• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2013

A folk prescription consisting of Alnus hirsuta, Rosa davurica, Acanthopanax senticosus and Panax schinseng has been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of the herb formula extract (HFE) composed of Alnus hirsuta, Rosa davurica, Acanthopanax senticosus and Panax schinseng in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The HFE was mixed in the food supply of the healthy and STZ-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats, and its effects on the body weight, water and food intake, hyperglycemia, hypolipidemic and islet structure were studied. The treatment of the rats with STZ for 6 weeks resulted in marasmus, polydipsia, polyphagia, hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. In addition, the diabetic rats showed an apparent decrease in the insulin immunoreactivity and the number of ${\beta}$-cells in the pancreas. The addition of the HFE to the rats' food supply significantly lowered the serum glucose and the serum triglycerides level and preserved the normal histological appearance of the pancreatic islets. These results indicate that the HEF have a strong antidiabetic potential along with the significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, which may be applicable in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.53-63
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• 2009

Objective : To compare the contents of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide before/after a decoction. Methods : The heavy metal contents before/after a decoction were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) and mercury analyzer. In order to analyze pesticides in 4 samples we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. Results: 1. The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) for the samples were as follows: Jaeumganghwa-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.190, Cd; 0.184, As; 0.099 and Hg; 0.028, after decoction - Pb; .033, Cd; 0.003, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.001), Yukmijiwhang-tang (before decoction - Pb; 0.484, Cd; 0.133, As; 0.053 and Hg; 0.009, after decoction - Pb; 0.065, Cd; 0.008, As; 0.007 and Hg; not detected), Bojungikgi-tang (before decoction - Pb; 0.863, Cd; 0.197, As; below 0.016 and Hg; 0.011, after decoction - Pb; 0.071, Cd; 0.009, As; 0.004 and Hg; 0.001) and Ssangwha-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.511, Cd; 0.212, As; 0.094 and Hg; 0.016, after decoction - Pb; 0.029, Cd; 0.006, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.0004). 2. Contents (mg/kg) of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) before a decoction in Jaeumganghwa-tang, Yukmijiwhang-tang and Ssangwha-tang exhibited 22.7, 107.3 and 5.5, respectively. However, contents of sulfur dioxide after a decoction in all samples were not detected. 3. Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides before/after a decoction in all samples were not detected. Conclusion : These results will be used to establish a criterion of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.145-151
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a herbal formula, PerioH-035, containing Angelica sinensis, steamed Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, and Zanthoxylum piperitum on the periodontal breakdown in a well-established ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: NL (non-ligatured), L (ligatured), P1 (ligatured and treated with 1 mg/mL PerioH-035), P100 (ligatured and treated with 100 mg/mL PerioH-035). Periodontitis was induced by placing a ligature around the mandibular first molars. PerioH-035 was topically applied to both sides of the first molar for 2 weeks. The right side of the mandibles was retrieved for micro-computed tomography (CT) and methylene blue staining to analyze alveolar bone loss. The left side of the mandibles was histologically analyzed by TRAP and H&E staining. The MMP-9 mRNA level in gingival tissue was investigated by RT-PCR. Results: Alveolar bone resorption was significantly reduced in the PerioH-035-treated groups. The number of dense multi-nucleated cells found to be TRAP-positive by staining in the ligatured rats was markedly decreased by PerioH-035 application. In addition, periodontal tissue destruction, especially cementum demineralization, was ameliorated in the P1 and P100 groups. Moreover, gingival tissue from the PerioH-035-treated group showed a decrease in the MMP-9 mRNA level, resulting in recovery of collagen degradation. Conclusions: These results suggest that PerioH-035 has therapeutic effects on periodontitis, and thus, PerioH-035 shows promise as a treatment for periodontitis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2002

The development of Korean Oriental medicine is based upon the accumulation of experience and knowledge gathered over the centuries. The approaches taken are holistic and empirical. There is a need to understand their actions at molecular levels with more rational, objective and scientific studies. Today it appears that Chronic and age-associated diceases may be multifactorial and hence more complex. A different approach may be required. One claimed usage of Korean Oriental medicine is for the treatment and prevention of chronic and age-associated illnesses. Some of the botanical formulas used for this purpose were discovered thousands of years ago and continue to be used today. There are indications that these formulas may indeed be helpful in the treatment or prevention of chronic diseases. This multi-component medicine could not only be very useful meeting the unmet clinical needs but for defining a more synergistic therapy that supports and maintains the bodies natural curative abilities. The potential usefulness of Korean Oriental medicine embodies the belief of maintaining healthy homeostasis of the body through the proper balance of a mixture of chemical at different organs or tissues. This concept is different from western medicine and implies that multiple compounds may act on multiple mechanisms of action to maintain the balance of the complex web of biology. This is very important in view of sciences current direction to integrate fragmented information to develop future medicines. The western and eastern approaches to human health and disease are complementary to each other. The best approach in developing future medicines is to integrate both approaches.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.509-517
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• 2008

Gyejijakyakjimo-tang is a multi-herbal formula that is composed of nine medicinal herbs. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has been reported to have antipyretic and analgesic effects. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has traditionally been used for goat and rheumatoid arthritis. However, analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has not been clarified yet. In this study, we investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang. We evaluated the aqueous extract of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) immunoassay, and nitric oxide (NO) detection were performed. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang suppressed $PGE_2$ synthesis and NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. These results show that Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect by mostly suppressing COX-2 and iNOS expressions, and resulting in the inhibition of $PGE_2$ synthesis and NO production.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.