It was previously reported from our laboratory that the rate of deterioration of the force of contraction was slower in heart from Panax ginseng extract treated rats. The study carried out to elucidate its mechanism of the action on hearts. The cyclic AMP content in the rat hearts was measured by the method of radioimmunoassay techniques. Panax ginseng extract (100mg/kg/day) was administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150g to 250g for 1 week and after 24 hrs the hearts were isolated and the cyclic AMP content in the fresh heart was assayed. The difference in cyclic AMP content between the rats treated with Panax ginseng extracts and normal rats was not significant. Panax ginseng extract(l00mg/kg/day) was administered orally to the rats for I week and after 24 hrs the hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (pH7.4) for 90min. The cyclic AMP content in the both treated and normal rats was not also significantly different. On the other hand, when total ginseng saponin (50mg/kg/day) was administered orally to rats for 1 week and after 24 hrs, the isolated hearts were perfused with Krebs Henseleit solution for 32min, the cyclic AMP content in total ginseng soponin treated hearts was decreased by 18.7% compared to normal rats. It was also observed that when isolated hearts were perfused with total ginseng saponin $(10^{-4}g/ml)$ for 12 min after 30 min equilibration period, the cyclic AMP content in total ginseng saponin treated hearts was decreased by 23.7% compared to normal rats. Isolated hearts were perfused with ginseng saponins $(10^{-4}g/ml)$ or with Krebs-Henseleit solution alone for 10min and subsequently with dl-isoproterenol $(1/2{\times}10^{-6}M)$ until the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol was initiated. The cyclic AMP content in each rat hearts treated with total ginseng saponin, or with ginsenoside $Rb_1$, or with Krebs-Henseleit solution alone were increased by 35.5%, 42.4%, 47.5%, respectively, compared to normal rats.

Three species of genus Polygonum, namely P. cuspidatum, P. sachalinense and P. ellipticum are distributed in Korea. Polygonum ellipticum Migo is a perennial herb in Polygonaceous plants. The root of the plant (Polygoni Rhizoma, 'Ho-jang') have been used as laxative, diuretic and for the treatment suppurative dermatitis in the oriental medicine. As the part of the study for the comparison of the three species in their components, the authors attempted to isolate the anthraquinones and stilbene derivative from the rhizome of P. ellipticum. The methanolic extract of dried rhizome of this plant was fractionated into ether soluble and insoluble fraction and each fraction was applied to column chromatography to isolate above mentioned components. Anthraquinone derivatives were isolated first; comp. I, mp $204{\sim}205^{\circ}$ (physcion), comp. II, mp $254{\sim}255^{\circ}$ (emodin), comp. IV, mp $191{\sim}192^{\circ}$ $(emodin-8-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside)$ and comp. III, mp $280{\sim}282^{\circ}$ $({\beta}-sitosterol-glucoside)$. They were identified by chemical properties and UV, IR and NMR spectra and by the direct comparison with authentic samples. Stilbene derivative was isolated secondly; comp. V, mp $255{\sim}256^{\circ}$ which was reported to possess antibacterial and antifungal activities.

The essential oil fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum Turcz. (Compositae) was analysed by means of TLC and GLC. Utilizing silicagel column chromatography, a blue-color compound was isolated, and purified by preparative TLC. The obtain compound had the same Rf-value on TLC and exactly same UV-visible and IR spectra with that of chamazulene isolated from Matricaria chamomilla L. The composition of the essential oil was also compared with those from flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Chrysanthemum morifolim Ramatuelia.

This study was undertaken to investigate effects of 'Oyo-Tang' on the respiratory system. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. Antihistamine and relaxed dialating actions were recognized on the extracted ileum and serial broncheal samples in guinea-pigs. 2. Mild hypertensive action was recognized on the carotid artery in rabbits. 3. Antitussive action was noted on mechanically irritated coughs in dogs and cats. In connection with the results of these studies, effects based on the Oriental medical references were consistent with the actual experimental results. It was considered that effective application of 'Oyo-Tang' for the treatment of cough and asthma could be justified.

Phytochemical screening results of sixty nine medicinal plants of Korea were tabulated in this paper.