• 대한약침학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.91-103
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• 2002

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.173-179
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate whether GEB extract inhibits melanogenesis activity in murine B16F10 melanoma. MATERIALS/METHOD: Murine B16F10 cells were treated with 0-5 mg/mL of GEB extract or $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin (a positive control) for 72 h after treatment with/without 200 nM alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) for 24 h. Melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels, and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (Trp)1, and Trp2 were analyzed in ${\alpha}$-MSH-untreated and ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. RESULTS: Treatment with 200 nM ${\alpha}$-MSH induced almost 2-fold melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity along with increased mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1 and Trp2. Irrespective of ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulation, GEB extract at doses of 0.5-5 mg/mL inhibited all these markers for skin whitening in a dose-dependent manner. While lower doses (0.5-1 mg/mL) of GEB extract generally had a tendency to decrease melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2, higher doses (2-5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited all these markers in ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of the GEB extract at higher concentrations were similar to those of $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin, a well-known depigmenting agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GEB displays dose-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis through the suppression of tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2 in murine B16F10 melanoma. Therefore, GEB may be an effective and natural skin-whitening agent for application in the cosmetic industry.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.319-336
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• 2015

Objectives: The object of this study was to evaluate the cognition and motor function recovery effects of Sungshim-san (SSS), a traditional Korean cardio-protective polyherbal formula in the severe rat stroke, permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model. Methods: The experimental animals were divided into 6 groups. SSS aqueous extracts (yield=16.82%; 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg) were administered orally by using Sonde, once daily, for 28 continuous days from 24 hrs post-pMCAO. Donepezil 10 mg/kg, a representative drug for dementia, was used as a reference drug. The body weight changes, infarct/defect sizes, sensorimotor function and cognitive motor behavior were serially monitored. Limb placing and body-swing test for sensorimotor functions were conducted at 1 day before operation (base line), and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-pMCAO; and water maze test for the cognitive motor behavior was conducted at 14 and 28 days post-pMCAO, respectively. Results: Focal cerebral cortex infarct and defects due to pMCAO resulted in marked decreases of body weight, disorders of sensorimotor functions and cognitive motor behaviors. However, the pMCAO-related ischemic damages were markedly and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment with SSS 400 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Donepezil markedly decreased the body weight and gains, as compared with pMCAO control rats; however, SSS 400 and 200 mg/kg favorably ameliorated the pMCAO-induced decreases in body weight and gains. SSS 100 mg/kg treated rats did not show any favorable effects on the pMCAO-related ischemic damages, as compared with pMCAO control rats. Conclusions: The results of the study indicated that oral administration of SSS 400 and 200 mg/kg accelerated cognition and motor function recovery in the rat pMCAO model. The treatment effect was potentially mediated by neuroprotection via the known augmentation of cerebral antioxidant defense system of SSS itself or its individual herbal components. Especially, the overall effects of SSS 200 mg/kg were similar to those of donepezil 10 mg/kg, but less toxic.

• 생약학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.104-111
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• 1997

The traditional herbal medicine, Jackyakgamcho-tang(JGT), was reported to decrease serum testosterone levels and make pregnancy possibel in anovulatory woman and rat. JGT contains Paeoniae Radix(PR) and Glycyrrhizae Radix(GR) in equal amount. This study was designed to investigate the effect of JGT and its components(PR, GR, paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin) on uterine and ovarian responses, follicular development, and estrogen secretion in the immature rat. The samples(water extracts of JGT, PR, GR; pure compound of paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin) were administered orally to rats from the 21th day of age to the 28th or 30th days of age for 7 or 9 days. JGT(400mg/kg) and PR(100mg/kg, 200mg/kg) treatments significantly increased serum estradiol above levels in control rats, but both GR and glycyrrhizin had no effect on this parameter. Gross observation and histological analysis revealed that an increased number of growing follicules was observed in the ovaries of JGT and PR treated rat. However the lutenized follicles and ova present in the oviducts were not observed in all rats except one treated with estrogen as a positive control. These results indicate that JGT stimulates the estrogen production and follicular maturation in the immature rat and PR is the main component to induce such reaction.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2015

골다공증은 골밀도(bone mineral density, BMD)가 평균 성인 정점에서 2.5 이상의 표준편차가 감소되는 뼈의 질환으로서 나이가 들어가면서 점차 증가하고 있다. 골다공증은 뼈를 흡수하는 파골세포와 뼈를 형성하는 조골세포로 이루어진 bone remodeling system의 불균형 때문에 발생한다. 이 불균형의 가장 큰 원인은 여성 폐경기 후에 따르는 에스트로겐 결핍 때문이다. 현재 골다공증의 치료에 사용되는 약들로는 호르몬 대체요법(hormone replacement therapy, HRT), biphosphonate, teriparatide 등이 있지만, 여러 가지 부작용 때문에 그들의 안정성과 실용성엔 의문의 여지가 있다. 더 안전한 대안을 찾기 위해 현재 천연물을 사용한 여러 가지 치료법이 연구되고 있다. Lactoferrin, isoflavone 등과 한약재를 이용한 많은 전통 치료법들이 있으며, 이는 뼈 흡수를 막거나, 뼈 동화를 일으킴으로써 골다공증 치료제로서의 가능성을 보여주고 있다. 그러나 대부분의 천연물 치료법은 지난 10여년간 괄목할만한 발전에도 불구하고 그 효능을 증명하기 위한 임상 예비단계에 머물고 있다. 따라서 천연물의 전임상 연구와 후속 임상 연구를 통해 새로운 골다공증 치료법으로 소개될 것이다.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.271-278
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• 2014

고지혈증은 체내 지질대사에 이상이 생겨 혈중의 지질이 비정상적으로 높아진 상태로서, 지질이 필요 이상으로 혈액내 존재하게 되면 혈관벽에 쌓이고 굳어지게 되면서 동맥경화증, 고혈압, 뇌졸중 등의 심혈관계 질환을 일으키기도 한다. 본 연구에서는 고콜레스테롤 식이로 고지혈증을 유도한 생쥐의 동물모델에서 복분자 추출물의 유효성분인 protocatechuic acid(PCA)를 경구 투여하여 PCA의 간손상 보호 효과와 지질 대사함량 변화를 분석함으로써 PCA의 고지혈증 치료에 대한 유의적인 임상 효과를 제시하였다. PCA의 투여는 고콜레스테롤 식이에 의한 간무게 증가, 비장무게의 증가, 흉선의 위축, 신장의 위축 등 장기무게변화에 대하여 회복 효과를 보였고, 혈청 내 간세포 손상 마커 GPT 및 GOT의 회복 효과를 나타내었으며, 혈청 내 총콜레스테롤, 중성지방, HDL, LDL의 지질대사산물의 profile에서도 유의적인 회복효과를 보였다. 특히, PCA의 투여군에서는 혈중 HDL의 농도를 정상식이군 수준으로 높이고, LDL의 농도를 크게 낮추는 효과를 나타냄으로써 HDL/LDL의 균형유지에 역할을 나타내는 것으로 보이며 이러한 효과는 simvastatin의 HDL/LDL 조절 효과와는 다른 패턴을 보이고 있다. 따라서 PCA는 단독으로 고지혈증 치료의 기능성 소재로써의 개발 가능성뿐만 아니라, 합성의약품 simvastatin 등의 스타틴계 약물의 보조제로써의 개발 가능성을 제시한다.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.658-662
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• 2013

본 연구는 복분자 미숙과 추출물과 황기 뿌리 추출물로 이루어진 혼합물의 다양한 혼합비율을 이용하여 조골세포의 증식과 활성변화를 확인하고, ALP 활성 및 osteocalcin의 분리량 측정을 통하여 복분자 추출물과 황기추출물의 최적혼합비율을 결정한 것이다. 구체적으로는 각 혼합비율(복분자:황기=1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, 7:3, 8:2, 9:1)에 따른 혼합물을 MG-63 조골세포에 처리하여 세포의 증식과, 분화마커 ALP의 활성 및 osteocalcin 분비량을 측정함으로써 골다공증 치료에 유용한 복분자 추출물과 황기추출물의 혼합비율을 7:3으로 최적화하였다. 혼합비율 0:0에서 조골세포증식이, 혼합비율 72:28이 세포 내 ALP 활성 증가를, 68:32이 세포 내 osteocalcin의 분비가 가장 높게 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 7:3의 혼합물이 항골다공증 효과에 우수한 결과가 있을 가능성을 나타내며, 특히 조골세포의 활성화 촉진으로 인해 골파괴 진행을 억제하는 효과, 즉 병의 진행을 지연시키는 작용기전이 아니라 골을 다시 형성해줄 수 있는 긍정적 효능에 대한 가능성을 제공한다. 이에 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 본 연구결과에 의해서 제공되는 최적혼합비율의 혼합물에 대한 골다공증 예방 및 치료에 대한 임상실험과 그 작용기전에 대한 연구가 더욱 진행되어야 할 것으로 보인다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.37-49
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• 2002

Objectives: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang are herbal decoctions which have been used as traditional therapeutic agents for asthma. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang on immune Cell & serum OA-specific 19B in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rat asthma model. Methods: Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA); at day I the sensitized group and Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of $Al(OH)_3$ in a total volume of 2ml. At the same time, 1ml of 0.9% saline containing $6{\times}10^9$ B. pertussis bacilli was injected by i.p. for 14 days. After systemic immunization, the rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2% (wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid was collected from the rats. A day after local immunization, rats were orally administered with each of Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang extract for 14 days. Lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell CD8+ T-cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, and CD4+T-cell CD8+T-cell percentage in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results: Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang showed a suppressive effect on the rat asthma model. Maekmoondong-tang decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+T-cell, CD8+T-cell in BALF, and serum OA specific 19B level as compared with the control group, whereas Maekmoondong-tang decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. 1 decreased total cell, CD4+T-cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, and serum OA specific IgE level, whereas Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang decreased ymphocyte, and CD8+T-cell in BALF with statistical nonsignificance as compared with the control group. CD4+T-cell and CD8+ T-cell percentage in peripheral blood were not changed significantly in all the experimental groups. Conclusions: This study shows that Maekmoondong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang have a suppressive effect on asthma. Maekmooruiong-tang and Jeongcheonhwadamgangki-tang would be useful asthma treatment agents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) has been used in traditional herbal medicines in Korea and other Asian countries to treat various diseases, including liver disorders. In the present study, the anti-fibrotic effects of O. japonicus extract (OJE) in cellular and experimental hepatofibrotic rat models were investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) system was used to estimate cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining techniques, respectively. In addition, thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis was established in Sprague Dawley rats. Briefly, animals were divided into five groups (n = 8): Control, TAA, OJE 10 (TAA with OJE 10 mg/kg), OJE 100 (TAA with OJE 100 mg/kg) and silymarin (TAA with Silymarin 50 mg/kg). Fibrosis was induced by treatment with TAA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice per week for 13 weeks, while OJE and silymarin were administered orally two times per week from week 7 to 13. The fibrotic related gene expression serum biomarkers glutathione and hydroxyproline were estimated by RT-PCR and spectrophotometry, respectively, using commercial kits. RESULTS: OJE (0.5 and 0.1 mg/ mL) and silymarin (0.05 mg/mL) treatment significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) induced apoptosis (16.95% and 27.48% for OJE and 25.87% for silymarin, respectively) in HSC-T6 cells when compared with the control group (9.09%). Further, rat primary HSCs showed changes in morphology in response to OJE 0.1 mg/mL treatment. In in vivo studies, OJE (10 and 100 mg/kg) treatment significantly ameliorated TAA-induced alterations in levels of serum biomarkers, fibrotic related gene expression, glutathione, and hydroxyproline (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) and rescued the histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: OJE can be developed as a potential agent for the treatment of hepatofibrosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.242-251
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• 2019

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine for a prolonged period, and its pharmacological effects have been extensively investigated. In addition, Angelica gigas and deer antlers were also used as a tonic medicine with Korean Red Ginseng as the oriental herbal therapy. Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxicological effect of KGC-HJ3, Korean Red Ginseng with angelica gigas and deer antlers, on reproductive and developmental functions including fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development. KGC-HJ3 was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats (22 animals per sex per group) at dose levels of 0 mg/kg (control), 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg to evaluate the potential toxicological effect on fertility and early embryonic development. In addition, KGC-HJ3 was also administered by oral gavage to mating-proven Sprague-Dawley rats (22 females per group) during the major organogenesis period at dose levels of 0 mg/kg (control), 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg to evaluate the potential toxicological effect on maternal function and embryo-fetal development. Results and conclusion: No test item-related changes in parameters for fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development were observed during the study period. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that KGC-HJ3 did not have toxicological potential on developmental and reproductive functions. Therefore, no observed adverse effect levels of KGC-HJ3 for fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development is considered to be at least 2000 mg/kg/day.