• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1564-1568
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• 2007

In this study fourteen ethanol extracts from Nepalese medicinal plants were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and antiradical activity and their total phenolic content was evaluated. The antiradicalactivity was evaluated by free radical scavenging assay, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH). Plant extracts showed a wide range of radical scavenging activity, with $IC_50$ value ranging in between $5.38\; {\mu}g/\;mL$ - $429.61\;{\mu}g/mL$. Strong radical scavenging activity was shown by flower extract of Woodfordia fruticosa ($5.38\;{\mu}g/\;mL$) and stem bark extract of Azadirachta indica ($5.58 {\mu}g/\;mL$)that also contained high phenolic content. Most of the sample showed activity below the concentration of $100\; {\mu}g/mL$. For antimicrobial activity three test microorganisms namely Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans were used. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the plant extracts was determined. Most of the plant extracts were effective against bacterial strains only at higher concentration ($800\;-\;1,600\;{\mu}g/mL$) but none of these were effective against Candida albicans below $1,600\;{\mu}g/mL$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.250-253
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• 2004

The effects of crude extracts from medicinal plants on biological activity were investigated. The crude ethanol extract of H. paucistipula inhibited the growth of the Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis ATCC 19659, (2 mm inhibition zone at 150 ㎍/disc) and the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 28185, (7 mm inhibition zone at 150 ㎍/disc), and toxic to P388 murine leukaemia cells ATCC CCL 46 P388D1, (IC/sub 50/ 2.48 ㎍/㎖ at 75 ㎍/disc). This crude ethanol extract of H. paucistipula is the strongest antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities against P388 murine leukaemia cells ATCC CCL 46 P388D1.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the neuroprotective effects of modified Boyanghwano-Tang (mBHT) and the major medicinal plants, Astragali Radix(AR) and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(SMR) were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic stroke of rats. Methods : mBHT(400 mg/kg) and AR(154 mg/kg) or SMR(62 mg/kg) water extract orally injected in rats after 90 min occlusion of MCA and then allow reperfusion to 24 h. Brain infarction was measured by TTC staining and the expressions of NOS isoforms and apoptotic molecules were determined in ischemic brain by Western blot. Results : The results showed that mBHT has stronger neuropreotective property through inhibitions of the PARP cleaved and caspase-3 activation in ischemic rats, and could reduced infarction volumes comparison of those of AR or SMR, respectively. While, AR extract has an angiogenic property through increasing the expressions of eNOS and VEGF, and SMR extract has a strong anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of iNOS expression in ischemic brains. Conclusions : These results suggest that mBHT has multifactorial therapeutic advantages through anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and angiogenesis for ischemic stroke based on a synergistic combination of ingradients rather than monotherapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.490-494
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• 2005

The purpose of this was investigate the possibility of medicinal plants application as an edible functional food resources. We arried out to develop a beverage by using Nelumbo nucifera and we examined the nutritional characterics. Also we examined the effects of drink on physiological function in aorta relation. Thus, the effect of developed beverage on phenylephrine induced contraction of isolated rat thoracic aorta. Contractile force was measured with force displacement thansducer under 1.5g loading tension. Brix, pH and titratable acidity of developed drink were 12.25%, 4.5 and 0.092%. The approximate nutritional composition of beverage was carbohydrate, 9.40%, crude protein, 0.30%, crude fat, 0.25% and ash, 0.15%. Also insoluble fiber and soluble fiber were 1.30%, 0.80%. Developed beverage contained Na(11.45 mg%), K(6.87 mg%), Ca(2.53 mg%). The contraction forces by injection of phenylephrine in isolated thoracic aorta were significantly law in each beverage treatment groups compared with control group. These results that developed drink with medicinal plants can be used as a functional material to decrease aorta contraction.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2016

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a strong antioxidant/reducing agent that can be converted to dehydroascorbate (DHA) by oxidation in plants. DHA, a very short-lived chemical, is recycled to AsA by dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). Previously, DHAR cDNA was isolated from the hairy roots of the sesame plant, and DHAR-overexpressing transgenic potato plants were generated under the control of the CaMV35S promoter (CaMV35S::DHAR). An increase in transgene expression and ascorbate levels were observed in the transgenic plants. In the present study, proteomic analysis revealed that transgenic plants not only accumulated DHAR in their cells, but also induced several other antioxidant enzyme-related proteins during plant growth. These results suggest that DHAR is important for stress tolerance via induction of antioxidant proteins, and could improve stress tolerance in transgenic potato plants.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.345-350
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• 2010

Various extracts from 30 medicinal plants were evaluated for their antiviral activity against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) and cytotoxicity in MDCK cell culture. The plant material (30 g) was extracted with methanol (300 mL) at room temperature for 24 h, after which the methanolic extracts were filtered, evaporated, and subsequently lyophilized. Evaluation of the potential antiviral activity was conducted by a viral replication inhibition test. Among these medicinal plants, Tussilago farfara, Brassica juncea, Prunus armeniaca, Astragalus membranaceus, Patrinia villosa, and Citrus unshiu showed marked antiviral activity against influenza virus A/H1N1 at concentrations ranging from 0.15625 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL, 0.3125 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 0.625 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, 0.625 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL, and 0.3125 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL, respectively. The extracts of Tussilago farfara showed cytotoxicity at concentrations greater than 2.5 mg/mL, whereas the other five main extracts showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations of 10 mg/mL. Taken together, the present results indicated that methanolic extracts of the six main plants might be useful for the treatment of influenza virus H1N1.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2014

Objectives : Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) one of important herbal medicines in oriental medicine, is defined as the dried root of Aucklandia lappa (Asteraceae). Owing to the similarities in the morphology and name, Inulae Radix (Tu-Muxiang) and Vladimiriae Radix (Chuan-Muxiang) as well as Aristolochiae Radix (Qing-Muxiang) originated from other medicinal plants are often used as substitutes and/or adulterants of Aucklandiae Radix. Therefore, a reliable authentication of these herbal medicines is necessarily for the public health and prevention of misuse. Methods : 32 samples of medicinal plants supplying Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix were collected in Korea and China. The ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) nucleotide sequences of samples were determined. The PCR primers to amply DNA marker of each herbal medicine were designed basing on the specific ITS regions showing differences in the sequences among medicinal plants. Results : Primer set Al R/IS F designed in this work amplified 220 bp PCR product only in samples of Aucklandiae Radix. In contrast, primer set Ih F/IS R, Vs R/IS F, and AcR F1/Ac R amplified 250 bp product, 356 bp prouct, and 516 bp product respectively to identify Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. Conclusions : The primers designed basing on the nucleotide sequences of ITS regions appearing differenced in the sequences among medicinal plants amplified the DNA markers for the identification of Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. These herbal medicines were more efficiently identified by multiplex PCR method using all primers in a single PCR process.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2008

Research materials used were 55 kinds of flower teas proven in medicinal efficacy based on publications in oriental medicinal science. Efficacy in oriental medical science of the selected plants was classified into 11 groups, exterior-relieving herbs, removing dampness by promoting diuresis herbs, heatclearing herbs, purgative herbs, tonic herbs, qi-activating herbs, herbs as blood-tonics, herbs warming the intestine, qi-regulating herbs, herbs for removing dampness by means of aromatics, and herbs activating blood. Moreover, they were assorted by fever (hot, warm, slightly warm, common, cool, and cold), flavor (sweet, bitter, spicy, sour, and salty), and toxicity (toxic or nontoxic). Generally, flower teas have been known to be drinkable by all people. However, it is important to select proper flower teas considering physical constitution and health condition of the individual. One should be cautious in drinking flower teas containing toxic ingredients and weak people should be prohibited drinking them. Further clinical study on efficacy of flower teas will contribute to commercialization of these teas.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2005

In the present investigation twelve indigenous medicinal plants have been screened for their antiimplantation activity in albino rats. The plant material was subjected for soxhlation successively and separately from non-polar solvents to polar solvents i.e., petroleum ether benzene and ethanol. Out of these three extracts the petroleum ether extract of seeds of Citrus medica, aerial part of Oxalis corniculata and Tinospora cardifolia have showed maximum antiimplantation activity. Ethanol extract of leaves of Cardiospermum helicacabum, roots of Echinops echinatus, leaves of Melia azedarach, seeds of Momordica charantia and bark of Terminalia bellirica have shown maximum antiimplantation activity amongst the three extracts of each plant material screened. Though all the three extracts of seeds of Annona squamosa and leaves of Zizyphus jujube screened for antiimplantation activity, no extract has showed any loss in implantation. The details of the results obtained are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 1982

Thirtyfour species of Korean medicinal plants which have been frequently used in oriental herb prescriptions were evaluated on their cytotoxicity and potential antitumor activities against AC glioma(9 ASK) in vitro. Dose of $100{\mu}g/ml$ of plant extracts appeared to exhibit slight cytotoxicity. Seven plant extracts, Aralia continentalis(Araliaceae), Lycium chinensis(Solanaceae), Epimedium koreanum(Berberidaceae), Platyodon grandiflorium(Campanulaceae), Pleuropterus multiflorus(Polygonaceae), Rheum undulatun(Polygonaceae) and Scutellaria baicalensis(Laminaceae), exhibited significant reversal$(51{\sim}90%)$ of astrocyte formation into original neuroglial cells' morphology through the prescreen tests.