• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.4 s.139
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• pp.293-299
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• 2004

The current investigation was carried out to find out the anticancer activity of the methanol extract from Buplerum falcatum against cancered ICR mouse and cancer cell lines such as J774A.1 and L1210 cells. Extract of Buplerum falcatum displayed the considerable augmentation(134%) of the survival of ICR mouse bearing Sarcoma 180 cancer. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of methanol extract of Buplerum falcatum against J774A.1 cells and L1210 cells were found to show $IC_{50}$ values of $57.3\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $54.6\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In contrast to such cytotoxicity against cancer cells, the extract exerted only meagre toxicity against normal lymphocytes. The increased generation of $O_2^-$ and the considerably increased activities of super-oxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) of both J774A.1 cells and L1210 cells in the presence of Buplerum falcatum extract implied that the observed cytotoxicities may have resulted from the detrimental effect of reactive oxygen species(ROS) evoked by Buplerum falcatum extract on the cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate hypotensive effect of BDR-29, new herbal preparation of Cassiae Semen, Prunellae Spica, Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, and Tribuli Semen, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). SHR-SP were treated with BDR-29 at a dose of 100, 200 mg/kg/day orally for 13 weeks. In the BDR-29 treat group, mean blood pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly reduced (p<0.05). In phenylephrine-precontracted arota and carotid artery, BDR-29 induced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. Hematological findings and biochemical examination revealed no evidence of specific toxicity related to BDR-29. In addition, BDR-29 was markedly attenuated intima-media thickness of thoracic aorta with progression of atherosclerosis. SHR-SP were treated with BDR-29 were significantly increased eNOS expression in arota. These results indicated that BDR-29 improves blood pressure as well as initial atherosclerotic lesion.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.253-261
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• 2006

Backgrounds : Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lowering serum cholesterol levels could reduce the risk of CVD. Insamsansa-eum (Renshenshanzha-yin, ISE), composed of Ginseng Radix and Crataegii Fructus, is a new medicine developed to treat hyperlipidemia and CVD. Objectives : In this study, we intended to explore the clinical effects of ISE on patients with hypercholesterolemia, and moreover we also compared its effects according to the pattern identification. Methods : Subjects were administered ISE with the dose of 600 mg three times a day for 4 weeks. Patterns of subjects were identified with diagnostic scoring system for Yin-Yang and the condition of Excess-Deficiency before treatment. Serum lipids were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of medication. Results : ISE lowered total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), total lipid(TL), phospholipid(PL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) significantly. Compared with the data of our previous study, it was less effective than Atorvastatin but showed equal lipids-lowering effect to Chunghyul-dan (Qingxue-dan, CHD). In Yang pattern group, ISE was less effective in lowering TG and LDL than it was in not-Yang-not-Yinpattern group. On safety assessment, there was no adverse effect, hepatic or renal toxicity. Conclusions : We suggest that ISE is a safe and useful herbal medicine for hypercholesterolemia, and moreover it could be more useful when it is used for patients with not Yang pattern.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 1996

Radiotherapy is an irreplaceable method of cancer treatment but, it has various side effects, especially damage to the hemopoietic system. A lot of radioprotectors have been found but they also have toxic effects. Many kinds of crude drugs(Oriental Chinese medicine)with low toxicity have been reported to promote the recovery from radiation damage. Recently, the trial to combine radiotherapy with herbal treatment of cancer patients shows a desirable result, an enhancement in recovery of the blood system.. This study was performed to determine whether prescriptions to support the healthy energy and strengthen the body resistence, Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang, promote the recovery of splenocytes of N:GP(s) mice from radiation damage. We investigated the proliferative effect of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang and EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) on N:GP(S)mice splenocytes before or after ${\gamma}$-irradiation. We also investigated the morphology of splenocytes cultured with these herbs. Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang promoted the proliferation of splenocytes in a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml compared with normal control(p<0.001). After 1-5Gy of ${\gamma}$-irradiation they also showed the effect of recovery of hemopoietic cells, especially in Buzhongyiqi-tang(4Gy:p<0.005; 5Gy:p<0.05). In addition, EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) showed the highest proliferative effect of all agents suggesting that more effective fractions could be found from crude herbs or prescriptions. These results suggest that it is possible to make use of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang or EIB as radio-protective agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2307-2312
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• 2015

Curcumol is a sesquiterpene originally isolated from curcuma rhizomes, a component of herbal remedies commonly used in oriental medicine. Its beneficial pharmacological activities have attract significant interest recently. In this study, anti-cancer activity of curcumol was examined with both in vitro and in vivo models. It was found that curcumol exhibited time- and concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effects in SPC-A-1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells with cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase while apoptosis-induction was also confirmed with flow cytometry and morphological analyses. Interestingly, curcumol did not display growth inhibition in MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblasts, suggesting the anti-proliferative effects of curcumol were specific to cancer cells. Anti-neoplastic effects of curcumol were also confirmed in tumor bearing mice. Curcumol (60 mg/ kg daily) significantly reduced tumor size without causing notable toxicity. In conclusion, curcumol appears a favorable anti-cancer candidate for further development.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.705-715
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• 2013

The response of the freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris to mercuric ion ($Hg^{2+}$) stress was examined using chlorophyll a fluorescence image analysis and O-J-I-P analysis as a way to monitor the toxic effects of mercury on water ecosystems. The levels of photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, decreased with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration. The maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II(Fv/Fm) changed remarkably with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration and treatment time. In particular, above $200{\mu}M\;Hg^{2+}$, considerable mercury toxicity was seen within 2 h. The chlorophyll a fluorescence transient O-J-I-P was also remarkably affected by $Hg^{2+}$; the fluorescence emission decreased considerably in steps J, I, and P with an increase in $Hg^{2+}$ concentration when treated for 4 h. Subsequently, the JIP-test parameters (Fm, Fv/Fo, RC/CS, TRo/CS, ETo/CS, ${\Phi}_{PO}$, ${\Psi}_O$ and ${\Phi}_{EO}$) decreased with increasing $Hg^{2+}$ concentration, while N, Sm, ABS/RC, DIo/RC and DIo/CS increased. Therefore, a useful biomarker for investigating mercury stress in water ecosystems, and the parameters Fm, ${\Phi}_{PO}$, ${\Psi}_O$, and RC/CS can be used to monitor the environmental stress in water ecosystems quantitatively.

• 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.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 2011

Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba is commonly used herbal medicine and it has been known that has immuno-regualtory effects and anti-cancer effects. The inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is essential for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba on osteoclast differentiation in vitro and on resorbing activity of osteoclast. Osteoclast formation was evaluated in bone marrow cells (BMC) in the presence or absence of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba. The expression of c-fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), OSCAR, DC-STAMP, cathepsin K, MafB and NFATc1 mRNA in osteoclast precursor were assessed by RT-PCR. The levels of TNF receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6), c-fos and NFATc1 protein were assessed by Western blot analysis. Also the correlation with MAPKs and NF-${\kappa}B$ pathways were measured by using Western blot analysis. With bone resorption study, I tried to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba on mature osteoclast function. Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba inhibited the RANKL induced osteoclastic differentiation from bone marrow macrophage in a dose dependant manner without cellular toxicity. Gene expression of c-fos and NFATc1 was significantly down regulated with Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba treatment. Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba markedly inhibited the RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through suppression of nuclear factor kappa b (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway, down stream pathway of p38, ERK and JNK pathway. Taken together, I concluded that Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba have beneficial effect on osteoporosis by inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and by inhibition of functioning osteoclast. Thus I expect that Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba could be a treatment option for osteoporosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Objectives : Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) is an herbal medicine, which has been used for the treatment of fatigue, chills, and poor physical conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of AOF hot aqueous extract. Methods : The cytotoxicity of AOF extract was evaluated using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess reaction. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine production (IL-1tion co6, and TNF- F- was measured by ELISA. The anti-oxidative effect of AOF extracts was measured by the DPPH method. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and aluminum chloride, respectively. Results : AOF hot aqueous extract did not show toxicity at doses of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL.PGE_2$ production was inhibited by AOF extract treatment at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extracts reduced IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1ent maTNF- F- 1ent mannerd IL-6 production in uction at doses of 100 and ${\mu}g/mL$. The DPPH free radical scavenging capability was above 50% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : This study suggests that AOF hot aqueous extract may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are required for validating the safety and efficacy of AOF.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.486-492
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• 2003

To certify the protective effect of herbal medicine on myocardial damage against oxygen free radical-induced myocardiotoxicity, cytotoxicity was measured using by MTT assay, LDH activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) assay in the presence of Guaruhaebaekbaekju-tang(GHBT) extracts or single constituents of this prescription, Myocardial toxicity was evaluated in neonatal rat myocardiocytes in cultures. In the present study, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine (XO/HX) resulted in a decrease in cell viability, an increase in LDH activity in culture medium and lipid peroxidation in cultured myocardial cells, In the effect of GHBT extract, it showed the prevention from the XO/HX-induced cardiotoxicity such as the decrease of LDH activity and lipid peroxidation. In the protective effect of Fructus Trichosanthis (FT) and Bulbus Allii Macrostemi (BAM), all the extracts were significantly effective in the protection of XO/HX-induced cardiotoxocity in cultured myocardial cells. From these results, they show that XO/HX is cardiotoxic in cultured myocardial cells derived from neonatal rats, and it suggests that GHBT, FT and BAM extracts are positively effective in the blocking XO/HX-induced cardiotoxicity.