• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.168-175
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of water extract of Dioscoreae Rhizome on the reproduction activity of Wistar male rat. The group treated with 1.0 g/kg/day oral administrations of water extract of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (SK0l6) during 8 weeks was compared with the normal group. Sperm count, sperm motility, body weight, and testis weight were investigated in two groups. Sperm count. body weight, and testis weight of two groups did not show the significant difference. But sperm motility of the treated group was reduced significantly (the normal group: 56.43 %, SK0l6 group: 53.47 %, p < 0.05). According to the results, SK0l6 have no effects on sperm count, body weight. and testis weight but reduced sperm motility significantly.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.81-86
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the antioxidant activity in the germ cells of the extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (RR). Methods : The extract was studied for diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, GC-1 cell viability by a modified MTT assay, the effects on H2O2-induced cytotoxicity by MTT assay and lipid peroixidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, respectively. Results : The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical in a dose-dependent manner by up to 43.1%. The extract at concentrations of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ showed peak level of 136.5% in growth of GC-1 cell. The hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity was blocked by the extract at concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. The extract (50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$) also displayed a dose-dependent reduction of MDA formation on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat has strong antioxidant activity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.87-94
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• 2007

Objectives : We examined three parts of Nelumbo nucifera that might be useful for skin-whitening effect. Each parts of leaves, flowers and stamen were extracted with water or 70% ethanol. Methods : This study investigated inhibitory effects of each extracts on tyrosinase activity. Extracts were tested for cytotoxicity on clone M-3 melanocyte cells, melanin inhibitory activities were further assessed. Results : The water extract of Nelumbo nucifera stamen. ethanol and water extracts of flowers exhibited inhibitory effects on tyrosinase (IC50 values 726.16, 1063, and 1732.36 ug/mL, respectively). The water extract of Nelumbo nucifera stamen, ethanol extract of flowers, both ethanol and water extracts of leaves showed relatively lower cytotoxicity, with cell viability above 80% with a concentration of 20 ${\mu}g/mL$. In addition, The water extract of Nelumbo nucifera stamen inhibited the melanin production in clone M-3 melanocyte cells. Conclusions : Among each parts of Nelumbo nucifera. the water extract of stamen was the strongest candidates for skin-whitening cosmetic application.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2008

Objectives : Evodia officinalis DODE (EO), an herbal plant, has been widely used in traditional Korean medicine for the treatment of vascular diseases such as hypertension. The crude extract of EO contains phenolic compounds that are effective in protecting liver microsomes, hepatocytes, and erythrocytes against oxidative damage. But EO has been little found to have an anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated anti-inflammatory activity of EO in RAW 264.7 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods : Cytotoxic activity of EO on RAW 264.7 cells was investigated by using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression were measured by flow cytometer. Results : EO decreased LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory activity of EO on LPS-induced NO release is probably associated with suppressing TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation. These results indicate that EO has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Moreover, EO decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IL-8, IL-6 production, and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs. Conclusions : EO inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammation via decreasing cytokines production and adhesion molecules expression. These results indicate that EO has potential as an anti-inflammation and anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bo-du-san (BOS) on apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells, SNU-l cells. BOS, a drug preparation consisting of two herbs, that is, Crotonis Fructus (Strychni ignatii Semen, bodu in Korean) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (Glycyrrhizae uralensis FISCH, Gamcho in Korean). Methodss : In this study, methanol extract of BOS was examined for cytotoxic activity on human gastric cancer cells, SNU-1 cells, using XTT assay, with an IC50 value was 0.7 mg/ml and 0.3 mg/ml at 24 hrs and 48 hrs, respectively. Apoptosis induction by BDS in SNU-l cells was verified by the induction of DNA fragmentation, cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. Inhibitors of caspase-3, -8 and -9 (Ac-DEVD-CHO, Z-IETD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK) efficiently blocked BOS-induced cell death of SNU-l. Resultss : BOS-induced cell death was via caspase dependent apoptosis. Moreover, treatment of BOS result in the decrease the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1 and E) expression and increase CDK inhibitor proteins (p21 and p27) expression, and increase apoptotic protein, p53 expression. Thus, BOS induces apoptosis in SNU-1 cells via cell cycle arrested in G1 phase. Conclusions : These results indicated that BOS has some potential for use as an anti-cancer agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2006

The natural plants were screened for new cosmetic materials. Many parts of Nelumbo nucifera has been investigated for anti-wrinkling and anti-furrowing effects. The leaves. flowers and stamens of Nelumbo nucifera were extracted with ethanol or distilled water. The effects of cell viability and $H_2O_2-induced$ cytotoxicity were studied on CCD-986sk human fibroblast cell line by MTT assay. We measured various effects related to skin such as the synthesis of MMP-1 and type I procollagen. The ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera leaves (ENL) at concentrations of 30 ${\mu}g/ml$ showed maximum cell viability on CCD-986sk cells by 129.70%. and $H_2O_2-induced$ cytotoxicity was blocked by ENL (5. 10. 20. 30. and 40 ${\mu}g/ml$) concentration-dependently. The synthesis of MMP-1 and type I procollagen were positive in ENL. These results suggest that ENL has anti-oxidant and anti-furrowing effects.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant activity of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract was studied using diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) for DPPH method. DPPH radical scavenging activity was measured after. .10, 20 and 30 minutes. The extract was tested by 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations. The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical with time-dependent manner. Also, the extract showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba scavenged DPPH radical with the IC50 being 2.7, 3.2, 2.9 and 1.1 mg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the extract of Epimedii Herba, Cuscutae Semen, Cnidii Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus have antioxidant activity for the treatment of male sterility.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2010

Objectives : To evaluate the extraction efficiency of water decoction with or without non-woven fabric underlying comparison of the HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) profiles of the hesperidin which is the standard of Citri Pericarpium. Methods : Pyungwisan, which is comprised of Atractylodis Rhizoma, Magnoliae Cortex, Citri Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma, and Ziziphy Fructus, was extracted in boiling water with non-woven fabric or without non-woven fabric. Then hesperidin content was analyzed by HPLC. Results : The contents of hesperidin in the water extract of Pyungwisan which was decocted without non-woven fabric showed $219.57{\pm}2.51\;mg/g$ and $138.90{\pm}6.32\;mg/g$ in with non-woven fabric decoction. Conclusions : These results suggest that herbal decoction without non-woven fabric might increase extraction efficiency.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Injinho-tang(IJHT) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is widely used as a medication for jaundice associated with inflammation of the liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether IJHT and its components inhibit production of nitrite, an index of NO, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of IJHT and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : IJHT and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression accompanied by an attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (1L-6), IL-$1{\beta}$ and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) formation in macrophages. Conclusions : IJHT and its components inhibit LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing cytokines production. These results indicate that IJHT and its components have potential as an anti-inflammation and anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.103-112
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine whether methanol extract of Do-Ki-Tang (DKT) inhibit free radical generation and production of nitrite an index of NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of extract on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The expression level of inflammatory response-related proteins was confirmed by western blot. The production of proinflammatory cytokines was measured by ELISA. Results : Our results indicated that DKT scavenged DPPH radical and nitric oxide in vitro. Moreover, DKT significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation in macrophages. Furthermore, DKT treatment also blocked LPS-induced intracellular ROS production and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of DKT is mediated through down-modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by blocking the signaling pathways of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs. These inhibitory effects by DKT represent a potential therapeutic approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases.