• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aims at examining the effect of the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix on the immuno-modulating activity. Methods : Cell viabilities were measured by MTT assay. Effect of SFS on nitric oxide(NO), hydrogen peroxide production from RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by Griess reagent assay. Effect of SFS on productions of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by a multiplex bead array assay based on xMAP technology. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. As a result of carrying out MTT assay to check the cellular toxicity of the fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix. There was not any excessive toxicity to the macrophage when the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix was treated in different concentrations. 2. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix increased the generation of hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage and significantly restored the suppression of the generation of the hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage induced by LPS. 3. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix reduced the generation of NO in the macrophage and significantly suppressed the increase of the generation of NO in the macrophage induced by LPS. 4. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix significantly decreased the amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ generated in the macrophage induced by LPS when it was $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : These results suggest that SFS has anti-inflammatory moiety related with its inhibition of NO, hydrogen peroxide, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, in macrophage led by LPS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2010

Objectives : Sophorae Radix (SR), the dried root of Sophorae Flavescens Aiton, has been used to treat atherosclerosis, arrhythma and skin diseases including scabies and eczema. The present study was examined to evaluate antimicrobial activities of SR extracts against oral microorganism. Methods : Antimicrobial properties of SR extracts were determined by agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Actinomyces viscosus. Analysis of kurarinone from SR extracts was conducted using UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography). Results : The ethanolic extracts of SR showed stronger antimicrobial effect than methanolic extracts, while the aqueous extracts of SR had no activity. In addition, the higher content of kurarinone was found in ethanolic extracts than methanolic extracts. The purified kurarinone from ethanolic extracts showed potent antimicrobial activity with the MIC value of $3.9{\sim}7.8{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion : An ethanolic extract of SR showed antimicrobial properties against several oral microorganisms, and kuranrinone contributed to antimicrobial action of SR. Thus, ethanolic extracts of SR or purified kurarinone should be beneficial for the preparation of the useful agent for treating oral disease including anticaries.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of five single(Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix) aqueous herbal extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, PatrinaeRadix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at Minimal Incubation Concentration(MIC) and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using murine macrophage(Raw 264.7) and human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7). Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix against Staphylococcus aureus were detected as $0.215{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.273{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.469{\pm}0.297$ mg/ml, $11.850{\pm}8.406$ mg/ml, and $0.664{\pm}0.546$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, all five single aqueous herbal extracts were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. The effects of intracellular killing with Raw 264.7 and inhibition of bacterial invasion with MCF-7 cells were detected, in the order of Sophorae Flos, Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Radix aqueous extracts in the present study. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that all five single aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. They showed the significant intracellular killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion effects. It means, all five single aqueous herbal extracts may show potent anti-infectious effects against Staphylococcus aureus for mastitis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.25-29
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• 2013

Objectives : The dried root of Sophora flavescens Aiton have been used to treat patient with skin diseases such as eczema in Eastern countries. S. flavescens can clear away heat and dry dampness and purge sthenic-fire from the liver and gallbladder. Recently, anti-allergic effect of S. flavescens has been reported. However, the effect on skin condition of contact dermatitis still remains unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of S. flavescens on contact dermatitis. Methods : In order to investigate the effects of S. flavescens (methanol extract of S. flavescens, MESR) on skin condition, the contact dermatitis was induced in mice skin by using 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the effective endpoints, skin thickness, skin weight, histopathological change were checked. In addition, effects on skin lesion, body weight and spleen/body weight ratio were also investigated. Results : Topical application of MESR ($500{\mu}g/day$) lowered skin thickness (P < 0.05) and skin weight (P < 0.05), respectively. MESR-treated group showed diminished spongiosis and immune cell infiltration in skin tissues compared to those of non-treated control group. The inhibition of skin lesions was also observed in MESR-treated group. In addition, MESR did not affect body weight gain and spleen/body weight ratio in contrast with those in dexamethasone-treated group. Conclusion : These data suggest that Sophorae Radix could improve skin lesion of contact dermatitis. This indicates the possibility for Sophorae Radix to be used to patients with skin diseases such as contact dermatitis.