• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.814-823
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• 2013

This study is carried out to evaluate the genotoxicity of herbs (Angelica decursiva, Polypori umbellate, Astragalus membranaceua, Paeonia iactiflora, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cnidium officinale, Rehmannia glutinosa, Cyperus rotundus, Dioscorea batatas and Platycodi Radix) by using the Ames test. The Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay is being performed by using the Sal. typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535 and TA1537 as tester strains. Among 70% of ethanol extracts from 10 herbs, the number of revertant colonies is being increased in Astragalus membranaceua, Cnidium officinale and Dioscorea batatas in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with negative controls of the metabolic activation. In case of dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fraction from 70% of ethanol extracts, the number of revertant colonies is increased in Angelica decursiva, Astragalus membranaceua, Cnidium officinale, Rehmannia glutinosa and Dioscorea batatas in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with negative controls of metabolic activation. Such results indicate that Angelica decursiva, Astragalus membranaceua, Cnidium officinale, Rehmannia glutinosa and Dioscorea batatas all show genotoxic effects when being extracted with the solvent extractions such as 70% of ethanol, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate, and thus, they might be genotoxically- non-safe.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.212-218
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• 2019

The process of establishing domestic standards on hazardous substances in food safety regulations requires harmonization with standards from the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). For this purpose, food classification by the CAC (Codex Classification of Foods and Animal Feeds) also needs to be clearly understood. Therefore, this paper aimed to introduce the Codex Classification on cereal grains, nuts/seeds and herbs/spices because revisions of the Codex were completed in 2017 for cereal grains and in 2018 for nuts/seeds and herbs/spices. The revised Codex Classification on those foods is briefly summarized as follows. Cereal grains in the domestic food classification by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea (MFDS) corresponds to the Codex Group 020 cereal grains with six subgroups. The MFDS's nuts and seeds classification corresponds to three groups in the Codex, namely, Group 022 (tree nuts with no subgroups), Group 023 (oilseeds and oilfruits with 5 subgroups), and Group 024 (seeds for beverages and sweets with no subgroups). The food commodities of herbs and spices are included in two Codex groups, Group 027 (with 3 subgroups) and Group 028 (with 9 subgroups). The number of Codex commodity codes assigned to food commodities was 27 for Group 020, 32 for Group 022, 46 for Group 023, 4 for Group 024, 127 for Group 027 and 138 for Group 028. In between the Codex Classification and the MFDS's classification, some differences are shown. For example, the MFDS did not create a subgroup under groups of cereal grains and herbs. The MFDS classified peanuts into the nut group, though a separate group for oilseeds is present, while the Codex classified peanuts into the oilseed and oilfruit group. In addition, there is also a separate group of "plants, others" present in the MFDS's classification. Therefore, care is needed in using the Codex Classification.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

As a result of study on the names of local medicinal herbs which described in Chobu (Chapter of Grass) of Korean medical book Bonchojeonghwa, we came to the following conclusions. 1) Compared with the existing domestic medical books' local medicinal herb names, those of Donguibogam had the closest relationship with Bonchojeonghwa. Out of local medicinal herb names described in Chobu of Bonchojeonghwa, a third is only shown in Bonchojeonghwa, and another third is same as those in Donguibogam. 2) The notation of local medicinal herb names in Bonchojeonghwa is not so consistent as Donguibogam. In Bonchojeonghwa, we can see many examples of inconsistent notations over the same thing. Moreover, there are some examples, which are suspected to be an expression of dialect. 3) In spite of close similarity between the names of local medicinal herbs in Bonchojeonghwa and Donguibogam, the author of Bonchojeonghwa doesn't seem to directly refer to or quote Donguibogam, because it doesn’t make sense that the author of Bonchojeonghwa intentionally referred to regular, consistent Donguibogam in irregular, inconsistent way. 4) In spite of very low possibility of direct reference or quotation among Bonchojeonghwa, Donguibogam and Bangyakhappyon, there are many examples of common format in its notation way on local medicinal herbs, which cannot be explained only as coincidence. And it tells us that there must be another publication which had been referred to or quoted by the said three medical books. 5) From the fact that there are a lot of examples of local medicinal herb names which doesn't show palatalization, or labialization, the names of local medicinal herbs described in Bonchojeonghwa must be the expression around 17th century.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1729-1739
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fermented medicinal herbs. A search of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed databases and Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine in 2000-2011 located 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the clinical efficacy of fermented medicinal herbs. Domestic RCTs reported clinical efficacy on improvement of immune responses and clinical safety on usage of fermented medicinal herbs in subjects suffering from cerebral hemodynamics. Countries other than Chinareported studies on the cause of esophageal cancer and on local inflammatory reactions. In China, studies were reported on the effectiveness of fermented medicinal herbs on scapulohumeral periarthritis of the stasis type, chronic superficial gastritis, dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia of deficiency of kidney yang, diabetic nephropathy, essential hypertension, and benign prostate hyperplasia. These results indicate that fermented medicinal herbs have obvious clinical effects in some diseases and no adverse reactions. Therefore, we need to initiate more fermentation research with useful bacteria, fungi, and mushrooms to produce fermented medicinal herbs. Both governments and research authorities should focus on research involving fermentation of medicinal herbs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.825-829
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• 2004

This study was carried out to differentiate the origins of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge and A. membranaceus Bunge var. mogholicus Nakai. To identify the variation of the RAPD patterns between domestic and foreign Astragalus species, 40 random primers were applied to ten accessions of A. membranaceus and six accessions of A. membranaceus var. mogholicus genomic DNA, respectively, Ten primers of 40 primers could be used to discriminate the origins and 33 polymorph isms among 44 scored DNA fragments (33 fragments are specific for A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mogholicus) were generated using these primers, 75.0 % of which were polymorphic. Especially, three primers of ten primers, OPA17, OPA11 and OPB11, were useful to differentiate between domestic and foreign Astragalus species. RAPD data from the 10 primers were used for cluster analysis and cluster analysis of RAPD markers showed that the two groups are distinct genetically. Consequently, RAPD analysis was a useful method to discriminate between A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mogholicus.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.191-203
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• 2022

Purpose : In 『Herbal Formula Science in Korean Medicine (HFSKM)』, the weight unit of Shanghanlun '1 Liǎng (一兩)' is mostly converted to 3 g. We tried to confirm whether the usages of the Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM are valid in the view of safety and efficacy. Method : The toxicity of herbs in Shanghanlun were summarized. The prescriptions of HFSKM including herbs recorded by weight in Shanghanlun were compared with the pharmacopoeia usage. Domestic clinical case studies were analyzed to confirm the clinical evidence for safety and efficacy. Results : Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Ephedrae Herba, Pinelliae Tuber, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, Armeniacae Semen and Scutellariae Radix have been reported to have toxicity. As a result of analyzing the 39 Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM, 26 prescriptions were identified when they were within the pharmacopoeia usage, and 13 prescriptions were found in excess. As a result of analyzing the domestic clinical research papers, symptoms considered to be side effects were not mentioned, and improvement of the diseases was confirmed. As a result of measuring the actual weight, it was confirmed that the usage greatly exceeded the pharmacopoeia usage, such as 57.23 g for Pinelliae Tuber and 45.77 g for Armeniacae Semen. Conclusion : The composition of the prescription for Shanghanlun proposed in HFSKM is considered to be a reasonable dose, but continuous review and standard supplementation are necessary.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.43-48
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was investigated to determine the contents of pesticide residues and sulfur dioxide residues in commercial herbal medicines in Korea. Methods : Chromatographic test was performed on 100 samples consisted with 10 kinds of medicinal plants including improted and domestic products. To establish 19 pesticide residues (DDE, DDD, DDT, Dieldrin, Methoxychlor, BHC isomers, Aldrin, Endosulfan isomers, Endrin, Captan, Procymidone, Chlorpyrifos and Imidacloprid) in commercial herbal medicines, chromatographic equipments were used with the gas chromatography-mass detector and gas chromatography-electron capture detector for qualitative analysis. The imidacloprid analysis was performed by high performance liquid chromatograpgy-ultraviolet detector at 270 nm UV wavelength. The contents of sulfur dioxides were analyzed by modified Monnier-Williams method. All methods were based on notification procedure of Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). Results : The residual pesticides were not founded in improted and domestic samples. Among 100 samples, the residues of sulfur dioxide in 73 samples were not detected and 25 samples showed contents in the range of 0~21.90 mg/kg. The excess samples of MRLs were 2 samples (30 mg/kg to medicinal herbs), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (Imported product) and the average amount of sulfur dioxide in 2 unsuitable samples were 14.83 mg/kg. These samples were found to transgress KFDA regulatory guidance of residual sulfur dioxide. Conclusion : These results are able to use as basic data to improve the reliability and value of commercial medicinal herbs.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.212-215
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• 2003

There were so many Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. in the past in Korea. Now a day, it is under diminishing circumstance because of over exploitation for pharmacy materials. The amount of domestic market demand of it was imported. The autochthonous planting areas were mainly surveyed along coastal region and island. Autochthonous A. cochinchinensis was mainly distributed in sea shore below 1km from sea and founded 26 regions among 45 surveyed regions. Northern and eastern limited distribution of A. cochinchinensis was $N36^{\circ}15'$ in the west coast and $E128^{\circ}02'$ in the south coast of Korean peninsula, respectively. But it was not founded in the east coastal region. Dominant vegetation of surveyed area was pine with shrub. The number of tuberous roots of A. cochinchinensis growing in good light penetration was more than growing in bad light penetration.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the residual sulfur dioxide residues ($SO_2$) in commercial medicinal herbs in Korea in 2013. Among a total of 116 samples of 11 different kinds of herbs, 71 samples (11 Kinds) were domestic, and 45 samples (10 Kinds) were imported. The residual contents of $SO_2$ in the samples were determinated by a modified Monier-Williams method. Of the 116 samples, 6 samples (5.2%, 4 Kinds) failed to meet the regulations for sulfur dioxide residues of KFDA in medicinal herbs. Among 6 unsuitable samples, 1 samples (1.4%) were domestic, and 5 samples (11.1%, 3 Kinds) were imported. The highest amount of sulfur dioxide residues was 1546.3 mg/kg (Lycii Fructus) in the domestic samples. Regardless of region, $SO_2$ contents were not found at Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, Eucommiae Cortex, Forsythiae Fructus, Gardeniae Fructus, Leonuri Herba and Lonicerae Folium et caulis. These data will be used as a basic data for the future legislation on the regulation and control of sulfur dioxide of herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.592-604
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• 2018

Objectives: This study is to review the effect of Korean medicinal herbs on treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced in rat models, as reported in domestic and foreign journals. Methods: Six electronic databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Oasis, RISS, CENTRAL, and Koreankt) were searched with terms including benign prostatic hyperplasia to identify study reports on treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia impairment with Korean medicinal herbs. After selecting several studies, the analysis focused on items reflected in the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as prostate weight, thickness of the prostate epithelium, and prostate specific antigen. Results: Six studies were reviewed. Testosterone propionate was used as a benign prostatic hyperplasia induction material in all the included studies. Cinnamomum verum (CV), Cynanchum wilfordii (CW), Ponciri fructus (PF), Quisqualis indica (QI), Acorus gramineus (AG), and Melandrium firmum (MF) had reduced prostate weight statistically significantly. The QI gave a better response than finasteride in terms of reducing epithelium thickness, and the response was statistically significant. The prostate specific antigen level was lower in the group treated with CV than in the control group. Conclusions: CV, CW, PF, QI, AG, and MF had distinct therapeutic effects. However it is difficult to determine which of these is better by comparing them numerically because the observation items evaluated in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia.