• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.55-65
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• 2010

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical gas and a messenger molecule. NO has many physiological functions, but excessive NO production induces neurotoxicity. Objective: The present study investigated whether the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow possesses a protective effect on NO-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Method: For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed. Result: Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) exposure significantly decreased the viability of cells. The cells treated with SNP exhibited several apoptotic features such as increasing of Bax expression, caspase-3 enzyme activity and inhibiting of Bcl-2 expression. On the other hand, the viability of cells pre-treated with the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow was increased dose-dependently. The cells pre-treated for 1 h with the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow followed by treatment with SNP showed a decreased occurrence of apoptotic features like decreasing Bax expressions, caspase-3 enzyme activity and increasing Bcl-2 expressions. The aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow reduced apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC through the inhibition of Bax-dependent caspase-3 activation and the increasing of Bcl-2 expression. Conclusion: Based on the present results, it is possible that Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow has therapeutic value for the treatment of a variety of NO-induced brain diseases.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2010

Lycii fructus is the fruit of Lycium chinense Miller and is part of the Solanaceae family. Lycii fructus produces various effects such as hypotensive, hypoglycemic, anti-pyretic, and anti-stress activities. Lycii fructus is known to contain betaine, carotene, nicotinic acid, zeaxanthin, and cerebroside. In the present study, the effects of Lycii fructus aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. In this study we utilized the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) mRNA and iNOS protein in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Also, Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in the nucleus. These results demonstrated that Lycii fructus aqueous extract causes an anti-inflammatory effect that was likely produced by the suppression of iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-$\hat{e}B$ binding activity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.13-22
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• 2019

Objectives : Armeniacae semen is the seed of Prunus armenica L. var. ansu MAXIM, and this is classified into Rosaceae. Armeniacae semen has been used for centuries in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases. Amygdalin is the major compound of Armeniacae semen, and it is now being used for the treatment of pain and cancer. Methods : In the present study, we compared the effects of an aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen and a solution of amygdalin extracted from Armeniacae semen on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated prostaglandin E2 synthesis and nitric oxide production in mouse BV-2 microglial cells. For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), prostaglandin E2 immunoassay and nitric oxide detection were performed on mouse BV-2 microglial cells. Results : In the present study, an aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen and an amygdalin solution extracted from Armeniacae semen suppressed prostaglandin E2 synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the LPS-induced enhancement of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) mRNA and the inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in mouse BV-2 cells. For the cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) expression, an aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen showed a more potent suppression effect compared to the amygdalin solution. However, the amygdalin solution more potently suppressed the LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA expression compared to the aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen. Conclusions : As a result, aqueous extract of Armeniacae semen and amygdalin exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.400-405
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• 2012

To investigate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanol and aqueous peel and seed extracts obtained from three different grape species (Cambell Early, MBA, and Kyoho), alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity was examined. All extracts showed anti-diabetic activity, especially aqueous extract exhibited inhibitory effect above 70%. Thus, we used aqueous extract to check the potential hypoglycemic effects in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model. The results showed that the blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic mice decreased drastically after 3 hr when the aqueous extract of Cambell Early seed was treated to the mice model. The aqueous extract of Kyoho seed lessened blood glucose level by 60%. Together, these data indicate that extracts of grape peel and seed (aqueous or ethanol) may have potential in improving hypoglycemic effects in the diabetic symptoms, suggesting that further investigation on biomarker expressions should be rewarding.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2011

Herbicidal effects and crop selectivity of aqueous leaf extracts of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were evaluated against several weed species for developing sustainable weed management in organic farming. Aqueous sorghum leaf extracts were highly phytotoxic to different weed species. No broadleaf weeds were germinated in the concentration of 5 fold or higher concentrated sorghum leaf extracts and 90% of seed germination was inhibited within that range in grass species. Sorghum leaf extracts strongly inhibited the growth of different weeds by pre-emergence and foliar applications in greenhouse condition. Foliar application of sorghum leaf extracts had a higher inhibitory effect than the pre-emergence application. Broadleaf weed species were more susceptible than grasses to the application of sorghum leaf extract in foliar applications than grasses. Galium spurium, Erigeron candensis, and Rumex japonicus were completely killed at the highest concentrated sorghum leaf extract both in pre-emergence and foliar application. Most broadleaf weed species were inhibited more than 80% at pre-emergence application at 50 fold concentrated sorghum leaf extract. G. spurium, E. candensis, R. japonicus, Eclipta alba, Plantago asiatica and Portulaca oleraeea were most susceptible to sorghum leaf extract in foliar application. Growth of most broad leaf weed species was suppressed by greater than 90% at 50 fold concentrated sorghum leaf extract. Most crop species were tolerant to sorghum leaf extract but shoot growth was slightly reduced by the application of 40~50 fold concentrated extracts, Sorghum leaf extract may used to control weeds in organic fanning without affecting the growth of crop.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.180-186
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• 2003

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the roots of Mirabilis jalapa Linn. Four Oclock plant, on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve-muscle (n.m.) preparation of Setaria cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro was studied. Alcoholic extract caused the inhibition of spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. cervi, whereas aqueous extract caused inhibition of spontaneous movements of the n.m. preparation. The initial stimulatory effect was not observed by aqueous and alcoholic extracts on n.m. preparation while effect of alcoholic extract on the whole worm was characterized by an increase in the amplitude of contractions followed by reversible paralysis. The concentrations required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm and n.m. preparation for alcoholic extract of root were $270\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $40\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively whereas an aqueous extract caused inhibition of n.m. preparation at $30\;{\mu}g/mL$ suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. Alcoholic extract of the roots of M. jalapa caused concentration related effect on the survival of microfilariae of S. cervi. The $LC_{50}$ and $LC_{90}$ for alcoholic extract as observed after 6 hrs. were found to be 10 ng/mL and 18 ng/mL., respectively.

• Mycobiology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.158-162
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• 2005

The immunomodulatory effect of aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus, called as Chaga, was tested on bone marrow cells from chemically immunosuppressed mice. The Chaga water extract was daily administered for 24 days to mice that had been treated with cyclophosphamide (400 mg/kg body weight), immunosuppressive alkylating agent. The number of colony-forming unit (CFU)-granulocytes/macrophages (GM) and erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E), increased almost to the levels seen in non-treated control as early as 8 days after treatment. Oral administration of the extract highly increased serum levels of IL-6. Also, the level of $TNF-{\alpha}$ was elevated by the chemical treatment in control mice, whereas was maintained at the background level in the extract-treated mice, indicating that the extract might effectively suppress $TNF-{\alpha}$ related pathologic conditions. These results strongly suggest the great potential of the aqueous extract from Inonotus obliquus as immune enhancer during chemotherapy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2023

Nepeta sibirica L. or Siberian catmint is a medicinal plant species used in Mongolian traditional medicine for curing human different disorders and veterinary practices. The previous study of the whole plant concentrated on the determination of its essential oil composition and reported that the major ones are sesquiterpenes, including nepetalactone. The aim of this study was to reveal a new biological activity of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. and compare the activity of different extracts correlating with the content of biologically active compounds and evaluate their toxicity. For this purpose, anti-oxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) (40%, 70%) extracts were assayed spectrophotometrically. The aqueous extract showed positive anti-oxidative activity by both tested DPPH and FRAP assays with IC₅₀ 134.24 ± 1.42 mg/mL and FRAP value 1385.15 ± 8.12 µmol/L at 200 ㎍/mL, in contrast to 40% and 70% EtOH extracts. The 70% EtOH extract presented the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 77.29 ± 0.38 mg/mL) followed by 40% EtOH extract (176.72 ± 0.35 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (275.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL). Total phenolics were found to be gallic acid equivalent, % 3.74 ± 0.05 (70% EtOH), 3.94 ± 0.04 (40% EtOH), and 3.79 ± 0.16 (aqueous), whereas the total flavonoids as a rutin equivalent, % as 2.01 ± 0.12, 1.44 ± 0.17 and 1.99 ± 0.02, each. The aqueous extract showed the best anti-oxidative and lowest activity against the acetylcholinesterase; however, the 70% EtOH extract showed the opposite effects than that of the aqueous. No mortality incidence was visible at various doses, indicating that the oral median lethal dose of aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts were considered greater than 5000 mg/kg. N. sibirica L. belongs to the non-toxic category of the OECD 423 classification.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.171-183
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• 2022

The performance and inhibitory action of the aqueous extract of Cyperus Conglomeratus's leaves against corrosion of XC70 steel in a 1M HCl acid medium are studied by the determination of the weight loss, the potentiodynamic polarization curves analysis, and electrochemical impedance measurements (electrochemical techniques). The corrosion inhibitory efficiency of XC70 steel increases with the increasing concentration of the green inhibitor, however, the corrosion rate of the steel decreases. Weight loss measurements show that the maximum percentage corrosion inhibition efficiency is approximately 61.86%, while the analysis of the mixed character polarization curves shows that the inhibitor could achieve an inhibition efficiency of 86.96%. The electrochemical impedance study confirmed that the value of the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) increases and the value of the double layer capacity (C_dl) decreases with increasing concentration of the aqueous extract of Cyperus Conglomeratus's leaves, thus increasing the inhibition efficiency. The study showed that this aqueous extract acts by adsorption on the metal surface; this adsorption follows the Langmuir isotherm. This research work showed that Cyperus Conglomeratus leaves extract acts as an effective and eco-friendly inhibitor on mild steel in an acid medium.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2006

The aqueous extract of Hydrilla verticillata (AEHV) was tested for possible pharmacological effects on experimental animals. AEHV significantly potentiated the sleeping time of mice induced by standard hypnotics viz. pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam, and meprobamate in a dose dependent manner. AEHV showed significant analgesic properties as evidenced by the significant reduction in the number of writhes and stretches induced in mice by 1.2% acetic acid solution. It also potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine in mice. Pretreatment with AEHV caused significant protection against strychnine and leptazol-induced convulsions. The behavioral studies on mice indicate CNS depressant activity of the aqueous extract of H. verticillata.