• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.475-483
• /
• 2016

The current study was conducted to evaluate beneficial effects of a new formula (CWC-9) using four traditional Oriental medicinal herbs, Cynanchum wilfordii, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus gramineus, on hippocampal cells and memory function. To examine the neuroprotective effects of a new four-herb extract, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were performed in HT22 cells and behavioral tests (Morris water maze and passive avoidance retention), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In HT22 hippocampal cells, pretreatment with CWC-9 resulted in significantly reduced glutamate-induced cell death with suppression of ROS accumulation caused by glutamate. In a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia, we observed significant improvement of spatial and short-term memory function by treatment with CWC-9. Phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in hippocampus of ischemic mice were decreased by treatment with CWC-9, but phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were significantly enhanced. By immunohistochemical analysis, we confirmed higher expression of phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampal neurons of CWC-9 treated mice. These results suggest that new multi-herb formula CWC-9 mainly exerted beneficial effects on cognitive function through regulation of neuro-protective signaling pathways associated with CREB.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.13-26
• /
• 2018

Objectives : This study was carried out to enhance the activity of Iksuyoungjingo, which has the tonify Qi, nourish Yin effect of oriental medicine, and to study the effect of the prescriptions on the immunological activities. Methods : Immunosuppression was induced by methotrexate (MTX) 2 mg / kg, the experimental group was divided into IYGgami-I, IYGgami-I-F, IYGgami-II and IYGgami-II-F groups. Each prescription was administered with drinking water for 20 days, and body weight was measured every 5 days during this period. Leukocyte, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2, IL-6, IgE, spleen weight and body weight were measured Results : In the changes of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2 and IL-6 as pro-inflammatory elements, all of the experimental groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group. In the IgE changes, the IYGgami-I-F, IYGgami-II and IYGgami-II-F groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. In the changes of spleen weight, the IYGgami-II-F group showed a significant increase compared to the control group. In the changes of WBC and lymphocytes, the IYGgami-I-F group showed a significant increase compared to the control group. Conclusions : From the above results, it can be observed that the efficacy against immunity is exerted in all of the preparations, and it was confirmed that the efficacy was maintained constant even when utilizing the Rehmannia glutinosa Residue and Poria cocos Bark, and that a more beneficial effect can be exerted in the effectiveness when the fermentation is carried out.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.81-102
• /
• 2018

Objectives : I analysed daehwangmokdan-tang's compatibility principle by the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy and investigated pharmacological activities by categorizing with chemical components, molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level based on Korean and Chinese studies for this formula. Methods : Daehwangmokdan-tang's compatibiltity principle was examined by the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy. I looked into studies that presented in Korea from 1956 to 2016 about daehwangmokdan-tang through KOREA INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE, Korean medicine information system (OASIS) and in Chinese for 20 years about daehwangmokdan-tang through China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI. Then classify into chemical components, molecular level, cellular level, animal level and human level to analyse. Results : According to the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, chief herb is Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Moutan Cortex, deputy herb is Natrii Sulfas and Persicae Semen, assistant and envoy herbs are Trichosanthis Semen. The amount of extraction of paeonol, total anthraquinone, and conjugated anthraquinone from daehwangmokdan-tang with the formulation of the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy was the highest, and in the formulation of chief herb and deputy herb, the extraction amount of paeonol and conjugated anthraquinone was the lowest. With other formulations, the amount of extraction of total anthraquinone and conjugated anthraquinone was improved, although the degree was different. In particular, when it is blended with Persicae Semen as a deputy herb, the extraction amount of total anthraquinone and conjugated anthraquinone of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma as a chief herb is greatly increased, and the extraction amount of paeonol is rather different, but it is lowered. It was found that the amount of Mg Ca K Na in daehwangmokdan-tang was the highest. Pharmacological activities can be detected in inflammatory mediators and enzymes for molecular level. For cellular level, it can be determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell line. In mouse and rats for animal level and human level, in inflammatory diseases (acute appendicitis, acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, acute abdominal disease, ect.), pharmacological activities was caught. Conclusions : From the above results, daehwangmokdan-tang is composed in line with the system of chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy, suggesting that there is certain rationality and scientific. Pharmacological activities of daehwangmokdan-tang are effective to anti-inflammation, improvement of sepsis, analgesic, muscle relaxation, and improvement of intestinal flora and its metabolites. Daehwangmokdan-tang is consistent with the action of diuresis and anti-inflammation in terms of the content of elements, suggesting that there is action of purging fire and removing blood stasis, defecation detoxification, cooling blood and clearing heat and activating blood and dispersing stasis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.515-521
• /
• 2014

The oriental traditional medicine, Aruncus dioicus var kamtschaticus (ADK) is used for hemostasis (blood stopping) and the promotion of blood circulation. Recently, the demands of the aerial part of ADK as edible mountain herbs are rapidly increased due to its unique fragrance and bioactivity. In this study, to evaluate the anti-thrombosis activity of ADK, ethanol extract and organic solvent fractions were prepared from aerial parts of ADK, and their anticoagulation and anti-platelet aggregation activities were determined. In an anticoagulation activity assay, the ethanol extract of ADK increased the thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 1.4-2.3 times at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Among the fractions, the ethylacetate fraction showed strong inhibitory effects against blood clotting factors, as shown in an extension of the aPTT. In contrast, the butanol fraction strongly promoted blood clotting. In an anti-platelet aggregation assay, the activity of the ethanol extract was comparable to that of aspirin, a commercial anti-platelet aggregation agent, and the butanol fraction showed 2-fold higher aggregation inhibitory activity than aspirin. The aforementioned ethanol extract and active fractions have ignorable hemolytic activity against human red blood cells up to a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Considering the high content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total sugar of the ethylacetate and butanol fractions, the purified active substances have potential as safe and novel anti-thrombosis agents. This report provides the first evidence of anti-thrombosis activity of ADK.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of improving the quality of oriental medicinal herbs is to contribute to the improvement of the income of farm. The present study investigated the effect of reasonable drying methods, different storage conditions and packageing materials on quality and stability of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and for developing GAP (good agricultural practice) guide book. Methods and Results: Three methods of drying Scutellaria baicalensis roots produced over two years were used to estimate loss rate owing to drying, storage, and packaging. The methods of drying were categorized into natural drying (36 - 60 h by sunshine), drying with heat dryer (2 - 10 h), or drying with gas bulk dryer (2 - 10 h). After cleaning, and initial drying for a few days under controlled temperature conditions, the second phase of drying was carried out at 35, 45 and $55^{\circ}C$. Changes in hunter color values and quality under the two studied storage treatments (at $20^{\circ}C$ indoors and at $4^{\circ}C$ in a refigerator) were evaluated. Storage period for 60, 120, and 180 days in three packaging materials, PE (polyethylene package), PP (polypropylene gunnysack), and WP (watertight packing paper) were studied. Conclusions: Initial cleaning, reasonable gas drying and hot air drying, and drying in an oven at 35 and $45^{\circ}C$ after cutting the roots resulted in the lowest loss rates in S. Baicalensis root. Hunter color valuse indicated that stroage of dry roots at room temperature was better than PP packaging, and that cold stroage was better than PE packaging for long-term stability.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2017

Cimicifuge dahurica (C. dahurica), Coptis chinensis (C. chinensis) and Phellodendri amurense (P. amurense) extracts has an detoxification effect and Magnol obovata bark (M. obovata) extracts has an antibacterial effect in oriental medicine. This study investigated the possibility of the extract mixture as a functional cosmetic ingredient by mixing C. dahurica, C. chinensis, P. amurense and M. obovata extracts. MTT assay was carried out for toxicity test and DPPH/ABTS experiments for antioxidant effects of the extract mixture. Results show that the extract mixture was safer and antioxidant effects in a dose-dependent manner than single extract of the mixture. The mixture effectively inhibited NO (nitric oxide) production, which indicate good efficacy for anti-inflammation. The mixture also protected UVB-induced cell damage and increased type 1 pro-collagen synthesis in fibroblast. In addition, it's treatment inhibited the melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by lowering expression of MITF, tyrosinase and TRPs in B16F10 melanoma cell. These results suggest that medicinal herbal extract mixture may be useful as a functional ingredient for anti-aging and skin whitening cosmetic formula.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.12
• /
• pp.1571-1577
• /
• 2007

The herb mixtures that are known to lower blood pressure were selected through oriental medical books and prescriptions and the physicochemical properties of their water extracts were analyzed to examine the possibility as functional food materials. The total yield of 28 water extracts was in the range of $5.33{\sim}36.71%$. Total phenolics and flavonoid content were $204.89{\sim}2543.29mg%\;and\;59.79{\sim}1430.55mg%$, respectively, and especially No. 2, 5, 9, 17, 18, 20, 22, and 26 showed high rates of above 800 mg%. Electron donating ability (EDA) was $7.81{\sim}98.18%$, and the samples that showed high values in EDA were similar to the samples with high values in total phenolics and flavonoid content. Phenolics and flavonoid compounds of the herbs are considered to perform a major role in antioxidation. Nitrite scavenging ability reached the highest at pH 1.2 ($11.70{\sim}96.47%$) and the lowest at pH 6.0 (below 12.77%), which indicates that nitrite scavenging ability decreases when pH increases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.443-451
• /
• 2020

Recently, thrombotic diseases have become rapidly more prevalent due to Westernized lifestyles and high-fat diets. In this study, the anti-thrombosis activities of the aerial parts of Sageretia thea were evaluated using ethanol extracts of the leaf (ST-L), branch (ST-B), and fruit (ST-F), and their anti-coagulation, platelet aggregation inhibition, and hemolytic toxicity were assessed. In comparison to the ST-F extract, the ST-B exhibited 6.7 times more polyphenol content, and the ST-L had 2.7 times more total flavonoid content. The ST-L and ST-B extracts showed stronger inhibitions of thrombin, prothrombin, and blood coagulation factors than aspirin, berry extracts, or commercial oriental herbs. Furthermore, ST-L and ST-B showed superior platelet aggregation-inhibitory activities than aspirin. The ST-F extract demonstrated only minor anti-thrombosis effects, and none of the extracts showed hemolysis against red blood cells up to 1 mg/ml. Phenolic acid and flavonoid analysis of the ST-L and ST-B extracts showed abundant rutin, isoquercitrin, and astragalin as the major active compounds. Further research on the anti-thrombotic activity of isoquercitrin, a rare flavonoid from quercetin, is necessary. This is the first report of isoquercitrin in Sageretia thea, and our results suggest that ST-L and ST-B extracts could therefore developed as anti-thrombosis agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.1394-1400
• /
• 2003

In this study a natural composition containing oriental herbs, KSH28, for reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome was constructed and its efficacy was evaluated in animal and human. To investigate the anti-obesity effect of KSH28, animal study was conducted using high fat diet-induced obese mice. KSH28 significantly decreased body weight and adipose tissue in high fat diet-fed obese mice. The mean size of fat cells in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Glucose and triglyceride levels were also significantly decreased. To elucidate its efficacy in human, a natural food containing KSH28 with grains, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers was constructed and 40 subjects (8 male and 32 female) were tested for the change of body composition, blood pressure and blood lipid profile. All subjects had 2 pack (309 each) of natural food per day for 4 weeks. Compared to the baseline value, body fat was significantly reduced, however, water, protein and mineral contents in the body were not changed, suggesting selective reduction of fat tissue. Blood pressure and serum lipid profile were significantly decreased to reduce risk for metabolic syndrome. Serum GPT, a liver function indicator, was not changed and no significant side effects were detected. Therefore, it was shown that the KSH28 is a safe and effective composition for reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 2002

The pathogenesis of cholestatic liver injury as well as the modulation of hepatic fibrogenesis is causally associated with involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical reactions. In this study, we investigated whether dried extracts of oriental medicine (LH) have antioxidant and antifibrotic effect under the biliary liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) c ondition. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in six groups (Normal, N-LH, op-2, op-4, opLH-2, opLH-4) and were observed in 2 weeks or 4 weeks. For this purpose the rats were operated by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S), which induced to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. After surgery, the prepared LH was administered p.o. 2 mι/day/rat in 2 weeks or 4 weeks for opLH groups. During the observation period, jaundices appeared in eyes, ears and tail of all BDL/S operated rats. And at the time of sacrifice, cholestasis was observed in proximal bile duct, especially the color of bile juice and urine in opLH-4 group showed more clear than op-2, op-4 and opLH-2 group. The value of clinical parameters and product of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in sera and the hydroxyproline (hyp) content in liver tissue were significantly increased in all liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) developed rats (p＜0.001~0.05). Among the clinical parameters of sera, value of BUN, ALP in opLH-4 group showed significantly lower than in op-4 group (p＜0.05, p＜0.001). The content of hyp in opLH-2, opLH-4 group (478.0 $\pm$ 134.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g 897.5 $\pm$ 118.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) showed lower than in op-2, op-4 group (528.9 $\pm$ 220.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 1023.8 $\pm$ 277.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) and then the value of MDA in opLH-4 was also significantly reduced to 59.4% of that in op-4 group (p＜0.001). The histological change (bile duct proliferation, fibrosis, collagen bundle) was similarly observed in op-2 group and in opLH-2 group, but the weak fibrosis and bile duct proliferation were observed in opLH-4 group compared with in op-4 group. Our data indicate that the 4 weeks treatment with LH extract suppressed lipid peroxidation and inhibited fibrotic (cirrhosis) process, and experimental cholestatic liver disease is associated with increased lipid peroxidation in BDL/S operated rats. Hence we concluded that the measurement of MDA and hyp can be useful monitor for the screening of antioxidant and antifibrotic effect in experimental liver fibrosis (cirrhosis), and LH has been shown to have hepatoprotective effect, antifibrotic effect and antioxidant effect.