• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.79-97
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• 2000

Objectives : To investigate the effects of herb-acupunctures of Qi tonification herbs or formula on the rat immune depression induced by an anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX) Methods: Animals were divided into 5 groups; Normal control group was not given any treatment. Immune depression was induced by oral administration of 1mg/kg MTX b.i.d for 4 days in Control, Sample I, II, and III groups. We treated on CV 4 (Guanyuan) with saline, Bojoongiggi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), Ginseng Radix and Astragali Radix herb-acupunctures in Control, Sample I, II, and Ill groups, respectively. In both blood and spleen, the assessment of CD4+ T-cell count, CD8+ T-cell count, CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio was performed. Results: Here we show that 3 herb- acupuncture groups have an influence, to some extent, on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio in both blood and spleen. Astragali Radix herb-acupuncture, in particular, was found to have significantly increased CD4+ T-cell count in blood and CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio in blood and spleen. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that herb-acupunctures of Bojoongiggi-tang (Buzhongyiqi-tang), Ginseng Radix and Astragali Radix may have an influence over rat immune depression induced by MTX.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.143-146
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• 2011

Scutellariae Radix is widely used in the traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of fever, cough, dysentery, hepatitis and hypertension in Korea, China and Japan. In this study, we investigated the effects of 70% ethanolic extract of Scutellariae Radix (SRE) on CYP450-mediated drug metabolism in the in vitro systems using human liver microsomes and hepatocytes. The microsomal incubation assay showed that SRE inhibited the drug metabolism reactions catalyzed by CYP1A2, CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, SRE was shown to strongly inhibit the metabolic activity of CYP1A2 with an $IC_{50}$ value of 4.6 ${\mu}g/mL$. When SRE was evaluated for its effect on the induction of CYP450 enzyme activities in cryopreserved human hepatocytes, SRE did not exhibit any effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect of KOB, a polyherbal medicine for allergic rhinitis and its main herb, Astragali Radix on allergic responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced Allergic rhinitis(AR) mice. Methods : Sprague Dawley (SD)-rats were orally administrated with KOB (500 mg/kg), Astragali Radix water extract (ARW, 100 mg/kg) or anti-histamine drug, dosodium cromoglycate (50 mg/kg) as a reference drug, and then intraperitoneally injected with compound 48/80 (8 mg/kg). Rats were measured the mortality and serum levels of histamine. BALB/c mice were orally administrated with KOB (500 mg/kg), ARW (100 mg/kg) or anti-histamine drug, Ketotifen (10 mg/kg) as a reference drug, followed by sensitization and challenge of OVA. Mice were measured the serum levels of histamine and IgE, and observed histopathological changes of nasa mucosa H&E staining. Results : KOB and ARW significantly decreased the mortality and the serum levels of histamine in compound 48/80-induced anaphylatic rats. KOB and ARW also decreased the serum levels of histamine and IgE in OVA-induced AR mice, and inhibited histopathological changes of nasal mucosa with inflammation and the eosinophils infilteration. Conclusions : These data suggest that KOB has a strong anti-allergic effect through the inhibitory property of Astragali Radix, the main component of KOB against allergic responses in allergic rhinitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1035-1042
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• 2019

Background: Herbal medication is widely used in the Korean Medicine Hospital, and drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in Korea has increased proportionally. Herb-induced liver injury now accounts for approximately 40% of cases of hepatotoxicity in Korea, according to research data. Currently, however, the component responsible for the toxicity is usually unknown or can only be suspected. Objective: To study the hepatotoxicity of Cheongsimyeonja-tang in DILI. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 82 inpatients between April 2010 and March 2017 with suspected drug-induced liver injury (n=5). The standard criteria (RUCAM scale) for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) were applied. The electronic medical records (EMRs) were retrospectively reviewed to identify the relevant database. Aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (T. Bili) were analyzed in blood samples before and after the administration of Cheongsimyeonja-tang. Results: Five cases out of 82 patients had a criterion-referenced probable (RUCAM) score ranging from 6 to 8 points DILI. However, statistical analysis of the liver function parameters results of the 82 patients did not show a statistically meaningful elevation after taking Cheongsimyeonja-tang. Conclusions: These data suggest a relationship between Cheongsimyeonja-tang and DILI. More studies are needed to validate these observations and to explore their implications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.251-256
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• 2001

In western medicine, there are some reports about herbal medicine induced hepatitis, but in oriental medicine, there are few reports about that. We experienced one case of drug acute cholestatic-hepatitis in the treatment of oriental medicine for HNP. We treated the patient with acupuncture, physical therapy and herb medicine. The patient's symptoms improved after two weeks of treatment. In the course of treatment, the patient intermittently complained of general weakness, nausea, yellowish urin, dyspepsia, and abdominal discomfort. We recognized that total bilirubin(7.2mg/dl), direct bilirubin(5.5mg/dl), serum transaminase(AST 360U/L, ALT 354U/L), alkaline phosphatase(16.6 K/A), urobilinogen(++) and bilirubin(++) were elevated. We diagnosed drug induced hepatitis. We stopped giving herb medicine and began giving Saeng gan gunbi-tang and Injin-oryung-san. Saeng gan gunbi-tang and Injin-oryung-san have been used to treat hepatic disease and have been known to have beneficial effects. After 3weeks on medication, the clinical symptoms and liver function improved. So, we report this case to bring more attention to the safety and toxicity of herbal medicine.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.23-25
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• 1957

The herb of Geranium sibirium L, a drug knwon as "Chui Sonni Poul" distributed widely, has been used as a folk-medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. The dried entire herb is boiled with methanol and methanol is distilled of from the filtered methanol extract under reduced pressure. Then the extract is boiled with water and filtered off. From the filtrate, the following substances are isolated and identified by treating with organic solvents as ether, ethyl acetate, and etc.: 1. Gallic acid: a colorless needle crystal which is soluble in alcohol and water. mp.235.deg. C, positive (dark blue) against the ferric chloride reagent. 0.76 percent of gallic acid is yielded from the herb. 2. Quercetin: a light yellow crystal. mp.194.deg. C. negative against the ferric chloride reagent. 3. Ellagic acid: a light yellow crystal which is insoluble in ehter and acetone and slightly soluble in alcohol. Positive (blue) against the ferric chloride reagent. The crystal obtained by recrystalisation from pyridine, does not melt by 360.deg. C. Represent a yield of 0.03 percent from the herb. 4. Crude tannin: a approximately 7.6 percent of crude tannin is yielded by treating with ethyl acetate. gallic acid and querceetin are yielded by hydrosis with dliute sulfuric acid. Based on the above results, the following suggestion could be recommendable; Geraed in the Japanese Pharmacoeia VI.acoeia VI.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.15-30
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• 2017

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT; Huanglianjiedu-tang, Orengedoku-to), a traditional herbal formula, is used for treating inflammation, hypertension, gastritis, liver dysfunction, cerebrovascular diseases, dermatitis and dementia. The objective of this study was to assess the sub-acute toxicity of HHT in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and its effect on the activities of human microsomal cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Methods: Male and female SD rats were orally administered HHT once daily at doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. We analyzed mortality, clinical observations, body weight, food consumption, organ weights, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology. The activities of major human CYP450s (CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1) and UGTs (UGT1A1, UGT1A4, and UGT2B7) were assessed using in vitro fluorescence- and luminescence-based enzyme assays, respectively. Results: No toxicologically significant changes related to the repeated administration of HHT were observed in both male and female SD rats. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) value was more than 2000 mg/kg/day for both sexes. HHT inhibited the activities of human microsomal CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1, whereas it weakly inhibited the activities of CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and UGT1A1. In addition, HHT negligibly inhibited the activities of human microsomal UGT1A4 and UGT2B7 with $IC_{50}$ values in excess of $1000{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that HHT may be safe for repeated administration up to 4 weeks. In addition, these findings provide information on the safety and effectiveness of HHT when co-administered with conventional drugs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Objective: The study aimed to review all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) performed in Korea with herbal medicine, to produce further useful information for herbal-drug development. Methods: All papers reporting RCT with herbal drugs were collected via public database of Korea Science and Technology Integration Services, and various Oriental medicine journals. Then, the clinical question, herbal medicine, result, RCT design, and its conductor were analyzed. Results: A total of 20 RCTs were finally selected, and most of them were performed after 2003. The main subjects of RCT were related to heart and blood circulation, dermatitis, respiration disorder, Sasang constitution, or psychiatric disorders. Eight RCTs were done with a single herb while 12 RCTs were with multiple herbal formulae. In particular, three RCTs for atopic dermatitis with three formulae showed positive results. The quality of RCT was considered as better than average. Conclusions: This study revealed the current status of RCT using herbal drugs. This result would provide helpful information for research and drug development using traditional herbal medicine.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.300-306
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• 1990

Chichul-Tang, a combined preparation of crude drug, which was composed of Atractylodis Rhizoma alba and Ponciri Fructus, has been used widely for digestive disorder. Each herb extract of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Ponciri Fructus, the mixture of both herb extracts were examined for the effects on isolated smooth muscle, intestinal propulsion, anti-cathartic action and gastric secretion. The results were summarized as follows: Chichul-Tang showed the inhibitory effects of the convulsion of smooth muscle. Anti-cathartic effect was shown and gastric secretion was inhibited.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.48-67
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• 2011

Objectives: There has been a lot of controversy about whether Korean traditional medicines cause drug-induced hepatotoxicity or not. However, this controversy has not been examined from a scientific approach, especially in terms of toxicology. Thus, this article for traditional Korean medicine-induced hepatotoxicity was reviewed on a basis of toxicological assessment. Methods: Toxicological assessments were carried out in a view of reactive intermediates formation from biotransformation in animals based on cytochrome P450 activity inducing oxidative stress, and case reports in world-wide. Results and Conclusions: Several herbal materials used for traditional Korean medicines were identified as possible agents causing drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Most of these agents seem to produce toxic reactive intermediates caused by cytochrome P450. Oxidative stress followed by cytochrome P450 activation could also be a reason for herb-induced hepatotoxicity. Plausible prevention of herb-induced hepatotoxicity was suggested.