• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.284-291
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• 2006

In this study, the cDNA of a new peptide from the venom of the scorpion, Buthotus saulcyi, was cloned and sequenced. It codes for a 64 residues peptide (Bsaul1) which shares high sequence similarity with depressant insect toxins of scorpions. The differences between them mainly appear in the loop1 which connects the $\beta$-strand1 to the $\alpha$-helix and seems to be functionally important in long chain scorpion neurotoxins. This loop is three amino acids longer in Bsaul1 compared to other depressant toxins. A comparative amino acid sequence analysis done on Bsaul1 and some of $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, excitatory and depressant toxins of scorpions showed that Bsaul1 contains all the residues which are highly conserved among long chain scorpion neurotoxins. Structural model of Bsaul1 was generated using Ts1 (a $\beta$-toxin that competes with the depressant insect toxins for binding to $Na^+$ channels) as template. According to the molecular model of Bsaul1, the folding of the polypeptide chain is being composed of an anti-parallel three-stranded $\beta$-sheet and a stretch of $\alpha$-helix, tightly bound by a set of four disulfide bridges. A striking similarity in the spatial arrangement of some critical residues was shown by superposition of the backbone conformation of Bsaul1 and Ts1.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2008

The MeOH extract of seeds of Cerbera odollam Gaertn. (Apocynaceae) was screened for its antibacterial, cytotoxic and neuropharmacological activities. The extract showed moderate anti-bacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus saprophyticus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. It exhibited high level cytotoxicity against brine shrimp ($LC_{50}$: $3\;{\mu}g/ml$). The extract potentiated pentobarbital induced sleeping time in mice which was further supported by the exploratory behavior test at dose of 25 mg/kg. The overall results tend to suggest the antibacterial, cytotoxic and CNS depressant activities of the extract.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 2007

Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract and its hydrolyzed fraction. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract (SCE) and its hydrolyzed fraction (SCE-40) on depression and anxiety-related behaviors in mice. Actions of SCE and SCE-40 on serotonin, norepinephrine and GABAergic systems in the rat cerebral cortex membranes were also examined. SCE and SCE-40 significantly reduced the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension test in mice. Duration time of the open arms in the elevated plus maze test was significantly increased in the SCE and SCE-40-treated groups, compared with the saline-treated control group. SCE and its fraction SCE-40 significantly inhibited serotonin and norepinephrine transporter and GABA receptor binding, compared to the saline-treated group. In addition, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake were significantly suppressed by SCE and SCE-40. These results demonstrate that SCE and SCE-40 produce anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects through enhancing central serotonin, norepinephrine and GABAergic transmissions. These results suggest that SCE and SCE-40 as functional food might prove to be an effective antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.781-789
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of these research was to investigate effects of water extract of Bistortae Rhizoma(BRE) on the hemostasia, anti-inflammatory action and central nervous system. Methods : we used mice and rats administered with the extract of the above herbs. Results : BRE decreased the permeability of evans blue into peritoneal cavity and cotton pellet granuloma formation. BRE did not decrease the acetic acid induced writhing syndrome and the histamine induced mouse paw edema. BRE inhibited the pentylenetetrazole and the strychnine induced convulsion. BRE shortened the bleeding time and plasma prtrombin time. BRE did not affect on the proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 cells. Conclusions : these results suggest that the effects of BRE are the hemostasia, anti-inflammatory action, and mild depressant activity of central nervous system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.61-67
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• 2010

Objectives : For the purpose of verifying the anti-depressant effect of Paeoniae Radix Rubra(PR), the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) was evaluated after performing the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Methods : Spraque-Dawley rats were ingested PR extract(100mg/kg, 400mg/kg, p.o.) for 3 times prior to FST. And the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the locus coelureus(LC) and ventral tegmental area(VTA) was measured immunohistochemically after FST. Results : The duration of immobility was significantly decreased in PR 100mg/kg Group and PR 400mg/kg Group, in comparison with the control group (p<0.001). The expression of CRF in the PVN was significantly decreased in PR 400mg/kg Group in comparison of the control group (p<0.05). The expression of c-Fos in the PVN was rather significantly increased in PR 100mg/kg Group in comparison with the control group, while almost no change was demonstrated in PR 400mg/kg Group. The expression of TH was significantly decreased in VTA in comparison with the control group (p<0.05), but the number of expression cells in LC was slightly decreased in case of PR 100mg/kg group while it was increased in case of PR 400mg/kg Group. Conclusion : Judging from the result of the aforementioned tests, Paeoniae Radix Rubra has decreased immobility. In addition, it has also decreased the expression of CRF and the expression of TH in VTA, while the expression of c-Fos and of TH in LC has no significance. Therefore, it is believed that Paeoniae Radix Rubra has an anti-depressant effect by decreased immobility through the reduced expression of CRF and TH in VTA.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.69-76
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• 2015

Objectives : The effect of mixture extracted from Bupleuri Radix and Physalidis Herba(BR+RH) on the LPS-induced Depression in rats was investigated. Methods : Rats were administered intragastrically BR+PH after injectio of LPS to induce deprssion. Immobility was examined using Tail Suspension Test(TST), Forced Swimming Test(FST). The level of plasma corticosterone was measured by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA) method. The expressions of c-Fos, Corticotropin Releasing Factor(CRF), NADPH-d in the Paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and TH in the Locus coeruleus(LC) were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results : In the effect of BR + PH on TST, immobility was significantly decreased comparing with the LPS group. In FST, immobility was shown decrease tendency in the BR+PH group. The expression of c-Fos in the PVN was significantly decreased at BR + PH400 group, comparing with the LPS group. The expression of CRF in PVN was shown dto have the decrease tendency in the BR+PH group, comparing with the LPS group. The expression of NADPH-d in PVN was not significantly decreased at BR+PH groups, comparing with the LPS group. The expression of TH in the LC was shown to have the decrease tendency at BR + RH groups, but not significantly, comparing with the LPS group. Conclusions : Anti-depressant effect of mixture after extracted from Bupleuri Radix and Physalidis Herba was through the anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of HPA axis. NO and catecholamine system is not involved.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.242-252
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• 2005

Purpose : Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is an abnormal uterine bleeding without an organic disease. A hormone therapy or anti-depressant medicine is chosen to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding. However sometimes it didn't work. Hysterectomy is recommended to stop bleeding but a lot of women are afraid of it. The purpose of this study is to show the possibility of oriental medical treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding in this case report. Methods : The 30-year-old female patient who had suffering from uterine bleeding was treated with hormone therapy and anti-depressant medicine. However she was bleeding again. She had no organic disease in some medical examination, finally she was recommended a hysterectomy. But she didn't want the operation. In addition, she started acute abdominal pain. She wanted a oriental medical treatment and we treated her from the May 14th 2005 to the June 4th 2005 in admission. We used Yikweseungyangtang(益胃升陽湯), Ojuksan(五積散), Kwibitang hap Gyoesamultang(歸婢湯合膠艾四物湯) for herb-medication. In acupuncture therapy,　ST36(Chok-Samni 足三里) SP1(Eunbek, 隱白) SP6(Samumgyo, 三陰交) SP10(Hyulhae, 血海) Liv1(Daedon, 大敦) Liv3(Taechung, 太衝) LI4(Hapgok, 合谷) was selected. In moxa therapy CV4(Kwanwon, 關元), CV6(Kihae, 氣海), CVl2(Chung-wan, 中脘) was used.　Results : After oriental medical treatment for 22 days, she stopped uterine bleeding　and recovered her health．　Conclusion ：　Oriental medical treatment is expected to have an effect on　dysfuctional uterine bleeding with abdominal pain.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1985

The ether fraction obtained from dry fruit of Cornus officinalis was investigated for the anti-inflammatory action, acute toxicity and central nervous system activities. From several pharmacological examinations, it was found that the ether fraction suppressed considerably carrageenin edema at the dose of 600mg/kg p.o. in rats, inhibited the granuloma formation in rats as given 100mg/kg p.o. for 7 days and decreased the swelling of both of complete adjuvant injected and noninjected (contralateral) paws of the rats at the dose of 100mg/kg p.o. given for 14 days. The $LD_{50}$ of the fraction are estimated to be more than 2,000mg/kg p. o. and 642mg/kg i. p. in mice. And the fraction did not show any sedative, stimulative, analgesic and anticonvulsant action but exhibited hypothermic action. These results might be concluded that the ether fraction of Corni fructus showed anti-inflammatory action in both of acute and chronic type models without any considerable central nervous depressant activity and exhibited very weak acute toxicity in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.113-117
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the anti-depression effect of herbal extracts (Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Corni Fructus, Lycii Fructus, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Nelumbinis Semen) in the chronic mild stressed rat. After adaptation period for 2 weeks, each herbal extract was administered to the rats divided 5 groups. For comparison, St. John's wart was administered to another group in the same environment. The chronic mild stress was induced to rats by overnight illumination for 2 days before the forced swimming test. Struggling time, first latency and rest duration were calculated during the forced swimming test to evaluate the anti-depressant effect. The results were as follows: 1. In the result of evaluation of the struggling time, there was no significance in Pinelliae Rhizoma (-1.1%), Corni Fructus (-3.9%), Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (15.2%), Lycii Fructus (4.9%), St. John's wart (25.2%). There was a significant increase only in Nelumbinis Semen (43.9%) (P=0.0037). 2. In the result of evaluation of the first latency time, there was no significance in Lycii Fructus (-21.37%), Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (38.4%), Pinelliae Rhizoma (65.5%), Corni Fructus (29.2%), St. John's wart (75.8%). There was a significant increase only in Nelumbinis Semen (90.2%) (P=0.0116). 3. In the result of evaluation of the first rest duration, there was no change in St. John's wart, and Decrease was shown in Pinelliae Rhizoma (62.4%), Corni Fructus (31.6%) Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (63.1 %), Lycii Fructus (12.4%), Nelumbinis Semen (59.0%), but there was no significance in all. 4. Nelumbinis Semen is considered to have a superior anti-depression effect than the other herbal extracts, and to have a superior and-depression effect than St. John's wart being used commonly.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.5.1-5.9
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• 2019

The therapeutic use of the wormwood plant Artemisia absinthium L. dates back to at least Roman times. There are more than 200 plants in the genus Artemisia- including southern wormwood, petite wormwood and Grande wormwood and encompasses about 500 species. The best-known species of wormwood is Artemisia absinthium, native to temperate Eurasia and North Africa and is branded for its extreme bitterness. It is a magical greens booze used as carminative to support healthy appetite, balances healthy flora, cleanse the digestive tract of parasite and toxins. It possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-helminthic and anti-depressant activity. Thujone excites nervous system when taken in small amount. Due to contrary history of wormwood, its application in individuals should be preceded by a thorough and cautious risk-benefit analysis. In this appraisal an attempt is done to validate scientifically, mentioned therapeutic potential of Artemisia absinthium in classical Unani literature using PubMed, Science Direct researches.