• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2018

Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber has been traditionally used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain. The main constituents are diterpenoid alkaloids such as benzoylmesaconine, benzoylaconine, mesaconitine, aconitine, and hypaconitine. In Korea, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber is officially defined as the tubers of Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb., A. ciliare Decasisne, and A. triphyllum Nakai. On the other hand, only the tuber of A. kusnezoffii is to be used in China. In order to identify the botanical origin of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber circulated in Korea, we analyzed 24 samples of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber obtained from local markets for comparative DNA analysis. The sequence analysis of nrRNA ITS 1 was useful to distinguish Aconitum species and revealed that the roots of A. karakolicum were circulated in Korean markets without discretion. HPLC quantitative analysis showed that aconitine was detected at the highest amount in A. karakolicum. Authentic diterpenoid alkaloids were coinjected for quantification of aconitine-type ingredients. All data were statistically grouped by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This study suggests that both molecular and chemical analyses should be utilized for the standardization and the quality control for Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.44-55
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• 2021

Objectives: As the use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) increases worldwide, systematic verification of the safety of HMPs is required. The induction of cardiotoxicity is one of the major factors in post-approval withdrawal of medicinal products, and drug-induced cardiotoxicity assessment is emerging as an important step in drug development. In the present study, we evaluated human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel-related cardiotoxicity to predict the risk of cardiac arrhythmia in thirteen herbal medicines known to have cardiac toxicity. Methods: We measured the inhibition rate of hERG potassium channel activity of 13 medicinal herbal extracts in hERG-expressing HEK 293 cells using an automated patch-clamping system. Quinidine was used as a positive control for inhibition of hERG activity. Results: Extracts of Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber potently inhibited the activity of hERG, and IC₅₀ values were 3.158, 19.87, and 41.26 ㎍/mL, respectively. Cnidi Fructus, Ephedra Herba, Lithospermi Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Visci Ramulus et Folium, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, and Scolopendra weakly inhibited hERG activity, and the IC₅₀ value for each herbal medicine was more than 400 ㎍/mL. Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber and two types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Po and Yeom) had weak inhibitory activity against hERG, and the IC₅₀ values were more than 700 ㎍/mL. The IC₅₀ value of quinidine against hERG was 1.021 𝜇M. Conclusion: Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber acted as potent inhibitors against hERG. These herbal medicines may cause cardiac arrhythmia through QT prolongation, so care should be taken when taking them.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.120-132
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• 2021

Objectives: The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is on an upward trend along with an increase in the aging population but there is no available treatment that halts the progression of neurodegeneration. This study reports a numerical analysis on Donguibogam and suggests novel herbal drugs, which have never been researched before but found to be deemed effective in this study. Methods: Referring to 71 Korean medicine symptom terms that represent the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, 4170 prescriptions described in Donguibogam were classified into two groups based on whether their main effects were effective for Parkinson's disease or not. Comparing the two groups, the chi-square test was performed to select statistically significant herbs, while the t-test, Wilcoxon test, and descriptive statistics were performed to determine the appropriate dose. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven prescriptions effective for Parkinson's disease were identified. The chi-square test determined 17 herbs that are effective for symptomatic treatment. Among the medicinal herbs, the authors suggest Osterici seu Notopterygii Radix et Rhizoma, Ephedrae Herba, Aconiti Tuber, Myrrha, Sinomeni Caulis et Rhizoma, and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber as herbal candidates that have never been studied for Parkinson's disease. Through the statistical tests, it was judged that the mean value of the dose of the entire prescription was the appropriate dose for each herb. Conclusions: Seventeen herbs were selected for Parkinson's disease and the appropriate daily dose were calculated. Furthermore, this study presented a new process that applies a statistical method to traditional medical literature and preselecting herbs deemed effective for specific diseases.