• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.36 no.2 s.141
• /
• pp.88-92
• /
• 2005

Apoptosis plays an important role in autoimmune chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis, a disorder that often results in hypothyroidism. The goal of this study was to induce apoptosis by the combination of inflammatory cytokines, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and to investigate a potential role of medicinal plants in the thyroid follicular cells (FRTL) in vitro. The apoptosis was evaluated by cellular viability, DNA fragmentation, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Extract of Gamgung-tang (GGT, Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans, Angelicae Radix, and Cnidii Rhizoma) $(0.3{\sim}9.0mg/ml)$ was shown to maintain the viability of cells treated with $IFN-{\gamma}(100U/ml)$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ (0.5 ng/ml). FRTL cells were found to undergo DNA fragmentation with the inflammatory cytokines. The extract of GGT inhibited DNA fragmentation in dose-dependent manner. The cells with TUNEL-positive nuclei were detected with $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ treatment. The number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased with the treatment of extract of GGT. These results indicate that medicinal plants inhibit the occurrence of apoptosis in thyroid follicular cells, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of autoimmune chronic thyroiditis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2 s.69
• /
• pp.215-219
• /
• 2005

Gamgung-tang (GGT) that is included in Gamdu-tang (consists of Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans) and Gunggui-tang(consists of Angelicae Radix and Cnidii Rhizoma) showed therapeutic effect of autoimmume thyroiditis in the previous reports. GGT was tested for the safety using Ames and umu gene expression mutagenicity tests. In Ames test, Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 were used to identify mutagenic property, and the number of histidine revertants was measured. In SOS umu test, Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 containing plasmid pSK1002 was used as a test strain, and we monitored the levels of umu operon expression by measuring the $\beta-galactosidase$ activity. Mutagenic activity in any assays we tested was not found. After treating S-9 mixture with GGT, mutagenic activity was also not found. The results of this study suggested that there was no DNA damage and mutagenicity of GGT.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.623-627
• /
• 2005

Abnormal thyroid cell proliferation has a very important role in hypothyroidism. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates proliferation and maintains differentiated function in thyroid follicular cells. A functioning rat thyroid cell line (FRTL) was used to study the effect of Gamgung-tang (GGT, Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans, Angelicae Radix and Cnidii Rhizoma) on proliferation and cAMP accumulation of thyrocytes. Proliferation of cell was assessed by DNA synthesis and incorporation of $[^3H]thymidine$ into DNA. The concentration of cAMP was measured simultaneously with growth assessment. Extract of GGT ($0.15{\sim}0.9\;mg/ml$ increased DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. GGT at 0.6 (p<0.05) and 0.9 mg/ml (p<0.01) significantly increased $[^3H]thymidine$ incorporation. A comparable effect was observed with TSH. GGT also enhanced cAMP accumulation. These results indicate that GGT increases the proliferation of thyrocytes and may be considered a promising agent for the treatment of autoimmune thyroid disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.934-937
• /
• 2005

Inflammatory cytokine, abundantly produced in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, induced Fas expression in normal thyrocytes. We determined that susceptibility to Fas-activated apoptosis could be influenced by inflammatory cytokine and investigated a potential role of Gamgung-tang (GGT, Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans, Angelicae Radix and Cnidii Rhizoma) in the thyroid follicular cells. $IL-1\beta$ was able to induce Fas expression in normal thyrocytes. GGT inhibited $IL-1\beta-induced$ Fas expression. Thyroid follicular cells were found to undergo DNA fragmentation with the inflammatory cytokines. GGT inhibited DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that GGT inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis in thyroid follicular cells, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of autoimmune chronic thyroiditis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.165-169
• /
• 2002

The herbal components should be transformed to bioactive compounds by the intestinal bacteria and then expressed the pharmacological action of herbal medicines. Human fecal enzyme activities related to the metabolism of herbal components were measured. The metabolic activities of puerarin, poncirin, glycyrrhizin, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rb2 to their bioactive compounds were $3.5{\pm}1.18,{\;}333.1{\pm}183.64,{\;}95.7{\pm}107.1,{\;}20.8{\pm}10.32{\;}and{\;}20.8{\pm}13.3{\;}{\mu}mo1/h/g$, respectively. The profile of these metabolic activities of glycyrrhizin and ginsenosides were not changed even if herbal extracts, water extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix and Ginseng Radix, instead of the isolated compounds were used . All the enzyme activities tested were not different between male and female, and between ages. However, the difference of these enzyme activities in individuals was significant. These results suggest that the metabolic activity of herbal components to bioactive compounds may be a factor of constitutional classification, and could be available for constitutional classifications, if the constitutional herbal medicines were used .

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.358-362
• /
• 2005

Directional words like 'ascending(升, sheng)', 'descending(降, jiang)', 'floating(浮, fu)', 'sinking(沈, chen) are technical terminologies of Oriental Medicine to express the directions of material medica functioning-at the phase of Qi-superiorly, inferiorly, exteriorly, and interiorly in human body, and are constituting one of the major principles in prescribing medicines. Lacking the objective methodology to measure or, at least determine Qi, However, we can not expect to secure meaningful data to verify those directional terms. This problematic situation caused chaotic discrepancy between theory and practice of Oriental Medicine. Thus, adopting the method of dynamic meditation 'Hanalmomjit' of Lux Vitae meditation society, by which various state of Qi-sensational movements can be expressed, we compared its moves with the directional terms of traditional canons in Oriental Medicine. In this thesis, the experiment of expressing materia medica via 'Hanalmomjit' is resulted out and compared with the terms, confirmed to have a certain meaningfulness. The new method showed these results below: Herba Menthae, described to have the disposition of ascending and floating, showed 60% of ascending movements in 'Hanalmomjit' experiment. Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, described to have the disposition of descending and sinking, showed 50% of descending movements. Radix Glycyrrhizae, described to have plain disposition, showed 60% of central movements. Rhizoma Atractylodis and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, described to have the disposition of ascending and floating, showed also ascending movements. Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, described to have the disposition of descending and sinking, showed also descending movements. In conclusion, qi-sensational movement of 'Hanalmomjit' for materia medica showed sufficient relations described in classics, proving itself to be useful method for objective demonstration of material medica.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.358-366
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of glycynhizin, active glycosides of Glycyrrhizae Radix, and baicalin, bioactive flavonoid isolated from Scutellariae Radix, on hepatocyte injury induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl$_4$, 10 mM), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBH, 0.5 mM), and D-galactosamine (GaIN, 30 mM). Primary cultures of rat hepatocyte (18 hr cultured) were treated with CCl$_4$, TBH, or GaIN and various concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}$M) of glycyrrhizin or baicalin. Activity was accessed by determining the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aminotransferses. CCl$_4$ significantly increased the levels of LDH, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and these increases were prevented by baicalin concentrations of 0.1,1, and 100 ${\mu}$M. The increases in ALT and AST levels were reduced by glycyrrhizin concentration of 100 ${\mu}$M. The level of LDH was markedly increased by TBH, and this increase was reduced by both glycyrrhizin and baicalin. ALT and AST levels were increased by TBH, which were prevented by glycynhizin and bacalin, respectively: GaIN markedly increased the levels of LDH, ALT and AST These increases was significantly reduced by both glycyrrhizin and baicalin. These results suggest that glycynhizin and baicalin possess the hepatoprotective activity.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.82-102
• /
• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine inhalation therapy in children by analyzing recent randomized controlled trials conducted in China. Methods We searched the clinical studies from the China Academic Journal (CAJ) in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) using a by key word '霧化吸入' and specific criteria from 1st January 2010 to 2nd July 2019. Data regarding years of publication, demographic information, target diseases or symptoms, treatment methods, outcome measure, results and adverse events are collected for this study. Results Total of 44 randomized controlled trials were selected and analyzed. Respiratory diseases and symptoms (84.1%) were the most frequent target diseases that herbal medicine inhalation therapy was used. Acute stomatitis was another disease state that the therapy was used. In most of the studies, the herbal medicine inhalation in children showed significant efficacies. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Ephedrae Herba (麻黃), Lonicera Flos (金銀花), Armeniacae Semen (杏仁), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), Scutellaria Radix (黃芩), Forsythia Fructus (連翹) etc. Hardly any adverse effects were reported from the trials selected. Conclusions Based on the results of the clinical studies from China, herbal medicine inhalation therapy in children can be an effective and safe option for treatment and symptom improvement.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.389-413
• /
• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to review the current trends in experimental studies on the use of natural products for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods : Experimental studies assessing the efficacy of natural products against GERD were searched on PubMed. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and then analyzed for experimental methods, interventions, and result analysis techniques. Results : A total 37 studies were included in this review. Predominantly, in vivo experiments were conducted to induce GERD through surgery, involving the ligation of the pylorus and the transitional junction between the corpus and the forestomach using 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. The acute induction model, sacrificing animals after a single administration following GERD induction, was mainly used.The utilization of cell experiments was relatively infrequent, with a focus on assessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via the treatment of the RAW 264.7 cell line with lipopolysaccharides treatment. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Pinelliae Tuber, Ginseng Radix and Zingiberis Rhizoma were used as single ingredients, and herbal formula, STW-5 (iberogast), Rikkunshito (六君子湯), Banhasasim-tang (半夏瀉心湯), and Hewei Jiangni granule (和胃降逆湯) were used. Outcome analysis methods encompassed Macroscopic evaluation, esophageal function assessment, blood biomarker analysis, histological examination, protein analysis, gene expression analysis, and gastric juice analysis. Proton pump inhibitors were predominantly employed as positive controls. Conclusions : This study revealed the current trends in non-clinical research evaluating natural products for GERD. Based on the results of this study, we expect that non-clinical research on clinically effective natural products will be revitalized.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are three kinds of formulas for purging the kidney to cure its sthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Sashintang, Sashinhwan and Sashinsan. There are 4 kinds of Sashintang, 1 kind of Sashinhwan and 1 kind of Sashinsan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for purging the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Pyeongshintang for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Pyeongshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine", the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Rhizoma Alismatis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Poria (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radix Paeoniae Alba (1don), No.4 Fructus Chaenomelis (1don), No.5 Polyporus (1don), No.6 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don) Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : purging the kidney, purging the liver and invigorating the spleen. First, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the salty taste and the hot property purge the kidney. In the case of taste purgation, two herbal medicines with salty taste, Rhizoma Alismatis and Poria, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property purgation, two herbal medicines with the hot property, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your liver which is child in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the liver, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property purge the liver. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both sour and cool herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Fructus Chaenomelis, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the spleen, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to invigorate the spleen with sweet taste and property invigoration to invigorate the spleen with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use sweet herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both sweet and warm herbal medicines, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, were combined to invigorate the spleen and purge the kidney. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of purging the kidney and the liver, and invigorating the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.