A Korean folk medicine, "DangYak (當藥)" has been used as a bitter stomachic in Korea. With regard to the botanical origin of this crude drug, it has been considered to be from Swertia species (Gentianaceae), but there was no pharmacognostical confirmation on it. In this study, the morphological and anatomical characteristics of three Swertia species growing in Korea, Swertia japonica Makino, S. pseudochinensis Hara and S. tetrapetala Pall. were compared to clarify the botanical origin of "DangYak". As a result, it was determined that the commercial "DangYak" from Korean traditional market was proved to be the whole plant body mixture of Swertia japonica and Swertia pseudochinensis.

"SaCheolNaMu" has been used as a Korean folk medicine for the jaundice, lumbago and uterine diseases. Although a crude drug related to this folk medicine is sold in traditional herbal market, the botanical origin of this drug has not been pharmacognostically confirmed yet. In this study, the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the stem of Euonymus species growing in Korea, i.e. Euonymus japonica and E. fortunei var. radicans were studied to clarify the botanical origin of "SaCheolNaMu". As a result, it was found that these two species could be discriminated by the morphological criteria such as the thickness of cuticles, the number of collenchyma cell layers, and the frequency of druse and resinous substance. According to these criteria, it was elucidated that the commercial folk medicine "SaCheolNaMu" was the stem of E. japonica. Meanwhile, HPLC-DAD analysis on the 70% ethanolic extracts of two species showed significantly different HPLC profiles each other. The molecular ions of three characteristic peaks shown in the chromatogram of two species were identified by ESI-MS, and their structures were estimated to be flavonol glycosides.

A Korean folk medicine, "SinKyungCho" has been used to cure common cold and rheumatis. While this crude drug has similar morphological feature to that of Rubia species, the botanical origin has never been studied pharmacognostically. Therefore, in order to clarify the botanical origin of "SinKyungCho", the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Rubia species growing in Korea, i.e. R. akane, R. chinensis var. glabrescens, R. cordifolia var. pratensis, R. cordifolia var. sylvatica were studied. Especially, differing from the other three species, R. cordifolia var. pratensis has 2-4 cork cell layers under the endodermal cell layer. R. cordifolia var. sylvatica showed the largest number of parenchyma cell layers in cortex by 8-17. While the average ratio of stele to root transverse section is over 45% for R. akane and R. cordifolia var. pratensis, the ratio is under 45% for R. chinensis var. glabrescens and R. cordifolia var. sylvatica. According to these morphological criteria, the folk medicine "SinKyungCho" from Korean traditional market was proved to be the underground part of R. akane.

Geographical classification of A. gigas was performed in the present study using UHPLC-DAD combined with multivariate data analysis techniques. Six active constituents were isolated from A. gigas; nodakenin, marmesin, decursinol, demethylsuberosin, decursin and decursinol angelate. One hundred sixty eight A. gigas samples were simultaneously determined using UHPLC-DAD. A principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to classify the samples according to geographical origins (Korea and China). The origins of A. gigas from Korea and China were correctly classified by 81.6% and 93.8% using PLS-DA Y prediction. This result demonstrates the potential use of UHPLC-DAD combined with multivariate analysis techniques as an accurate and rapid method to classify A. gigas according to their geographical origin.

In a continuation of investigation on Cordyceps militaris, thirteen compounds were isolated from the $CH_2Cl_2$ and n-BuOH-soluble fraction of C. militaris. They were identified as twelve diketopiperazines such as cyclo($\small{L}$-Gly-$\small{L}$-Pro) (1), cyclo($\small{L}$-Ala-$\small{L}$-Pro) (2), cyclo($\small{L}$-Ser-$\small{L}$-Pro) (3), cyclo($\small{L}$-Val-$\small{L}$-Pro) (4), cyclo($\small{L}$-Thr-$\small{L}$-Pro) (5), cyclo($\small{L}$-Pro-$\small{L}$-Pro) (6), cyclo($\small{L}$-Thr-$\small{L}$-Leu) (7), cyclo($\small{L}$-Tyr-$\small{L}$-Ala) (8), cyclo($\small{L}$-Phe-$\small{L}$-Ser) (9), cyclo($\small{L}$-Phe-$\small{L}$-Pro) (10), cyclo($\small{L}$-Tyr-$\small{L}$-Pro) (11) and brevianamide F (13), and an amino acid, tryptophan (12). Their structures were identified on the basis of chemical evidences and spectroscopic analysis including 1D-NMR ($^1H$, $^{13}C$), 2D-NMR (HSQC, HMBC) and MS spectral data. Among the isolated compounds, compounds 1, 2, 6-11 are first reported from C. militaris.

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with multivariate analysis was used to discriminate the geographical origin of Alisma orientale from Korea (n=94) and China (n=72). Two-thirds of samples were selected randomly for the training set, and one-third of samples for the test set. Second derivative was used for the pretreatment of NIR spectra. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models correctly discriminated 100% of the Korean and Chinese A. orientale samples. These results demonstrate the potential use of NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis as a rapid and accurate method to discriminate A. orientale according to their geographical origin.

Asarum sieboldii has been used for treatment of fever, pain, common cold, and chronic sinusitis in Korea. In this study, we performed quantification analysis of seven major constituents including aristolochic acid I, aristolochic acid II, ${\alpha}$-asarone, ${\beta}$-asarone, elemicin, methyl eugenol, and safrole in the 70% ethanol extract of Asarum sieboldii and its solvent fractions, n-hexane, ethylacetate, n-butanol, and water ones using a ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer(UPLC-ESI-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer(GC-MS). Regression equations of seven components were acquired with $r^2$ values >0.99. The values of limit of detection(LOD) and quantification(LOQ) were 0.1-3.9 ng/mL and 0.3-11.7 mg/mL, respectively. The amount of the seven compounds in Asarum sieboldii were not detected -143.66 mg/g. The established LC-MS/MS and GC-MS methods will be helpful to improve quality control of Asarum sieboldii.

Ojeok-san has been commonly used to treat low back pain disease. We performed the experiments on simultaneous analysis of 11 compounds and antioxidant effects of Ojeok-san. A HPLC method was established for simultaneous analysis of 11 compounds. The detection wavelengths were set at 230, 254, 280, 320, and 330 nm. The detected 11 compounds from Ojeok-san water extract showed good linearity($r^2{\geq}0.9997$). Limit of detection(LOD) and limit of quantification(LOQ) were 0.04-0.87 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 0.13-2.63 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The antioxidant effects of Ojeok-san water extract were investigated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Ojeok-san water extract significantly increased the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging effects in a dose-dependent manner. The $RC_{50}$ value of Ojeok-san on DPPH radical was 284.71 ${\mu}g/mL$ and that of ABTS radical was 96.16 ${\mu}g/mL$.

Five phenolic compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Juncus diastrophanthus (Juncaceae) through repeated column chromatography. Their chemical structures were elucidated as methyl 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinate (1), luteolin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2), methyl 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinate (3), quercetin-3-O-${\beta}$-D-arabinopyranoside (4), and methyl 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinate (5) by spectroscopic techniques. These compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant.

In this study, the inhibitory effect on advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation of 43 Korean herbal medicines has been evaluated. Among them, 16 Korean herbal medicines were showed to have significant effect ($IC_{50}$; <50 ${\mu}g/ml$) compared to positive reference, aminoguandine ($IC_{50}$: $76.47{\pm}4.81{\mu}g/ml$). Especially, five herbal medicines, Rubus coreanus (leaves, $IC_{50}$: $4.49{\pm}0.03{\mu}g/ml$), Rubus coreanus (twigs, $IC_{50}$: $3.80{\pm}0.34{\mu}g/ml$), Ampleopsis brevipedunculata (stems, $IC_{50}$: $7.43{\pm}0.09{\mu}g/ml$), Lindera erythrocarpa (leave, $IC_{50}$: $8.14{\pm}0.20{\mu}g/ml$), and Lindera erythrocarpa (stems, $IC_{50}$: $3.69{\pm}0.14{\mu}g/ml$) showed more potent inhibitory activity (approximately 9-20 fold) than the positive control aminoguanidine.

Portulaca oleracea L. is known to have many biological benefits such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-tumor. The objective of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of P. oleracea L. against glutamate-induced oxidative stress in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. P. oleracea L. 70% ethanol extract and solvent fractions have the potent neroprotective effects on glutamate-induced nerotoxicity by induced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in HT22 cells. Especially, ethyl acetate fraction showed higher protective effect. In HT22 cell, P. oleracea L. treatment with ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125) reduced P. oleracea L. ethyl acetate fraction induced HO-1 expression and P. oleracea L. ethyl acetate fraction also increased ERK and JNK phosphorylation. Furthermore, we found that treatment of P. oleracea L. caused the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate fraction of 70% ethanol extract of P. oleracea L. significantly protect glutamate-induced oxidative damage by induction of HO-1 via Nrf2, ERK and JNK pathway in mouse hippocampal HT22. Taken together these finding suggest that P. oleracea L. ethyl acetate fraction is good source for taking active compounds and may be a potential therapeutic agent for brain disorder that induced by oxidative stress and neuronal damage.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wheat bran on the promotion of hair growth. When rat vibrissa follicles were treated with n-hexane fraction of wheat bran, the hair-fiber lengths of the vibrissa follicles significantly increased. Moreover, n-hexane fraction of wheat bran was found to significantly induce the telogen-anagen transition in C57BL/6 mice. The fraction increased the proliferation of immortalized vibrissa dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in a dose dependent manner. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms in relation to proliferation of DPCs by the fraction of wheat bran, we examined the expression of cell cycle proteins and wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling components. Western blot analysis revealed that the proliferation of DPC by n-hexane fraction of wheat bran was accompanied by increased the level of cyclin D1, cyclin E, phospho-CDK2 and phospho-pRB. In addition, the fraction of wheat bran increased the level of phospho(ser552)-${\beta}$-catenin, phospho(ser675)-${\beta}$-catenin and phospho(ser9)-GSK$3{\beta}$. These results suggest that the hair growing potential of wheat bran mediated by proliferation of DPCs via the regulation of cell cycle proteins and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling.

In this study, we investigated the effects of onion(Allium cepa L.) peel extraction aplication on UVB-induced damage of mouse skin. The male C57BL/6 weeks mice were divided into three groups; the control group(Con), the UVB irradiated group(UVB) and the group treated with onion peel extract after UVB irradiation(UVB+Onion peel). Onion peel extraction were topically treated after UVB irradiation(800 $mJ/cm^2$) to dorsal skin. We were measured TEWL, melanin value, erythema index and histological of mouse skin. In the TEWL, melanin value and erythema index observation, UVB+onion peel group were decreased then in the UVB group and 120 and 168 hr groups were similar to the control group. In the histological observation, UVB+onion peel group were indicated hyperkeratosis then in the UVB. These results showed that onion peel extract as a topical application may have preventive effect against UVB-induced skin damage. Therefore onion peel extract might be good material for UVB-damage skin care.

The Galkun-Whanglyeon-Whanggum-Tang, an officially standardized mixture of traditional herbal medicines used in Korea and China, consists of Pueraria lobata, Scullellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis at a ratio of 6:9:3:2.4. In this study, we evaluated the effect of lowering lipid accumulation in blood by treatment of Galkun-Whanglyeon-Whanggum-Tang in Apo E(-/-) atherosclerotic animal model. ApoE/mice fed with 1.25% cholesterol, 7.5% cocoa butter and 0.5% sodium cholate diet were orally given vehicle or Galkun-Whanglyeon-Whanggum-Tang(10, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. Serum levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholestrerol(TC), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) were analyzed, and PPAR-${\alpha}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ were examined by Western blotting analysis. Galkun-Whanglyeon- Whanggum-Tang decreased serum levels of TG, TC and LDL, but not HDL in ApoE/mice. In parallel, Galkun-Whanglyeon-Whanggum-Tang treatment showed the increased activity of PPAR-${\alpha}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ in hepatocytes. In summary, Galkun-Whanglyeon-Whanggum-Tang can reduce lipid accumulation in blood, and this effect might be accompanied by the upregulation of PPAR-${\alpha}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ in Apo E(-/-) atherosclerotic mouse model.