• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.387-393
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• 2007

By screening inhibitory activities on the melanin polymer biosynthesis in B-16 mouse melanoma cell lines, MeOH extract of Phellodendri Cortex was found to have inhibitory effect on melanin polymer biosynthesis. Twelve compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of P. Cortex. They were identified as obacunone (1), limonin (2), ${\beta}-sitosterol$ (3), bis(2-methylheptyl) phthalate (4), cycloeucalenol (5), berberine (6), palmatine (7), jatrorrhizine (8), syringin (9), umbelliferone (10), rutaecarpine (11) and scopoletin (12) by comparison of their physical and spectral data with those of authentic samples. Among the isolated compounds, berberine (6) and palmatine (7) showed potent inhibitory effect on the melanin polymer biosynthesis in cultured B-16 mouse melanoma cell lines, with Inhibition rate of 96% and 90%, respectively. As a positive control, arbutin exhibited an inhibition rate of 56%.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.249-262
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• 2005

Backgrounds : As obesity prevails as an epidemic. diet programs including low-calorie diets are developed continuously. It is generally believed that a low-calorie diet is commonly followed by resting metabolic rate decrease and ultimate weight regain. Ephedra and Evodia are known to have sympathomimetic and anti-obesity effect. Objectives : This study was a prospective, double-blinded, randomized md placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate (RMR), weight, body composition, and short-term safety in obese women on low-calorie diet. Methods : 125 otherwise healthy obese women (body mass Index ${\geq}\;25kg/m^2$) were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: Ephedra group (n=41), Evodia group (n =45), and placebo group (n=39). Subjects were administered Ephedra extract in capsules (pseudo-ephedrine 31.52mg) or Evodia extract in capsules (evodiamine 6.75mg, rutaecarpine 0.66mg) or placebo capsules as well as participating in a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks, Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline,4 and 8 weeks. Basic serum exams were performed to evaluate the short-term safety of the herbs and changes of lipid variables. Results : All three groups showed significant BMI decreases probably due to low-calorie diet. Among them, the Ephedra group manifested most prominent BMI-reducing effect and towered total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. The RMR was not changed during the 8-week diet in all groups. No significant difference among the groups was found in RMR, either. Stbject with higher RMR than the mean at the baseline showed a tendency to keep their RMR more stable during the diet program. Conclusions : Ephedra with a low-calorie diet was effective in reducing BMI. RMR change was not compensated by herbal medicines. RMR change seemed to be affected rather by constitution and body composition than medicine. Ephedra and Evodia were proven to be safe for sort-term use in herbal form. Especially, Ephedra was effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides during the 8 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.102-108
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• 2005

We have studied the physico-chemical change and pharmacological transformation of traditional herbal medicines with processing. Evodia fruit (EF) has processed for the purpose of detoxification and reduction of its bitter taste. There are various methods of processing EF in Oriental medicinal reference. Among them, we processed EF according to the method of Sang-han theory, the most famous medicinal reference. We processed EF with washing in hot water, and then dried. Processed EFs(PEFs) were prepared according to the above procedure through repetition of 1,3,5 and 7 times respectively. The contents of weight loss, water extract, diluted ethanol extract, ether extract, total ash, acid insoluble ash, alkaloids and limonin in non-processed EF (NPEF) and PEFs were examined. The weight loss, and contents of water extract and dilute ethanol extract in PEF showed decrease in proportion to increase of washing time, while the contents of ether extract, total ash and acid insoluble ash showed little change as compared with those of NPEF. And the content of evodiamine and rutaecarpine was not changed distinctly. However, the content of limonin decreased in the final processed material in proportion to increase of washing times with hot water. And the intense of bitter taste in PEF was also reduced. These results were ascribed to the flowing-out of the water-soluble portion. The biological activities of NPEF and PEF were also investigated. In the test of DPPH scavenging effect, xanthine oxidase inhibition effect and TBA-Rs effect, PEF was more effective than NPEF in vitro. Also, both NPEF and PEF showed potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects against in mice. Especially, PEF by 3 times washing with hot water was more effective than other PEFs. From these results, it is considered that PEF should be prepared by 3 times washing with hot water.