Objective ： Lonicera japonica contains anti complementary polysaccharides and polyphenolic compound. Among these polyphenolic substances, chlorogenic acid is the major active component of this plant. However, the immunological mechanisms for these activities, have not been elucidated, nor the active components. To clarify immunomodulatory effects of those we examined the relationship between the activity of CD8+ T cell-mediated lysis and the frequency of cytokine profiles in spleen, thymus (especially IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, GM-CSF etc.) expressing CD8+ T cells activated by IL-2. Methods : To study immunomodulatory effects ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica, chlorogenic acid on cytokine gene expression from spleen, thymus cells, RT-PCR was performed after quantitative normalization for each gene by a densitometry using ${\beta}$-actin gene expression. A modified standard $^{51}Cr$-release assay was used to measure cytotoxic activities of cytotoxic T cells. Spleen, thymus cells from NOD mice were stained with CD3, CD4, CD44, CD69 in staining buffer and analyzed by two color flow cytometry. Results : We showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica in combination with IL-2 resulted in a significant enhancement of PCR products for IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF, IL-6 and cytotoxtic CD8+ T cell proportion in spleen and thymus T cells in NOD mice. This suggests that IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6 like IL-4 may be acting as a regulatory rather than proinflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : In conclusion, based on the results of the present study which showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica and chlorogenic acid upregulating cytokine gene expression in spleen and thymus, we are tempted to speculate that some of the therapeutic efficacies such as anti-diabetic activity of Lonicera japonica are due to the immunomodulatory its ethylacetate fraction and chlorogenic acid.

Objectives : In the present study, the contents of cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde in three different parts of Cinnamomi Ramulus (CR) (the whole body, the bark part, and the wood part) was evaluated using UPLC (ultra performance liquid chromatography) in order to investigate a suitable cutting method. Methods : Analysis was performed on SMART LC with UV detector. Reference compounds were separated on Inertsil ODS-4 column ($2.1mm{\times}50mm$, $3{\mu}m$, GL Science, Japan) using isolation elution with water and acetonitrile each containing acetic acid at a flow rate of $500{\mu}L/min$. Additionally, samples of CR were purchased from pharmacy of medicinal herb. Results : The correlation coefficients of the cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde levels showed good linearity ($r^2{\geq}0.9999$) over the linear ranges. Furthermore, the bark part exhibited higher concentration levels of reference compounds than the wood part in all samples. In addition the bark exfoliation rates in oblique and perpendicular-long cut samples of CR were lower than the perpendicular-short cut samples. Conclusions : These results suggested that the optimal cutting method would be able to reduce the bark exfoliation. Therefore, the oblique or perpendicular-long cutting method is considered to be a better cutting type than the perpendicular-short cutting method.

Objectives : This study aims at examining the effect of the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix on the immuno-modulating activity. Methods : Cell viabilities were measured by MTT assay. Effect of SFS on nitric oxide(NO), hydrogen peroxide production from RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by Griess reagent assay. Effect of SFS on productions of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells was accessed by a multiplex bead array assay based on xMAP technology. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. As a result of carrying out MTT assay to check the cellular toxicity of the fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix. There was not any excessive toxicity to the macrophage when the fermentative extract of root of Sophorae Radix was treated in different concentrations. 2. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix increased the generation of hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage and significantly restored the suppression of the generation of the hydrogen peroxide in the macrophage induced by LPS. 3. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix reduced the generation of NO in the macrophage and significantly suppressed the increase of the generation of NO in the macrophage induced by LPS. 4. The fermentative extract of Sophorae Radix significantly decreased the amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ generated in the macrophage induced by LPS when it was $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : These results suggest that SFS has anti-inflammatory moiety related with its inhibition of NO, hydrogen peroxide, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, in macrophage led by LPS.

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate an antioxidant ability, the change of antioxidant ability, antimicrobial activity and anticancer in functional meat ball and sausage prepared from Lentinus edoes mycelium and texturized soy protein. Methods : This experiments was carried out to investigate antioxidant ability(TBARS, DPPH, SOD-like ability), antibacterial activity and anticancer ability using sarcoma 180 extracts from Lentinus edoes mycelium. Result : Anticancer ability of Lentinus edoes mycelium showed a 28% survival rate and 63% of inhibition rate of tumor, which showed $1.30{\pm}0.4g$ of tumor weight. These results revealed an effective Lentinus edoes mycelium resources as anticancer sources. After heating peoducts prepared from Lentinus edoes mycelium, these products doesn't showed difference between after heating and before heating in measuring of SOD-like activity and DPPH. In DPPH experiment, ethanol extracts showed a high DPPH value as 90.85%, but hot water extracts showed 82.14% in DPPH value. Conclusion : In conclusion, it is very useful resources for preparing functional food on the basis of results from antioxidant(TBARS, DPPH, SOD-like ability), antibacterial activity and anticancer ability using sarcoma 180.

Objectives : This study was focused to investigate the toxicity of Saussurea lappa (SL) extracts in HL-60 cells and human lymphocytes. We also examined the differentiation effect of SL against leukemia cells. Methods : For examining the toxicity of SL, cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay and single cell gel eletrophoresis (SCGE) assay were used in present study. The cell differentiation effect of SL was evaluated by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay. Results : The inhibition of cell growth in HL-60 cells was observed in a dose-dependant manner after SL treatment for 24 h. According to SCGE assay, HL-60 cells treated with SL increased DNA damage at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, while DNA damage was induced by 0.1, 1, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration of SL in human lymphocytes. Our results indicated that SL have no genotoxic effect in HL-60 cells and human lymphocytes. Additionally, the differentiation effect was induced in $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SL-treated HL-60 cells. Conclusions : From above results it is suggested that SL could be beneficial for the preparation of the useful agent for treating leukemia.

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of Ssanghwa-tang (Shuanhetang in Chinese, Sou-wa-to in Japanese) in Crl : CD Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat though the current regulatory guideline. Methods : In this study, 10 rats of each sex were randomly assigned to two groups of 5 rats each and were administrated singly by gavage at dose levels of 0 and 2000 mg/kg/day of ssanghwa-tang water extract (SHT). After single administration of SHT, mortalities, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings were observed for the 15-day period. Results : Acute toxicity tests revealed that a single oral administration of SHT at dose levels of 2000 mg/kg did not affect clinical signs, body weight, and gross findings, evaluating the safety of SHT. The SHT treatment did not result in any toxicologically significant changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes. Conclusions : These results showed that the single oral administration of SHT did not cause any toxic effect at the dose levels of 2000 mg/kg/day in rats. In conclusion, the median lethal dose (LD50) of SHT was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg/day body for both sexes.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-aging effects on cultured human keratinocytes with Nelumbo nucifera extracts. Methods : Each parts of leaves, flowers and stamen were extracted with water or 70% ethanol. These extracts were tested for cell viability on HaCaT cells (human keratinocyte line) by MTT assay. We investigated the effects of Ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation on cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in cultured skin keratinocytes. Results : The ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers showed maximun cell viability as 111.39% in 30 ug/ml concentration. The water extracts of stamen, flowers, leaves showed cell viability as 107.12, 101.65, 101.46%, respectively. HaCaT keratinocytes were survived 63.06% at $20mJ/cm^2$ UVB irradiation. The cell membrane lipid peroxidation was measured by accumulation malondialdehyde (MDA). The levels of MDA were decreased by the ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers and the water extracts of stamen. Conclusions : These finding suggest that the ethanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera flowers prevent anti-aging effects on cultured human keratinocytes during UVB irradiation.

Objectives : Achyranthes japonica (AJ) has been used as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is unclear that AJ could show the anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. In this experiment, we studied whether AJ could inhibit the inflammatory responses in macrophages. Methods : To measure out the cytotoxicity of AJ, we performed the MTT assay. We evaluated the nitric oxide (NO) production, and cytokine production such as interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. We also investigated the cellular mechanims such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK)s and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). Results : AJ inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production. AJ also inhibited production levels of IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-a in LPS-stimulated macrophage. Finally, western blot analysis showed that AJ treatment inhibited the activation of p38 but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-jun NH2-terminal kinase and NF-kB. Conclusions : These results showed that AJ down-regulated the inflammatory response via p38 in macrophages, which suggest that AJ could be a candidate on treating inflammatory diseases.

Objectives : The goal of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamic system. Methods : We were performed the Forced Swimming Test. The expressions of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and c-Fos at paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. Results : The duration of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test was significantly decreased in A100, A400(p<0.05~p<0.01). CRF expressions at PVN was significantly decreased in A400(p<0.05).No other group showed significant difference in expression of c-Fos at PVN comparing with control group. TH expressions at VTA was significantly decreased in A100 and A400, respectively(p<0.001). TH expressions at LC was significantly decreased in A100(p<0.01). Conclusions : According to the above results, Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex has antidepressant effects via the reduction of CRF expression and the Catecholamine System activity.

Objectives : The purpose of this research was total polyphenol contents, anti-oxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities and anti-wrinkle activities of Ulleung islands plants for application as a cosmeceutical ingredients Methods : We were experimented total polyphenol contents, anti-oxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activity and anti-wrinkle activities. Results : In the physiological activities, most Ulleung islands plants is showed the highest anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory activity in ABTS+ radical cation scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity. All experiment of the water and ethanol extract from the Ulleung islands plants ingredients were gradually increased as well. Conclusions : These results suggest that extracts from Ulleung islands plants can be used in natural ingredient in food or cosmetic industry.

Objectives : This study aims at examining the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix extract. Methods : Scutellariae Radix was hot water extracted to make the samples(SR) for the experiment. Their effects were examined on the increase of cell viability in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells, the creation of nitric oxide(NO) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 cells, and the creation of cytokines of interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ and others. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. The MTT assay was carried out to check the cellular toxicity of the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. The results were found no significant toxicity caused to macrophages by the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. 2. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the increase of NO in the LPS-induced macrophages after 24-hour culture. 3. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the creation of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, interferon-inducible protein(IP)-10, keratinocyte-derived chemokine(KC), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : The samples(SR) of hot water extract of Scutellariae Radix caused no significant cellular toxicity to macrophages and significantly restricted the creation of NO, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, IP-10, KC, and VEGF in the LPS-induced macrophages at $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher, thus demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory effects.