• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.678-683
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• 2008

Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. Administration of the aqueous extract of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has the efficiency of anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the intestinal immune system. However, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has not been clarified yet. In the present study, the effect of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum against LPS-stimulated expressions of COX-2 and iNOS in cells of the murine RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), PGE2 immunoassay, and NO detection. The results of the present study indicate that Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum is a potent inhibitor of the LPS-induced NO and $PGE_{2}$ production by blocking iNOS and $NF{\kappa}B$ activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum is a potential therapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory syndrome.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2012

In order to facilitate the quality control of the fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida, a simple, accurate and reliable HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the three bioactive compounds: chlorogenic acid (1), rutin (2), and hyperin (3), which were selected as the chemical markers of C. pinnatifida. Separation was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column with a gradient solvent system of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid aqueous-acetonitrile at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL/min and detected at 254nm. All three calibration curves showed good linearity ($R^2$ > 0.998). The recoveries of three marker compounds were in the range of 94.87~111.52 %. The contents of chlorogenic acid (1), rutin (2), and hyperin (3) of the fruits of C. pinnatifida collected from 23 district markets in Korea, Japan, and China were 0.16~0.65 mg/g, 0.07~1.24 mg/g, and 0.03~0.62 mg/g, respectively. The results demonstrated that this method is simple and reliable for the quality control of the fruits of C. pinnatifida.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.239-242
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-malarial activity of Juniperus chinensis by in vitro and in vivo system using Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive(3D7) and P. falciparum chloroquine-resistant(S20) strains. According to cytotoxicty test on NIH 3T3 cell, the ethanol extract(EtOH), ethylacetate(EtOAc) fraction and aqueous fraction possessed significant anti-malarial activity against both 3D7 and S20 strains at non-toxic concentrations(<100 /). In vitro assay, EtOAc fraction showed notable activity against 3D7 and S20 strains of P. falciparum with $IC_{50}$ values of $37{\pm}2{\mu}g/ml$ and $36{\pm}6{\mu}g/ml$. In animal test using P. falciparum infected human erythrocytes, the treatment of EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited parasitaemia in mice in a dose-dependent manner that is parasitaemia of 42%, 34% and 31% in doses of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The study provides data to support the medicinal importance of the J. chinensis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.1-15
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• 2004

Higher plants can be valuable genetic assay systems for monitoring environmental pollutants and evaluating their biological toxicity. Two assays are considered ideal for in situ monitoring and testing of soil, airborne and aqueous mutagenic agents; the Tradescantia stamen hair assay for somatic cell mutations and the Tradescantia micronucleus assay for chromosome aberrations. Both assays can be used for in vivo and in vitro testing of mutagens. Since higher plant systems are now recognized as excellent indicators and have unique advantages over in situ monitoring and screening, higher plant systems could be accepted by regulatory authorities as an alternative first-tier assay system for the detection of possible genetic damages resulting from the pollutants or chemicals used and produced by industrial sectors. It has been concluded that potential mutagen and carcinogen such as the heavy metals among indoor air particulates, volatile compounds in the working places, soil, and water pollutants contribute to the overall health risk. This contribution can be considerable under certain circumstances. It is therefore important to identify the level of genotoxic activity in the environment and to relate it to the biomarkers of a health risk in humans. The results from the higher plant bioassays could make a significant contribution to assessing the risks of pollutants and protecting the public firom agents that can cause mutation anuor cancer. The plant bioassays, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, are recommended for the scientists who are interested in monitoring pollutants and evaluating their environmental toxicity to living organisms.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2016

In present study, we conducted quantification analysis of phenolic compound (paeonol), monoterpene glycoside (paeoniflorin), and tannin ((+)-catechin in the 70% ethanol extracts of non-processed Moutan Radicis Cortex (MRC) and processed MRC by roasting using a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector. Three marker components were separated on Gemini $C_{18}$ analytical column and the column was maintained at $40^{\circ}C$ using two mobile phase system consisting of 1.0% (v/v) aqueous acetic acid and 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile. The flow rate and injection volume were 1.0 mL/min and 10 mL. In non-processed MRC sample, the concentrations of three marker compounds, (+)-catechin, paeoniflorin, and paeonol were 0.20, 1.18, and 2.12%, respectively. On the other hand, the concentrations of the three compounds in processed MRC samples were 0.03-0.24, not detected-1.08, and 0.76-1.82%, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.432-438
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• 2018

Worldwide, caffeine is among the most commonly used stimulatory substances. Unfortunately, significant caffeine consumption is associated with several adverse effects, ranging from sleep disturbances (including insomnia) to cardiovascular problems. This study investigates whether treatment with the Evodia rutaecarpa aqueous extract (ERAE) from berries and its major molecular component, evodiamine, can reduce the adverse caffeine-induced sleep-related and excitation effects. We combined measurements from the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, the open field test, and the locomotor activity test in mice that had been dosed with caffeine. We found that ERAE and evodiamine administration reduced the degree of caffeine-induced sleep disruption during the sleep test. Additionally, we found that evodiamine significantly inhibits caffeine-induced excitation during the open field test, as well as decreasing hyperlocomotion in the locomotor activity test. Additional in vitro experiments showed that caffeine administration decreased the expression of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid $(GABA)_A$ receptor subunits in the mouse hypothalamus. However, evodiamine treatment significantly reversed this expression reduction. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ERAE and its major compound, evodiamine, provide an excellent candidate for the treatment or prevention of caffeine-induced sleep disturbances and excitatory states, and that the mechanism of these beneficial effects acts, at least in part, through the $GABA_A$-ergic system.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.230-234
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• 1999

Barium titanyl oxalates (BTO) has been homogeneously prepared by thermal decomposition of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) in hydrochloric solution containing $Ba^{2+}$ and $Ti^{4+}$. Particles of BTO settled on the bottom of the beaker were collected at the aging time of 120 min using hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC) as a dispersant. The reaction temperature, the concentration ratio of $[DMO]_0/([Ba^{2+}]_0+[Ti^{4+}]_0)$ and the existence of HPC were found to influence on morphologies of BTO, chemical yields and characteristics of barium titanates formed from their precursors.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 1998

Solid Lipid Nanoparticle(SLN), one of the colloidal carrier systems, has many advantages such as good biocompatibility, low toxicity and stability. In this paper, the effects of drug lipophilicity and surfactant on the drug loading capacity, particle size and drug release profile were examined. SLNs were prepared by homogenization of melted lipid dispersed in an aqueous surfactant solution. Ketoprofen, ibuprofen and pranoprofen were used as model drugs and tweens and poloxamers were tested for the effect of surfactant. Mean particle size of prepared SLNs was ranged from 100 to 150nm. The drug loading capacity was improved with the most lipophilic drug and low concentration of surfactant. Particle size and polydispersity of SLNs were changed according to the used lipid and surfactant. The rates of drug release were controlled by the loading drug and surfactant concentration. SLN system with effective drug loading efficiency and proper particle size for the intravenous or oral formulation can be prepared by selecting optimum drug and surfactant.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to characterize the iontophoretic transport of growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP-6) through hairless mouse skin from aqueous solution. The effect of various factors, such as pH, poloarity, current profile, current density, current duration, ionic strength, drug concentration, and enhancer application was studied to obtain basic knowledge on the transport. We have also studied the stability of GHRP-6 in solution with/without current. The donor chamber was filled with phosphate buffer solution containing GHRP-6 and the receptor chamber was filled with phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). Ag/AgCl electrode was used for their stability and reversibility. At a predetermined time interval, sampling was made and the concentration of drug was analysed using HPLC system. The results showed that, compared to passive flux, the total amount of drug transported increased markedly by the application of anodal current. Cathodal flux was similar to passive flux. Flux increased with the current density, the duration of current application and drug concentration. The effect of enhancers on the flux was studied using hydrophilic (5% N-methyl pyrrolidone) and hydrophobic (5% propylene glycol monolaurate, 5% oleic acid) enhancers. Application of enhancer also increased the flux.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.191-195
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• 2003

Zinc acetate has been proposed and used to evaluate ionic zinc as a means to reduce reactor radiation buildup at several nuclear plants. Thermodynamic analysis of the aqueous zinc system using reliable data shows that the stability of the hydrolyzed zinc species increases with pH and temperature. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out to investigate the mixed resin performance of the zinc adsorption. The equilibrium isotherms of the zinc adsorption onto nuclear grade resin indicate that the data correlate well with the Langmuir model and that the adsorption is physical in nature. The maximum capacity according to the Langrnuir model is about 0.6meq/g for an initial zinc concentration of 100ppm at $50^{\circ}C$. The use of natural zinc could result in the generation of a $^{65}Zn$ activity with about $500{\mu}Ci/mL$ of resin after 12 months of operation.