The crude drug 'CheonKun' is derived from the underground portions of Rubia species. However, the aerial parts of the plants are also sold under the 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' in Korea. To clarify the botanical origin of 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the leaves of Rubia species growing in Korea, i.e. Rubia akane, R. chinensis var. glabrescens, R. cordifolia var. pratensis were compared. As a result, it was determined that 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' was the leaf of Rubia akane and R. cordifolia var. pratensis.

Fourteen compounds were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum and their chemical structures were identified as ${\beta}$-sitosterol (1), acetovanillone (2), p-hydroxyacetophenone (3), 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (4), 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (5), cynandione A (6), methyleugenol (7), daucosterol (8), Succinic acid (9), cynauriculoside A (10), wilfoside C3N (11), wilfoside C1N (12), wilfoside K1N (13) and wilfoside C1G (14). Among them, compounds 2-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time. And 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (5) showed the most potent inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B-16 mouse melanoma cell lines with $IC_{50}$ value of $20\;{\mu}M$.

As part of ongoing study focused on the discovery of natural antioxidants from Korean plants by measuring the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging effect and superoxide quenching activity, methanol extract of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae) was found to show potent antioxidant activities. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract led to the isolation of four phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), catechin-($4{\alpha}{\rightarrow}8$)-catechin (3) and catechin-($4{\alpha}{\rightarrow}8$)-epicatechin (4). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. These compounds showed the significant antioxidative effects on DPPH. In riboflavin originated superoxide quenching activity, four compounds exhibited the formation of the blue formazan in a dose dependant manner.

This study was presented to the physiological activities such as metal chelating capacity, superoxide dismutase-like activity, anti-inflammation, cytotoxicity from Zanthoxylum schnifolium fruit. The values for metal chelating capacity of 1 mg/mL of 70% EtOH and 70% MeOH extracts were 68% and 67%, respectively, it was shown that metal chelating capacity in a dose-dependent manner. The 100% EtOH and 100% MeOH extract exhibited strong superoxide dismutase-like activity. The highest SOD-like activity obtained from 100% EtOH was 51% at a concentration of 4 mg/mL. The all extracts of Zanthoxylum schnifolium fruit except $H_2O$ extract significantly decreased the concentration of LPS-induced NO in Raw 264.7 cells. The 100% EtOH, 100% MeOH and 70% EtOH extract represented the highest activity in the anti-inflammation properties in vitro. However, the 100% EtOH and 100% MeOH extracts has cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cells and it may affect cell viability. Conclude that 70% EtOH extract was most suitable for anti-inflammation. Our results revealed that the Zanthoxylum schnifolium fruit expected to physiological activities.

Kojongsi persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is the major cultivar of astringent persimmon in southern of Korea. Kojongsi persimmon leaf has been traditionally used for acute and chronic diseases in Oriental countries. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative activities of the extract of Kojongsi persimmon leaf during growth. We investigated the antioxidant effects of the persimmon leaf extracts during growth on total polyphenol, total flavonoid, electronic donating ability (DPPH), nitrite (NO) scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. The next, we investigated the possible cell protective effects of the persimmon extract treatment against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced injury in HaCaT keratinocytes. The contents of total polyphenol and flavonoid in leaf extract of Kojongsi persimmon were increased in time-dependent manner. In Jun, DPPH and NO radical scavenging and SOD-like activities in the leaf extract of Kojongsi persimmon was increased to the highest. However, the antioxidant activities in persimmon varieties were not any difference. The cell cytotoxicity by UVB irradation in HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly increased with the compared to the control group. However, the treatment of leaf extract of Kojongsi persimmon in HaCaT keratinocytes was shown to protective effect against UVB-induced cell cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the leaf extract of Kojongsi persimmon has potent antioxidant activity, and protective effect against UVB-induced keratinocyte injury. Thus, these properties may be contributed in the care of acute and chronic diseases.

In this study, the cellular protective effect, antioxidative property and component analysis of Euphorbia humifusa extracts were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction ($3.68\;{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction ($3.15\;{\mu}g/mL$) of Euphorbia humifusa extract showed prominent free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity ($OSC_{50}$) of Euphorbia humifusa extract on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system was investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction ($0.43\;{\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction ($0.35\;{\mu}g/mL$) of extract showed higher ROS scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid ($1.50\;{\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of fractions of Euphorbia humifusa extract on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of extract protected cellular membranes against ROS in a concentration dependent manner ($5{\sim}25\;{\mu}g/mL$), and was more effective than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol, lipid peroxidation chain blocker. Aglycone fraction from Euphorbia humifusa extract showed 2 bands in TLC and 2 peaks in HPLC. In HPLC chromatogram of aglycone fraction, peak 1 and peak 2 were identified as quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. And these components are very effective as antioxidant. Thus, these results indicate that fractions of Euphorbia humifusa extracts can function as antioxidant in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Fractions of Euphorbia humifusa extracts can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidant.

Obesity is caused from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, which may lead to pathologic growth of adipocytes and accumulation of fat in tissue. We examined the inhibitory effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaf and seed extracts on lipid absorption in vitro and fat accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 to adipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated with DMEM media containing 10% FBS, 0.5 mM 3-isobuthyl-1-methyxanthine (IBMX), $5\;{\mu}g/ml$ insulin, and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ dexamethasone for differentiation to adipocytes. E. japonica leaf extract at concentration of 0.5 or 1 mg/ml inhibited pancreatic lipase activity. The cell viability of 3T3-L1 adipocytes slightly reduced about 3% by treatment of E. Japonica leaf and seed extracts. The leaf and seed extracts of E. japonica effectively inhibited the accumulations of lipid droplet and expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ promoting adipogenesis. Thus, this data suggest that E. japonica leaf and seed extracts inhibit fat accumulation through regulation of $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and leaf extract is more effective in lipid absorption and adipogenesis than seed extract.

To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of a water extract (KMF-WE) of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) fruit, we examined its ability to induce humoral and cellular immune response against keyhole limpet hemocyanine (KLH). Immunized mice with KLH admixed with KMF-WE (KLH/KMF-WE) showed significant induction of KLH-specific antibodies compared to mice immunized with KLH alone. The assay for determining isotypes of antibodies revealed that KMFWE augmented KLH-specific-IgG1 and -IgG2a production. In vitro T lymphocyte proliferation analysis against KLH revealed that the splenocytes of mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE showed a significantly higher proliferative ability than those from mice immunized with KLH alone. The culture supernatants of splenocytes, which were harvested from mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE, showed higher levels of both Th-1 type (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$) and Th-2 type (IL-4) cytokines in response to KLH stimulation compared to those from mice immunized with KLH alone. Also, in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay, mice immunized with KLH/KMF-WE showed a significantly higher reaction to KLH than mice treated with KLH alone. These results suggest that KMF-WE possess immunoadjuvant activity to enhance both antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses against protein antigens (KLH).

We evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of Triticum aestivum sprout water extract (TA) in diabetes mellitus type 2. For the experiments, the diabetic animal model db/db mice were divided to 3 groups: diabetic control (db/db) and two experimental groups orally treated with 25 and 100 mg/kg single dose of TA (TA-25 and TA-100, respectively). The lean mice were used as the non-diabetic normal control. All mice have free access to water and AIN-93 diet. TA was administrated to diabetic mice for 5 weeks and the diabetic clinical markers, including blood glucose level, body weight, food intake and insulin level, were measured at a time. After administration for 5 weeks, the blood glucose level was decreased 1.10 and 1.98 folds in TA-25 and TA-100 groups, respectively, compared with db/db group. The body weight and diet consumption were significantly reduced by TA treatment in dose-dependent manner. The treatments of TA-100 also significantly decreased remarkedly liver weight and slightly serum insulin levels when compared with them of the diabetic control group. However the immunohistochemical staining for insulin clearly showed high expression of insulin in the pancreatic islet cells derived from all db/db mice, even if TA was administrated. Moreover, TA-100 treatment significantly improved impaired glucose tolerance in diabetic db/db mice. The results suggest that TA has anti-hyperglycemic effect attenuating blood glucose in the animal model of type 2 diabetes and might be useful as a functional diet for human diabetic diseases.

Aldose reductase (AR), the principal enzyme of the polyol pathway, has been shown to play an important role in the development of the diabetic complications. Evaluating natural sources for ARI potential may lead to the development of safer and more effective agents against diabetic complications. Sixty four Chinese herbal medicines have been investigated for inhibitory activities on AR. Among them, thirteen herbal medicines, Inula helianthus-aquatilis C. Y. Wu ex Ling. (whole plant), Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand. Mazz. (whole plant), Lonicera hypoglauca Miq. (leaf, stem), Scutellaria orthocalyx Hang. Mazz. (whole plant), Berchemia floribunda Brongn. (leaf, stem), Michelia alba DC. (flower), Oroxylum indicum (seed), Punica granatum L. (peel), Elsholtzia capituligera (whole plant), Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. (whole plant), Elsholtzia strobilifera Benth. (whole plant), Agrimonia pilosa var. nepalensis (D. Don) Nakai (whole plant) and Aster poliothamnus Diels (whole plant) exhibited a significant inhibitory activity against AR. Particularly, Inula helianthus-aquatilis C. Y. Wu ex Ling. showed seven times more potent inhibitory activity than the positive control, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (TMG).

Lophatheri Herba is the aerial part of Lophatherum gracile Bronghiart(淡竹葉, Gramineae). 25~75 cm in length. Stem: cylindrical with nodes, empty inside, externally pale yellowish green. Leaf: dehiscent of lanceolate lamina, shrunken and rolled, 5~20 cm long, 10~35 mm wide; surface: pale green ~ yellowish green, parallel-formed with veins of square reticulate, more distinct of appearance on the lower surface. Banbusae Caulis In Taeniam is the stringy strip derived from the stem with the peeled-off epidermis of Phllostachys nigra Munro var. henosis Stapf, and Phllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini(竹葉, Gramineae). Irregular in size and shape, thin plane ~ strip-shaped, sometimes powdery, sometimes 1~3 mm thick. Outer surface: pale green ~ yellowish green, sometimes grayish white L. gracile and P. nigra have different origins although they show similar morphologic features. We were able to distinguish between L. gracile and P. nigra which are almost indistinguishable through this study. AFLP(Amplifide Fragment Length Polymorphism) was more suitable for identifying differences between L. gracile and P. nigra in comparison with other genetic analysis using chemical analysis. Therefore. molecular biological methods are believed to be useful for discovering origins of herbal medicines.

To overcome the limit of morphological method for classification of herbal drug, a novel method to discriminate its origin using pyrolysis mass spectrometry-multivariate analysis was developed. This method was applied successfully to Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, one of the most popular herbal drug in oriental countries. The ethylacetate soluble fractions were prepared by sonication from pulverized roots of S. baicalensis which were collected from various regions including Korea and China, and subjected to direct insertion probe (DIP) mass spectrometry to achieve mass spectra of pyrolizates of extracts. The probe temperature was elevated from $30^{\circ}C$ to $320^{\circ}C$ at increasing rate $64^{\circ}C/min$, and the average mass spectrum calculated from total ion chromatography (TIC) was obtained. The relative peak intensities versus m/z were subjected to SAS program, and the training set (9 from Korea origin and 22 from China origin) was clustered two groups as its origin. In the test set, 11 samples among total 13 test sample were successfully classified according to their origin by developed method with accuracy of 85%.

The purpose of this research is to provide basic informations to discriminate between sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) cultivated in the Republic of Korea and Mongolia. The phenolic compounds of sea buckthorn, were measured by the HPLC analysis. Catechin, rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin were found in methanol extracts of sea buckthorn. Total phenolic compound of Korean sea buckthorn leaves (1.852%) was about five times higher than those of Mongolian sea buckthorn berries (0.338%). As a result, the order of the total phenolic compound and Catechin content was 1) sea buckthorn leaves, 2) sea buckthorn stems, 3) sea buckthorn roots, and 4) sea buckthorn berries. Statistically no big differences in levels of phenolic compounds were consistently found in sea buckthorn cultivated in the Republic of Korea and Mongolia investigated in this work.

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.

This study was to obtain essential information that can be used to index Notoginseng Radix(Panax notoginseng, Sanchi) cultivated in Winnan, China. The ginsenoside contents in various Sanchi on various parts and ages were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC. The average of total saponin and the ginsenoside contents of each 3-year-old Sanchi cultivated in China were higher than those of the Sanchi for longer period. As a result, the order of the total saponin contents was 3-year-old (7.13%), 4-year-old (6.27%), 5-year-old (5.34%), and 6-year-old (4.06%) Sanchi. On the other hand, the total saponin average and the ginsenoside contents of each of the fine roots, lateral roots, and rhizomes of Sanchi cultivated in China were similar to the 6-year-old Sanchi.

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of dictamine, obacunone and fraxinellone was established for the quality control of traditional herb Dictamnus dasycarpus cortex. Separation and quantification were successfully achieved with a Shiseido C18 column ($5\;{\mu}m$, 4.6 mm I.D. ${\times}$ 250 mm) by gradient elution of a mixture of methanol and water at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The diode-array UV/Vis detector (DAD) was used for the detection and the wavelength for quantification was set at 236 nm. The presence of dictamine, obacunone and fraxinellone in this extract was ascertained by retention time, spiking with each authentic standard and UV spectrum. All three compounds showed good linearity ($r^2$ > 0.999) in relatively wide concentration ranges. The R.S.D. recovery of each compound was 101.0~103.7% with R.S.D. values less than 1.0%. This method was successfully applied to the determination of contents of dictamine, obacunone and fraxitnellone in three commercial products of D. dasycarpus cortex. These results suggest that the developed HPLC method is simple, effective and could be readily utilized as a quality control method for commercial products.