• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.391-396
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• 1999

In order to evaluate the protective effects of extracts of Mori cortex radicis on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, malondiadehyde values and glutathione S-transferase activity were measured in ICR mice. The activities of serum aminotransferase and the hepatic content of lipid peroxide after carbon tetrachloride-treatment were markedly increased than normal control but those levels were significantly decreased by the treatment of butanol fraction of Mori cortex radicis mathanol extract. Glutathione S-transferase activity was decreased by carbon tetrachloride than control, but that also inhibited by the treatment of butanol fraction of Mori cortex radicis methanol extract. These results demonstrate a possible hepatoprotective role of extract role of extract of Mori cortex radicis against ${CCl_4}-induced$ hepatoxicity in vivo.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.334-339
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• 2023

Objective: The present study is designed to delve deeper into the realm of fibromyalgia (FM) symptom management by investigating the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in women diagnosed with FM. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the study aims to capture real-time PFC activation patterns during the practice of diaphragmatic breathing. The overarching objective is to identify and understand the underlying neural mechanisms that may contribute to the observed clinical benefits of this relaxation technique. Design: A case report Methods: To achieve this, a twofold approach was adopted: First, the patient's breathing patterns were meticulously examined to detect any aberrations. Following this, fNIRS was employed, focusing on the activation dynamics within the PFC. Results: Our examination unveiled a notable breathing pattern disorder inherent to the FM patient. More intriguingly, the fNIRS analysis offered compelling insights: the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) displayed increased activation. In stark contrast, regions of the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) manifested decreased activity, especially when benchmarked against typical activations seen in healthy adults. Conclusions: These findings, derived from a nuanced examination of FM, underscore the condition's multifaceted nature. They highlight the imperative to look beyond conventional symptomatology and appreciate the profound neurological and physiological intricacies that define FM.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.225-239
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• 2000

Pulmonary edema is a disease involving the principal symptoms: dyspnea, bloody phlegm, asthma, cough, etc. According to oriental medical references, Jeomglyukdaejosapaetang (J.D.T) was efficacious for dropsy, cough, dysnea, etc, so it was thought to be used for remedy of pulmonary edema. Therefore experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of J.C.T on pulmonary edema of the rats induced by the herbicide, paraquat.Thus the survival rats, respiratory rats, lung weights and histopathological view of the lungs of rats were studied. The results are as follows. 1. The survival rates at 72hours of the rats injected with paraquat and treated with J.D.T increased in B group(J.D.T + Cortex Lycii Radicis + Cortex mori). The others were not different with the control. 2. The respiratory rates of the rats which survived 72hours later significantly decreased in B group(J.D.T + Cortex Lycii Radicis + Cortex mori). 3. The lung weights of the rats which survived for 72hours later significantly decreased in B group(J.B.T + Cortex Lycii Radicis + Cortex mori). 4. The histopathological views of the lungs of rats induced by paraquat were seen severe hemorrhage, edema and some broken alveoli in control group. But B group(J.D.T + Cortex Lycii Radicis + Cortex mori) were seen little hemorrhage and interstitial hyperplasia. According to the above results, J.D.T + Cortex Lycii Radicis + Cortex mort is effective on the remedy for pulmonary edema of rats induced by paraquat.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.342-347
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate change of ginsenoside contents according to tissue ratio in ginseng root by age and diameter. The epidermis-cortex and xylem-pith extent, fresh weight, dry weight of ginseng increased with the root age increase. They increased higher in xylem-pith than in epidermis-cortex. The ratio of epidermis-cortex decreased and xylem-pith increased as the main root diameter increased. In case of same diameter, the xylem-pith ratio increased by the increase of root age. The epidermis-cortex ratio was 4 > 5 > 6 years, respectively. The total 10 ginsenosides of epidermis- cortex increased with the root age increase. However, the total ginsenoside of xylem-pith decreased and it was 2~5 times lower than epidermis-cortex. The most of ginsenoside contents existed in epidermis-cortex. The diameter decrease in main root is related to the increase of epidermis-cortex ratio. It leads to increase of ginsenoside contents. In order to select high level of ginsenoside cultivar, it suggested that it should be selected main root having narrow diameter and lower epidermis- cortex ratio.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of aqueous extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origm hepatoma cell lines, HepG2. Methods : The death of HepG2 cells was markedly induced by the addition of extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was not observed in cell death of HepG2. In addition, it was not shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under hoechst staining. However, by the using annexin V staining assay, externalizations of phosphatidylserine in HepG2 cell which were treated with Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts were detected in the early time (at 9 hr after extract treatment). Furthermore, LDH release was not detected in this early stage. Therefore, Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced cell death of HepG2 cells is mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. Result : The activity of caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HepG2 cells which treated with the extract of Cordyceps sinensis. However, it was markedly increased in HepG2 cells which treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) which were differently extracted (respectively, 2.3 and 3.3 fold). On a while, the phosphotransferase activities of JNK1 was markedly induced in HepG2 cells which were treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae. On the contrary, the activation of transcriptional activator, activating protein1(AP-1) and NF-kB were severely decreased by these two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K). In addition, antioxidants (GSH and NAC) and intracellular $Ca2^+$ level regulator (Bapta/AM and Thapsigargin) did not affect Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results suggest that two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) induces the apoptotic death of human liver origin hepatoma HepG2 cells via activation of caspase 3-like proteases as well as JNK1, and inhibition of transcriptional activators, AP-1 and $NK-{\kappa}B$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.501-507
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• 2009

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a lack of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) due to silencing of the Fmr1 gene. As an RNA binding protein, FMRP is thought to contribute to synaptic plasticity by regulating plasticity-related protein synthesis and other signaling pathways. Previous studies have mostly focused on the roles of FMRP within the hippocampus - a key structure for spatial memory. However, recent studies indicate that FMRP may have a more general contribution to brain functions, including synaptic plasticity and modulation within the prefrontal cortex. In this brief review, we will focus on recent studies reported in the prefrontal cortex, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We hypothesize that alterations in ACC-related plasticity and synaptic modulation may contribute to various forms of cognitive deficits associated with FXS.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.313-317
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• 2007

Melanogenesis refers to the biosynthesis of melanin pigment in melanocytes. Melanogenesis is controlled by the intra- and extracellular environments. In the present study, to develop a new whitening agent, it was investigated the antioxidant activity and the inhibitory effect of Ailanthi Radicis Cortex extract on tyrosinase activity and on melanogenesis in the B16/F1 melanoma cells. The inhibition ratio of tyrosinase activity of ethylacetate fraction from Ailanthi Radicis Cortex was higher than that of arbutin. The ethylacetate fraction showed scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and superoxide anion radicals in a dose dependent manner. The highest inhibitory activity of melanogenesis was also in ethylacetate fraction ($40.0{\pm}5%$ at the concentration of $400{\mu}g/ml$). This study demonstrates that the Ailanthi Radicis Cortex extract might be used to be a potential agent for skin whitening.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 2022

Objective: Cognitive-motor trainings had a positive impact on cognitive function and dual-task trainings led to improvements of global cognitive function. The brain activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is another indicator that can infer cognitive function. This study aims to confirm the usability of the interactive system cognitive-motor training program and the changes in the prefrontal cortex through training. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: In this study, two cognitive tasks were randomly applied to 20 adults as cognitive-motor training using an interactive system, and the same task was performed using the original method. During all tasks, the brain activity of the prefrontal cortex was measured by the change in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) in real-time using Functional Near-Infrastructure. After performing the tasks, the usability of the developed interactive system was evaluated by a usability questionnaire which consists of five items, and each item consists of a 7-point Likert scale that responds from 1 point to 7 points. Results: The HbO levels were increased during cognitive task performance than at the resting phase. And evaluating the usefulness of the interactive system, a questionnaire result showed that it would be useful for cognitive-motor programs. Conclusions: The cognitive-motor training using the interactive system increased the activity of the prefrontal cortex, and the developed wearable sensor-based interactive system confirmed its usefulness.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.18-35
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• 1999

Coptidis Rhizoma, Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan(秦皮散) have been as eye washes of inflammatory eye disease in the oriental medicine. Especially Jinpisan(秦皮散) has been used for the disease which is similar to Peudomonas aeruginisa keratitis. This research was attempted to investigate the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma, Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan(秦皮散), on Peudoronas aeruginisa keratitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis causes a deep rapid intense ulceration which often leads to perforation of the cornea within 48 hours. In this research, we induced keratits in the rabbits by inoculating Pesudomonas aeruginosa(9027) and observed the effect on the keratitis and the irritation against the external eye. Also we mesured the minimum inhibitory consentration(MIC) of Coptidis Rhizoma, Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan(秦皮散) by agar diliution method and the anti-bacterial activites by disk method. The tested bacteria were as follows : a) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9027), b) Streptococcus pneumoniae(6303), c) Staphylococcus epidermidis(12228), d) Staphylococcus aureus(6538P). The results were as follows ; 1. The groups which were applied eye washes of Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan reavealed a significant effect, but the group applied eye wash of Coptidis Rhizoma reveaded no effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. 2. Applying eye washes of Coptidis Rhizoma, Fraxini Cortex, Jinisan revealed an irritation against external eyes. 3. Coptidis Rhizoma showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylucoccus aureus by agar diliution method 4. Coptidis Rhizoma showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus by disk method. 5. Fraxini Cortex showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus by agar diliution method 6. Fraxini Cortex showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sireptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphy1ococcus aureus by disk method. 7. Jinpisan showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus by agar diliution method. 8. Jinpisan showed an anti-bacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus by disk method. According to the above results, Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan(秦皮散) are recognized to have an effective treatment on the Pesudomonas aeruginosa keratitis, so this experiment is thought to be a basic ingredient in proving the effect of Fraxini Cortex, Jinpisan which is applied many in documents and clinical medicine. In the comparison of anti-bacterial activity and results of treatment on the Pesudomonas aeruginosa keratitis, Jinpisan(秦皮散) was more effective than Coptidis Rhizoma, Fraxini Cortex.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.13-18
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• 2005

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on Choksamni(ST36), a well-known acupuncture site, on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase(NADPH-d), neuropeptide Y(NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) in the cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). EA on Choksamni was applied using 2Hz electrical biphasic pulses of 10min, 3 times a week for a total of 10 sessions. Thereafter we evaluated changes in NADPH-d-positive neurons histochemically and changes in NPY and VIP-positive neurons immunohistochemically. The optical density of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the Choksamni group was significantly lower in all areas of the cerebral cortex than in the control group. However, the optical density of NPY-positive neurons in the Choksamni group was similar to that of the controls in most areas of the cerebral cortex, with the exception of the primary motor and visual cortices. The optical density of VIP-positive neurons in the Choksamni group was significantly decreased as compared to the control group in most areas of the cerebral cortex, with the exception of the cingulate cortex. The present results demonstrated that EA on Choksamni changes the activity of the NO system, and that stimulation at the same level, causes selective changes within the peptidergic system in the cerebral cortex of SHR.