonate and hypercalcaemia of parathyroid hormone analogs.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.34-41
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to characterize a toxicity of Epimedii Herba (EH) in F344 rats and to find a dose levels for the 13 weeks toxicity study. EH is well known as medicinal herb in many Asian countries for traditional medicines of antibacterial and antiviral effects, estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects, and for treatment of osteoporosis, hypotensives, fatigue, kidney disorders, and related complications. However, the indispensable and basic information of toxicological evaluation of EH extract is insufficient to support its safe use. Therefore, we conducted toxicological evaluation of this drug in compliance with OECD and MFDS guideline in this study. The extract of EH was administered orally to F344 rats at dose levels of 0, 500, 1000, 2000, 3500, and 5000 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. Each group was composed of 5 male and female rats. In this study, there were no treatment of EH-related adverse changes in clinical observations, mortality, body weights, food consumption, urinalysis, gross finding at necropsy, and organ weight examination. Total red blood cell count, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, total cholesterol, and phospholipid were decreased in males and females at 5000 mg/kg/day compared to the control animals. Mean corpuscular volume and reticulocyte counts were increased in males and females at 5000 mg/kg/day compared to control animals. Therefore, we recommend that dose level of 5000 mg/kg/day is a highest treatment group in 13-week EH extract exposure study for further toxicity assessment.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.358-364
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• 1999

벌집으로부터 채취한 수지상의 물질인 propolis는 다양한 생화학적 성분을 함유하며 기원전 300년부터 사용되어 온 전통약물이다. 최근 항균, 항 바이러스, 항진균, 국소마취, 면역 활성, 항염, 항산화 작용등의 생물학적 활성이 보고된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 위염과 위궤양에 미치는 propolis추출물과 분획물의 약조학적 효과를 평가하고자 에탄올 추출물을 hexane, toluene, ethyl acetate로 분획하여 항위염 및 항위궤양 활성을 조사하였다. Propolis 에탄을 추출물은 염산·에탄을 위손상, Shay의 위액 분비 실험에서 용량 의존적인 보호효과를 나타내었고 hexnae과 toluene 분획물은 염산·에탄을 위손상, aspirin에 의한 위손상, Shay의 위액 분비 실험에서 위손상과 위액분비를 감소시켰다. propolis 추출물과 분획물의 위염 및 위궤양에 대한 보호효과는 H+/K+ATPase activity의 억제에 의한 위액분비의 감소에 의한 것으로 생각된다.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.130-147
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• 2004

To investigate the antioxidant capacity of traditional Korean herb medicines, water extracts from 42 species which has been used for the Taeum constitution of Sasang Medicine, were tested on their antioxidant activity using radical scavenging effects against ABTS. Some Of them showed strong antioxidant capacities at $50{\mu}g$ concentration. And, antioxidant capacities of 2 prescriptions extract of Sasang Medicine, Cheongsimyeonja-tang and Yeoldahanso-tang, in the different concentration ($10{\mu}g$, $50{\mu}g$, and $100{\mu}g$) were determined. At the same time, the antiperoxidation effects of these 2 prescriptions extract were determined. Lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates induced by NADPH and $ADF-Fe^{2+}$ was strongly inhibited by Cheongsimyeonja-tang in vitro. The above-mentioned 2 prescriptions are a potent antioxidant capacity and antiperoxidation activity, further investigation into the in vivo antioxidant therapeutic potential for treatment of human disorders in brain tissue.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2012

Osteoporosis is characterized by the reduced density of mineralized bone matrix. The loss of bone has been attributed to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. The silkmoth is one of the famous traditional tonic medicines. Silkworm pupa was evaluated for its antiosteoporotic activity in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. The rats were ovariectomized at 6weeks of age and divided into 7 groups. All the groups were fed without calcium diet. The OVX rats were treated with water and silkworm powder for 6 weeks. In OVX rats, the body weight, feeding and water intake quantity did not show a significant change, but the silkworm pupa powder immediately before the eclosion of Yeonrokjam was significantly increased the bone mineral density in the femoral bone. The silkworm pupa powder increased the bone with increasing calcium in serum. These results also showed its protective action through promotion of bone formation. The silkworm pupa powder has a definite antiosteoporotic effect; similar to estrogen, it is especially effective for the prevention of bone fracture induced by estrogen deficiency. The silkworm pupa powder is a promising anti-osteoporotic agent that can prevent bone fractures in osteoporotic patients. The silkworm pupa powder does not show serious side effects because natural herbal medicine origin.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.23-33
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• 2007

Ginsenosides are one of the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms in korea. The anti-ischemic effects of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, and CK on ischemia-induced isolated rat heart were investigated through analyses of changes in hemodynamics ; blood pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. The subjects in this study were divided into four groups: normal control, the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK, an ischemia-induced group without any treatment, and an ischemia-induced group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK. There were no significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output between them before ischemia was induced. The supply of oxygen and buffer was stopped for five minutes to induce ischemia in isolated rat hearts, and the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK was administered during ischemia induction. Treatments of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output under ischemic conditions. In addition, hemodynamics (except heart rate) of the group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly recovered 60 minutes after reperfusion compared to the control group (mixture+ischemia vs ischemia - average perfusion pressure: 74.4${\pm}$2.97% vs. 85.1${\pm}$3.01%, average aortic flow volume: 49.11${\pm}$2.72% vs. 59.97${\pm}$2.93%, average coronary flow volume: 58.50${\pm}$2.81% vs. 72.72${\pm}$2.99%, and average cardiac output: 52.47${\pm}$2.78% vs. 63.11${\pm}$2.76%, p<0.01, respectively). These results suggest that treatment of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK has distinct anti-ischemic effects in ex vivo model of ischemia-induced rat heart.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권6호
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• pp.510-518
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• 2013

This study aims to demonstrate the effect of farming technology on introducing medicinal plants (MP) and wild food plants (WFP) into a traditional agricultural system within peri-urban zones. Field investigations and semi-structured focus group interviews conducted in the Buhozi community showed that 27 health and nutrition problems dominated in the community, and could be treated with 86 domestic plant species. The selected domestic MP and WFP species were collected in the broad neighboring areas of the Buhozi site, and introduced to the experimental field of beans and maize crops in Buhozi. Among the 86 plants introduced, 37 species are confirmed as having both medicinal and nutritional properties, 47 species with medicinal, and 2 species with nutritional properties. The field is arranged in a way that living hedges made from Tithonia diversifolia provide bio-fertilizers to the plants growing along the hedges. The harvest of farming crops does not disturb the MP or WFP, and vice-versa. After harvesting the integrated plants, the community could gain about 40 times higher income, than from harvesting farming crops only. This kind of field may be used throughout the year, to provide both natural medicines and foods. It may therefore contribute to increasing small-scale crop producers' livelihood, while promoting biodiversity conservation. This model needs to be deeply documented, for further pharmaceutical and nutritional use.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.103-107
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• 2009

Three traditional Chinese medicines, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia, are combined to form a compound extract, AGC. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of AGC on human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells were demonstrated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are investigated. Our results indicate that AGC inhibited MGC-803 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with an $IC_{50}$ of about $6.045{\pm}0.69{\mu}g/mL$. In vivo, AGC inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma in xenograft tumors in nude mice, and the inhibitory rate reached 55.2% at 300 mg/kg. The pro-apoptotic activity of AGC was attributed to its ability to decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Pro-caspase3 and increase the expression of Bax. These results demonstrate that AGC can effectively induce programmed cell death and may be a promising anti-tumor drug in human gastric carcinoma.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.213-219
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• 2017

Objectives: Based on data from Chinese and Indian traditional herbal medicines, gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (sometimes referred to asafetida or asafoetida) has several therapeutic applications. The authors of various studies have claimed that asafetida has cytotoxic, antiulcer, anti-neoplasm, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative effects. In present study, the anti-aging effect of asafetida on senescent human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. Methods: Senescence was induced in in vitro cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through exposure to $H_2O_2$, and the incidence of senescence was recognized by using cytochemical staining for the activity of ${\beta}$-galactosidase. Then, treatment with oleo gum resin of asafetida was started to evaluate its rejuvenating effect. The survival rate of fibroblasts was evaluated by using methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the expressions of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers. Results: Our experiments show that asafetida in concentrations ranging from $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $10^{-7}g/mL$ has revitalizing effects on senescent fibroblasts and significantly reduces the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity in these cells (P < 0.05). Likewise, treatment at these concentrations increases the proliferation rate of normal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). However, at concentrations higher than $5{\times}10^{-7}g/mL$, asafetida is toxic for cells and induces cell death. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that asafetida at low concentrations has a rejuvenating effect on senescent fibroblasts whereas at higher concentrations, it has the opposite effect of facilitating cellular apoptosis and death.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.294-304
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• 2009

Ginsenosides are among the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of various symptoms in South Korea. The neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (G-$Rg_3$) on cholesterol-oxide-(CO)-induced neurotoxicity were investigated through the analyses of rat brains. The recently accumulated reports show that ginseng saponins (GTS), the major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, have protective effects against neurotoxin insults. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ on CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity were examined in vivo. The in-vitro studies using rat cultured hippocampal neurons revealed that G-$Rg_3$ treatment significantly inhibited CO-induced hippocampal cell death. G-$Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced CO-induced DNA damage but also attenuated CO-induced apoptosis. The in-vivo studies that were conducted revealed that the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pre-administration of G-$Rg_3$ significantly reduced i.c.v. CO-induced hippocampal damage in rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the in-vitro and in-vivo neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ against CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity, the effect of G-$Rg_3$ on the CO-induced elevations of the apoptotic cells in cultured hippocampal cells was examined, and it was found that G-$Rg_3$ treatment inhibited CO-induced apoptosis. The histopathological evaluation demonstrated that G-$Rg_3$ significantly diminished the apoptosis in the hippocampus and also spared the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus neurons. G-$Rg_3$ also significantly improved the CO-caused behavioral impairment. G-$Rg_3$ itself had no effect, however, on the CO-induced inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase activity (data not shown). These results collectively indicate the G-$Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against CO in rat hippocampus. With regard to the wide use of G-$Rg_3$, this agent is potentially beneficial in treating CO-induced brain injury.