• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.213-221
• /
• 2020

Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is an active phytocomponent of a popular Chinese herb called Radix Salvia militiorrhiza with numerous biological properties. The anti-psoriasis activity of SAB was examined by evaluating various psoriasis inflammatory and keratin markers against imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis on BALB/c mice. Totally 50 healthy BALB/c mice were evenly divided into 5 groups including control, drug control (SAB; 40 mg/kg), IMQ-induced psoriasis (5%), IMQ exposure and treated with SAB (40 mg/kg), or standard methotrexate (MTX; 1 mg/kg). Mice supplemented with either SAB or MTX significantly lowered the values of psoriasis area severity index (PASI), erythema, scaling, skin thickness, inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-22/23/17A/1β/6) and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde). Also, IMQ exposed BALB/c mice treated with SAB or MTX display lesser histopathological changes with enhanced antioxidant activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase). Moreover, the protein expression of keratin markers (K16 and K17) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling proteins (pAkt/Akt and pPI3K/PI3K) were significantly downregulated after administration with SAB and MTX as compared with IMQ induced mice. Taking together, SAB and MTX significantly ameliorate psoriatic changes by inhibiting psoriatic inflammatory and keratin markers through abolishing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. However, further studies (clinical trials) are needed to confirm the anti-psoriatic property of SAB before recommending to psoriasis patients.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.343-358
• /
• 2000

Epimedii Herba is an important traditional herb medicine widely used as a tonic. However, the mechanism of action of this drug on the immune system is not well studied. This study was performed to elucidate the effects of the aqueous extract of Epimedii Herba on the production of antibodies in mice. Antibodies in serum were detected in male ICR mice treated with the aqueous extract of Eplmedii Herba (AEEH) at a dosage of 40, 120, and 360mg/kg orally for 2 weeks. Effects of oral administration of AEEH on antibody forming responses were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in serum. The results were as follows; 1. Epimedii Herba slightly decreased body weight gain. 2. Epimedii Herba significantly increased the relative spleen weight. 3. Epimedii Herba significantly increased total serum IgG levels. 4. Epimedii Herba significantly enhanced total serum IgG1 levels. 5. Epimedii Herba significantly increased total serum IgG2a levels. 6. Epimedii Herba markedly increased total serum IgM levels. These findings demonstrate that Epimedii Herba significantly enhances the production of antibodies at therapeutic concentrations, and suggest that administration of Epimedii Herba may prevent the host from immunologic diseases.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.304-309
• /
• 2010

Scutellaria pinnatifida A. Hamilt. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic Turkish herb. This plant is also endemic to Iran, and grows abundantly in other central and western Asian countries. Several species of the Scutellaria are known for their traditional uses in the treatment of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, inflammatory diseases, hepatitis, allergy, cancer and diarrhoea. Free-radical-scavenging property, antibacterial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of the n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of S. pinnatifida were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the resazurin microtitre plate based assay, and the brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively. The DCM and MeOH extracts exhibited free-radical-scavenging property, with the $RC_{50}$ values of 0.362 and 0.127 mg/ml, respectively. Among the solid-phase extraction fractions of the MeOH extract, the 50% aqueous-MeOH fraction showed the highest level of free-radicalscavenging activity ($RC_{50}$ = 0.039 mg/ml). While the DCM extract showed low level of antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli, the MeOH extract was active against B. cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli and ampicillin-resistant E. coli. However, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the MeOH extract against these bacterial strains were >10 mg/ml. None of the extracts showed any significant toxicity towards brine shrimps ($LD_{50}$ = > 1.00 mg/ml).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.2203-2208
• /
• 2007

Three possible binding modes of cationic meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (TMPyP) to d[(GCATATATGC)2] duplex were investigated by the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Among the three binding modes namely, “along the groove”, “across the groove” and “face on the groove”, the “across the groove” model exhibited the largest negative binding free energy and the DNA backbone remained as the B form. In this model, the molecular plain of the TMPyP tilts 45o with respect to the DNA helix axis and is largely exposed to the solvent. TMPyP was stabilized mainly by the interaction between the positively charged neighboring pyridinium moieties of TMPyP and negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA. The result obtained in this work by MD and the report (Jin, B. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 2417.) that the spectral properties of poly[d(A-T)2] bound TMPyP in the presence and absence of the minor groove binding drug 4',6- diamidino-2-phenylindole are similar, we propose that TMPyP bind across the minor groove of the AT rich- DNA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of acupuncture therapy when applied to patients who are undergoing anticoagulants / antiplatelet medication therapy combined with herbal medicine using a retrospective, case-control study. Methods : 428 charts of patients were reviewed in this study. Odds ratio between case of bleeding-related adverse event and control was calculated as main analysis. Exposures were anticoagulants / antiplatelet medication, Hwalhyeolgeoeo herbal medicine and combination of both drugs. Additionally, odds ratios were calculated according to the severity of bleeding-related adverse events. Results : The results were as following: 1. Analysis of all bleeding-related adverse events showed there was no increased risk of combined therapy compared with other exposures and control group. 2. Analysis of only clinically significant adverse events showed there was no increased risk of combined therapy compared with other exposure and control group. 3. Hwalhyeolgeoeo herbal medicine group showed a tendency of increased risk of bleeding-related adverse events in all analysis but was not statistically significant. Conclusions : The results suggest that Hwalhyeolgeoeo herbal medicine-anticoagulant / antiplatelet medication combined therapy may not increase risk of bleeding-related adverse events in acupuncture therapy. By executing various modules of analysis, it was possible to acquire useful data for possible future studies. Further research is needed to confirm such results.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.494-498
• /
• 2009

The emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria parasites is a serious public health problem in the tropical world. Useful antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine have resistance in the world now. Moreover, other antimalarialdrugs such as mefloquine, halofantrine, atovaquone, proguanil, artemether and lumefantrine retain efficacy but have limitations, one of which is their high cost. New antimalarial drugs are clearly needed now. Cytotoxicity assay and susceptibility assay were performed for the selectivity of herb extracts in vitro. On the basis of high selectivity, 4-day suppressive test and survival test were progressed in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. The selectivity of Areca catechu L. (ACL) and butanol extract of ACL (ACL-BuOH extract) were 3.4 and 3.0 in vitro, respectively. Moreover in vivo, 4-day suppressive test showed 39.1 % inhibition effect after treated with 150 mg/kg/day ACL-BuOH to P. berghei-infected mice. Survival test also showed 60% survival rate with ACL-BuOH-treated group while all other group mice died. In this study, ACL and ACL-BuOH were investigated for antimalarial activity in vitro and in vivo and they showed a potent antimalarial activity. In particular,ACL-BuOH could specifically lead higher survival rate of mice in vivo. Therefore ACL-BuOH would be a candidate of antimalarial drugs.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.69-99
• /
• 2011

Objective : Scutellaria baicalensis is one of the most popular and multi-purpose herb in traditional medicine. It is also useful for its practicability to cultivate in Korea. The purpose of this study is to contribute to researches and applications of scutellaria baicalensis by analyzing and reviewing international researches on the compositions and the effects of scutellaria baicalensis. Methods : This study analyzed 146 articles from PubMed by searching with the keyword "Scutellaria baicalensis", "Huang quin", "Baical Skullcap", "Huang qin", "baical skullcap root", "ogon", "Hwanggeum" and "Hwangkeum", published within the last 10 years(from 2000 to 2009). We reviewed the 146 articles on Scutellaria baicalensis and its active constituents in terms of 'Active constituents', 'Experimental studies', 'Clinical studies', 'Drug interaction', 'Side Effects/Toxicity' and 'Pharmacokinetics'. Results : The active constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis are flavonoids such as baicalein, baicalin, wogonin and oroxylin-A. It is reported that scutellaria baicalensis and its active compounds have antiinflammatory activity, antitumor activity, antioxidant activity, antiviral and antibiotic activity, neuroprotective effects, hepatoprotective effects and cardiovascular effect. Conclusions : This study is aimed to summarize the results obtained within the last 10 years and to contribute to following researches and applications of Scutellaria baicalensis.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.191-195
• /
• 2003

Euphorbia hirta, locally called 'ara tanah' or 'susun nabi' in Malaysia is a small annual herb common to the tropical countries and belongs to the same family as the tic and tapioca. E. hirta has had a long history of usage in the treatment of various ailments. In this current study, in vitro sensitivity test of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves and barks of E. hirta was carried out against bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylocccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Microsporum canis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) using the discs diffusion method. The extract-impregnated discs (20, 40 and $80\;{\mu}g/{\mu}l$), the E. hirta extracts inhibited the growth of all the bacteria tested. The growth of C. albicans was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by the aqueous leaves and barks extracts. C. tropicalis was found to be sensitive to the aqueous leaves extracts. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs of chloramphenicol, ampicilin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacine; and to antifungal drug of ketoconazole, itraconazole and miconazole. In this current study, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity that is as potent as the standard antimicrobial drugs against certain microorganisms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.1081-1100
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This study is an overview of the meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials investigating the clinical effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture for patients with stroke. Methods: Core electronic databases were searched from their inception to 21 May 2019. A measurement tool to assess systematic reviews (AMSTAR 2) was applied to screen high-quality studies. The results of these studies were summarized, and additional meta-analysis was conducted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Results: Sixteen studies met eligibility criteria. Four were excluded owing to insufficiency of AMSTAR 2 or low data reliability. The finally selected 12 studies were about pharmacopuncture using either a single herb extract, such as Dengzhan xixin, Sanch, Ginkgo biloba, or Acanthopanax, or a mixture of herbs, such as Compound danshen, Shenxiong, Xingnaojing, or Mailuoning. Most of the patients were from China, with acute ischemic stroke. All the studies using a pharmacopuncture versus a non-pharmacopuncture design reported the significant superiority of pharmacopuncture on every outcome measure. On the other hand, in a few studies, pharmacopuncture was inferior to active control in improving neurological deficit. Few studies reported adverse events. Conclusions: It is difficult to apply the results of this study directly to Korea, because the level of evidence is generally low and the clinical settings and social acceptance of pharmacopuncture therapy differ in Korea and China. Further studies are warranted to confirm the domestic applicability of evidence generated in China and to create evidence that supports the domestic situation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2003

Objectives : Achyranthes bidentata radix (Usul) has been used as anti-arthritic, antiallergic, antidiuretic, and so on. Recently extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix have shown anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive effects in vitro and in vivo. Methods : We therefore evaluated the inhibitory potential of ethanol extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms-catalyzed reactions, which relate to causes of cancer and inflammation, including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, and CYP3A4, using human liver microsomal preparations. Results : The extracts showed weak or negligible inhibitory effects on CYP2C9-catalyzed (S)-warfarin 7-hydroxylation, CYP2C19-catalyzed S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, and CYP2D6-catalyzed dextromethorphan O-demethylation with each IC50 over 1750 g/ml, respectively. However, it showed relatively significant inhibitory effect on CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation and CYP2E1-catalyzed chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation with IC50s of 970.5 g/ml and 821.4 g/ml, respectively. Conclusions : These results suggest that extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix have inhibitory effects on CYP-catalyzed reactions, especiallyCYP1A2 and CYP2E1, in human liver microsomes. These effects appear to relate to anti-inflammatory and cancer prevention following decrease of reactive oxygen species formed by CYP, especially CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, by Achyranthes bidentata radix. However, further evaluation is necessary to demonstrate and to confirm its effects in human.