• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.530-535
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• 2005

A Korean traditional herbal formular, Taeumbiman-tang(TBT), was based on Taeumjowi-tang, currently the most widely used herbal formula compound, and which is known to be safe and have a positive effect on adult obesity. TBT was given to obese children for thirty days, and was found to be clinically safe and effective. The subjects were children who had been admitted into the hospital to be treated for obesity, that had more than 20% relative body weight. Originally there were 19 subjects, but 5 dropped out of the experiment. There were 5 girls and 9 boys, whose average ages were $11.00\;{\pm}\;2.60$ years, average weight was $54.01\;{\pm}\;18.59\;kg$. As a pretest, all of the volunteers were examined for height, weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, EKG, and chest radiography. The subjects underwent interview, body measurement tests, blood tests, and safety tests under 8 hour fasting state. After 15 days of TBT intake, the safety tests and the interview were conducted. The interview, body measurement tests, blood tests, and safety tests were conducted again after the 30 day trial was completed. The short term effects of TBT on obese children is weight loss. It did not cause any significant changes in the subject's livers, hearts, and kidneys, and clinically dangerous side effects or withdrawal symptoms were not observed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to confirm whether Codonopsis Radix(CR) could be used in the same way for expected indications or diseases of adaptation instead of Ginseng Radix(GR), which acts as a principal herb in Sagunja-tang. Methods : The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems pharmacology(TCMSP), a database for the study of systems biology related to Chinese medicine, screened potential active compounds in each quartet. By searching for all the proteins that each compound provides, the target of Sagunja-tang with GR(GRST) and the target of Sagunja-tang with CR(CRST) were compared using the network analysis method, and the top ranked target of each serving was selected. Results : Through TCMSP, a Chinese medicine database, the potential effective ingredients of GRST or CRST screened, and the target proteins related to these substances were found to be the most affected by Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, an herbal medicine mixed in Sagunja-tang, and the target diseases were the same. And the same were found for the target protein, gene and target diseases of GRST and CRST. Conclusions : The prescription with similar composition is likely to have similar network pharmacology analysis results, and the analysis result may be controlled by the herbal medicines which are assumed to be the main function. Therefore, rich and reproducible basic studies is more important because network pharmacological studies can be dominated by data that has been done a lot of previous studies.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-236
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• 2019

Dengropanax morfiferus (D), Broussonitia kazinoki (B), and Cudriania tricuspidata (E), a widely cultivated species in South Korea, has been used as traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases. In this study, we evaluated the antidiabetic effects in a various signaling mechanisms using mixed extract and major component contents were analyzed by HPLC in the combined extracts from Dengropanax morfiferus, Broussonitia kazinoki, and Cudriania tricuspidata (DBCE). DBCE inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase activation and showed potent antioxidant effects, which are evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD assay. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells in pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. DBCE showed the protective effects in RINm5F cells against cytokines-induced damage by suppressing inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and COX-2 expression and NO production. Insulin resistance is the primary characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the regulatory effect of DBCE on glucose uptake and production are investigated in insulin-responsive human HepG2 cells. DBCE stimulated glucose uptake, prevented Glut2 and phosphor-IRS1 downregulation induced by high glucose (HG, 30 mM). Moreover, DBCE pretreatment diminished glucose levels, PEPCK and G6Pase overexpression provoked by HG. These findings suggest that DBCE might be used for diabetes treatment through alpha-glucosidase or alpha-amylase activity regulation, pancreatic beta cell protection, hepatic glucose sensitivity improvement. Cytokines, which are released by inflammatory cells' infiltrations around the pancreatic islets, are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.203-206
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• 2018

Objectives: There is an increasing number of complex diseases that are progressively more difficult to be controlled using the conventional "single compound, single target" approach as demonstrated in our current modern drug development. TCM might be the new cornerstone of treatment alternative when the current treatment option is no longer as effective or that we have exhausted it as an option. Orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group study is one of the most frequently employed formulas to produce optimal herbal combination for treatment of multi-syndromic diseases. This approach could solve the relatively low efficacy single drug therapy usage and chronic adverse effects caused by long terms administration of drugs that has been reported in the field of pharmacology and medicine Methods: The present review was based on the Science Direct database search for those related to the TCM and the development of antihypertensive TCM herbal combination using orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group studies approach. Results: Recent studies have demonstrated that the orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group study approach was most frequently used to formulate TCM herbal combination based on the TCM principles upon the selection of herbs, and the resulting formulated TCM formula exhibited desired outcomes in treating one of global concerned complex multi-syndromic diseases, the hypertension. These promising therapeutic effects were claimed to have been attributed by the holistic signaling mechanism pathways employed by the crude combination of herbs. Conclusion: The present review could serve as a guide and prove the feasibility of TCM principles to be used for future pharmacological drug research development.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.313-325
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• 2020

Objectives : To explore the associated potential pathways and molecular targets of Hwangryunhaedok-tang(HHT) by the approaches of network pharmacology and bioinformatics in traditional chinese medicine(TCM). Methods : Hwangryunhaedok-tang constituent drugs(Coptidis Rhizoma, CR; Scutellariae Radix, SR; Phellodendri Cortex, PC; Gardeniae Fructus, GF) and their processing types were searched from TCM systems pharmacology(TCMSP). The databases of TCMSP, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), MCODE and STRING were used to gather information. The network of bioactive ingredients and target gene was constructed by Cytoscape software(version 3.8). Results : A total of 94 HHT active compounds(CR, 12; SR, 35; PC, 33; GF, 14, respectively) were found, and HHT were identified by TCMSP. Applications of KEGG and MCODE analysis indicates that total of 6 bioactive ingredients in the top 10% ranking were obtained and 32 diseases of HHT were screened. The molecular pathway analysis revealed that HHT exerts cancer, inflammation and cerebrovascular diseases effects by acting on several signaling pathway. In addition, HHT found that three genes(e.g. SPIN1, TRIM25, and APP) correlate with the aforementioned diseases. Conclusions : This study showed that network pharmacology analysis is useful to elucidate the complex mechanisms of action of HHT.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-187
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• 2015

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Sagan-tang (SGT) on COPD mouse model. Methods The study was carried out by two ways (in vitro, in vivo). In vitro RAW264.7 cells (mouse macrophage) were used and analysed by flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blot. In vivo LPS and CSS challenged mice were used and its BALF had been analysed by cytospin image, FACS, ELISA, lung tissue by real-time PCR. Results In vitro, SGT maintained 80-100% rate of viablilty on 10 ~ 500 ㎍/㎖ concentration. In ELISA analysis with RAW264.7 cells, SGT significantly decreased NO over 30 ㎍/㎖. In flow cytometry, SGT 100 ㎍/㎖ dosage group displayed a tendency for decrease ROS. In Western blot analysis, SGT 100 ㎍/㎖ dosage group decreased NF-κB. In ELISA analysis, SGT significantly decreased TNF-α, IL-6 over 200 ㎍/㎖. In vivo SGT 200 ㎎/㎏ dosage group, application of SGT significantly decreased increase of neutrophils, TNF-α, IL-6 in BALF, muc5AC, TGF-β, TNF-α, expression of mRNA in lung tissue and histological lung injury. Conclusion This Study suggests usability of SGT for COPD patients by controlling lung tissue injury.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2015

Yijung-tang (YJT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising 4 medicinal herbs. In the present study, we performed the simultaneous analysis for three compounds of YJT and examined anti-allergic effects in vitro. The column for separation of three compounds was used Gemini C18 column and maintained at 40$^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems. To evaluate Th2 chemokines, YJT was treated into tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT cells, and performed ELISA for thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). To measure Th2 cytokines, YJT was added into primary mouse splenocytes, and performed ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, 5, 13. Calibration curves were acquired with r² >0.9999. The contents of liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and 6-gingerol in YJT were 4.50 mg/g, 11.10 mg/g, and 1.33 mg/g, respectively. YJT inhibited production of TARC and RANTES in TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. YJT also reduced production of IL-4, 5, and 13 in primary mouse splenocytes. In conclusion, our data will be a valuable information to improve quality control and anti-allergic effects of YJT.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.171-182
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• 2023

Objectives : Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) and Glehniae Radix (GR) have been frequently used in traditional medicine to treat diseases related to 'wind' syndrome, but there have been cases where it has been mixed in a state where the plant of origin is not clear. In this study, to select materials for conducting preclinical cerebral infarction research, the network pharmacology analysis method was used to select suitable medicinal materials for the study. Methods : In this study, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) based network pharmacology analysis method was used, and oral bioavailability (OB), drug likeness (DL), Caco-2 and BBB permeability were utilized to select compounds with potential activity. For the values of each variable used in this study, OB ≥ 20%, DL ≥ 0.18, Caco-2 ≥ 0, and BBB ≥ -0.3 were applied, then networks of bioactive compounds, target proteins, and target diseases was constructed. STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Results : It was confirmed that SR rather than GR has various target proteins and target diseases based on network pharmacological analysis using TCMSP database. And it was analyzed that the bioactive compounds only in SR act more on neurovascular diseases, and both drugs are expected to be effectively used for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions : In our future study, SR will be used in an ischemic stroke mouse model, and the mechanism of action will be explored focusing on apoptosis and cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.79-85
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• 2009

Aim : To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of the herbal formula Myelophil, composed of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, via systemic subacute toxicological study using SD rats. Methods : Forty male and 40 female SD rats were fed with Myelophil (5000, 2500 or 1250 mg/10 mL/kg) or distilled water for four weeks. Adverse effects were examined intensively by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, necropsies, histopathologic findings, hematology, urinalysis, and blood biochemical analysis. Results : No altered clinical symptoms including body weight, diarrhea, anorexia, death, and abnormal necropsy of major organs were observed in male or female rats. No drug-induced abnormalities in histopathological finding, hematological values, urinalysis, and blood biochemical values were found at any doses of Myelophil. Conclusion : Myelophil should be very safe when used in a clinical application with a wide therapeutic index.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 2015

Bangpungtongseong-san(BPTSS, Fangfengtongsheng-san in Chineses) is a traditional herbal formula comprising 18 medicinal herbs. In the present study, we performed the simultaneous analysis for four compounds of BPTSS and examined anti-allergic effects in human keratinocytes and mouse splenocytes. The column for separation of four compounds was used Luna C18 column and maintained at 40℃. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems. The analysis was carried out at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with PDA detection at 254 and 280 nm. To evaluate production and expression of Th2 chemokines, ELISA and RT-PCR were conducted in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells with or without BPTSS or silymarin, a positive control for skin inflammation. To measure Th2 cytokines, primary mouse splenocytes were treated with BPTSS and performed ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, 5, 13. Calibration curves were acquired with r2>0.9999. The contents of geniposide, liquiritin, baicalin, and glycyrrhizin in BPTSS were 5.06 ㎎/g, 7.33 ㎎/g, 27.56 ㎎/g, and 7.81 ㎎/g, respectively. BPTSS reduced TARC and RANTES production and mRNA expression in TNF-α and IFN-γ-treated HaCaT cells. BPTSS inhibited IL-4, 5, and 13 production in mouse splenocytes. Our data will be a helpful information to upgrade quality control and anti-allergic effects of BPTSS.