• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.296-301
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Hexane extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (HFLL)-induced regulation of melanogenesis. An apparent down-regulatory effect of tyrosinase activity was observed when B16F10 cells were incubated with HFLL. Interestingly, HFLL did not inhibit the catalytic activity of cell-free tyrosinase from B16F10 cells, whereas kojic acid directly inhibited tyrosinase activity. Regarding protein levels of melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) were decreased by HFLL, while the amount of tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) slightly was reduced after incubation with HFLL. Treatment with HFLL was found to down-regulate microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). These results suggest that HFLL is an effective inhibitor of pigmentation caused by down regulation via MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP-1 expressions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2008

We evaluated the potential protective activity of the traditional Korean medicinal herb, Corni fructus (CF), in an experimental model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbontetrachloride $(CCl_4)$. The CF exhibited a hepatoprotective activity against Chang cell. And The expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), measured by RT-PCR and western blot, was significantly decreased in the CF treated Chang cell. But $CCl_4$ and CF has no significant effect on 1A1 and 3A1 isoform of cytochrome P450. Based on these findings, it is suggested that hepatoprotective effects of CF possibly related to antioxidative effects and downregulation of CYP2E1 expression.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data regarding the perceptions of medicated diets among chefs. The subjects were 22 exemplary restaurant chefs in the Danyang area. The results showed that 40.9% of the chefs regarded the taste of medicated diets as good. Conversely, 22.7% of the subjects answered that they didn't know about medicated diets. Mass media and education from relevant institutions were the means of acquiring information about medicated diets. The chefs recognized that varieties of sauce could make medicated diets popular because of special flavor. Female chefs were generally more familiar with herbs than male chefs. Overall, the chefs were not familiar with Menthae Herba, Atractylodis Japonica, Adenophorae radix, Caryophylli Flos, or Carthami Flos. However, they were familiar with Glycyrrhizae Radix, Cassiae Semen, Cinnamomi Cortex, Polygonati Rhizoma, Mume Fructus, and Ginseng Radix, even though they didn't like the tastes pertaining to medicated diets. Ginseng Radix was the most well-known oriental herb, and Mume Fructus and Rubi Fructus were also popular. The most popular cooking methods for medicated diets were, in order, boiling rice, roasting items, and preparing the herbs as beverages.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.147-162
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• 2003

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate possibilities of herbal acupuncture for obesity. Methods : We researched into 23 kinds of literature and considered acupoints and herbs of herbal acupuncture for obesity. Results : Prescriptions for obesity include Erchentang(二陳湯), Liujunzitang(六君子湯) for phlegm-retention syndrome(痰飮), Wulingsan(五?散), Qianghuoshengshitang(羌活勝濕湯), Shenshitang(渗濕湯), Lingguishugantang(?桂朮甘湯) for Dampness syndrome(濕證) and Pingweisan(平胃散) for activating spleen and stomach(運化脾胃). And Rhizoma atractylodis(蒼朮), Tuber pinelliae(半夏), Rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae(白朮), Fructus ponciri(枳殼), Fructus immaturus ponciri(枳實), Poria(茯?), Semen coicis(薏苡仁), Rhizoma alismatis(澤瀉) Fructus amomi(砂仁), Polyporus umbellatus(猪?), Medulla tetrapanacis(通草) can be used for both herbal medication and herbal acupuncture. And also there are some important acupoints for treating obesity, which are Sanyinjiao(三陰交), Pishu(脾兪), Gongsun(公孫), Fenglong(豊隆), Yinlingquan(陰陵泉), Zusanli(足三里), Qihai(氣海), Sanjiaoshu(三焦兪), Zhongwan(中脘), Neiguan(內關), Weishu(胃兪), Shenshu(腎兪) and Shangjuxu(上巨虛). Conclusions : We recommend that herbal acupuncture can be used for obesity. This method is a kind of injection using herbal extract, which can apply pharmacognosy theory and meridian system at the same time.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.291-295
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• 1996

For the screening of antidiabetic effect, this study was carried out to some natural products by measurements of glucose level. MeOH and $CH_2Cl_2$ extracts of natural products were investigated for the effect on glucose level of $N_2$-STZ diabeted Rat. Among the natural products, Dioscorea Rhizoma, Trichosanthes Radix, Nelumbis Semem and Lycii Fructus were shown a remarkable antidiabetic effect.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.566-572
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to determine if the isoflavones from Sophorae fructus (SISO) have potential clinical benefit in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the treat ment of menopausal signs, such as the levels of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). An additional aim was to present the potential antioxidant effect of SISO in a microglial cell line. For the animal model, the ovaries were removed from adult rats and the indicators of menopause were measured at the pre- and post-administration time points. Although no statistically significant correlation was found, SISO tended to decrease the TC level (p=0.15) and the FSH level (p=0.36), but to increase the HDL level (p=0.303).SISO (< 5${\mu}g$/mL) also exerted antioxidant activity on BV-2 microglial cells by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide. This cytoprotective effect was confirmed by trypan blue staining, which was used to test for cellular damage from H$_2O_2$. In conclusion, this study highlights the anti-menopausal and antioxidant effect of SISO in an ovariectomized rat model, as well as in microglial cells, and provides new clinical targets for the screening of phytoestrogens as potential candidates for HRT in menopausal women.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.64-68
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• 2010

Four quinolone alkaloids were isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation from the methanol extracts of Evodiae fructus fruits. Structures of compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis ($^1H$-, $^{13}$C-NMR and MS), as follows: 1-methyl-2-undecyl-4(1H)-quinolone (1), evocarpine (2), dihydroevocarpine (3) and mixture of [1-methyl-2-[(Z)-10-pentadecenyl]-4(1H)-quinolone and 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-6-pentadecenyl]-4(1H)-quinolone] (4). They inhibited the interaction of sICAM-1 and LFA-1 in THP-1 cells at $IC_{50}$ values of >150 (1), 109.8 (2), >150 (3) and $40.9 {\mu}M$ (4), respectively,

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Brousson etiae fructus (BF) on the urethral nitrite level and the urethral nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. In vitro, the urethral NOS activity was not noted in the level of Dose of extract prepared from BF. In vivo, the urethral NOS activity was increased in normal rats and STZ induced diabetic rats by dose and term of extract prerared from BF. The the NOS activity decreased in STZ induced diabetic rats was increased as highly as norma1 group by the extract of BF The level of urethral nitrite and glutathione was increased too. But the level of urethral lipid peroxide increased in STZ induced diabetic rats was decreased as lowly as normal group by the extract of BF. In conclusion, the extract of BF can restore erectile dysfunction of STZ induced diabetic rats.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.9-9
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• 2018

Arctii Fructus (AF), which contains arctigenin (ARC) as a major constituent, is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory medicine to treat inflammatory sore throat. Although several studies have proven its anti-inflammatory effects, there have been no reports on its use in inflammation related disorders such as obesity, cancer metastasis, and allergic responses. This study investigated the anti-obesity effect and anti-metastasis effect of AF and ARC. AF and ARC inhibited weight gain by reducing the mass of white adipose tissue in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Serum cholesterol levels were also improved by AF and ARC. In in vitro experiments, AF and ARC decreased differentiation of white adipocytes. Furthermore, AF induced differentiation of brown adipocytes, which are able to consume surplus energy through non-shivering thermogenesis. Also, AF and ARC inhibited colon cancer and lung metastasis of colon cancer. They suppressed not only colorectal cancer cell progression by inhibiting cell growth, but also prohibited lung metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and the invasion. These effects were confirmed in an experimental metastasis mouse model. In addition, AF and ARC inhibited mast cell mediated allergic responses. Collectively, our study suggests that AF and ARC might show inhibitory effects on inflammation related diseases, including obesity, cancer, cancer metastasis, and allergic responses.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.268-273
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• 2012

This study was to explore the lipogenic effect by ethanol extract of ponciri fructus (EPF) and possible molecular mechanisms in sebocyte. When SZ95 sebocyte cell line were treated with the EPF, lipid droplets were accumulated in the majority of cells. EPF increased expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the SZ95 cells. EPF augmented expression of PPAR-${\beta}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ but not that of PPAR-${\alpha}$. These results suggest that EPF induces lipogenesis in SZ95 cells through SREBP-1, PPAR-${\beta}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ activations.