• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2020

This study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of 70% ethanol extract from Ambrosia trifida L. (AT). The electron donating ability and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability of extract from AT was shown to be 84.1% and 92.5% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. The astringent effect of extract from AT was shown to be 94.7% at 1,000 ㎍/ml. The anti- inflammatory activities of extract of AT were investigated using RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cell toxicity effect of AT extract on RAW 264.7 performed MTT assay. As a result of the measured cell toxicity effect, 90% or more was shown with cell viability at a 500 ㎍/ml concentration. In nitric oxide synthesis inhibition effect, it was shown that extract from AT concentration dependent inhibited nitric oxide production. The protein expression inhibitory effect of AT extract was measured by western blot at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentration and the β-actin used as a positive control. Consequently, the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression inhibitory effect was decreased by 8.6%, 25.1% at 100 ㎍/ml concentration. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase and Iκ-Bα protein expression inhibitory effect was a decreased dependent concentration. The mRNA expression inhibitory effect was measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction at 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml concentration and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase used as a positive control. Consequently, the iNOS, COX-2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression inhibition effect was a decreased dependent concentration in an LPS-activated macrophage. In conclusion, AT extract may have some effects on inflammatory factors as potential anti-inflammatory agents and natural substance for cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.185-197
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• 2007

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-Tang and Geongangbuja-Tang on the change of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) level induced by LPS I.C.V. injection in mice. Method : We devided group into 6 mice and 6 mice were assingned to each group. In the normal group only saline was administered intragastrically, and in the control group LPS was injected intracerebroventricularly 1 hr after intragastric administration of saline. In the experiment groups Hwangryunhaedok-Tang(0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, 3.0g/kg) was administered intragastrically to mice 1 hr prior to LPS(100mg/mouse) I.C.V. injection.. Also Geongangbuja-Tang (0.5g/kg, 1.0g/kg, 3.0g/kg) was administered intragastrically to mice 1 hr prior to LPS(100mg/mouse) I.C.V. injection. To measure the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level of mice, their blood samples were collected from retro-orbital plexus, immediately centrifuged at $4^{\circ}C$, and plasma was removed and stored frozen at $-83^{\circ}C$ for later determination of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. The level of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the plasma. Result : Regarding IL-6 level, The 0.5g/kg and the 1g/kg groups of Geongangbuja-Tang decreased IL-6 level. Especially the 3g/kg control group decreased IL-6 level significantly than the normal group(p<0.01). Regarding $TNF-{\alpha}$ level, the 3g/kg group of Geongangbuja-Tang decreased it significantly(p<0.05). Conclusion : These data revealed that Hwangryunhaedok-Tang might not have the anti imflammatory effect and Geongangbuja-Tang(3g/kg)might have the anti imflammatory effect by reducing the plasma IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ level in mice LPS Injection.EIM (Eighteen Incompatible Medicaments) is an important component in Oriental pharmacology and is directly related to clinical prescriptions. Medical practitioners argued that the definite cause and meaning of EIM was ambiguous and therefore debated the issue of clinical application of the EIM. This study conducted an in-depth literary research on the origin, meaning and contents of EIM with the purpose to contribute in its efforts to be used clinically. Even after thousands of years have past since establishment of Oriental medicine, EIM is still tabooed and was an obstacle that hindered ideologies. Modern herbal medicine texts claim that the use of EIM can reduce treatment effects and promote poisoning and side effects. However, since long ago, there has been medical practitioners who reject this as false. Recently, poisoning caused by EIM has been claimed to be from the toxicity of the drug itself, rather than the result of interaction between the drugs, and therefore they suggest that EIM is not a forbidden domain. In addition, EIM showed a difference in number depending on the era. However, this can be understood not as a definite number, but instead as a warning to be careful during combination of drugs for use as clinical medicine. Historically, there were very few cases in which EIM was used for clinical tests and thus, the clinical value is not, while others applied EIM directly to their bodies, which showed signs for the usefulness and potential of EIM for us. A more concrete and in-depth study must be made on EIM.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2024

This study investigated the levels of 345 pesticide residues in 50 herbal medicines sold in Incheon metropolitan city to determine their safety. Pesticide residues are harmful substances that can cause serious health problems owing to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The analysis of pesticide residues in the samples was conducted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, known for its high analysis efficiency, to analyze a wide range of pesticides for which no standards have been set. The analysis was cross-validated with the pretreatment method outlined in the Korea Pharmacopoeia. Among the 50 samples encompassing 24 different herbs, 22 pesticide residues were detected in 24 samples, covering 7 distinct herbs, resulting in a detection rate of 48%. It is noteworthy that, except for two cases, all detected pesticides were those for which no standards were set. However, after conducting a risk evaluation considering the daily dosage of herb, it was determined that the levels of pesticide residues were within safe limits. Pesticides with high frequency within the same category of herbs were detected, indicating the necessity for continuous monitoring and regulation. In addition, comparative analysis using the pretreatment method outlined in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, yielded similar results, suggesting the possibility of analyzing pesticide residues in herbs using the QuEChERS method. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in herbs and the development of high-efficiency reliability analysis methods should continue to ensure consumer safety.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2005

In order to monitor the histological and general profiles of lung after direct expose of p,p-DDE, 1, 5 and 10 mg/ml of p,p-DDE were sprayed to male ICR mouse, and seven days after exposure, changes of body weight, lung weight, clinical signs, histological profiles of lung and total WBC in blood were investigated with changes of total cell number and their differential count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In the present study, a significant and dosage-dependent decrease of body weight was detected in p,p-DDE exposed groups and body weight gains during observational periods (7 days) were also significantly and dosage-dependently decreased in p,p-DDE exposed groups compared to that of vehicle control group. In addition general depression signs were detected in all p,p-DDE exposed groups with dosage-dependent manners, and lung weights were also increased in p,p-DDE exposed groups. Congestion, hemorrhage and severe exudate were observed in the lung of p,p-DDE exposed groups with sarcomatous changes and these signs were also showed by dosage-dependent manners. In addition, foreign body pneumonia signs were observed in the lung of p,p-DDE exposed groups in histological levels. The percentage of ALSA (Area of luminal surface of alveoli) was also significantly and dosage-dependently decreased in p,p-DDE exposed groups and total blood WBC and BALF cell numbers were significantly and dosage-dependently increased in p,p­DDE exposed groups compared to that of vehicle control group and increase percentage of neutrophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte in BALF were monitored in p,p-DDE exposed groups compared to that of vehicle control group. In conclusion, severe allergic response and/or foreign body pneumonitic changes were induced by direct exposure of p,p-DDE containing beverage. So it is considered that strong and powerful regulation was need to control production of residence of environmental pollutant especially to p,p-DDE.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.773-780
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• 2015

3D8 single chain variable fragment (scFv) is a recombinant monoclonal antibody with nuclease activity that was originally isolated from autoimmune-prone MRL mice. In a previous study, we analyzed the nuclease activity of 3D8 scFv and determined that a HeLa cell line expressing 3D8 scFv conferred resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PRV). In this study, we demonstrate that 3D8 scFv could be delivered to target tissues and cells where it exerted a therapeutic effect against PRV. PRV was inoculated via intramuscular injection, and 3D8 scFv was injected intraperitoneally. The observed therapeutic effect of 3D8 scFv against PRV was also supported by results from quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, southern hybridization, and immunohistochemical assays. Intraperitoneal injection of 5 and $10{\mu}g$ 3D8 scFv resulted in no detectable toxicity. The survival rate in C57BL/6 mice was 9% after intramuscular injection of 10 $LD_{50}$ PRV. In contrast, the 3D8 scFv-injected C57BL/6 mice showed survival rates of 57% ($5{\mu}g$) and 47% ($10{\mu}g$). The results indicate that 3D8 scFv could be utilized as an effective antiviral agent in several animal models.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2011

In this report, we have investigated the functional properties change of phytochemicals by the encapsulation using water soluble host, ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin. The cream, shampoo, bodywash, and hair tonic containing phytochemical supramolecules were produced by mixing the surfactants, fragrances and the oriental herbal extracts encapsulated with ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin. Shampoo and bodywash including the encapsulated phytochemicals exhibited anti-growth activity against Gram (+) and Malassezia furfur which is known to cause dandruff. In cytotoxicity test against HDF (human dermal fibroblast), we could not detect any toxicity when the supramolecules content was less than 1 mg/mL. Our results suggest that the supramolecule of ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin with phytochemicals could be a safe anti-bacterial agent for cosmeceuticals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.964-969
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• 2012

Genistein, a predominant isoflavone, has been shown to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells in vitro and in vivo without toxicity to normal cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of genistein on the activity and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Our findings showed that MMP-9 and -2 activation was significantly increased in response to 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). However, the increased activities of MMP-9 and -2 in TPA-treated cells were concentration-dependently inhibited by treatment with genistein, and this was also correlated with a decrease in the expression of their mRNA and proteins. In addition, a matrigel invasion assay showed that genistein reduced TPA-induced invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Although further in vivo studies are needed, these results suggest that genistein treatment may inhibit tumor cell invasion and, therefore, act as a dietary source to decrease the risk of cancer metastasis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2017

Objectives: Selaginella bryopteris L. (family: Selaginaceae), is often used in traditional Indian systems of medicine for the prevention and cure of several disorders and for the treatment of patient with spermatorrhoea, venereal disease, constipation, colitis, urinary tract infections, fever, epilepsy, leucorrhoea, beri-beri and cancer. It is also used as a strength tonic. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of topically administered aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic fractions ($10mg/20{\mu}L$) of Selaginella bryopteris. Methods: An acute oral toxicity study of Selaginella bryopteris at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) was performed. Aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic extracts ($10mg/20{\mu}L$) applied topically for 5 days were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects against 12-tetra-O-decanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)- induced inflammation by using the redness in the ear, the ear's weight (edema), oxidative stress parameters, such as lipid-peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in inflammation, such as tumour necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and IL-6. Indomethacine ($0.5mg/20{\mu}L$) was used for the positive control. Results: Selaginella bryopteris produced no mortalities when administered orally at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg bw. Topical treatment with the non-polar methanolic fraction ($10mg/20{\mu}L$) significantly suppressed redness ($2.4{\pm}0.5$) and edema ($30.4{\pm}1$) and effectively reduced the LPO level ($32.3{\pm}3.3$). The NO level was ($8.07{\pm}0.55$), and the $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 levels were decreased to $69.6{\pm}15.5$, $7.7{\pm}4.8$ and $82.6{\pm}5.9$, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated for the first time the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of medicinal plants like Selaginella bryopteris and quantified the pharmacological interactions between them. The present study showed this herbal product to be a promising anti-inflammatory phytomedicine for the treatment of patients with inflammatory skin diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.31-49
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Gyoaesamultang in pregnant rats and their fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Gyoaesamultang at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately, live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Maternal body weight of Gyoaesamultang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But Gyoaesamultang administered group showed lower early resorption rate than the control group. Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Gyoaesamultang group were increased to that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Gyoaesamultang didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Gyoaesamultang group but, compared to the control, those variations were insignificant. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. The number of sacral and caudal vertebrae were increased. Fetuses treated with Gyoaesamultang showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra(P<0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Gyoaesamultang showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were showed in vertebrate and sternum, Gyoaesamultang were shown insignificant changes in bone malformation.