• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2 s.20
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• pp.13-19
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• 1976

A fluid extract of Zizyphi Semen was employed in this experiment. The cardiac effects of Zizyphi Semen were examined on isolated rabbits atria and heart in situ of anesthetized cats and rabbits. The adrenergic blocking activity and refractory period of cardiac muscle were measured after administration of this drug. In rabbits and cats the antiarrhythmic action of Zizyphi Semen on atrial and ventricular arrhythmias produced by epinephrine or ouabain was examined. The results were following: 1. Zizyphi Semen produced a decrease in rate and contractile amplitude of the isolated rabbit atria and had a week blocking effect on epinephrine acceleration of atrial movement. 2. Zizyphi Semen effectively abolished the spontaneous arrhythmia occurring in the isolated rabbit atria ana the atrial arrhythmia induced by ouabain. 3. Zizyphi Semen produced a marked prolongation of the refractory period in isolated atrial muscle of rabbit. 4. Zizyphi Semen prevented the induction of ventricular arrhythmia arising from excessive dose of epinephrine in anesthetized rabbits and cats. 5. With regard to the ventricular arrhythmia induced by a continuous infusion of ouabain, Zizyphi Semen exerted suppressive effect and produced a marked prolongation of cardiac arrest time in anesthetized rabbits and cats. From the above results, it may be concluded that Zizyphi Semen is effective against atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic effect of this drug may be the result of direct myocardial depressive and partially adrenergic beta receptor blocking activities including prolongation of the refractory period of cardiac muscle.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 1990

In order to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure and hyper cholesteremia, aqueous extract of Chin Gan Sik Pung Tang were studied. The result of the total cholesterol contents in serum and blood pressure of each group were as follows, 1. The aqueous extract of Chin Gan Sik Pung Tang inhibited increased Total cholesterol in serum of rabbits administrated with cholesterol rich diet. 2. Blood pressure manifested gradual response by the fall of 4, 3, 9.2, 19.9 percent in proportion to the administration of 10, 30, 100 mg/kg of Chin Gan Sik pung Tang, respectively 3. Administration of Chin Gan Sik Pung Tang to the rabbit pretreated with Vagotomy, Atropine and Regitine did not show any significant difference in the blood pressure, compare with that of the control group. 4. Administration of Chin Gan Sik Pung Tang to the rabbit pretreated with propranolol show significant difference in the blood pressure, compare with that of the control group. From the above results, it is suggested that Chin Gam Sik Pung Tang has the action on adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor$ and can he used therapeutic effect on the hypertension, and inhibit the increase of Total Cholesterol contents in serum.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.187-197
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• 1998

The study was aimed to investigate the effect cuscutae semen(CS) on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure (BP), regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and pial arteriolar diameter of male Sprague-Dawely rats. The changes in rCBF were determinated by laser-Doppler flowmetry, and the changes in diameter of pial arteriole were measured through a closed crainal window. 1. Blood pressure was not affected by CS in rats. 2. rCBF was increased by CS in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Pretreatment with methylene blue(Img/kg), and propranolol(1mg/kg) significantly inhibited CS induced increased in rCBF. 4. Pretreatment with indomethacin(1mg/kg) did not inhibited CS induced increased in rCBF. 5. Pial arterial diameter was increased by CS in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that CS causes a diverse response of blood pressure, regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), and pial arteral diameter. The increased in rCBF is also mediated by adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor $ and guanylate cyclase.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2012

This study examined the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on obese women and aimed to confirm that the effects of KRG on obesity differ dependently on a gene. Fifty obese women were recruited and randomized to receive KRG (n=24) or placebo (n=26) for 8 wk. Measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), total fat mass, percentage of body fat, resting metabolic rate, basal body temperature, and daily food intake (FI), blood test (serum lipid, liver and renal function), Korean version of obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL), and a gene examination were performed. Comparisons of subjects before and after the administration of KRG revealed significant improvements of obesity in terms of weight, body mass index (BMI), WHR, FI, and KOQOL. However, in the comparison between KRG group and placebo group, only KOQOL was significantly different. KRG displayed significant efficacy on BMI and KOQOL in the CT genotype of the G protein beta 3 gene, but not in the CC genotype, on blood sugar test in the Trp64/Arg genotype of the beta 3 adrenergic receptor gene, but not in Trp64/Trp genotype, on KOQOL in the DD genotype of the angiotensin I converting enzyme gene, but not in the ID and DD genotypes. The effects of KRG on obesity were confirmed to some extent. However, a distinct effect compared to placebo was not confirmed. KRG is more effective for improving the secondary issues of the quality of life derived from obesity rather than having direct effects on the obesity-related anthropometric assessment and blood test indices.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.33-39
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• 1977

It has been reported that administration of Ginseng powder to the Guinea pig reduces anaphylactic shook induced by horse serum (Lee, 1939). However, Lee et al. (1960) and Paik et al. (1976) have demonstrated that Ginseng increases capillary permeabilites and histamine release from the mast cell. These facts suggest that Ginseng acts directly on the bronchial muscle causing it to dilate. Recently, a number of investigators(Kidakawa & Iwasiro 1963; Takagi et al. 1973) have reported that Ginseng reverses acetylcholine- or histamine- induced contraction in the isolated Guinea pig ileum. We, therefore, undertook the present study to examine if Ginseng relaxes the spasm of bronchial muscle induced by acetylcholine or histamine. We have also attempted to identify the mechanism of the Ginseng effect. Male Guinea Pig was sacrificed by a blow on the head, The trachea was removed and sectioned with scissors into about 12 rings. After the 'C' shaped ring of cartilage was sectioned the one end of ring was tied to the bottom of the incubation bath and the other end was connected to a force transducer (FTO 3C) to record tension on a Polygraph. When the antispasmodic action of Ginseng effect was first examined in the normal trachea which was not treated by the drug. And then the Ginseng effect was tested in the muscle treated by histamine hydrochloride, acetylcholine hydrochloride or barium chloride. The results indicate that Ginseng alcohol extract relaxes the contraction of isolated tracheal muscle induced by histamine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10{\mu}g/ml)$, acetylcholine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}5{\mu}g/ml)$ and barium chloride (1.5 mg/ml). The mechanism of this action is in Pa.1 due to nonspecific antimuscarinic and antihistaminic effect and in part by predominant action in the adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor$ although the ${\alpha}-receptor$ is also involved. We, therefore, conclude that Ginseng can be act as a bronchodilator.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.606-612
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several medicinal properties of Smilax china L. have been studied including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the antiobesity activity and mechanism by which the water-soluble fraction of this plant mediates its effects are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the lipolytic actions of the water-soluble fraction of Smilax china L. leaf ethanol extract (wsSCLE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: The wsSCLE was identified by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content. The wsSCLE was evaluated for its effects on cell viability, lipid accumulation, glycerol, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents. In addition, western blot analysis was used to evaluate the effects on protein kinase A (PKA), PKA substrates (PKAs), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). For the lipid accumulation assay, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of wsSCLE for 9 days starting 2 days post-confluence. In other cell experiments, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated for 24 h with wsSCLE. RESULTS: Results showed that treatment with wsSCLE at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, wsSCLE treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocyte controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. The wsSCLE significantly induced glycerol release and cAMP production in mature 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, protein levels of phosphorylated PKA, PKAs, and HSL significantly increased following wsSCLE treatment. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the potential antiobesity activity of wsSCLE is at least in part due to the stimulation of cAMP-PKA-HSL signaling. In addition, the wsSCLE-stimulated lipolysis induced by the signaling is mediated via activation of the ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2011

Objectives : In order to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Wolbi-tang(here in after referred to WBT) on the obese gene and obese inhibitory, C57BL/6 mice were induced by high-fat diet. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups(normal, only high-fat diet, high-fat diet with Reductil, high-fat diet with WBT 400, 200 mg/kg extract) and fed for 5 weeks. And observed body weight change, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-cholesterol), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triglyceride, glucose, leptin change, alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), serum creatinine, the expression of ${\beta}3$-adrenergic receptor(${\beta}3AR$), leptin, uncoupling protein(UCP2) gene in 3T3-L1 adipocyte, 3T3-L1 adipocyte proliferation, histological analysis of adipose tissue and liver tissue. Results : 1. Refer to cell cytotoxicity, viability of human fibroblast cells(hFCs) showed not significant changes. 2. The amount of ALT, AST was decreased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg groups. The amount of creatinine showed not significant changes. 3. Body weight was decreased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg groups. 4. The amount of total cholesterol and triglyceride was decreased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg groups. LDL-cholesterol was decreased and HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg groups. 5. The amount of glucose was decreased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg groups. 6. The amount of serum leptin was decreased significantly in WBT 400 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg groups. 7. The revelation of ${\beta}3AR$ in 3T3-L1 adipocyte was increased significantly in WBT $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$ groups. The revelation of leptin was decreased significantly in WBT $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$ groups. The revelation of UCP2 was decreased significantly in WBT $100{\mu}g/ml$ group. 8. 3T3-L1 adipocyte proliferation was decreased significantly in WBT $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$ groups. The size of adipocyte was decreased relative to the control group in WBT 400 mg/kg group. 9. The adipose vacuoles in liver tissue was decreased relative to the control group. Conclusions : These results suggested that WBT has inhibitory effects of obesity. WBT might be applicated on treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Further studies analysing its effects were needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 1966

Dichloroisoproterenol(DCI) i; one of the well known ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor blocking agents. According to Moran and Perkins, DCI has sympathomimetic like action in relatively low concentrations. Fleming and Hawkins confirmed that DCI acts upon the receptors concerned with positive chronotropic and inotropic actions in the heart. Vogins reported that DCI, in concentration of $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $5{\times}10^{-6}g/ml$, had properties of sympathomimetic amine causing positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in normal rat atria. And James and Nadeau found that DCI had not only adrenergic blocking effect in moderate and higher concentrations, but it also blocked the effect on the sinus node by vagal stimulation and of directly administered acetylcholine in higher concentrations. As stated above by many authors, DCI has complicated actions according to its concentrations. Our aim at the present experiments was to study the effects of DCI to the action of ouabain and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria, as well as to the action of barium chloride and acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. In addition, Pan ax Ginseng is widely used as tonics in oriental nations, its pharmacological action, however, has not been clearly established. So we atempted to investigate the effects of the water extract of Panax Ginseng to the action of ouabain and DCI upon both atria and intestine. The results obtained were as follows. 1) DCI has a negative inotropic effect on the excised rabbit atria at concentration of $10^{-5}$ and a positive inotropic effect at concentration of $10^{-6}$. 2) DCI (at concentration of $10^{-6}$) potentiates the positive inotropic effect of ouabain upon the excised rabbit atria. 3) DCI antagonizes the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit atria. 4) The water extract of Panax Ginseng, at concentration of $10^{-3}$, decreases the contractile force of rabbit atria, and tends to slightly increase that of rabbit atria at $10^{-4}$. 5) The water extract of Panax Ginseng exhibits a synergistic action with ouabain on the contractile force of rabbit atria. 6) DCI, in concentrations of $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-6}$, depresses the tone and amplitude of contraction of the excised rabbit intestine. The depression of the intestinal tone markedly appears in pretreatment with reserpine 2mg/kg 24 hours. 7) DCI antagonizes the contractile effect of barium chloride on the excised rabbit atria. 8) DCI has no significant influence on the action of acetylcholine upon the excised rabbit intestine. 9) The series of those evidences indicates that DCI has a sympathomimetic-like action and more over a relaxing action directly on the excised rabbit intestine. 10) The water extract of Panax Ginseng in concentrations of $10^{-4}{\sim}10^{-3}$, has transient depression of the intestinal tone, but later gradually recovers its normal motility: 11) The water extract of Panax Ginseng has a synergistic action with ouabain on the intestinal contractility.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.186-195
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• 2006

The present study was carried out to determine the involvement of opioid and non-opioid receptor and the effect of pH and enzymes on the recently reported antinociceptive activity of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorius (AECO) leaves using the abdominal constriction test. The extract was prepared by soaking the dried powdered leaves of Corchorus (C.) olitorius in distilled water overnight, and the supernatant obtained was considered as a stock solution with 100% concentration/ strength. The extract, administered subcutaneously in the concentrations/ strength of 10, 50 and 100%, was found to show a significant concentration-independent antinociception. The 50% concentration AECO were further used to study on the above mentioned parameters. The extract exhibited: significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity when pre-treated (s.c.) against 10 mg/kg naloxonazine, bicuculine (10 mg/kg), phenoxybenzamine (10 mg/kg), 10 mg/kg pindolol, and 5 mg/kg mecamylamme, but not 10 mg/kg naltrindole, 10 mg/kg atropine, respectively; significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity after pre-treatment against 10% a-amylase, but not 1 % protease or 10% lipase and; significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity after exposure to alkaline condition (pH between 9 and 13) while maintaining the activity at acidic condition, respectively. The C. olitorius leaves antinociception, which involved, at least in part, activation of $\mu-opioid,\;\alpha-and\;\beta-adrenergic$, and nicotinic receptors, was found to decrease under alkaline condition and in the presence of $\alpha-amylase$.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2000

The advantages of transdermal administration are avoiding hepatic first pass effect, minimizing inter- and intra-patient variation, maintaining steady-state plasma level to provide long-term therapy from a single dose, and allowing a rapid termination of drug input. Clenbuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2-adrenergic$ receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchial disease. For the development of transdermal systems containing clenbuterol, two limiting factors - long lag time and low flux - must be overcome. In this study, we attempted to select optimal formulation for preparation of clenbuterol patch using hairless mouse skin and flow-through diffusion cell. The flux of clenbuterol increased as the percent of clenbuterol dose dependently in the concentration range of 5-15%. Based on this result, we fixed the concentration of clenbuterol as 15%. The effect of various penetration enhancers on percutaneous absorption of clenbuterol through hairless mouse skin was investigated. Labrafil was the most effective enhancer, which increased the permeability of clenbuterol approximately 4-fold compared with the control without penetration enhancer. Optimal enhancer concentration was 3%. The effect of various adhesives on penetration of clenbuterol was also investigated. Among the adhesives studied, MA-31 was the most effective adhesive. Furthermore, the clenbuterol patch composed of 15% clenbuterol, 3% Labrafil and 82% MA-31, which gave most excellent penetration of drug in in vitro penetration study, maintained therapeutic plasma levels in in vivo study using S.D. rats. These studies demonstrated a good feasibility of clenbuterol administration through the intact skin using a transdermal patch, and show a possibility of the development of clenbuterol patches.