• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2015

H9 is an ethanol extract prepared from nine traditional/medicinal herbs. This study was focused on the anticancer effect of H9 in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. The effects of H9 on cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ${\Delta}\psi_{m}$), and apoptosisrelated protein expression were investigated in A549 human lung cancer cells. In this study, H9-induced apoptosis was confirmed by propidium iodide staining, expression levels of mRNA were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, protein expression levels were checked by western blot analysis, and MMP (${\Delta}\psi_{m}$) was measured by JC-1 staining. Our results indicated that H9 decreased the viability of A549 cells and induced cell morphological changes in a dose-dependent manner. H9 also altered expression levels of molecules involved in the intrinsic signaling pathway. H9 inhibited Bcl-xL expression, whereas Bax expression was enhanced and cytochrome C was released. Furthermore, H9 treatment led to the activation of caspase-3/caspase-9 and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; the MMP was collapsed by H9. However, the expression levels of extrinsic pathway molecules such as Fas/FasL, TRAIL/TRAIL-R, DR5, and Fas-associated death receptor were downregulated by H9. These results indicated that H9 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis by activating intrinsic pathways but not extrinsic pathways in human lung cancer cells. Our results suggest that H9 can be used as an alternative remedy for human non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1036-1046
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• 2015

Extracts from Asian medicinal herbs are known to be successful therapeutic agents against cancer. In this study, the effects of three types of herbal extracts on anti-tumor growth were examined. Among the three types of herbal extracts, H9 showed stronger anti-tumor growth effects than H5 and H11 in vivo. To find the molecular mechanism by which H9 inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines, the levels of apoptotic markers were examined. Proapoptotic markers, including cleaved PARP and cleaved caspases 3 and 9, were increased, whereas the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2 was decreased by H9 treatment. Next, the combined effect of H9 with the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) on tumor growth was examined using 4T1-tumor-bearing mice. The combined treatment of H9 with AC did not show additive or synergetic anti-tumor growth effects. However, when tumor-bearing mice were co-treated with H9 and the targeted anti-tumor drug trastuzumab, a delay in tumor growth was observed. The combined treatment of H9 and trastuzumab caused an increase of natural killer (NK) cells and a decrease of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Taken together, H9 induces the apoptotic death of tumor cells while increasing anti-tumor immune activity through the enhancement of NK activity and diminishment of MDSC.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine if YJ-1, a novel herbal complex from a mixture of six oriental herbs (Hydnocarpi Semen, Sesami Semen, Dictamni Radicis Cortex, Momordicae Semen, Xanthii Fructus, and Sophorae Radix), has therapeutic properties for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Using AD like symptom-induced NC/Nga mice by 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), the effectiveness of YJ-1 on AD was evaluated. Elidel cream$^{(R)}$ (1% pimecrolimus) was used as a control. Dermal application of YJ-1 reduced major clinical signs of AD such as erythema, pruritus, lichenification, edema/escoriations, and dryness. Interestingly, YJ-1 more improved AD-related symptoms including decrease of spleen weight, IL-4, and IgE level in the serum as well as reduction of scratching counts and clinical skin severity in the NC/Nga AD mouse model. Especially, treatment of YJ-1 at 20% in NC/Nga mice more effected than Elidel cream. These results suggest that the ointment of YJ-1 may enhance the process of AD healing by alleviating allergic reaction and has potential for therapeutic reagent for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.20-29
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• 2007

1. Objectives We know that the origine of the pe-tsai is from 백채(白菜; pronounced as bak-tsai, meaning white vegetable). But some literatures said that the japanese butterbur(Petasites japonicus (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim) is from 백채(白菜;: pronounced as bak-tsai), too. These two words have same origin. It makes us get into a mess. So We are about to study the origine of the pe-tsai more. Also, we investigated its historical origin, properties and Sasang constitutional medicine's efficacy. 2. Methods We reviewed farmings(e.g. 山林經濟, 林園經濟法), dictionarys(e.g. 訓蒙字會), encyclopedia(e.g. 物名攷), books on herbs and medicines to summarize literatures about the pe-tsai. 3. Results and Conclusions (1) The origin of term, pe-tsai is sung, named after a pine tree(松), chineses character pronounced as song) which we can see throughout a year. Also, pe-tsai was called white vegetables(白菜, pronounced as bak-tsai) because its appearance is green and white. Therefore, the pronounciation of sung derives from its character and we also say bak-tsai(白菜), which came from its looks. (2) Today we pronounce pe-tsai inro bae-tsu(배추) in korean. There are pronunciational developments of this word : bak-tsai(白菜) $\to$ bae-tsae $\to$ bae-tsa $\to$ bae-tsa $\to$ bae-tsae(배채) $\to$ bae-tsu(배추). (3) Our ancestor used bak-tsai(白菜) as the name of japenese butterbur, which was different from China. The latter times of Joseon(조선), however, sometimes bak-tsai(白菜) meant pe-tsai. After the year of 1800, bak-tsai(白菜) only meant pe-tsai. So when we try to translate our ancestor's books, we must examine carefully their published year. (4) Pe-tsai is used for baby's erysipelas, boil, fever in the chest, thirst after alcohol drinking and kind of diabetes. It helps digestive organs as well. Pe-tsai is used for stress, fever in the chest and cough with fever of Soyangin and Tayangin in Sasang Constitutional Medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2004

This study was performed to examine in vitro biological activities such as antioxidative, nitrite scavenging effect, tyrosinase inhibitory effect and antithrombotic activity of a Korean traditional prescription, Nogyong-daebotang, composed of oriental medical herbs and antler, nourishing the blood, helthiness, strengthening of vital power and promotion of growth. The concentration of total phenolic compounds of the prescription sample was 151.3$\pm$2.6 mg％. The electron donating abilities (EDA) by reduction of 2.2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was 80.9%, inhibition rate of lipid peroxidation in thiocyanate method used linoleic acid was 88.1%. Nitrite scavenging effects of the sample were more than 70% at acidic pH, but it was pH dependent, showing the highest at pH 1.2 and the lowest at pH 6.0. Inhibition rate against tyrosinase of the sample was above 80%. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP (adenosine-5'-diphosphate) was inhibited up to 30% and the inhibitory effect was dependent on concentration of the sample.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2016

Hair loss affects both men and women of all ages and often significantly affects social and psychologic health. Recent therapeutic approach for hair loss such as finasteride and minoxidil focused on regulation of hormonal system blood flow. However, long-term use of these drugs caused adverse effects. To develop herbal medicine for therapeutic effect on hair growth, here we screened the 10 medicinal herbs (Red ginseng, Licorice, Ulmus, Barberry root, Lycium root, Rehmanniae radix crudus, Sophora root, Sweet flag, Polygala root, Achyranthes) based on oriental medicine literature. We measured cytotoxicity, anti-oxidant activity, and $5-{\alpha}$ reductase inhibitory effect of the herbal medicine on human dermal papilla (DP) cells to investigate therapeutic effect of the herbal medicine. Treatment of the 1% herbal medicine did not show any cytotoxic effects, and cell growth was increased by treatment of the 0.1% herbal medicine. In addition, the herbal medicine showed stronger antioxidant activity than resveratrol and comparable inhibitory activity of $5-{\alpha}$ reductase with finasteride. Furthermore, when applied to in vivo mouse model, we also observed increases in the number and length of hair of the herbal medicine-treated group. These results suggest that the herbal medicine promotes hair growth by its antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity of $5-{\alpha}$ reductase and might therefore be a promising hair growth-promoting agent.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2016

Introduction Jaundice is one of the most common conditions found in neonatal period. Phototherapy is one of the main treatments for neonatal jaundice. However, several adverse effects of the phototherapy have been reported, including DNA damage recently. Therefore, a variety of treatments have been conducted to shorten the duration of phototherapy. Meanwhile, it has been hardly tried to prevent neonatal jaundice, but diverse approaches have been tried in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for many years. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the studies for the treatments to prevent neonatal jaundice based on TCM. Materials and Methods Various literatures have been searched via CNKI, and PubMed using the terms "neonatal jaundice" (新生儿黄疸, 胎黃, 胎疸) in category of 'Traditional Chinese Medicine', 'Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs' and 'Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine With Western Medicine'. The search range included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), case reports, reviews and animal experiments published from 2013 to 2015. Results A total of 104 studies were found. 93 articles were excluded by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Out of the remaining 11 studies, 9 articles were RCTs, 2 articles were CCTs. The treatment used in neonatal babies in the studies were, using herbal remedies (meditation 5, bath 3 and retention enema 1) and the acupressure. All treatments were initiated within the first 24-48 hours after their birth. Then, there was a study that the subjects taken the herbal medicine were women during pregnancy. The outcome assessments used were the serum total bilirubin (TB), transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (TCB), the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia, the duration time of the jaundice. Especially, TB, TCB and the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia have decreased significantly more than that of the control group in the most of the results. No severe adverse events were reported in all articles reviewed. Conclusions Conventional treatment such as, herbal medicine in TCM, seems to be the effective way to prevent neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, the conventional treatment may be favorable choice for preventive treatment for neonatal jaundice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.160-171
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• 2012

Background and Objective : Warfarin is the standard anticoagulation treatment for atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and mechanical heart valves. Close monitoring of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is required due to the drug's very narrow therapeutic window. Many factors can affect INR levels. Drug and food interactions are frequently cited as causes of adverse events with warfarin. We discussed interactions between herbs and warfarin studied in this research. Methods : In this review, PubMed was used to search medical journals. Keywords "warfarin AND interaction" were applied. Results : 55 articles were included. The possibility of correlation between warfarin and single herbal medicines such as Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Ginseng Radix Alba, Lycii Fructus, Ginkgo Folium, Menthae Herba, Trigonellae semen was suggested. Furthermore, some herbal compounds interacting with warfarin were reported. The conclusion of studies reporting the effect of herbal medicine on warfarin were controversial due to small size or quality of research. Conculsions : We suggest that we should prescribe therapeutic herbal medicines to patients using warfarin more carefully and do INR follow-up regularly.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2003

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has long been considered an important cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children throughout the world. Unfortunately, no effective treatment of RSV exists. Therefore, New agents are needed to reduce the impact of RSV. We have studied the anti-viral effect of traditional Chinese midicinal herbs for over ten years and find Herba Patrinea (a Chinese medicinal herb) has the anti-RSV effect in vitro. In this study, the Herba Patrinea was extracted with hot water, condensed and sterilized. The cytotoxicity of the aqueous extract was tested by adding the diluted extract directly to HeLa cells and its effect on anti-RSV was estimated by the CPEI assay. As a result, the median cytotoxic concentration $(CC_{50})$ of Herba Patrinea was 32 mg/ ml by morphological observation, the median effective concentration (50% effective concentration, $EC_{50}$) of the Herba Patrinea against replication of the Long strain of RSV in HeLa cells were 1.25 mg/ml. The selectivity index $(SI=CC_{50}/EC{50})$ is 25.6. Moreover, Herba Patrinea gave a dose-dependent response in inhibiting RSV. In time of addition experiment, Herba Patrinea inhibited replication of RSV in HeLa cells when it was added at 0h, 2h, and 4h after virus infection. In summary, the results of this study suggest Herba Patrinea may be a novel anti-RSV drug and it is worthy of further studying.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1956-1964
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• 2014

To provide the scientific corroboration of the traditional uses of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., a detailed analytical examination of A. quinata stems was carried out using a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method coupled to photodiode array detector (PDA) for the simultaneous determination of four phenolic substances; cuneataside D (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and calceolarioside B (4). Particular attention was focused on the main compound, 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3), which has a range of biological functions. In addition, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2) was considered as a discernible marker of A. quinata from its easy confuse plants. The contents of compounds 2 and 3 ranged from 0.72 to 2.68 mg/g and from 1.66 to 5.64 mg/g, respectively. The validation data indicated that this HPLC/PDA assay was used successfully to quantify the four phenolic compounds in A. quinata from different locations using relatively simple conditions and procedures. The pattern-recognition analysis data from 53 samples classified them into two groups, allowing discrimination between A. quinata and comparable herbs. The results suggest that the established HPLC/PDA method is suitable for quantitation and pattern-recognition analyses for a quality evaluation of this medicinal herb.