• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2010

Objectives : The root and rhizome of "Gangwhal" have been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cold, fever, headache, swelling, arthritis, rhinitis, and cardiovascular diseases in Korea and china. In china, Gangwhal is well known as a useful oriental medicinal plant that treats cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, headache and hypertension, but little research exists about the effect of O. koreanum on cardiovascular disease. Therefore we investigated the vasorelaxant effects of O. koreanum and compared the vasorelaxant effects of four species of Gangwhal. Methods : The vasorelaxant effects of the ethanol extracts of Ostericum koreanum (NK and BK), Notopterygium incisium (NI), and N. forbesii (NF) on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. The vasorelaxant effects of the water extract and ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. And the vasorelaxant effects of chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. Results : Ethanol extracts of NK, BK, NI and NF relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings with a concentration-dependent manner, and NK showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect. And ethanol extract of NK was much more effective than water extract of NK. Finally, chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK also relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings, and chloroform fraction showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Objectives : A root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai (D. asperoides) has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource in several Asian countries, including Korean and traditional Chinese medicine that has been traditionally used for treating several medical conditions including pain, arthritis, and bone fractures in Korea. In the present study, we investigated potential subacute toxicities of D. asperoides extract. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (male, 7weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 mice. Except for the control group, the mice were orally administrated D. asperoides extract at doses of 50, 150, or 450 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, all mice were euthanized, and the following parameters were examined: mortality, body weight, clinical signs, gross findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathology. Results : There were no abnormalities in mortality, clinical signs, body weight, gross findings, or organ weight after repeated administration of D. asperoides extract for 2 weeks, compared with the control group. In addition, there were no significant changes in hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters between the control group and D. asperoides extract administrated groups with doses of up to 450 mg/kg/day. Conclusion : In this study, D. asperoides extract showed no significant toxicities at a dose of up to 450 mg/kg/day in mice. Although we could not confirm the toxic dose of D. asperoides extract, it can be considered safe for further pharmacological use.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.45-55
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• 2019

Objective : Diabetic gastroparesis is a complication that is defined as delayed gastric emptying and upper gastrointestinal symptoms and often occurs in long-standing diabetic patients. Bojungikgi-tang (BJT) is a traditional oriental herbal formula that has long been used for the treatment of digestive disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BJT on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (250-270g) were divided into 13 groups including normal group, STZ-induced diabetic control group, BJT diet (7 various concentrations), and insulin-, glibenclamide-, metformin-treated group were used for the experiments for the comparison. Diabetic gastroparesis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The water intake, food intake, body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured. After 4 weeks the animals were sacrificed and gastrin, leptin, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, creatinine, albumin and lipid levels were evaluated. Results : Intraperitoneal injection of BJT for 4 weeks resulted in increased levels of gastrin in blood and decreased leptin and lactate concentration in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. BJT did not affect insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid levels in STZ-induced diabetic gastroparesis rat model. Conclusion : These results indicated that BJT would have protect effect on diabetic gastroparesis through the improvement effect of gastric motility and fatigue syndrome in STZ-induced diabetic rats. This study shows that BJT might be effective for treatment of diabetes and its complications such as gastroparesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.496-505
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• 2020

Background: Panax ginseng is a marvelous herbal remedy for all ailments of body. That may be why it is called Panax, which means "cure for all". Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin; however, increased melanin production can lead to tumor formation. Human exposure to ultraviolet B radiation has increased extensively owing to the increased sunlight due to global warming. Consequently, a phenomenon called photoaging has been observed for all skin colors and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases, which serve as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins, mainly collagen, is increased, causing depletion of collagen and resulting in early wrinkle formation. Methods: Therefore, in our study, we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the inhibition of melanogenesis by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in vitro and HRM-2 hairless mice exposed to artificial ultraviolet B to examine the efficacy of KRG in vivo. We prepared a 3% red ginseng extract cream and evaluated its effects on human skin. Results: Our results demonstrated that KRG induced potent suppression of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells; moreover, it reduced the transcription and translation of components involved in the melanin production pathway. In the in vivo experiments, KRG potently suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduced wrinkle formation, and inhibited collagen degradation. On human skin, ginseng cream increased skin resilience and skin moisture and enhanced skin tone. Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that KRG is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.313-318
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• 2010

Guibi-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, is used for anti-oxidant, anti-osteoporosis, hemostasis and gastroprotection. To develop an analysis method of simultaneous determination of six compounds, swertisin, decursinol, glycyrrhizin, 6-gingerol, costunolide and decursin in Guibi-tang, a high performance liquid chromatography was used with diode array detector. Six bioactive components were separated on a SHISEIDO $C_{18}$ column ($5\;{\mu}m$, 4.6 mm I.D.${\times}$250 mm) with column temperature $30^{\circ}C$. The gradient elution was composed of water with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and acetonitrile. UV wavelength was set at 230 nm, 254 nm and 330 nm, respectively. Calibration curve showed good linear regression ($R^2$ > 0.9999). The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged in 0.03 - 0.23 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 0.08 - $0.70\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The RSD values of intra- and inter-day test were in the range of 0.03 ~ 0.96% and 0.01 ~ 1.46%, respectively. The evaluated results of accuracy test were varied from 92.28% ~ 105.14% with RSD < 1.60%. In conclusion, this developed simultaneous determination method was accuracy and sensitive to the quality evaluation of Guibi-tang.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2004

Objectives : Based on the changes of quality of life and pulmonary function test, we aimed to identify the effects and side-effects of Gamichuongsangboha-tang and in asthmatic patients. Methods : The subjects consisted of 30 patients with asthma who were treated with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks. Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract is the extracted powder form of the modified herbal decoction Chuongsangboha-whan, which has been used as the traditional therapeutic agent for asthma. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was checked before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Quality of Life QuestionnaireQ for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA) was checked before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Unpleasant symptoms were checked in all patients at 2 weeks and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. Results : Treatment with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks resulted in significant increase in $FEV_{1.0}%$, PEFR%, and QLQAKA. The total efficacy rate of QLQAKA in the patient group was 53.3% after 4 weeks. The QLQAKA of the step 2, step 3, and step 4 groups (n=18, 55.6%) classified by global initiative for asthma (GINA) consistently increased, and significant improvement of QLQAKA occurred in the step3 group. In the step 4 group, FEV1.0%, and PEFR% were significantly increased. A total of 15 patients experienced unpleasant symptoms during the first 2 weeks of treatment, but these symptoms disappeared in all but 2 cases with no need of further treatment during the 2nd 2-week period. Conclusions : This study shows that Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract has effects on improvement of pulmonary function and quality of life, especially in persistent symptomatic asthmatics. Obviously further study concerning all these is still necessary.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2008

The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of Scutia myrtina (Family: Rhamnaceae). In anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan and histamine induced paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma for acute and chronic inflammatory models were studied in Wister albino rats. Based on the results of the present study it can be concluded that petroleum ether and ethanol extract of Scutia myrtina at 400 mg/kg has potential anti-inflammatory effect and they act in a dose dependent manner. Both extracts of Scutia myrtina showed antimicrobial activity against all bacterial and fungal strains tested at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g$/ml. From the result, it can be concluded that the Scutia myrtina contain antibacterial and antifungal principle. Further more, besides the confirmation of the popular use; the obtained results demonstrate this herbal drug to represent a new source of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.315-321
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• 2016

Background: Herbal medicine has becoming a potential source of treatment for different types of cancer including breast cancer. It has been shown that plants from the family Rhamnaceae possess anticancer activity. Objective: In this study, we determined the antiproliferative influence of Ziziphus spina christi- a species from this family- on the MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell line. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity of the total extract, ethanol, ethanol-aqueous (1:1) as well as aqueous fractions of Ziziphus spina christi leaves was evaluated through MTT assay against MCF-7 cell line. Cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis induction were assessed by flowcytometry cycle RNase/PI analysis and Annexin V-FLUOS, respectively. Apoptosis was also analyzed by immunoblotting assay. Results: Our results indicated that the ethanolic fraction had the lowest $IC_{50}$ value (0.02 mg/ml), induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase as well as apoptosis after a 48h of treatment. Conclusions: This is the first report on anticancer effect of Ziziphus spina christi ethanolic fraction on breast cancer cells, providing a scientific basis for its utility in traditional medicine. However, further in-depth studies are needed to confirm the precise mechanisms.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.63-68
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• 2015

Objectives : We applied the term weighting method used in the field of data search to quantify relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs, and, based on this, we aim to introduce a method of visualizing the characteristics of medicinal herbs. Methods ： We proposed HF-IFF, an adaptation of TF-IDF, which is a term weighting measurement method adapted in the field of data search. Using this method, we deduced relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs In Cheongkangeuigam that was published in 1984 by organizing the medical theory of Cheongkang, Kim Younghoon, and visualized this as a graph in order to compare the characteristics of medicinal herbs used for different symptoms. Results ： HF-IFF is the product of HF and IFF, where HF is the frequency of the relevant medicinal herb for a set of symptoms, and IFF is the inverse of the number of formulations (FF) containing that herb. A total of 251 types of medicinal herb are used in Cheongkangeuigam, and 1538 formulations are classified according to 67 types of symptom. The overall mean for HF-IFF was 0.491, with a maximum of 4.566 and a minimum of 0.013. Conclusions ： In spite of several limitations, we were able to use HF-IFF to measure relevancy between symptoms and medicinal herbs, with formulations as an intermediate. We were able to use the quantified results to visually express the characteristics of the herbs used for symptoms by bubble chart and word-cloud from HF-IFF.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2015

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) has harmful effects on the liver and kidney. Resveratrol (RES) is an herbal substance that functions as a protective mediator. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RES on the histology of liver and kidney in Cd-exposed mice. Male mice were divided into 4 groups daily receiving normal saline (1 mL normal saline/d), Cd (1 mg/kg/d), RES (20 mg/kg/d), and Cd plus RES, respectively. After 4 weeks, the liver and kidney components were evaluated using stereological methods. The total volume and number of hepatocytes, and volume of fibrous tissue were respectively increased by 34%, 58%, and a 3-fold in the Cd-exposed mice in comparison to the control animals (P<0.03). On the other hand, the volume of the main vasculature (sinusoids and central veins) was decreased by 36% in the Cd group compared to the control mice (P<0.03). Considering the kidney, the results showed a 3-fold increase in the total glomeruli volume and a 7-fold increase in fibrous tissue in the Cd-treated group compared to the control mice (P<0.03). After Cd treatment, a 32% reduction was observed in the volume and length of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. RES-treatment alone did not induce any structural changes. In comparison to the Cd group, an increase in the normal components of the liver and kidney and a decrease in the formation of the fibrous and degenerated tissues were observed in the Cd+RES-treated mice (P<0.03).