• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Objectives : Alcohol-related liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was undertaken to determine whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture(GLP) could protect against chronic liver injury induced by ethanol intoxication in rats. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, control, normal saline pharmacopuncture(NP), and GLP, with 8 animals in each. Each group, except normal, received ethanol orally. The NP and GLP groups were treated daily with NP and GLP respectively. The control group was not treated. All rats except the normal group were intoxicated for 4 weeks by oral administration of EtOH(6 g/kg BW). Two acupuncture points were used: Qimen($LR_{14}$) and Taechung($LR_3$). Body weight, histopathological analysis, liver function, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and immunohistochemistry were assessed. Results : GLP reduced the histological changes due to chronic liver injury induced by EtOH and significantly reduced the increase in the alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) enzymes. It significantly reversed the superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the catalase activities(CAT). It also significantly decreased BAX and increased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity expression. Conclusions : This study showed the protective efficacy of GLP against EtOH-induced chronic liver injury in SD rats by modulating ethanol metabolizing enzymes activity, attenuating oxidative stress, and inhibiting mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

Objectives : Oxidative stress has a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of Banryong-hwan (BRHE) in SH-SY5Y cells and primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Methods : To assess the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)(ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and determination of total polyphenolic content. We evaluated the effect of BRHE treatment on neuroprotection against 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA) toxicity using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, nitric oxide(NO) assay, reactive oxygen species(ROS) assay in SH-SY5Y cells and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) immunocytochemistry in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results : BRHE showed IC50 values of 328.10 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 43.12 ${\mu}g/mL$ in DPPH assay and in ABTS assay, respectively. Total polyphenolic content was 180.76 ${\mu}g/mL$. In SH-SY5Y cells, BRHE significantly attenuated the toxicity induced by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of 25-100 ${\mu}g/mL$ pre- and post- treatment in MTT assay. While 6-OHDA increased the NO and ROS contents, BRHE decreased them in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, in primary dopaminergic neuron culture, BRHE significantly protect-ed the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity up to 136% at the concentration of 75 ${\mu}g/mL$. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that BRHE has neuroprotective effect against 6-OHDA induced neurotoxicity through decreasing NO and ROS generation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Objectives : Angelicae gigas, A. sinensis and A. acutiloba are three types of plants used as Angelicae Radix (Dang-Gui). Many doctors of Korean medicine want to know the difference in clinical use of these three species. This study aimed to compare the hemoglobin-related activity of the extracts of Angelicae gigas, A. sinensis and A. acutiloba roots by measuring the intensity of binding oxygen to hemoglobin using Raman spectroscopy. Methods : Hemoglobin activity was measured by chemical analysis and Raman spectroscopy to compare the pharmaceutical efficacy of three Angelica root extracts. The oxygenated hemoglobin intensity, blood decursinol and acetylcholinestrase(AChE) concentration in mice were measured. In addition, the effects of three Angelica root extracts on oxygenated hemoglobin intensity, decursinol and AChE concentration in red blood cells (RBC) from human were also investigated. Results : The contents of decursin, decursinol and decursinol angelate, which affected physiological activity and RBC properties, were higher in the extract of A. gigas root than in those of A. sinensis and A. acutiloba roots. Moreover, oxygenated hemoglobin intensity in the A. gigas extract was higher than that of other two species in the blood of mice and human RBCs. Also, the blood decursinol and AChE concentrations of A. gigas root extract were higher than that of A. sinensis and A. acutiloba roots. Conclusions : These results suggest that A. gigas is more effective in treating disease related oxygen deficiency in RBC deformation under oxidative stress.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.357-363
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• 2015

This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Galla Rhois (Rhus verniciflua) on LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated human osteoblastic cells (MG-63). The aim of this study was to evaluate the LPS induced nitric oxide (NO) production and antioxidant radical in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. Therefore, the present work indicate that Galla Rhois extracts may be an ideal candidate for further research into their use for dental caries prevention component as well as, natural plant-based products. This suggested that 80% methanol and hexane extracts of Galla Rhois were inhibited NO generation and 1,1-diphenyl-2-pirylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Therefore, 80% methanol and hexane extracts of Galla Rhois may be utilized as a good source of protection against inflammation and oxidative stress. This study is intended to pursue wellness convergence in quality of life in the excavations in natural ingredients to create a variety of oral products with fewer side effects, cheap oral products for the dental treatment.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-145
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• 2007

To evaluate the effects of GP on contact dermatitis, we examined the composition of immune cells from drain lymph node in DNCB-induced contact dermatitis murine model NC/Nga mice. And the amount of pathologic cytokines of spleen and antioxidant activity were investigated. The results were summarized as followers; 1. GP did not show cytotoxic effect on mLFC in vitro. 2. GP did not have hepatotoxicity in vivo in the level of ALT, AST. 3. GP decreased the production of DPPH and in a dose-dependent. 4. GP significantly decreased total cell number of DLN in DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. 5. GP significantly decreased the number of CD3+, CD19+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+/CD69+ and CD4+/CD45+ in DLN of DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. 6. GP significantly reduced the level of IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ in splenocytes of DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice compared to the untreated control group. Taken together above results, GP have therapeutic effects on contact dermatitis by regulating T cell activation. This study warranted further investigations of molecular mechanisms of GP on contact dermatitis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2017

Purpose: Glehnia littoralis has been used to treat ischemic stroke, phlegm, cough, systemic paralysis, antipyretics and neuralgia. The pharmacological mechanisms of Glehnia littoralis include calcium channel block, coumarin derivatives, anticoagulation, anti-convulsive effect, as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Alpha-amanitin (${\alpha}$-amanitin) is a major toxin from extremely poisonous Amanita fungi. Oxidative stress, which may contribute to severe hepatotoxicity was induced by ${\alpha}$-amanitin. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glehnia littoralis ethyl acetate extract (GLEA) has the protective antioxidant effects on ${\alpha}$-amanitin -induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells were pretreated in the presence or absence of GLEA (50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$) for 4 hours, then exposed to $60{\mu}mol/L$ of${\alpha}$-amanitin for an additional 4 hours. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT method. AST, ALT, and LDH production in a culture medium and intracellular MDA, GSH, and SOD levels were determined. Results: GLEA (50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased the relative cell viability by 7.11, 9.87, and 14.39%, respectively, and reduced the level of ALT by 10.39%, 34.27%, and 52.14%, AST by 9.89%, 15.16%, and 32.84%, as well as LDH by 15.86%, 22.98%, and 24.32% in culture medium, respectively. GLEA could also remarkably decrease the level of MDA and increase the content of GSH and SOD in the HepG2 cells. Conclusion: In the in vitro model, Glehnia littoralis was effective in limiting hepatic injury after ${\alpha}$-amanitin poisoning. Its antioxidant effect is attenuated by antidotal therapy.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.238-247
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• 2011

The aim of this study was designed to evaluate the effects of natural functional mixture(FM) on plasma BUN and lipid levels, hepatic lipid levels, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and plama aminotransferase activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabe1ic rats. Total cholesterol (TC) level in the diabe1ic rats supplemented with FM(70.69 mg/dL) was reduced comparing to groups without FM(87.12 mg/dL). This results caused the increase of the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to TC (42.60 to 51.49 %). However, superoxide dismutase (SOD), cytosol catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), GSH and lipoperoxide (LPO) activities were not significantly changed, which indicated the supplementation with FM could not reduce the oxidative stress in diabetic rats. In addition, asperate aminotransferase (AST) activity in FM-diabetic rat was lower than that in diabetic group. This results showed supplementation with FM in rats could improve the hepatic function damaged by STZ-induced diabetes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 2011

Exposure to the sun, ultraviolet radiation, and oxidative stress are the chief etiologic factors responsible for melasma. The ingredients of Korean red ginseng powder, which include ginsenoside and phenolic compounds, have antioxidative effects and reduce ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Korean red ginseng powder in patients with melasma. In 25 female patients, 3 g of Korean red ginseng powder was orally administered for a 24 week period. The level of pigmentation and erythema were determined and clinical improvement was evaluated by the melasma area and severity index (MASI), melasma quality of life scale (MELASQoL), and patient- and investigator-rated global improvement scale. After 24 weeks, the MASI score decreased from 8.8 to 5.6, and MELASQoL showed improvement in 91% of patients (p<0.05). The mean level of pigmentation decreased from 184.3 to 159.7 and erythema levels decreased from 253.6 to 216.4 (p<0.05). Additionally, 74% of the patients showed some improvement in both patient- and investigator-rated global improvement scales at week 24. Korean red ginseng powder was well tolerated by most of the patients. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng powder showed good tolerability and beneficial effects in patients with melasma. The use of Korean red ginseng would be counted as a useful adjunctive therapy for patients with melasma.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.132-145
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to examine the toxic effects caused by xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine(XO/HX) and the effects of herbal extracts such as Cheongsimyeonjatang(CYT) on the treatment of the toxic effects. For this purpose, experiments with the cultured hippocampal cells from new born mice were done. The results of these experiments were as follows. 1. XO/HX, a oxygen radical-generating system, decreased the survival rates of the cultured cells on MTT assay and NR assay, protein synthesis, and amounts of neurofilaments. 2. CYT have the efficacy of increasing protein synthesis decreased by XO/HX. 3. CYT have the efficacy. of increasing the amount of neurofilaments decreased by XO/HX. From the above results, it is suggested that Cheongsimyeonjatang (CYT) have marked efficacy as a protection for the damages caused by the XO/HX-mediated oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.507-516
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• 2012

Kidney stones occur in approximately 1% of the population during their lifetime. Although the development of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) has revolutionized the theraphy of urolithiasis, the rate of recurrence of urothiasis, the rate of recurrenece of stones after SWL is about 50% within 10 years, which still represents serious problems for patienes. So to clarify the mechanism of Urocalum, and QS (Quercus salicina Blume) extract in the treatment of urolithiasis. Rat calcium oxalate urolithiasis was induced by oral administration of ethylene glycol and the vitamin D3 analog alfacalcidol for 14 days and QS extract was given to rats. After the last administration, we measured in urine, serum and renal oxidative stress marker. Ethylene glycol and alfacalcidol treatment increased BUN, creatinine, uric acid and XO. This increase was significantly suppressed by the administration of QS extract. These finding suggest that the QS extract plays a role in the prevention of stone formation and recureence in urolithiasis.