• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of processed sulfur with red ginseng on streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats for expansion of processed sulfur internal application. Methods : We prepared red ginseng with non processed sulfur extracts(GS), red ginseng with processed sulfur I extracts(GPS I) and red ginseng with processed sulfur II extracts(GPS II). In the present study, we examined about contents of crdue saponin, antioxidant activity, $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and effects of STZ induced diabetic rats. Results : Contents of crude saponin increased by processed sulfur, and GPS II was shown highest contents in crude saponin and sulfur compared with another groups. Electron donating ability of GPS II was shown highest activity compared with GS and GPS I, SOD-like activity showed same tendency as electron donating ability at 1 $mg/m\ell$ concentration. Inhibitory activity of $\alpha$-glucosidase was approximately same level in acarbose and GPS II. Blood glucose level of GPS II group was decreased 18.34% compared with DC(diabetes control) group and maintained stability range in glucose level. but GS and GPS I showed high level compared to GPS II. Serum triglycerides concentration also showed lowest level in GPS II. The activity of ALT, AST and ALP was shown high level in diabetic induced groups, and lowest level in GPS II. Creatinine was shown non-significantly difference in each groups and GPS II was shown lowest level in BUN. Conclusions : These results suggested that processed sulfur with red ginseng have improvement effects on diabetes and internal application of processed sulfur with red ginseng have no specific toxicity in liver and kidney.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.66-85
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• 2002

Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with heavy metals. This may be mainly due to a soil contamination by an environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to identify the contents of various heavy metals in the blood from OhJeokSan-Decoction (OD) treated-rats. For this study, 13 kinds of metals including essential and heavy metals, i.e. Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were analyzed by a slight modification of EPA methods and the following results are obtained. ; 1. There is no significant difference between the OD-treated groups and control group in liver, kidney, bone, brain, weight, food intake. 2. The amount of each metal analyzed in the liver are as follows; Al ; $0.235{\sim}4.215mg／kg$, As ; $0.103{\sim}0.461mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.005{\sim}0.010mg／kg$, Co ; $0.017{\sim}0.046mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.137{\sim}0.403mg／kg$, Cu ; $1.736{\sim}4.827mg／kg$, Fe ; $54.472{\sim}381.447mg／kg$, Hg ; not detected, Mn ; $1.159{\sim}2.803mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.007{\sim}0.095mg／kg$, Pb ; not detected, Se ; $0.682{\sim}1.887mg／kg$, Zn ; $10.213{\sim}26.119mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. In control and other experimental group, several metal (Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, As, Cr) has a significant difference, but in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups, there are no significant difference. 3. The amount of each metal analyzed in the kidney are as follows; Al ; $1.712{\sim}31.230mg／kg$, As ; $0.062{\sim}0.439mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.010{\sim}0.062mg／kg$, Co ; $0.000{\sim}0.101mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.125{\sim}0.636mg／kg$, Cu ; $3.385{\sim}12.502mg／kg$, Fe ; $41.148{\sim}99.709mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.270mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.433{\sim}2.301mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.000{\sim}0.221mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}0.584mg／kg$, Se ; $0.540{\sim}1.600mg／kg$, Zn ; $8.775{\sim}17.060mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Cu, Se, Cr, and Hg are variated significantly in control and other experimental group, and Cu, Se, Cd, Cr are variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 4. The amount of each metal analyzed in the bone(tibia and fibula) are as follows; Al ; $9.557{\sim}119.464mg／kg$, As ; $0.139{\sim}12.250mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.000{\sim}0.295mg／kg$, Co ; $0.022{\sim}0.243mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.239{\sim}1.999mg／kg$, Cu ; $0.000{\sim}2.291mg／kg$, Fe ; $240.249{\sim}841.956mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.983mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.214{\sim}7.353mg／kg$, Ni ; $5.473{\sim}11.453mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}8.502mg／kg$, Se ; $0.000{\sim}3.005mg／kg$, Zn ; $61.158{\sim}195.038mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Se, Cd are variated significantly in control and other experimental groups, and Se is variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 5. Exceptionally several metal concentration is increased or decreased. but there is no significant harmful difference of metal concentration in the liver, kidney and bone, from the OD-treated-rats compared to those of the control group even if higher dosage($1{\sim}8$ times dosage of person) of OD was administered. Thus, it is expected that the herbal decoction in the traditional herbal medicine would not lay any burden on the body and the heavy metal toxins would not affect our physiological system. However, other kinds of herbal treatment, such as i.v. and i.p. should be considered in terms of metal toxicity in the body since the level of certain metal.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.605-614
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• 2018

Bee pollen has an outer wall which is resistant to both acidic and basic solutions and even the digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the oral bioavailability of bee pollen is only 10-15%. A previous study reported on wet-grinding technology which increased the extraction of active ingredients from bee pollen by 11 times. This study was designed to investigate the safety of wet-ground bee pollen. First, a single dose of wet-ground bee pollen was tested in both rats and beagle dogs at dosages of 5, 10, and 20 g/kg and 1.5, 3, and 6 g/kg, respectively. In rats, compound-colored stools were found in those administered 10 g/kg or more of wet-ground bee pollen. In beagle dogs, 6 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen induced diarrhea in one male for four hours. However, no obvious clinical signs were found through the end of the experiment in rats and beagle dogs. In addition, no histological abnormality was found in all animals. The data indicates that a single dose of up to 20 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen is safe. Next, the genetic toxicity of nano-sized bee pollen was tested. This study employed a bacterial reverse mutation test, a micronucleus assay, and a chromosomal aberration assay. In the micronucleus assay, there was no genetic toxicity up to the dosage of 2 g/kg. There was also no genetic toxicity in the bacterial reverse mutation test and chromosomal aberration assay. This data provides important information in developing nano-sized bee pollen into more advanced functional foods and herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Objectives : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque. Moreover, the cellular actions of ${\beta}$-amyloid (A${\beta}$ play a causative role in the pathogenesis of AD. This study was designed to determine whether Woo-Gui-Um, a commonly used Korean herbal medicine, has the ability to protect cortical and hippocampal neurons against A${\beta}_{25-35}$ neurotoxicity Methods : In the present study, the authors investigated the preventative effects of the water extract of Woo-Gui-Um in a mouse model of AD. Memory impairment was induced by intraventricularly (i.c.v.) injecting A${\beta}_{25-35}$ peptides into mice. Woo-Gui-Um extract was then administered orally (p.o.) for 14 days. In addition, A${\beta}_{25-35}$ toxicity on the hippocampus was assessed immunohistochemically, by staining for Tau, MAP2, TUNEL, and Bax, and by performing an in vitro study in PC12 cells. Results : Woo-Gui-Um extract had an effect to improve learning ability and memory score in the water maze task. Woo-Gui-Um extract had significant neuroprotective effects in vivo against oxidative damage and apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons caused by i.c.v. A${\beta}_{25-35}$. In addition, Woo-Gui-Um extract was found to have a protective effect on A${\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptosis, and to promote neurite outgrowth of nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that Woo-Gui-Um extract reduces memory impairment and Alzheimer's dementia via an anti-apoptotic effect and by regulating Tau and MAP2 in the hippocampus.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

In this study we investigated the embryo toxicity of three kinds of plant extracts during early development of African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis through FETAX assay (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Aassay with Xenopus). The plants used in this study were the materials of the Korean herbal medicines, Polygala tenuifolia, Lycium chinensis and Comus officinalis. The test embryos exposed to 1, 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of each plant extract and control embryos were incubated for 96h at $24{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. The focus of this study is to elucidate the malformation due to toxicity of plant extracts, especially, to elucidate plant inducing optic malformation. As a result, the growth inhibition of embryos, optic malformation, axial distortion, cephalic and abdominal edema, dysplasia of digestive track and hyper-pigmentation were occurred in all of extracts, and these malformations were increased to the increase of extract concentration. The rate of optic malformation was highest in $100{\mu}g/ml$ of Lycium chinensistreated group and 27% of tested 150 individuals showed optic hernia. The histological results showed enlarged ventriculum in brain, dysplasia of vitreous chamber in eye and unclear retinal layers.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2017

Objectives: The effects of Gamiondam-tang (GMODT) co-administration within 5min on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of tamoxifen were observed as a process of the comprehensive and integrative medicine, combination therapy of tamoxifen with GMODT to achieve synergic pharmacodynamics and reduce toxicity on the breast cancer. Methods: After 50mg/kg of tamoxifen treatment, GMODT 100mg/kg was administered within 5min. The plasma were collected at 30 min before administration, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hrs after end of GMODT treatment, and plasma concentrations of tamoxifen were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. PK parameters of tamoxifen (Tmax, Cmax, AUC, $t_{1/2}$ and $MRT_{inf}$) were analysis as compared with tamoxifen single administered rats using noncompartmental pharmacokinetics data analyzer programs. Results: Co-administration with GMODT induced increased trends of plasma tamoxifen concentrations to 1hr after end of administration, and then showed decreased trends of plasma tamoxifen concentrations, and especially significant (p<0.05) increases of plasma tamoxifen concentrations were demonstrated at 0.5hr after end of co-administration with GMODT and also related significant (p<0.05) decreases of $AUC_{0-inf}$ and $MRT_{inf}$ as compared with tamoxifen single formula treated rats, at dosage levels of tamoxifen 10 mg/kg and GMODT 100 mg/kg within 5 min, in this experiment. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it is considered that single co-administration GMODT within 5min significantly inhibited the oral bioavailability of tamoxifen through variable influences on the absorption and excretion of tamoxifen, can be influenced on the toxicity or pharmacodynamic of tamoxifen.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.45-53
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• 1999

Since Radix Stemonae was recorded hypothennal and a little toxic in the 'Myngyubelrok (名醫別錄)', it has been recorded as having the same nature in many herbal books. However, the security of Radix Stemonae when used to treat respiratory disease over a long term has not been studied until now. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effects of Radix Stemonae on the main organs if Radix Stemonae is administrated over a long term. In order to investigate the histological changes of the liver and kidneys of rats after oral administration of Radix Stemonae extract, the experimental rats were subdivided into control, 1, 3, 5, 7, 21, 28 and 35 days after administration groups, and 10 rats per group were used in this study. The control group was sufficiently supplied with water and solid forage. The other groups were administrated the reagent at 5mg/kg once a day by oral injection. Several times each day, the experimental groups were carefully observed for any changes of general condition, toxic symptoms, activity, appearance and the number of dead rats. The experimental groups were weighed and narcotized. For the histological observation, the tissues of liver and kidneys of the experimental groups were collected, stained by hematoxylin-eosin stain, and evaluated by observing the changes of gross appearance and by observing microscopic findings. 1. This drug, during the experimental term, did not induce any toxicological effect in mortality, abnormal symptoms or changes of body weight except for the 1 day after administration groups whose body weights were decreased, compared to the control group. 2. No gross changes of the liver and kidneys were observed in this study. 3. No histological changes of the liver were detected in 1 day after administration groups. However, dilation of the central vein was observed in 3, 5 and 7 days after administration groups and chronic passive congestion of the liver was demonstrated in the 21 days after administration groups. In the 28 and 35 days after administration groups, a centrolobular disposition of fatty tissue (adipose cell) was observed. 4. No histological changes of the kidneys were observed in this study. It is evaluated that if Radix Stemonae is administrated for a long term, it induces toxicity in the liver. So, to examine the toxicity of Radix Stemonae on the liver and kidney, it is necessary that the studies of biochemistry and electron microscopic findings about Radix Stemonae be systematically performed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1249-1256
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• 2017

In our search for new sources of bioactive secondary metabolites from Streptomyces sp., the ethyl acetate extracts from endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 afforded five active diketopiperazine (DKP) compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the bioactive compounds isolated from endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 and evaluate their bioactivity against multiple drug resistance (MDR) bacteria such as Enterococcus raffinosus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp., and their cytotoxic activities against the human hepatoma (HepaRG) cell line. The production of secondary metabolites by this strain was optimized through Thornton's medium. Isolation, purification, and identification of the bioactive compounds were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography, high-resolution mass liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryopreserved HepaRG cells were selected to test the cytotoxicity. The results showed that endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 produces four active DKP compounds and an acetamide derivative, which were elucidated as $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Val-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Leu-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Phe-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Val-{\text\tiny{L}}-Phe)$, and N-(7-hydroxy-6-methyl-octyl)-acetamide. These active compounds exhibited activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300 and Enterococcus raffinosus, with low toxicity against human hepatoma HepaRG cells. Endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 has the ability to produce DKP derivatives biologically active against some MDR bacteria with relatively low toxicity against HepaRG cells line.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Objectives : A root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai (D. asperoides) has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource in several Asian countries, including Korean and traditional Chinese medicine that has been traditionally used for treating several medical conditions including pain, arthritis, and bone fractures in Korea. In the present study, we investigated potential subacute toxicities of D. asperoides extract. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (male, 7weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 mice. Except for the control group, the mice were orally administrated D. asperoides extract at doses of 50, 150, or 450 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, all mice were euthanized, and the following parameters were examined: mortality, body weight, clinical signs, gross findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathology. Results : There were no abnormalities in mortality, clinical signs, body weight, gross findings, or organ weight after repeated administration of D. asperoides extract for 2 weeks, compared with the control group. In addition, there were no significant changes in hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters between the control group and D. asperoides extract administrated groups with doses of up to 450 mg/kg/day. Conclusion : In this study, D. asperoides extract showed no significant toxicities at a dose of up to 450 mg/kg/day in mice. Although we could not confirm the toxic dose of D. asperoides extract, it can be considered safe for further pharmacological use.