• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.250-258
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• 2009

Male reproductive function seems to have deteriorated considerably in the past 4 to 5 decades. It was observed a significant decline in mean sperm counts from $113{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1940 to $66{\times}10^6/ml$ in 1990; a fall of $0.94{\times}10^6/ml/year$. We reported that Yacon tuber extracts have spermatogenic effects in rat. In the present study, we tested the spermatogenic effect of Yacon tuber extracts in healthy male volunteers. Subjects were assigned randomly to the control group and the Yacon ethanol extracts administered group (each 12 subjects). And, placebo or Yacon tuber extracts (100 ml) were administered two times daily, by oral for 3 months. Sperm numbers, biochemical parameters and hormone levels were recorded before starting administration, then every month. The Yacon tuber extracts administered group showed significant time dependant increases in according to administration period. Especially, the numbers of sperm increased by 54% after 3 months of administration. And, in Yacon tuber extracts administered group, testosterone and estradiol level were significantly higher than placebo group. On the other hands, Yacon tuber extracts didn't show any toxicity in glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon tuber extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of sperm deficiency.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 1998

The effects of mixtures of diazinon(DA;5mg/kg), toxaphene(TOX;40mg/kg) and/or endrin(END; 5mg/kg) on the hepatic mixed-function oxygenase(MFO) system were stuided in ICR mice(18~22g) by oral intubation daily for 7 days. In general, TOX and TOX-containing mixtures were found to induced the metabolism of aminopyrine(22~60%), aniline(42~85%), phenacetin(145~194%) and benzo [a]pyrene(158~210%), and pentobaribtal biotransformation in the 9,000g liver supernatants and to increased the hepatic cytochrome p-450 contents(47~89%). Results of these may be, at least in part, associated with the MFO system. TOX pretreatment increased the aliesterase activity in the serum and liver homogenates and supernatants by 23~145%. The toxicity of TOX and TOX-containing mixtures would be lower than that of diazinon because of TOX-induced increase in the metabolism of diazinon(DA) or diazioxon(DO) and capability of TOX to stimulate the metabolism of diazinon and diazioxon and provide a pool of non-critical enzymes. These results suggest that this information might be helpful in the evaluation of the potential hazard due to occupational and/or environmental exposures to pesticides and their mixtures.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2007

The present study focused on the establishment of micropropagation protocol for the high value Pluchea (P.) indica (L.) Less., genotype, an important medicinal plant and evaluation of the diuretic activity of the leaf extract of the tissue cultured plant. Leaf explants, nodal segments and shoot tips were cultured in MS medium supplemented with auxin and cytokinin and their combinations. With the objective of inducing callus giving rise to new adult plants, naphthalene acetic acid was found to be most effective for (80%) for callus induction. The methanolic extract of leaves of the micropropagated P. indica was investigated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. Urinary excretion parameters were studied for evaluation of diuretic activity using Frusemide (20 mg/kg, p.o.) as standard. The extract showed significant diuretic activity at the doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. p.o. An oral acute toxicity study for the extract was carried out and the $LD_{50}$ value was found to be 2,825 mg/kg body weight.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.372-378
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• 2007

A well known Ayurvedic formulation Ashokarista, used for menstrual disorders has been studied in a single blind randomised placebo controlled clinical trial for the treatment of menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. Dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia patients who were taking Ashokarista (20 ml twice daily) for 10 menstrual cycles had an increase in haemoglobin level. Menorrhagia treated group has shown to reduce the erythrocyte sedimentation rate level that has been increased in the menorrhagia control group. The platelet count, total count and differential count were observed unchanged in the study. The Ashokarista did not affect the SGPT and SGOT level, which signify its lack of toxicity in hepatic function. The treated menorrhagic patients showed an increase in serum albumin content and decrease in blood clotting time, whereas the serum protein content was observed unchanged. There was a significant increase in both serum cholesterol and triglyceride level, which usually associated with the use of oral contraceptives. No major side effects were observed by the clinicians during the study.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1999

Phosphamidon(PMD) is orgnophosphate insecticide broadly using in agriculture. In order to study PMD toxicity in the testis, histopathological change and apoptosis were assessed following acute and chronic oral administration in rats and chickens. In acute studies, histopathological changes included necrosis and desquamation of spermatogenic cells, multinucleated giant cells in the lumen of seminiferous tubules, and necrotic cells and the giant cells in the epididymal lumen. Atrophy of seminiferous tubule was seen in the chronic exposure with low doses. The toxic effects of PMD in chronic exposure including clinical signs and histopathological changes were more pronounced in chickens than rats. Apoptosis assessment was performed by TUNEL method and Hoechst staining. TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells were found in spermatocytes of seminiferous tubules, testicular apoptosis was more prominent following acute exposure than control and chronic exposure. Above mentioned result noticed that PMD causes apoptotic death and effects directly the spermatocytogenesis.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.32 no.1 s.120
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• pp.50-56
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• 2007

Highly porous composite bioceramic bone scaffolds were developed using sintered gnotobiotic pig bones. These scaffolds consisted of poly-D,L-lactic acid (P(D,L)LA) and bioceramic materials of pig bone powder. The bone scaffolds were able to promote biocompatibility and possess interconnected pores that would support cell adhesion and proliferation adequately. The composite scaffolds were tested with dental pulp stem cells for cytotoxicity test. Cells seeded on the composite scaffolds were readily attached, well proliferated, as confirmed by cytotoxicity test, and cell adhesion assessment. The composite bone scaffold had no toxicity in cytotoxicity test on the extract of 0.013 g scaffold to 2 ml culture medium. The cells on the composite bone scaffold proliferated better than cells on the P(D,L)LA scaffolds.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.479-482
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• 2002

Jookrhyuk (Bambusae Caulis in Liqamen) is one of the most important ingredients for treating Diabetes mellitus. Various aspects of quality of Jookrhyuk produced in Korea depending on carbonization process were compared. The pH Value was the highest in Jinyoungsangsa Jookrhyuk(pH 3.17) among the three different Jookrhyuk samples. Damyangsan Jookrhyuk that contains high level of total sugars(8.0 Brix, %) show incresed level of tar contents, it exhibited positive realationship between total sugar and tar contents. Concentration of methanol and phenolic compounds which are related to toxicity were the highest in Damyangsan Jookrhyuk(1.34㎎/㎖, 3.84㎎/㎖ respectively). The harmful heavy elements were not found in the evaluated Jookrhyuk samples. In coclusion, it was suggested that Bambusae Caulis in Liqamen should be further puryfied for using as main oral medicines for treating Diabetes mellitus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2002

The hepato-protective activity of the GODEX (Hepadif-s capsule) has been studied in the rats against $CCl_4$-ethanol induced liver toxicity. The rats were oral1y treated with $CCl_4$ (corn oil/ $CCl_4$ 1:1, 1 mg/kg). And one week passes, $CCl_4$(0.4 mg/kg) administered two times a week for 7 weeks. The drugs have been administered every two days for 4 weeks after $CCl_4$ injection. The experimental groups have consisted of the GODEX (250 mg/kg), Hepadif (200 mg/kg), DDB complex (DDB 50 mg/kg and garlic oil powder 50 mg/kg), DDB (50 mg/kg), and vehicle control respectively. There was a significant decrement on the serum level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin in all treated groups. Specially, ALT level of GODEX and Hepadif only treated groups was decreased c1early. Also, serum albumin level was significantly enhanced in GODEX treated group compared with control and DDB treated groups. In histological results, hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, lobular restructure and necrosis of bile duct were severely showed in control. But other treated groups showed centerilobular degeneration and mild hyper-plasia. Hepadif or DDB has a effects of the recovery on serum parameters and structure ill liver injury. When it was compared GODEX to Hepadif alone or DDB complex or DDB, it suggested to have the best activity of the liver recovery.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 1995

As an initial step for evaluating hepatoprotective components against alcohol-induced toxicity, the effect of various fractions from Aloe vera on alcohol metabolism in rats were examined and the results were as follows: Water soluble fraction, after a single oral administration to rats, was found to cause a significant decrease in the serum ethanol concentration as well as enhancement of liver cytosolic ADH activity. On the other hand, the fractions soluble in organic solvent was found to cause an increase in the blood ethanol concentration and inhibit ADH activity. Further fractionation of the water soluble fraction by ultrafiltration system gave four subfractions corresponding to molecular weight and treatment of them in rats demonstrated that subfraction of M.W. > 30,000 exhibited the most potent enhancing activity of ethanol methabolism.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 1998

For the purpose of evaluating protective components against alcohol-induced toxicity, the active components enhancing alcohol metabolism was pursued from water soluble fraction by ethanol precipitation and DEAE-cellulose chromatographic technique. As a result, various high molecular weight fractions from Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens, on a single oral administration in rats were found to cause a significant decrease in the blood ethanol concentration as well as enhancement of liver cytosolic ADH and ALDH activities and among which, a strong acidic high molecular weight fraction was demonstrated to exhibit the most potent enhancing activity on ethanol metabolism.