• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.410-417
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• 2016

Quercetin is a flavonoid usually found in fruits and vegetables. Aside from its antioxidative effects, quercetin, like other flavonoids, has a various neuropharmacological actions. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Rham1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (Rutin), and quercetin-3-(2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside (Rham2) are mono-, di-, and tri-glycosylated forms of quercetin, respectively. In a previous study, we showed that quercetin can enhance ${\alpha}7$ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (${\alpha}7$ nAChR)-mediated ion currents. However, the role of the carbohydrates attached to quercetin in the regulation of ${\alpha}7$ nAChR channel activity has not been determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of quercetin glycosides on the acetylcholine induced peak inward current ($I_{ACh}$) in Xenopus oocytes expressing the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR. $I_{ACh}$ was measured with a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In oocytes injected with ${\alpha}7$ nAChR copy RNA, quercetin enhanced $I_{ACh}$, whereas quercetin glycosides inhibited $I_{ACh}$. Quercetin glycosides mediated an inhibition of $I_{ACh}$, which increased when they were pre-applied and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. The order of $I_{ACh}$ inhibition by quercetin glycosides was Rutin${\geq}$Rham1>Rham2. Quercetin glycosides-mediated $I_{ACh}$ enhancement was not affected by ACh concentration and appeared voltage-independent. Furthermore, quercetin-mediated $I_{ACh}$ inhibition can be attenuated when quercetin is co-applied with Rham1 and Rutin, indicating that quercetin glycosides could interfere with quercetin-mediated ${\alpha}7$ nAChR regulation and that the number of carbohydrates in the quercetin glycoside plays a key role in the interruption of quercetin action. These results show that quercetin and quercetin glycosides regulate the ${\alpha}7$ nAChR in a differential manner.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.408-412
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• 2009

The Artemisia capillaris THUNB is a perennial herb that belongs to the family Compositae spp. and probably the most common plant among the various herbal folk remedies being used in the treatment of abdominal pain, hepatitis, chronic liver disease, jaundice and coughing in Korea. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Artemisia capillaris extracts on the amounts of splenocytes-derived cytokine ($TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-10). In in vivo experimental tests using 210 ICR mice with Hepa-1c1c7 or sarcoma 180 cancer line, splenocytes derived cytokine contents were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180 inoculated vehicle controls, HP and SP, compared to those of the intact vehicle control on both the $28^{th}$ day and the $42^{nd}$ day, respectively. However, these decreases of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-10 levels induced by tumor inoculations were significantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) inhibited by mACH (Artemisia capillaris methanol extracts) treatment regardless of the type of experiments and tumor cells inoculated. The results suggest that Artemisia capillaris methanol extracts have prominent anti-inflammation effects on the cancer cell lines Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2012

Oroxylin A is a flavone isolated from a medicinal herb reported to be effective in reducing the inflammatory and oxidative stresses. It also modulates the production of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cortical neurons by the transactivation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). As a neurotrophin, BDNF plays roles in neuronal development, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and neural protection from the harmful stimuli. Adenosine $A2_A$ receptor colocalized with BDNF in brain and the functional interaction between $A2_A$ receptor stimulation and BDNF action has been suggested. In this study, we investigated the possibility that oroxylin A modulates BDNF production in cortical neuron through the regulation of $A2_A$ receptor system. As expected, CGS21680 ($A2_A$ receptor agonist) induced BDNF expression and release, however, an antagonist, ZM241385, prevented oroxylin A-induced increase in BDNF production. Oroxylin A activated the PI3K-Akt-GSK-$3{\beta}$ signaling pathway, which is inhibited by ZM241385 and the blockade of the signaling pathway abolished the increase in BDNF production. The physiological roles of oroxylin A-induced BDNF production were demonstrated by the increased neurite extension as well as synapse formation from neurons. Overall, oroxylin A might regulate BDNF production in cortical neuron through $A2_A$ receptor stimulation, which promotes cellular survival, synapse formation and neurite extension.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2001

Introduction: Noises in the ear, whether real or imagined, are called tinnitus. Subjective causes of tinnitus(which is heard only by the patient) are extremely common and the majority of them are treated conservatively. For certain individuals their tinnitus is a major handicap; for others a trivial concern. The most common from of subjective tinnitus is a rushing, hissing or buzzing noise; it is frequently associated with sensorineural heanng loss. The patient may be unaware of the hearing loss, especially if it is a high frequency deficit of moderate severity. The character of the tinnitus may give a clue to the etiology. But the patient often has difficulty in explaining his/her tinnitus in absolute terms, as they have no other tinnitus with which to compare it but their own Tinnitus, like pain, is a subjective state and trying to objectively assess the severity is problematic. Audiological techniques to match subjective loudness to machine-produced noise may offer some help, in that sound intensity matches can bear little correspondence to subjective complaint. In spite of many studies, most patients presently seen complaining of tinnitus are told by their doctors that there is no treatment and that they will have to learn to live with this symptom. Objectives: To perform a clinical analysis of tinnitus and estimate the efficacy of Oriental Medical treatment according to the Byeonjeung(辨證). Subject: We studied 34 patients with complaints of tinnitus who had visited Pundang Cha Oriental Medicine Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology from March 1998 to February 2000. All of them had been treated 2 or 3 times a week with acupuncture treatment and had taken herbs according to the Byeonjeung(辨證) method. It was therefore possible for me to know whether their symptoms improved or not. Parameters Observed and Method: We treated them with acupuncture & herb-medication. Sometimes we gave them moxibustion or negative therapy with bloodletting at the acupuncture points(耳門, 聽宮, 聽會). Parameters Observed 1) Distribution of age & sex 2) Chief complaints 3) The sites of tinnitus 4) The quality of tinnitu 5) The duration of disease 6) The problem induced tinnitus 7) Factors increasing disease severity 8) The classification of the Byeonjeung(辨證) 9) The efficacy of treatments Results: 1. Age and sex distribution: The most common occurrence was found in males in their twenties: 6 males($17.7\%$), and in females in their thirties and over sixty: 8 females($23.5\%$). Total patient numbers for men and women were 20 men($58.8\%$), 14 women ($41.2\%$). 2. The most frequent major complaints were hearing disturbances related to tinnitus; and dizziness with tinnitus; each comprising 10 cases($29.4\%$). There were also 7 patients($20.6\%$) with only tinnitus. 3. Tinnitus sites: 13($38.2\%$) said that they felt tinnitus in both ears, equally. In the right ear, 9($26.5\%$), in the left, 6($17.7\%$). 4. The most frequent descriptive symptoms of tinnitus were: humming, hissing, buzzing etc. 5. The duration of disease. 14cases($41.2\%$) had a duration of less than 1 year. 6. 15cases($44.1\%$) complained that it was hard to watch TV or make a phone call because of tinnitus. 10 cases($29.4\%$) complained about depression. 7. Factors increasing severity of tinnitus: ⅰ) fatigue: 18cases($52.9\%$) ⅱ) stress/ tension: 10 cases($29.4\%$) ⅲ) alcohol and tobacco: 5cases($l4.7\%$) 8. Classification through Byeonjeung : ⅰ) 19 cases($55.9\%$) were classified as showing Deficiency syndrome. ⅱ) 15 cases($44.l\%$) were classified as showing Excess syndrome. The deficiency of Qi was 7($20.6\%$), deficiency of Xue, 8($23.5\%$) and insufficiency of the Kidney Yin & Yang, 4($11.8\%$). The flare of Liver fire was 8($23.5\%$) and phlegm-fire, 7($20.6\%$), 9. The efficacy of treatments showed: an improvement in 17cases($50.0\%$); no real improvement or changes in 13 cases($38.2\%$); and some worsening in 4 cases($11.8\%$). In the group with deficiency in Qi, 4($57.1\%$) improved, 1($14.3\%$) showed no change and 2($28.6\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of deficiency in Xue, 6($75.0\%$) improved, 2($25.0\%$) showed no change. In the cases of insufficiency of Kidney Yin & Yang, 3($75.0\%$) showed no change and 1($25.0\%$) were aggravated. In the group of flare of Liver fire, 4($50.0\%$) improved, 3($37.5\%$) no change and 1($12.5\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of phlegm-fire, 3($42.9\%$) improved, 4($57.1\%$) showed no change. Conclusion: We would recommend that any further studies of tinnitus utilize trial treatments of longer than 2 months duration, as any positive effects observed in our study showed that improvement occurred fairly slowly. And we suggest that this study could be utilized as a reference for clinical Oriental Medical treatment of tinnitus. If we try to apply music or sound therapy treatment properly combined with ours, we expect it to provide psycological stability in addition to inducing masking effects, even though it may not directly decrease or completely remove tinnitus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.557-564
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• 2006

This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yak-sun (oriental diet therapy) can effect health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related diseases like obesity and hyper lipidemia by taking Yak-sun in a form of nutritional supplement with our daily meals. We produced Yak-sun tea with $Ky\hat{a}lmy\hat{a}ngja$, Kamguk, $K\hat{u}m\hat{u}nhwa$, Ch'onkung and observed nutritional composition and evaluated how this tea effects on serum lipids and homocystein concentration by clinical practices. With this observation, we found out that this tea has significant effect on increasing of HDL-cholesterol, decreasing of LDL-cholesterol and homocysteine concentration, and we think that scientific and objective evaluation was done on the components of Yak-sun tea prescription. We concluded that we could apply the components not only in a form of tea, but also in other forms of various food. The information we received from this conclusion will be a basic information on how we can apply oriental medicinal resources into other food and will also be a stepping stone for medicinal herbs to step foot in the field of functional food research, which already draws sizable attention world-wide.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1255-1264
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• 2015

Cnidium officinale, a traditional herb, has diverse beneficial pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiangiogenesis effects. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis by C. officinale are poorly defined. The present study investigated the proapoptotic effects of water, ethanol, and methanol extract of C. officinale (WECO, EECO, and MECO, respectively) in human leukemia U937 cells. The antiproliferative activity of EECO was higher than that of WECO and MECO. The antiproliferative effect of EECO treatment in U937 cells was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, including increased populations of annexin-V positive cells, the formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation, and increased numbers of cells with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Δψm). EECO-induced apoptotic cell death was associated with upregulation of death receptor 4 (DR4) and down-regulation of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1 (cIAP-1), Bcl-2, and total Bid. The EECO treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8, and -9), and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), β-catenin, and phospholipase C-γ1 (PLCγ1). In addition, the EECO treatment effectively activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. However, compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, significantly reduced EECO-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that AMPK is a key regulator of apoptosis in response to EECO in human leukemia U937 cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the antimicrobial effect on the periodontal pathogens and anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba has been used for treating as Artemisiae Capilaris Herba in Korea. Methods : Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was prepared by extracting medicinal herb with water. We investigated antimicrobial activity by the minimun inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. We also investigated inhibition of IL-$1{\beta}$-induced collagenase-l(MMP-l), stromelysin-1(MMP-3), interleukin-6 gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts. Results : The antimicrobial effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with MIC against periodontopathogens; Porphyromonas gingivalis 2561, W50, A7A1-28, 9-14K-1, Prevotella intermedia28, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4, MICs of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba were 0.156 mg/ml, 0.625 mg/ml, 0.313 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with Influence of herbs on the IL-$1{\beta}$-induced expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6, IL-$1{\beta}$ increased MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 mRNA levels. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba significantly inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$-induced MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 gene expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggested that Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba might reduce the excessive proteolytic capacity of the gingival fibroblast during inflammation and could be developed a new drug in periodontitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.126-142
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• 1997

For last four or five years, the number of Korean students have gone on increasing awfully. After the year 1997 when they will flow in, our field and government will be undergone a big shock and social problems. Therefore, thorough grasping and the method of provision is expeced to need. 1. The situation, According to the data published from the year 1993 to 1997, their results are great different. But recent Korean embassy in China examined the situation of the Korean students, whose result was investigated as follows: about 1500 persons, their average age is 24 to 44, the ratio of male and female students is 3 to 1, that of their academic background which is a graduate of university : that of college : that of highschool is 1.6 : 1 : 4.7, and that of their class attitude which is direct : common : indirect appears the percents 30.4 : 52.8 : 16.8. 2. The controversial points (1) A lowering of standards on Chinese medical treatment is expected by the imprudent studying abroad without qualification. And because of excessive production of herb doctors, the amount of treatment may be above people's demand. Besides owing to the impossibility of prediction on the number the counterplans of our government may fall into utler confusion. (2) The curriculum, the teaching schedule and contents are so different that the graduates seem not to be given real education of chinese medicine from the point of Korean view. (3) In the wrong national examination, the important thought of china, and the system of WTO in Korea, when China will become mighty rival above problems contain the negative sides. 3. The counterplans - what should be performed soon. (1) Illegal contents about studying abroadl in China ought to inform sidely that students might not go on increasing. Before they form nam-power, the government and the field of chinese medicine should cope with such a situation together. (2) The law of regulation about agents should be legislated and they should be surpervised. (3) The exact numbers of students, their situation, and the present condition of each university should be examined. (4) After investigating the problems of the present system of national test, its enforcement and many counterplans is requisite. (5) The cooperating confrontation with the conference of dentistry is in need. (6) Since the problems are possibility to be developed to diplomatic questions, the effort of both nations is needful. - what need middle of long time. (1) The effort that suppress the more establishment of the college of oriental medicine is necessary. (2) After comparing with the system of foreign test, the government should make the system of test in accord with the mutualism and the principle of indiscrimination among nations and cope with such a many issues thoroughly.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.56-71
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• 1999

1. In the recohnition of cosmos true form, It is compared to the Boundless(無極) the Great Absolute(太極),Yin and Yang(兩儀) throungh the fertilazation process of spermatozoon and ovum. 2. It is explained that principle of unchange through the Form and Action(體 用) relation of the outer appearances and Number (象數) with matching the number of nine and ten to HaDoo(河圖) and RakSye(洛書). 3. Eigth divinations(八卦) being compared to the human body, Care presevation of pregnancy(養胎) is explained that head forms firstly(Gun-I 1乾一), secondly lung(Tae-E 兌二), heart(E-Sam 離三), liver(Jin-Sa 震四), gall bladder(Son-Oo 巽五), kidney(Gam-Yuk 坎六), intestines and stomach(Gan-Chill 艮七), lastly flesh forms(Gon-Pal 坤八). 4. It is explained that process of physiological change of $\ll$Nei Ching The Natural Truth in Ancient Times$\gg$(內經 上古天眞論) by matching boy at the age of 8 to Gan-divination(艮卦), and girl at the age of 7 to Tae-divination(兌卦). 5. The theory of six sons from Gun-Gon(乾坤六子論) is explained by relation of Apriority Eight-divination(先天八卦) obedience and disobedience-left and right. 6. It is explained that form of the human-body and the relationship of the Heart - the Kidney through the Gam(坎) Li(離) - divination 7. The effort of interpretating time and space of the Twelve Horary signs is explanined by season, direction, Five elements(五行), rise and decline, the Three Sum(三合), the Six Sum (六合), the six crash(六衡)'s relation. 8. the process of change from apriority(先天) to postery(後天) in the book of Changes(周易) is explanined by comparing to the phenomenum of nature and the human body. 9. The Energy Satus(氣位) are different from the direction of Eight-divination(八卦) and the properties of the good or bad of herb-drugs are differnt from the place of production. 10. The rightness of realizating the Overlapping-divinations(重卦) are compared to the phenomenum of nature through the Divination Virture(卦德). 11. The dependence-relations of The Twelve Meridians(十二經脈) are explained by-matching January with liver meridian, February with gall bladder meridian, march with heart pericardium meridiam, April with small intestine meridkan, August with lung spleen meridian, jury with stomach meridian, August with lung meridian, September with large intestine meridian, October with urinary bladder meridianm November with kidney meridian. December with triple energizer meridian throng The Twelve Byuk-divination. 12. The process of menstration cycle is explained by The Month symbolizing-divination(月候卦). 13. Through The Trade(交易) prove the reason of feverish sympotoms to use feverish Drug, mill sympotoms to use mill drug of prescription and Heart-Kidneys Consensus(心賢相交) and through The Change(變易), prove the chill and feverish consensus of forechill after feverish, fore feverish after chill and through. The Non-Change(不易) explain the reason of chill sympotoms to use feverish drug, feverish sympotoms to use chill drug of prscription. 14. Ho-divination(互卦) applicate Jxa Sa(佐使) herb drug match of Kun Sin Jwa Sa() theory. 15. According to the Hyo-position(爻位) match the ages, body form and drug by matching Ehight-divination(八卦) to the human body form and function in medicine and the book of Changes(周易) application emphasize the human body Ehight-divination(人身八卦). 16. Throgh the Order-divination(序卦) explain the rightness of Divination Image(卦象) arrangement and all things take shape by cosmo-energy conseusus(宇宙氣交). 17. Throgh the Mixing-divination(難卦) supply the vacancy of medicine and the book of Changes(周易) relationship in the foreword explian the human energy movements, sleep, vomitting, the energy arrival(逮氣), heart pericardium(心包), lung membrane(肺膜) etc.... Like the above sentence medicine and the book of Changes(周易) theory of scholar Tang on the viewpoint of easten-the way Western appliance(東道西器) researching abyss of medicine impart to descendants, so I think that the achievement of medicine and the book of Changes(周易) study is very excellant and I expect that the study Korean Oriental Medicine(韓醫學) theory by means of medicine the book of Changes(周易) reference, will be accelarated.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2018

Background: Astragalus membranaceus is a well known oriental medicinal herb. The polysaccharides of the aboveground parts (AMA) and the radix (AMR) of A. membranaceus are the most important functional constituents. Methods and Results: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of AMA and AMR on the oxidative damage induced in the skeletal muscle of rats subjected to exhaustive exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exercise and non-exercise groups; in the groups receiving the test compounds, AMA and AMR were administered orally for 30 days. Skeletal muscle samples were collected from each rat after running to exhaustion on a treadmill to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and the concentation of malondialdehyde (MDA). The antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px of skeletal muscle of AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly higher than those of the control and commercial sports drink (SPD)-treated groups in exhaustive exercise rats. In addition, MDA concentrations in the skeletal muscle of the AMA- and AMR-treated groups were significantly lower than those of the control and SPD-treated groups. In the present study, the effects of AMA and AMR on exercise endurance capacity were also evaluated in mice subjected to a swimming exercise test. AMA and AMR supplementation prolonged the swimming time of mice and enhanced exercise endurance capacity. AMA and AMR possess the ability to retard and lower the production of blood lactate, and prevent the decrease of serum blood glucose. Conclusions: These results showed that, AMR and AMA exerted beneficial effect in mice, increasing the activity of the antioxidant systems and inhibiting oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise. The compounds improved exercise performance and showed anti-fatigue effects against exhaustive exercise.