• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 2009

We investigated the inhibitory effect of an oral administration of a Sophora flavescens Aiton ethanol extract (SFE) on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by using NC/Nga model mice. The induction of atopic dermatitis-like lesion was conducted by the removal of the back hairs and topical application of a mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae, Df) on to the back skin twice a week for 8 weeks. SFE was orally administered at a different doses (100-400 mg/kg). Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were evaluated by dermatitis scores, skin histology and immunological parameters (serum levels of IgE, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27). Oral administration of SFE significantly inhibited the clinical sign of Df-induced atopic dermatitis, including dermatitis score and leukocyte infiltration. Moreover, SFE suppressed significantly the serum IgE and Th2 chemokine (TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27) levels in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest that oral administration of SFE could reduce significantly the clinical signs and Th2 chemokines in Df-induced atopic dermatitis model mice. Therefore, SFE may be effective substances for the management of AD in human.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.804-809
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• 2003

Kagam-bojungikgitang is the water extracts prepared from Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix. Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astractylodis Rhizoma alba, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Artemisiae iwayomogii Herba, and Scutellariae Radix. This is a modified prescription of Bojungikgitang, which has been used for the treatment of indigestion, and immunological disease in oriental countries. In this study, the effects of Kagam-bojungikgitang and Bojungikgitang on the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the release of PGE2 and expression of COX-2 caused by stimulation of LPS without cytotoxic effect. Kagam-bojungikgitang's inhibitory effects were better than Bojungikgitang in PGE2 production and COX-2 expression. Moreover, Kagam-bojungikgitang also attenuated markedly the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 than Bojungikgitang in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that Kagam-bojungikgitang decreases PGE2 and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Kagam-bojungikgitang.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.314-319
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• 2012

Itching is one of the major diagnostic criteria of atopic dermatitis (AD) and one of its most troublesome symptoms that provokes the desire to scratch. Effective control of itching is believed to be one of the basic approaches in controlling AD. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the antipruritic effect of ethanol extracts from Perillae Japonicae Semen leaves (PJSL) and Chaenomelis Fructus (CF) on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen such as compound 48/80 or substance P in hairless mice. PJSL or CF treatment inhibited histamine release in HMC-1 stimulated compound 48/80 or substance P in a dose-dependant manner. In particularly, co-treatment PJSL ($50{\mu}g/mL$) plus CF ($100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited histamine release in HMC-1 stimulated compound 48/80 or substance P. PJSL, CF or PJSL plus CF was administered orally for 2 h and then compound 48/80 ($50{\mu}g/site$) or substance P ($100{\mu}g/site$) was injected into rostral back, and scratching of the injected site by the hind paw was counted for 1 h. PJSL or CF administration reduced the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 as well as substance P in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, co-administration of PJSL and CF markedly suppressed the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 as well as substance P. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. From the preliminary observations, we considered that ethanol extracts from PJSL and CF could be an effective natural materials for itching treatment.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.250-256
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• 2014

This study was carried out to understand the genetic relationship of three Aloe spp. cultivated in Korea, A. saponaria, A. vera and A. arborescens and a new variant in Korea based on three plastid (matK, trnL-F, rbcL) and one nuclear (ITS regions) DNA barcode markers. A total of 2,420 bp sequence was amplified. Two indels were detected in the trnL region, and also several species specific nucleotide loci were detected in all 29 parsimonious informative sites, and 148 variable sites were detected among four taxa studied while 170 variable and 75 parsimonious sites were detected when other Aloe spp. in worldwide were used. An UPGMA phenogram with 10,000 bootstrap replication showed that the new variant was closest to A. vera. The variant was not morphologically and genetically concurrent with any reported species so far. The clustering of Aloe species were broadly in agreement with previously reported results.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic and contact dermatitis has increased dramatically over the past decade, especially in developed countries. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE). DLE was prepared by extracting with distilled water. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DLE on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), and on the skin lesion, leukocyte infiltration and scratching behavior in mice. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by DLE in a dose-dependent manner. DLE also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, DLE administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine) in ICR mice. Furthermore, DLE inhibited the skin lesions, inflammatory and mast cells in hairless mice sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). DLE administration reduced the IL-4 and IgE production induced by DNFB sensitization in hairless mice. These results suggest that DLE has a potential use as a herb medicine for treatment against allergy and pruritus-related disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.455-459
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• 2006

The inhibitors of prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we evaluated 9 compounds isolated from 5 Korean phytomedicinal plants (Spirea prunifolia, Paeonia suffruticosa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Artemisia capillaris) for the inhibition of $PGE_2$production and COX-2 expession in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human macrophages U937 cells. As a result, several compound such as prunioside A, penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, tanshinone IIA, baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, scopolatin, scoparone and decursinol showed potent inhibition of $PGE_2$production (50-70% inhibition at the test concentration of $10\;{\mu}M$). In addition, these compounds were also considered as potential inhibitors of COX-2 activity (45-73% inhibition at the test concentration of $10\;{\mu}M$). These active compound mediating COX-2 inhibitory activities are warranted for further elucidation of active principles for development of anti-inflammatory agents and these properties may contribute to the anti-atopic dermatitis activity.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.431-444
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• 2012

Constituents of timber framed floor affect the insulation performance against impact sound significantly. Among them, installation of massive sound absorbing layer and reinforcement of stiffness of timber floor have been considered as major factors that improve the insulation performance against impact sound. Researches on evaluating the effect of floor constitutions have been carried out through the field measurements for timber framed buildings in Korea. It is concluded that the impact sound pressure level at the relatively lower frequency governs the overall insulation performance, and can be improved by the installation of sound absorbing layer and reinforcement of floor stiffness. Especially, the insulation performance against heavy impact sound was improved significantly when the massive cement mortar layer for floor heating system was installed and the stiffness was reinforced by shortening the joist span using additional beam at the mid-position of original span.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1996

We described morphological characteristics of embryonic, larval, and juvenile period of the yellow puffer, Takifugu obscurus. We defined seven periods of embryogenesis the zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, pharygula, and hatching periods. The eggs were adhesive and spherical in shape. The egg yolk had numerous tiny oil globules. Hatching began about 280 hours after insemination at $17.0{\pm}1.0^{\circ}C$ water temperature. Melanopores of star shape were seen on yolk, head and trunk during the pharygula and hatching period. The hatched larvae haying large yolk were $3.00\~3.54$ mm in size with $25\~26$ myomeres. The larvae completely absorbed the yolk materials and oil globules within 7 days after hatching and became post-larvae. Laval fish became juveniles within 60 days after hatching, and they reached $23.54\~30.12$ mm in total length and had fin-rays.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 1996

Ovulation of maturing female yellow puffer, Takifugu obscrus, was induced by using single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or gonadotropin releasing hormone-analogue (GnRH-A) $des-Gly^{10}[D-Ala^6]$ GnRH-ethylamide plus pimozide. The response was evaluated using the fertilization and embryo-formation rate after insemination and the gonadotropin (GTH) level in blood plasma using radioimmunoassay. In the fertilization and embryo-formation, maximal effects were recorded by using 1,000 IU/kg HCG or $10\;{mu}g/kg$ GnRH-A plus 5 mg/kr pimozide. Pimozide (1, 5 mg/kg) or GnRH-A treatment alone was not effective in elevation of GTH level, however combinations of these treatments were particularly effective. Injection of dopamine blocked the rapid elevation of plasma GTH levels of blood. These data suggest that yellow puffer secrete GnRH and gonadotropin-releasing-inhibiting factor during the spawning or the other period.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.115-128
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• 2003

Bojungikgitang is the water extracts prepared from Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Astractylodis Rhizoma alba, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Bupleuri Radix, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, which has been used for the treatment of indigestion, and immunological disease in oriental countries. In this study, the effects of Bojungikgitang on the productions of nitiric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bojungikgitang (10-400 ${\mu}$g/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but this compound dose-dependently reduced the release of NO and $PGE_2$ caused by stimulation of $LPS/IFN-{\gamma}$. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein were markedly suppressed by the treatment with Bojungikgitang in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, Bojungikgitang also attenuated the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (1L)-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that Bojungikgitang decreases the NO and $PGE_2$ production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Bojungikgitang.