• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the anti-toxicity effect of Hwangryunhaedoktang on the dried Mylabris phalerata extract containing cantharidin in ICR mouse. Methods : Dried Mylabris phalerata extracts were orally administered at dosage level 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 125mg/kg, respectively with and/or without administration of Hwangryunhaedoktang 200mg/kg. During 2 weeks, the changes of body weight, mortality, $LD_{50}$, macroscopic changes of gastrointestinal tract and liver, changes of serum gastrin and somatostatin levels were observed. Results : Decrease of body weight gains was observed in dried Mylabris phalerata extract-dosing groups, but it was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging. Increase of mortality rates was observed in dried Mylabris phalerata extract-dosing groups, but it was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging. The $LD_{50}$ of dried Mylabris phalerata extract in male mice significantly increased in a case of concomitant used of Hwangryunhaedoktang 268.86 vs 662.05mg/kg. Clinical signs were observed in dried Mylabris phalerata extract-dosing groups, but it was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging after dosaging. Increase of number of hemorrhagic and/or erythematous spots in the gastrointestinal tracts, enlargement and congestion in the liver were observed in dried Mylabris phalerata extract-dosing groups, but it was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging. Increase of serum gastrin level was observed in dried Mylarbis phalerata extract-dosing groups, these state of abnormal increase was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging. Decrease of serum somatostatin level was observed in dried Mylabris phalerata extract-dosing groups, these state of abnormal decrease was significantly developed in Hwangryunhaedoktang extract-dosing groups after dosaging. Conclusions : We could conclude that the Hwangryunhaedoktang has anti-toxicity effect on the dried Mylabris phalerata extract containing cantharidin.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.484-490
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• 2001

Mylabris phalerata(MP) is an insect that has been used for the treatment of cancer in oriental medicine. To evaluate the anticancer activity of Mylabris phalerata, We measured the cytotoxicity of Mylabris phalerata solvent fractions such as MC, EA, BuOH and residual layers on U937, human monocytic leukemia cells. Of those fractions BuOH layer of Mylabris phalerata was the most effective with ID$_{50}$ of 140$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. It effectively caused DNA fragmentation from the concentration of 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, showed apoptotic nucleus by tenets assay and expressed apototic portion stained by Annexin-V. It also induced the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of the substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results suggest BuOH layer of Mylabris phalerata exerts anticancer activity by induction of apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 protease.e.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.357-364
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• 2008

Mylabris is the dried body of the chinese blister beetle. The species used in medicine are Mylabris phalerata and M. cichorii. In recent studies, it has been found that Mylabris possesses antitumor properties, increases the number of leukocytes, and has irritant effects on the urinary organs. The crude extracts of Mylabris have been noted for their highly irritant action and other traditional uses of Mylabris include treatment of poor local blood circulation. The active constituent of Mylabris is cantharidin. The chemical is notable for its vesicant properties, but with severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. This experiment examined the effect of extracts and fractions, obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. First, we examined the effect of an extracts, obtained from the alcohol extracts of dried Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. Second, we examined on hair growth activity of the cantharidin fraction of Mylabris phalerata Pall. compared to the control and 1% minoxidil groups. Third, we investigated the number of hair follicle and mast cells after topical application of extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. to skin for 16 days. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from the extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312%) was observed in 80% of mice whose hair had been removed in 13 days. Hair growth effect from the extract of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312 and 0.625%) and 1% minoxidil group was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 20 days. Hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction(0.5%) and water fraction(0.5%) of Mylabris phalerata Pall. was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 24 days. The hair growth effect on the cantharidin fraction(0.125%) was observed to be strong compared with the minoxidil(3%) group, commercial hair growth agents, in mice whose hair had been clipped in 19 days. In the spontaneous alopecia mice model, the hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction (0.125%) was observed to be strong as compared with the states before the 13 days experiment. These experiments suggest that extracts and fractions of Mylabris phalerata Pall. may stimulate the topical hair growth activity in low doses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.778-790
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• 2008

This experiment investigated the effect of mixed extracts obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma on hair growth activity of the normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model of C57BL/6N mice for 16 days. First, we examined morphological regrowth of hair in normal and spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice. Second, we examined immunoreactive density of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), c-kit and protein kinase $C-{\alpha}(PKC-{\alpha})$ in skin of normal C57BL/6N mice by immunohistochemical methods. Third, we investigated expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, prolactin and placenta lactogen after topical application of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma to skin by RT-PCR. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from middle and high concentration of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 80% of normal mice in whose hair had been clipped in 15th days. Hair growth effect of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma was observed in 100% of spontaneous alopecia model of C57BL/6N mice in 15th days. Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin of all concentrations of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma were strongly stained in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells and cutaneous trunci m. compare to control group in 10th day. In experimental III group, Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit and $PKC-{\alpha}$ in skin were strongly stained in inner and outer root sheath of skin. The treatment of mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma increased the expression of $TGF-{\beta}$, placenta lactogen and prolactin in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice compared to control group. These experiments suggest that mixed extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. and Drynariae Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and it can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.579-587
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• 2001

The efficacy of Sagunja-tang and Sagunja-tang plus Mylabris phalerata against the human stomach cancer was examined and molecular biological fight of its actions was studied. In the efficacy test of anti-stomach cancer cells growth using the MTT assay, administration of Sagunja-tang resulted in no significant change of stomach cancer cells growth, with the control group. Administration of Sagunja-tang plus Mylabris phalerata resulted in a decrease of stomach cancer cells growth in proportion to the concentration of mylabris phalerata and time, which was significantly different from the control group(significance recognized when p<0.05). In the test using the apoptosis assay, administration of Sagunja-tang showed an increase in apoptosis of human stomach cancer cells, with no significant difference from the control group. Administrating Sagunja-tang plus Mylabris phalerata showed an increase in apoptosis of stomach cancer cells in proportion to the concentration of mylabris phalerata and time, which was significantly different from the control group(significance recognized when p<0.05). In the test using the quantitative RT-PCR to examine stomach cancer cells growth and revelation of apoptosis related genes, administrating Sagunja-tang plus Mylabris phalerata resulted in a decrease of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptosis gene, in proportiong to concentration. No significant change was examined in the revelation of CDK1, Cdc2, Cyclin D1, PCNA, c-myc, which are genes related to the stomach cancer cells growth, and Bax, Bel-XL, the genes related to apoptosis, and p53. Referring to the results above, Sagunja-tang plus Mylabris phalerata may be considered to have an anti-growth efficacy against human stomach cancer cells, and an inducement efficacy. Therefore, it can be clinically implemented in the human stomach cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.202-213
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• 2004

Object : Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Mylabris phalerata (반모) in some kinds of cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Some kinds of cancer cells lines were treated. We used nine kinds of cancer cell lines, such as stomach cancer cells (Kato), lung cancer cells (Calu-1, NCI-H 1395), urinary bladder cancer cells (HS789T), bone cancer cells (Saos-2), brain cancer cells (SK-N-MC), liver cancer cells (Hep-G2), skin cancer cells (Mo-1) and prostate cancer cells (PC-3) with the water decoction of Mylabris phalerata. The histological changes of all cell lines in the media (RPMI-1640) containing the decoction of Mylabris phalerata were observed and we examined cell death assay by trypan blue exclusion testing was examined. Finally, the change of mitochondrial membrane potential was measurd and the inhibitory effect of Mylabris phalerata on cell increase was examined by analyzing the cell cycle. Results: In histologic change all cancer cell lines showed withdrawn and floating appearance that is typical in cellular impairment. Most of the cell lines showed over 50% death rate after 24 hours in trypan blue exclusion tests. Especially the stomach, urinary bladder. brain and liver cell lines showed over 30% death rate after 12 hours. All cell lines treated with Mylabris phalerata were less stained than the control group and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the Mylabris phalerata treated cell lines was markedly lower than that in the control group. The measurement of DNA quantity in all cell lines showed the disappearance of the peak and the thickened left axis, which suggests that all cellular DNA degraded. Conclusion: Mylabris phalerata had cytotoxicity on various kinds of cancer cell lines and the mechanism of that was the impairment of mitochondria by the breakdown of the mitochondrial cell membrane. We propose that this is in part attributable to the destruction of DNA in cancer cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1116-1124
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• 2009

To determine whether topical application of trimix extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata lead to affects on the hair growth activity in C57BL/6N mice. To examine the hair growth activity of the extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical method were performed. In order to examine the mRNA expression of hair growth related substance, RT-PCR method was performed. Experimental group I on day 14, The most extensive hair growth activity was observed in whole skin area of all the mice whose hair had been clipped. Brdu immunoreactive cells of all the experimental groups were more heavily stained in epidermis, bulge, outer root sheath, inner root sheath, subcutaneous tissue, hair bulb and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12 of hair growing cycle in C57BL/6N mice. VEGF immunoreactive density of all the experimental groups was more heavily stained in epidermis, bulge and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12. FGF and c-kit immunoreactive cells of all the experimental groups were heavily stained in epidermis, outer root sheath, inner root sheath and cutaneous trunci muscles on day 12. PKC-$\alpha$ immunoreactive density of all the experimental groups was mildly stained in epidermis and cutaneous trunci muscles than that of control group on day 12. On day 12, the expression of bFGF (138%, 119%, 120%), VEGF (146%, 144%, 133%), IGF-1 (165%, 141%, 119%) and PLI (121%, 116%, 123&) in each experimental groups was more increased than that of control group. On day 16, The expression of IGF-1 (126%, 149%, 151%) in all the experimental group was more increased than that of control group (100%). The expression of bFGF (92%, 94%) and VEGF (101%, 97%), PL1 (102%, 109%) in all the experimental group was more decreased than that of experimental group I, II on day 12. But the expression of bFGF (109%) and VEGF (127%), and PL1 (105%) in each experimental group III was more increased than that of control group (100%). These experiments suggest that trimix extracts of Mylabris phalerata pall., Arisaematis Rhizoma and Pinelliae Rhizoma Ternata may stimulate the topical hair growth activity and its experimental group I can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.175.1-175.1
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• 2000

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 1999

Traditional oriental medicines have been used for treatment of various kinds of human cancers for long times and some of them proven to be effective clinically. However, the pharmacological actions and mechanisms related to cancer treatment are generally unknown. In an effort to clarify the action mechanisms of several oriental medicines used for cancer treatments, we planned this experimental procedures. We selected Cordyceps sinensis (冬蟲下草), Punellae Herba (夏枯草), Rehmanniae Radix (熟地黃), Paeoniae Radix (白芍藥), Oldenlandiae Herba (白花蛇舌草), Partulaceae Herba (馬齒? ), Scdopendra subspinipes mutilans (蜈蚣), Mylabris Phalerara (班蟄), Phellinus igniarius(桑黃), Ganodermae Lignum(靈芝) for evaluation, which have been used for patients of gastric cancers. The twenty grams of medicines were boiled in 100ml of water for 1 hour and filtered with $0.2\;{\mu}m$ pore-sized filter unit to remove insoluble particles. Initially we evaluated the effects oriental medicines on growth inhibition in stomach cancer cells. The gastric cancer cell line, AGS, was cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with l0% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and treated with $10{\mu}l$ oriental medicines per 1ml of medium up to 48 hours. The specimens were subjected to MTT assay for evaluation of growth inhibition. We found mat Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) markedly suppressed the growth of cancer cells as shown in results. Next, we checked the effects of oriental medicines on cancer on cell cycles and apptosis. Mylabrls phalerata (班蟄) inhibited cell cycle progression of cancer cells a compared with control cells and cells treated with other medicines. In addition, Mylabri phalerata (班蟄) induced apoptosis in 30-40% of stomch cancer cells within 24 hours. Other oriental medicines used for this experiments did not show apoptosis-inducing effects on cancer cells. Finally, we determined the expression levels of genes associated with cell cycle and apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and bcl-XL were downregulated by the treatment of Mylabris phalerata (班蟄). However, the expression levels of genes related to cell cycles were not altered significantly. In conclusion, we found that Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) has in vivo gowth-inhibiting and apptosis-inducing effects on stomach cancer cells. However, we think that at least animal experiments are necessay for evduations.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.214-223
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• 2004

The study examines the anti-cancer effects of the hot water extract of Mylabris phalerata(MP) using SNU-C5 cell lines. Microscopic analysis showed that 12 hours after MP treatment, the number of dead cells increased prominently. Significant cell death was observed 12, 24, and 48 hours after MP treatment through trypan blue exclusion testing. This suggests that MP is time-dependently cytotoxic. Mitotracker Red CMXRos staining and flowcytometry revealed that MP decreased mitochondrial membrane potentials. The absence of peaks on PI staining showed that DNA damage occurred in MP treated cells. Taken together, measurements suggest that MP has a strong anti-cancer effect on SNU-5 cell lines, and that this is likely to be due to the destruction of mitochondria and DNA damage.