• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.123-129
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• 2012

Objectives : Allergy has been described as an inflammatory with hypersensitivity resulting from seasonal or perennial responses to specific allergens. The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.(Platycodi Radix; Campanulaceae) has been traditionally used to treat chronic diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we examined the effect of 70% ethanol extract of Platycodi Radix (PR-E) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in mice. Methods : Mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA inhalation to induced chronic airway inflammation, and then were intragastrically administered PR-E extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day from days 21 to 30 consecutively. The levels of allergic mediators such as histamine, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA. The histological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results : PR-E extract significantly decreased the serum levels of histamine, OVA-specific IgE, and Th2 cytokine, IL-4 compared with those in the OVA-induced group. PE-E extract significantly increased the serum level of Th1 cytokine, IFN-${\gamma}$. Based on lung histopathological studies, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were inhibited by PE-E extract administration compared to that in the OVA-induced group. Conclusions : These findings indicate that PE-E extract may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1063-1069
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• 2014

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to lead to oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA and cause skin damage. Moreover, ROS promote melanogenesis, which causes melasma, age spots, and freckle. The main compounds of the herbal medicines Poria cocas, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Ulmus macrocarpa were reported to be parchymic acid, glabridin, and flavonoids, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the whitening and antioxidant effects of a mixture of P. cocas, G. uralensis, and U. macrocarpa extracts (PGUE) in B16F1 cells to develop whitening cosmetics. PGUE inhibited DPPH radicals and lipid peroxidation, in addition to high reduction power, compared with Glycyrrhiza uralensis ethylacetate extracts (GUEE). Furthermore, PGUE exhibited a protective effect against DNA oxidation induced by the hydroxyl radicals. In addition to its antioxidant activity, the inhibitory activity of PGUE against tyrosinase, which is associated with melanogenesis, was greater than that of arbutin used as a positive control. Moreover, PGUE exerted an inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis in live melanoma cells and reduced the expression levels of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1). These results indicate that PGUE has skin whitening and antioxidant effects, suggesting that this mixture can be used as the main ingredient in the development of effective whitening cosmetics.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 2004

This research was designed to investigate the effects of Estromon including FGF271 (Female Growth Factor 271) which was developed as a phytoestrogen for post- and pre-menopausal syndrome (PMS). The oral administration of two capsules of Estromon twice a day for 3 months significantly improved PMS (Post-/Premenopausal Syndrome) about 5 times more than placebo group (OR=5.04, 95% C.1. 1.40-18.14). In the group of 24 patients having taken Estromon, the concentration of alkaline phosphatase asn the bone marker decreased by -9.3${\pm}$9.5 IU/L after 3 months with a statistic significance. Since the concentration of osteocalcin as the other bone marker also decreased in more patients in Estromon group than in placebo group, the bone density might be expected to be improved in long-term treatment. Serum human growth hormone level increased in 17 out of 24 patients. Triglycerides decreased by -8.0${\pm}$40 (mg%) after 1 month and by -4.4${\pm}$36 (mg%) after 3 months in Estomon group while triglycerides increased in both cases in placebo group (p.0.01). Therefore, PMS patients might benefit from Estromon as a phytoestrogen supplement without any serious side effects.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2002

The pathogenesis of cholestatic liver injury as well as the modulation of hepatic fibrogenesis is causally associated with involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical reactions. In this study, we investigated whether dried extracts of oriental medicine (LH) have antioxidant and antifibrotic effect under the biliary liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) c ondition. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in six groups (Normal, N-LH, op-2, op-4, opLH-2, opLH-4) and were observed in 2 weeks or 4 weeks. For this purpose the rats were operated by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S), which induced to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. After surgery, the prepared LH was administered p.o. 2 mι/day/rat in 2 weeks or 4 weeks for opLH groups. During the observation period, jaundices appeared in eyes, ears and tail of all BDL/S operated rats. And at the time of sacrifice, cholestasis was observed in proximal bile duct, especially the color of bile juice and urine in opLH-4 group showed more clear than op-2, op-4 and opLH-2 group. The value of clinical parameters and product of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in sera and the hydroxyproline (hyp) content in liver tissue were significantly increased in all liver fibrosis (cirrhosis) developed rats (p＜0.001~0.05). Among the clinical parameters of sera, value of BUN, ALP in opLH-4 group showed significantly lower than in op-4 group (p＜0.05, p＜0.001). The content of hyp in opLH-2, opLH-4 group (478.0 $\pm$ 134.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g 897.5 $\pm$ 118.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) showed lower than in op-2, op-4 group (528.9 $\pm$ 220.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, 1023.8 $\pm$ 277.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) and then the value of MDA in opLH-4 was also significantly reduced to 59.4% of that in op-4 group (p＜0.001). The histological change (bile duct proliferation, fibrosis, collagen bundle) was similarly observed in op-2 group and in opLH-2 group, but the weak fibrosis and bile duct proliferation were observed in opLH-4 group compared with in op-4 group. Our data indicate that the 4 weeks treatment with LH extract suppressed lipid peroxidation and inhibited fibrotic (cirrhosis) process, and experimental cholestatic liver disease is associated with increased lipid peroxidation in BDL/S operated rats. Hence we concluded that the measurement of MDA and hyp can be useful monitor for the screening of antioxidant and antifibrotic effect in experimental liver fibrosis (cirrhosis), and LH has been shown to have hepatoprotective effect, antifibrotic effect and antioxidant effect.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate a natural medicinal multi-plants extract (BG515), which consisted of multi extracts of Mori folium, Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz, Dioscorea japonica, Lycii fructus, and Astragalus radix, on blood glucose, insulin levels, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) induces a type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Type 1 is usually characterized by the presence of islet cell autoantibodies (ICA), autoantibodies to insulin (IAA), and autoantiboides to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which identify the autoimmune process that leads to $\beta-cell$ destruction. Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing $150\sim170g$ each (6 weeks old) were randomly divided into one control (Group A) and 4 STZ-induced diabetic groups, and were subjected to one of the following treatment for 12 weeks. Groups A and B were fed basal diets and Group C, D, and E received the same diets as groups A and B, but with supplements of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of BG515 orally for 12 weeks, respectively. Diabetes was induced in Groups B, C, D, and E by intravenous injection of 45 mg/kg of STZ per body weight in sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.5) via the tail vein. In the BG515 groups, we found increases in serum insulin levels, compared to the STZ-control group, but these data were not significant. In contrast, blood glucose and serum MDA concentrations decreased in the BG515 groups compare to the STZ-control group. At the 5th week, in all the BG515 administered groups, there were decreases in serum blood glucose levels compared to the STZ- control group, and this activity was very strong in the BG515-1 group at the 12th week. These results suggest that natural bio-complex compounds (BG515) may slightly suppress STZ-induced changes in serum MDA concentration via the maintenance of serum insulin levels, due to the prevention of $\beta-cell$ and glucagon destruction by STZ.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.384-391
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• 2007

This study was conducted to clarify the effects of the Korean raisin (Hovenia dulcis Thunb) extracts and polyherbal extracts consisted of 6 types herbal extracts including HDT (HDTmix) on $CCl_4$ induced organ damages. Extracts were prepared by autoclave ($121^{\circ}C$, 15 psi, 3 hours) and filtered with nylon cloth and filter paper then freezing dried. Male Sprague-Dawley rats $(200^{\circ}{\ae}20g)$ were used as experimental groups, which were divided into 5 groups; intact control group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDT extract dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDTmix dosing group (100 mg/kg), Silymarin dosing group (5 mg/kg) after all test articles were orally dosed once a day for 28 days. They were sacrifiled under ether anesthesia. HDT extracts and HDTmix dramatically inhibits the $CCl_4$ intoxicated hepato/nephropathies with immuno-suppress changes on the spleen. They showed more dramatical protective effects on most of specific organs compared to that of Silymarin 5 mg/kg except for hepatoprotective effects in which, quite similar effects were detected. In addition, HDT extracts showed synergic effects with other types of herbal extracts because HDTmix showed more favorable protective effects on the all specific organs showing $CCl_4-related$ histopathological changes compared to HDT extracts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.470-477
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• 2019

White jelly fungus (Tremella fuciformis Berk) is effective for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lung disease, beauty, and has been known as an elixir of life in ancient Chinese dynasty. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity and diabetic effects of the fermented white jelly fungus extract by the bioconversion process. We fed an obesity-inducing mouse with 5% non-fermented Tremella fuciformis (TF), 2.5% fermented Tremella fuciformis (FTF), and 5% FTF containing High Fats Diet (HFD) and HFD for 8 weeks, respectively. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed analysis after 7 weeks of feeding and the dietary intake, food efficiency ratio, body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, and serum insulin level were measured after 8 weeks of feeding. Also, HOMA-IR was analyzed. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides test was analyzed. The FTF compare with 5% TF and HFD confirmed that 5% FTF reduced body weight, tissue weight, triglycerides concentration, HOMA-IR, respectively. As a result, we confirmed that the fermented white jelly fungus has the anti-obesity effect. Finally, this study can be used a basic data for obesity treatment using fermented white jelly fungus.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.395-411
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• 2020

Background: This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) and its constituent, rutin obtained from the leaf of Morus alba L., on the lipid accumulation mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and C57BL/6 mouse models. Methods and Results: In Oil Red O staining, FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) treatments showed inhibition rate of 35.39% in lipid accumulation compared to that in the control. AdipoRedTM assay indicated that the triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) was reduced to 23.22%, and free glycerol content was increased to 106.04% that of the control. FRF and its major constituent, rutin affected mRNA gene expression. Rutin contributed to the inhibition of Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expression, and inhibited the transcription factors SREBP-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, the effect of FRF administration on obesity development in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. FRF suppressed weight gain, and reduced liver triglyceride and leptin secretion. FRF exerted potential anti-inflammatory effects by improving insulin resistance and adiponectin levels, and could thus be used to help counteract obesity. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, FAS, ACC, and CPT-1 were determined in liver tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was also performed to evaluate the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue. Compared to the control group, mice fed the HFD showed the up-regulation in PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α genes, and down-regulation in CPT1 gene expression. FRF treatement markedly reduced the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in HFD control, whereas increased the expression level of CPT1. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FRF and its major active constituent, rutin, can be used as effective anti-obesity agents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect for allergic-inflammation of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) on HaCaT cells and RBL2H3 cells. Methods : To investigate the effects of FTB for anti-inflammation in HaCaT cells, the cells were pretreated with FTB for 1h and then stimulated with $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\beta}$ for 24h. Then thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels were analyzed with ELISA kit. Also to investigate the effect of skin barrier protein, the cells were treated with FTB of various concentrations, and then cells were harvested, expressions of skin barrier protein were measured with RT-PCR. To investigate the effects of FTB for anti-allergy in RBL2H3 cells, the cells were pre-treated with FTB for 1h, and then stimulated with A23187 for 30 min. ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were measured using cultured media. The cells were harvested to analyze the mechanism of the effect for FTB via Western blot. Results : FTB did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT and RBL2H3. In HaCaT cells, FTB significantly suppressed the expression of TARC, MDC at a dose-dependent manner and markedly increased formation of the skin barrier proteins. In RBL2H3 cells, FTB decreased release of the ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RBL2H3 through inhibition of the phosphorylation of JNK and p38, which are include in the signaling mechanism of MAPK Conclusion : These results indicate that FTB has an anti-inflammatory effect on the allergic response through blocking MAPK pathway. This suggest that FTB could be a therapeutic agent for allergic response.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.117-124
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• 2019

Objective : Chronic acid reflux esophagitis (CARE), one of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing worldwide. Coptidis rhizoma extract (CRE) is a traditional herb that cures a variety of diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of CR on rats with chronic acid reflux esophagitis. Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through radical scavenging assays using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. CARE was surgically induced in 5-week-old male SD rats by ligating the border between forestomach and glandular portion with a 2-0 silk tie and covering the duodenum using 18-Fr $N{\acute{e}}laton$ catheter. To evaluate the esophageal protective effect of CRE, rats were divided into 3 groups: Nor (normal rats), Veh (chronic acid reflux esophagitis induced rats), CR (chronic acid reflux esophagitis induced rats treated with CRE 200 mg/kg body weight). Results : The administration of CRE significantly prevented the mucosal injury of the esophagus tissue and histological findings improved the esophageal lesion. It has been shown that inflammation is prevented by the increase of antioxidant-related factors (Nrf-2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2) through the antioxidant pathway of esophageal tissue. The administration of CRE reduced the increase of serum peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) and markedly reduced the protein expression of inflammatory mediator such as $NF-{\kappa}Bp65$, $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, iNOS, and IL-6. Conclusions : Overall, these results suggest that CRE administration confirmed the protective effect of esophageal mucosa, suggesting that it is a potential treatment for chronic acid reflux esophagitis.