• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2009

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Korean herb medicine, has been widely used in China and Japan for fatigue and enhancement of resistance to many diseases. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of Korean red ginseng and Fagopyrum esculentum extracts (RGFE) on dermal bioactive properties. RGFE treatment significantly increased electron donating ability, nitrite scavenging activity and collagenase inhibitory activity compared to red ginseng-treated group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in RGFE-treated group was similar to that of red ginseng. However, tyrosinase activity as indicator of melanin synthesis was not affected by RGFE or red ginseng. The results indicate that RGFE has anti-oxidative property and inhibitory effect of collagenase, and it may serve as a effective ingredient for beauty food.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.100-105
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• 2020

A 25-year-old male presented with influenza-like symptoms and took Western anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs for 2 days. The symptoms aggravated, so the patient decided to rely on Korean medicine (KM). Based on the highly elevated hepatic enzymes (AST 4,621 IU/L and ALT 2,763 IU/L) with a positive result of anti-HAV IgM, he was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The patient was hospitalized and given herbal drugs (Chunggan-plus extract, Innae-Tang) and acupuncture, according to symptom differentiation, the accumulation of damp heat (濕熱蘊結)". The subjective symptoms (fatigue, nausea, gastric discomfort) including jaundice and dark urine as well as laboratory abnormalities gradually improved gradually in 10 hospital days, and the patient completely recovered in 25 days as an out-patient. This case presents a classic case of severe hepatitis A in 2019 Korean outbreak, and is informative to physicians for diagnosis and treatment in the traditional Korean medicine field.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The conventional treatment model for PD have harmful side effects, such as dyskinesia, hallucinations, nausea, and fatigue, and are expensive. As a result, natural products derived from medicinal herbs, fruits, and vegetables have emerged as potential therapeutic strategies for PD. These natural products have been traditionally used to treat various diseases and have been shown to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as inhibitory roles in protein misfolding, mitochondrial homeostasis, neuroinflammation and other neuroprotective processes. In addition, they have fewer side effects and are generally less expensive than conventional drugs. It also discusses the limitations of current treatments and the potential of natural remedies derived from plants to treat PD in new ways or as supplements to existing treatments. The multifunctional mechanisms of medicinal plants that may be utilized to treat PD are also discussed, including the modulation of neurotransmitter systems, the enhancement of neurotrophic factors, and the inhibition of apoptosis. While more research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and efficacy, natural products have the potential to provide safer and more effective treatment options for patients with PD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal and differentiation in a multi-stage lineage state via symmetric or asymmetric division, causing tumor initiation, heterogeneity, progression, and recurrence and posing a major challenge to current anticancer therapy. Despite the importance of CSCs in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, currently available anticancer therapeutics have limitations for eradicating CSCs. Moreover, the efficacy and therapeutic windows of currently available anti-CSC agents are limited, suggesting the necessity to optimize and develop a novel anticancer agent targeting CSCs. Ginseng has been traditionally used for enhancing immunity and relieving fatigue. As ginseng's long history of use has demonstrated its safety, it has gained attention for its potential pharmacological properties, including anticancer effects. Several studies have identified the bioactive principles of ginseng, such as ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and non-saponin compounds (e.g., polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, and phenolic compounds), and their pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifatigue, and neuroprotective effects. Notably, recent reports have shown the potential of ginseng-derived compounds as anti-CSC agents. This review investigates the biology of CSCs and efforts to utilize ginseng-derived components for cancer treatment targeting CSCs, highlighting their role in overcoming current therapeutic limitations.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.165-173
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• 2005

The main aim of this study was to investigate stress related activities of ginsenosides and their action mechanism. Control group and ginsenoside supplemented groups were exposed to stress while no-stress group was not done. Animals of each group (n=$8\~10$) were orally administerd 100 mg red ginseng extract (R-G), or 10 mg ginsenosides/kg body weight once a day. Animals were given materials for 5 days without stress, and then were given supplements for 5 days with restraint and electroshock stress. Mice were given materials for 5 days for experiments on anti-fatigue effect. After loading final stress, stress-related behavioral changes of experimental animals were examined and plasma corticosterone levels were measured. R-G and ginsenoside $Rb_{1}$ supplementation partially blocked the stress effects on locomotion and elevated plus-maze test in rats and mice. They also partially blocked stress induced behavioral changes such as freezing, smelling, face-washing, rearing behavior in rats. R-G and $Rb_{1}$ decrease adrenal gland size and plasma corticosterone level, which were increased by stress in rats. R-G increased enduring time on the Rota rod, cold water and horizontal wire, but $Rb_{1}$ didn't. Effects of $Rb_{1}$ on plusmaze test were inhibited by administration of flumazenil. These results suggest that $Rb_{1}$ is the main antistress principle in ginseng and it's effect is modulated by GABAnergic nervous system.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 1996

The studies were conducted to investigate the anti-diabetic activities on the hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin in rats, Anti-fatigue, Decrease of body weight activities in mouse and anti-gastric ulcer activities in stress-induced rats by Mixed Extracts of Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex in Korea. 1. The blood glucose levels of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats were dose-dependently decreased by administrations of various doses(100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex. 2. The serum total cholesterol levels of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats were dose-dependently decreased by administrations of various doses (100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex. 3. The serum triglyceride levels of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats were dose-dependently decreased by administrations of various doses(100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex. 4. The swimming time levels in mouse were dose-dependently extended by administrations of various doses(100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex. 5. The body weight levels in mouse were dose-dependently decreased by administrations of various doses(100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex. 6. Stress-induced gastric ulcer were dose-dependently repaired by administrations of various doses(100, 200, 400, significantly 200+100mg/kg) of Mixed Extracts from Acantopanacis senticosi Radicis Cortex and Eucommiae Cortex.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.8-8
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• 2012

Ginseng have been traditionally used for strengthening immunity, providing nutrition and recovering health from fatigue. Recently, pharmaceutical activities of ginseng roots have been proven by many researches, and ginseng has become a world-famous medicinal plant. Ginseng saponin, ginsenoside, is one of the most important secondary metabolite in ginseng which has various pharmacological activities. Many studies have aimed to convert major ginsenosides to the more active minor ginsenoside Rg3 for consumer demand ginseng product. Microbial strain GS514 strain was isolated from soil around ginseng roots for enzymatic preparation of ginsenoside Rg3, which strain shows strong ability of converting ginsenoside Rb1and Rd into Rg3 in the solution with NaCl. The gene encoding a ${\beta}$-glucosidase from this GS514 was cloned and expressed in the BL21 (DE3) strain of Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was purified and characterized. The molecular mass of purified was 87.5 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The gene sequence revealed significant homology to the family 3 glycoside hydrolases. The purified single enzyme also catalyzed the conversion of ginsenoside Rb1 into Rg3. This target enzyme will be able to produce as much saponin for consumer demand ginseng product. Anti-apoptotic proteins bind with pro-apoptotic proteins to induce apoptosis mechanism. Over expression of these anti-apoptotic proteins lead to several cancers by preventing apoptosis. Docking simulations were performed for anti-apoptotic proteins with several ginsenosides from Panax ginseng. Our finding shows ginsenosides particularly Rg3, Rh2 and Rf have more binding affinity with apoptotic proteins. Further, these docking system of each ginsenosides can be extended to experimental screen system for further brief confirmations of several diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Objective : Erysipelas is an acute inflammation caused by pyogenic bacteria. This mainly involves the upper part of dermis. It begins as erythematous patches with tenderness, followed by fever, headache, chills and fatigue etc. It may results in edema, obstruction of lymphatics and sepsis. So this experiment is carried out for test whether the Bojeasodok-um subtracted Scrophulariae Radix, Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia, Isatidis Radix added indigo Naturalis, Lithospermi Radix have an anti-inflammatory effect and have suppression effect on immunocyte in the state of inflammation which induced by Erysipelas. Method : Experimental animals made use of 4-5 week-age(weight 20-25g) ICR(male) mouse. In the breeding farm, the lighting time was controlled from 7:00 am till 7:00 pm, the temperature was controlled So we concluded that BS is prospected as an anti-inflammatory agent to cure inflammation induced bywithin 18-23$23^{\circ}C$ and water and food were not limited.The freezing lyophilization powder which were extracted from Bojesodok-Um divided low dose group(200mg/kg-BSL) and high dose group(500mg/kg-BSH) and after melting in water, it was orally administered to the mouse. Compared with inflammation induced group which were induced by triggering-inflammation reagent Carageenan and Zymosan and normal contrast group, we measured the edema decrement effect,macrophage and spleen cell activation. Result : 1. BS has suppress inflammatory reaction induced by Carageenan. 2. BS has suppress increasing activation of abdominal cavity macrophage in the Carageenan and Zymosan induced inflammation. 3. BS has suppress increasing activation of spleen cell in the Carageenan and Zymosan induced inflammation. Based on the above result, BS was improved its suppression effect to the inflammatory reaction through the suppression of spleen cell and macrophage activation. So we concluded that BS is prospected as an anti-inflammatory agent to cure inflammation induced by Erysipelas.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.213-225
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• 2022

Schisandra chinensis is widely known to regulate fatigue recovery, lowering blood pressure, and contains several bioactive compounds such as schizadran. In this study, we obtained basic data for the development of health food by measuring the schizandrin content, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity, and enzyme activity of the hot water extract (SCW) and 40% ethanol extract (SCE) of S. chinensis grown in Sunchang-gun, Korea. Schizandrin content was measured as 7.87 ± 0.01 mg/g for SCW and 10.38 ± 0.05 mg/g for SCE. SCE had higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity than SCW, and the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were also higher. Both SCW and SCE (500 ㎍/mL) exhibited more than 55% protective effects against oxidative stress in HepG2 cell lines. Anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed using RAW 264.7 and Caco-2 cells and both SCW and SCE do not have cytotoxic effects. Anti-inflammatory results showed concentration-dependent NO activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) inhibition. The antibacterial activity increased with increasing dose concentrations of SCW and SCE, and the MIC was 25 mg/mL for L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium, and 75 mg/mL for H. pylori. In addition, amylase and protease enzyme activity was observed in both SCW and SCE.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.14
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• pp.17.1-17.23
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• 2023

Menopause is a physiological phase experienced by all women as part of normal aging known as menopause. Per se, menopause is not a disease, but hormonal imbalance may lead to menopausal symptoms in some women. The unani physician described that in Sinn-i-Inḥiṭāṭ/ Sinn al-Yās, Burūdat (coldness) increases lead to Ihtibās al-Tamth (amenorrhea) that can occur naturally. Besides, Khilt Dam (blood) production decreases from the liver, slight production occurs, tends towards Burūdat. Therefore, at this age, Ihtibās al-Tamth is associated with Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās(menopausalsymptoms) including weight gain, loss of appetite, hirsutism, fatigue, headache, backache, arthralgia, neck pain, general myalgia, nervousness, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The traditional Unani manuscripts are enriched with knowledge for the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Consequently, an extensive exploration of classical texts concerning the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās was undertaken. Moreover, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and other indexing databases were thoroughly explored for evidence-based approaches to managing menopausalsymptoms. The principle management as per Unani texts is to treat the cause of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani medicines with emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties are beneficial for the amelioration of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani Herbs such as Asgandh, Aslusūs, Khārkhasak, Tagar, Shuneez, Ustukhuddus, Zafran, and Majūn Najāh possess properties and are proven scientifically for their efficacy in Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Hence, the substantiation and preservation of traditional knowledge assume paramount importance in facilitating prospective research and proving invaluable in the modern era. Moreover, the conduct of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses becomes imperative.