• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2016

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as "Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung." Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. Methods: Experiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: We found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Conclusion: Administration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.685-694
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• 2009

This experimental study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of ethanol extract of modified Yukgunja-tang(mYGJT) on high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in Sprague-Dawley rats, Animals were divided into normal, control, mYGJT(100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) treated groups. Obesity with hyperlipidemia was induced by high fat diet treatment for 6 weeks. mYGJT was given to the amimals by oral gavage for 4 weeks, starting at the high-fat diet regimen, The effect of mYGJT on the differentiation of 3T3 L1 adipocytes in vitro and serological paramamters for obesity and hyperlipidemia in vivo were evaluated, mYGJT significnatly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3 L1 adipocytes in a concentration dependent manner. mYGJT treatment siginficantly reduced body weight, abdominal and epididymal fat weight, and FER(Food Efficiency Ratio) compared with control group in a dose dependent manner. It also signficantly inhibited the levels of serum total lipid, triglyceride, phospholipid, total cholesterol, LDL, AI(Atherosclerosis Index) and returned the serum HDL to normal. Total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterols in the liver, as well as malondialdehyde(MDA) and hydroxy radical in the serum were significantly reduced. However, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity was significantly increased in mYGJT treated group compared with control group. Finally, mYGJT treatment signficantly decreased the MDA and protein carbonyl concentrations of the hepatic homogenate but signficantly increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and Catalase. Taken together, these results suggest that mYGJT can be clinically useful in inhibiting high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.4 s.143
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• pp.318-323
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• 2005

The leaves (KPL) of Kalopanax pictus (KP) are used as a vegetable or a functional food in Korean society. The stem bark (Kalopanacis Cortex, KPS) has been traditionally used to treat neurotic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic disease. This research was undertaken to demonstrate that the leaf extract of KP (KPL) has also the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects like the extract (KPS) of Kalopanacis Cortex and to compare the activity levels of several extracts obtained from KP. Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects were measured against the extracts described as followings; KPL-1 (the MeOH extract obtained from the leaf shoot of KP collected on May), KPL-2 (the MeOH extract from KP collected on June), KPL-3 (the MeOH ectract from KP with no thorns), KPS-1 (MeOH extract from KPS of a Korean habitat), KPS-2 (MeOH extract from KPS of a Chinese habitat). The antimociceptive test undertaken by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate-, and tail-flick methods using mice. The anti-inflammatory test was also undertaken by measuring the edema in the carrageenan-induced test. The order of activity potency in the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory assays was commonly shown as followings: KPL-3>KPS>1>KPS-2>KPL-1>KPL-2. This order was also observed in acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test. The antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced assay was also observed as the following order: KPL-3>KPS- 1>PS-2>KPL-1>KPL-2. In addition, adjuvant-induced rats were used for a model to assess the oxidative stress. Treatment of the rat with the extracts reduced serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), hydroxy radical(OH) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity caused by FCA together together with the inhibition of hepatic TBARS level and lipofuscin content. The above finding suggests that the leaf extract has the antinociceptive and antinflammatory activity. It is also suggested that KPL-3 with more potent activity than other tested extracts could be developed for a new available biomaterial.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2003

The polyphenol fractions of Korean ginseng were purified using Sephadex LH-20, MCI gel, Bondapak $C_{18}$ TLC, and HPLC from the 60% acetone soluble fraction. Fraction I showed 48.16%, 79.71% and 43.55% inhibition at 150 ppm against lipid oxidation in the presence of copper ion, superoxide and hydrogen peroxidation. Electron donating abilities of fraction II showed 35.17% inhibition at 200 ppm. Fraction III showed 48.49% and 25% inhibition at 150 ppm against lipid oxidation in the presence of ferrous ion and hydroxy radical ion. The phospholipase $A_2$ inhibitory effect of fraction III was 48.9% at the concentration of $60\;{\mu}g/ml$. The cytotoxic effects of fraction II was the highest (73.29% at 0.25 mg/ml) among the tested polyphenol fractions.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.691-698
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• 2013

The biological activities of Smilax china L. rhizome (SCR), hot water (SCRW) and 70% ethanol extract (SCRE) were analyzed. The total phenolic contents of SCRW and SCRE were 51.7 and 100.5 mg/g, respectively. The measured flavonoid content of SCRW ($67.7{\mu}g/g$) was almost double that of SCRE ($31.7{\mu}g/g$). SCRE ($IC_{50}=42.4{\mu}g/mL$) exhibited stronger antioxidant activity in the DPPH system than the positive control ${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($71.3{\mu}g/mL$) or butylated hydroxy anisole ($53.8{\mu}g/mL$) did. SCRE ($IC_{50}=50.3{\mu}g/mL$) also showed stronger ABTS radical scavenging activity, as did ${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($67.1{\mu}g/mL$). The SOD-like activity and Tyrosinase inhibition activity of SCRW and SCRE showed almost the same pattern. The best SOD-like activity and tyrosinase inhibition activity were measured as 24.9% and 20.3% in SCRW at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the SCR extracts were analyzed via MTT assay on human cancer and normal cells. SCRW and SCRE did not show cytotoxicity up to the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ against the normal human cell line HEK293. Against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), SCRW inhibited MCF-7 growth (by 27.6%) better than the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (15.5%) at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. SCRE ($1,000{\mu}g/mL$) inhibited the growth of human lung cancer cells A549 (37.6%) and human stomach cancer cells AGS (53.6%) more effective than did SCRW (21.0% and 35.4%) or CPA (22.2% and 31.7%). These results suggest the potential use of SCRE and SCRW as an excellent antioxidant and antiproliferative substance, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 1995

Paraquat, the representative bipyridilium herbicide, has high phytotoxic activity through generating toxic oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy radical. The response patterns of plants to paraquat were various. It was assumed that the different response was derived from different antioxidative mechanisms including antioxidative enzymes and antioxidant. Paraquat treatment increased reducing sugar content and malondialdehyde formation at 35 days after treatment in a dose-dependent manner but chlorophyll content decreased. Glutathione content increased by paraquat treatment and tolerant species showed more glutathione content than susceptible species. Superoxide dismutase activity increased with the increase in paraquat concentration and that was higher in tolerant species than susceptible species. Photosynthetic activity(PSII activity) was affected by paraquat, so the susceptible species showed more reduced oxygen evolving capacity than tolerant species. Catalse, NADPH-cytochrome C reductase, and malate dehydrogenase, the enzymes tested in this study, showed that the activities decreased by paraquat treatment. Further studies are necessary to determine whether antioxidative system cause the tolerance to paraquat.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.579-590
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• 2001

Background : The aging process may be induced, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species(ROS). It has been thought that the lung could be a good source of ROS because it has a high oxygen tension. In the present study, we invetigated the inducibility of the first and last lines against oxidative stress, superoxide dismutases(CujZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) as a scavenger of ${O_2}^-\;{\cdot}$ and metallothionein(MT) as a scavenger of $OH{\cdot}$, respectively, in mouse lungs with age. Methods : Oxidative stress was induced by paraquat, an intracellular superoxide generator, at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months of age and then SODs and MT mRNAs were determined by RT-PCR method. Results : The steady-state level of Mn-SOD mRNA increased from 1 to 8 months but decreased thereafter. However, Mn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat after 1 month. On the other hand, there was no change in the steady-state level of Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA, which decreased abruptly at 12 months of age. Additionally, Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat at any age. There was no change in the steady-state level of MT mRNA with age whereas its inducibility by paraquat was intact at all ages. Conclusion : These results indicate that lack of induction of SODs with age may be one of the causative factors in the aging process while induction of MT may play an important role in the defense against oxidative stress. It is therefore implicated that the tissue antioxidant/prooxidant balance could be one of determinants of mean life span.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives : Gamisoyosan (GMS) is a useful prescription for treating insomnia, dysmenorrhea and infertility induced by a stress. Also, GMS has been used traditionally to improve systemic circulation and biological energy production. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects of Gamisoyosan Formulation (Soft extract, GMS-SE). Methods : The biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were measured through cell line-based in vitro assay. We investigated the anti-oxidant properties of GMS-SE on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, contents of total flavonoid and polyphenol. GMS-SE compared to butyl hydroxy anizole (BHA). Furthermore, based on this result the anti-inflammatory effects of GMS-SE have verified by mechanism from LPS- treated Raw264.7 macrophages. Results : The anti-oxidant activities of GMS-SE increased markedly, in a dose-dependent manner. The GMS-SE showed significant scavenging activity (GMS-SE $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $32.77{\pm}1.65%$, GMS-SE $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $45.06{\pm}1.04%$ and BHA $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $39.25{\pm}2.41%$ for DPPH assay). and, The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of GMS-SE were $73.93{\pm}6.87{\mu}g/mg$ and $698.75{\pm}6.78{\mu}g/mg$. GMS-SE which is LPS has diminished in the LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, COX2 and PGE2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$) from the RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, GMS-SE inhibited the activation of phosphorylation of p38 and ERK MAPKs by induced LPS. Conclusion : The present results indicate that GMS-SE has an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, therefore may be beneficial in diseases which related to oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.19-36
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• 2022

Objectives This study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Imyo-san (IMS) on the obese mice model induced by high-fat diet. Methods Antioxidative capacity was measured by in vitro method. C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=7). Normal group was fed general diet (Normal). The other 4 groups were fed high fat diet (HFD) with water (Control), with Garcinia gummi-gutta (GG, Garcinia gummi-gutta 200 mg/kg), with low-dose IMS (IMSL, Imyo-san 0.54 g/kg) and with high-dose IMS (IMSH, Imyo-san 1.08 g/kg). Results IMS showed high radical scavenging activity. After 6 week experiment, body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio (FER), epididymal fat and liver weight, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p-ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), SREBP-2, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), phospho-liver kinase B1 (p-LKB1), phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛼 (PPAR𝛼), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛾 coactivator-1𝛼 (PGC-1𝛼), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT-1A), and histology of liver and epididymal fat were measured and analysed. Body weight gain, FER, liver and epididymal fat weight of IMS groups were significantly decreased. There were significant improvements in blood lipids with less TG, TC, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and more HDL-cholesterol. Proteins associated with lipid synthesis (SREBP-1, p-ACC, FAS, SCD-1) and cholesterol (SREBP-2, HMGCR) was improved. Factors regulating lipid synthesis and lipid catabolism (p-LKBI, p-AMPK, PPARα, PGC-1α, UCP-2, CPT-1A) were increased. In histological examinations, IMS group had smaller fat droplets than control group. All results increased depending on concentration. Conclusions It can be suggested that IMS has anti-obesity effects with improving lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2014

Objectives: This study is to confirm the effect of combined extract and individual extract of Samjunghwan (SJH) in anti-oxidative and anti-obesity effect. Methods: Combined ethanol extract of readily made SJH and individual ethanol extract of Atractylodes japonica, Cortex lycii radicis, and Morus alba Linne was combined after the extraction. To evaluate the anti-oxidative effect of SJH, total phenol compound and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability were conducted. Real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction analysis of transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptror ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-${\alpha}1$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reducatase (HMG-CoA reductase) were done with 3T3-L1 cells to investigate the ant-obesity effect. Also, cell viability analysis were done to see to toxicity of SJH. Results: Individual extract of SJH showed significant decrease in $TNF{\alpha}$ and AMPK transcription while $PPAR{\gamma}$ showed significant increase. Combined extract and individual extract of SJH both showed decrease in HMG-CoA reductase. DPPH free radical scavenging ability and total phenol compound was analogous between two groups. Conclusions: Individual extract of SJH appears to be more effective in anti-oxidation and anti-obesity effect compared to combined extract of SJH.