• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.8-23
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• 1981

Color is one of the most important quality factors of red ginseng (Hong-sam) which is processed from fresh ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). Therefore, a study of characteristics of browning mixtures of aqueous fresh ginseng extracts, factors which accelerate the browning of the aqueous extracts, and the antioxidant activity of the browning mixtures may contribute to the improvement of the color and other quality of red ginseng and other ginseng products such as ginseng extracts. In the present study, factors which affect the Maillard-type browning reaction of aqueous extracts of fresh ginseng roots were investigated firstly by adding various concentrations (0.001-0.5M) of arginine or glucose solutions, by varying the browning reaction temperatures and durations. Secondly, some characteristics such as brown color intensity, amounts of water-soluble and ether-soluble extracts, amounts of non-dialyzable materials, pH, viscosity, and reactivity with 2,2'- diphenyl -1 - picrylhydrazyl and antioxidant activity of the browning mixtures of the aqueous fresh ginseng extracts with small amounts of 0.1 M arginine, 0.1 M glucose, and distilled water at various browning temperatures and reaction time were studied. The results of the present study are as follows. 1. Color intensity (absorbance at 470 nm) of the browning mixtures was increased by adding various concentrations of arginine solution to the fresh ginseng extract, but the addition of the same amount of glucose solution did not increase the color intensity. 2 The amounts of water- or ether-soluble extracts, amounts of non-dialyzable materials were slightly greater in case of the browning mixtures of the fresh ginseng extract with 0.1M arginine solution than in case of the browning mixtures of the fresh ginseng extract with the same amount of 0.1 M glucose solution. In the process of the browning reaction, the pH of the browning mixtures of the fresh ginseng extract with 0.1 M arginine solution decreased slightly, while that of the browning mixtures with 0. 1 M glucose solution was almost constant. 3. The color intensity (absorbance at 470 nm) of the browning mixtures of the fresh ginseng extract with 0.1 M arginine or 0.1 M glucose solutions did not correlate well with the reducing power or the antioxidant power of the browning mixtures. The antioxidant activity of 90% ethanol extracts from the earlier stages of the browning mixtures of the fresh ginseng extract with the arginine solution was almost comparable to that of the 90% ethanol extracts from the later stages of the corresponding browning mixtures. The browning mixtures of only the fresh ginseng extract or of the fresh ginseng extract with the glucose solution showed considerable antioxidant activity, although both showed less brown color intensity than the fresh ginseng extract with he arginine solution.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2005

Very little research has been carried out on safflower seed for the prevention and treatment of the bone deficiency diseases, including osteoporosis, which are supported by scientific evidences. In the present study, $3{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried crude extract or $2{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction were shown to significantly accelerate the rate of differentiation of osteoblast. Also, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells: $3{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried crude extract and $2{\mu}l$ of 0.1% dried aqueous fraction significantly increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells ($8{\times}10^{-4}$) to the extent that it deserves a considerable attention. Furthermore, the crude extract and aqueous fraction increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells, and $300{\mu}M$ $Cd^{2+}$, specific calcium channel blocker, completely blocked the increase. Therefore, the increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ of the cultured osteoblast cells by safflower seed component continued to activate calcium channel.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

This study investigated the antioxidative action of Corni Fructus aqueous extract on kidneys of diabetic mice. The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract and its antioxidant activities (XO, SOD, CAT, GST, eNOS) in kidneys of C57BL/6 or db/db mice were evaluated. For in vivo study, seven week-old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC, C57BL/6 mice), diabetic control group (DC, db/db mice) and Corni Fructus (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) treated diabetic group (DCF, db/db mice). The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract exhibited 7%, 24.4%, and 42.7% at concentrations of 100, 500, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The activity of XO in the DCF group was significantly lower than the DC group by 35% (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT and GST were lowered in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05) and 7.6%, respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS in kidneys was lower in the DCF group than the DC group by 24%. These results indicate that Corni Fructus reduced oxidation stress as evidenced by the restoration of the enzymatic antioxidative defense system in renal tissues of db/db mice. It is suggested that these antioxidative actions of Corni Fructus on renal tissues in db/db mice could contribute to its renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.540-548
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• 2008

Paeonia radix is the root of Paeonia aliflora Pallas, which is a perennial plant classified in the family Paeoniaceae. Paeonia radix possesses several pharmacological effects such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, anti-oxidative, and anti-coagulant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Paeonia radix on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in mouse BV2 microglial cells. The aqueous extract of Paeonia radix at respective concentration was treated one hour before lipopolysaccharide treatment. In the present results, the aqueous extract of Paeonia radix suppressed prostaglandin $E_2$ synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells. These results demonstrate that Paeonia radix exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppressing mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthesis. The present study demonstrates that Paeonia radix may offer a valuable mean of therapy for brain inflammatory diseases.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.527-533
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• 2008

Angelica dahurica (Umbelliferae) grows in China, Japan, Russia, and Korea. The root of Angelica dahurica has been used as a traditional folk medicine to treat headache and toothache. In this study, the effects of the aqueous extract of Angelica dahurica on acetic acid-induced abdominal pain, carrageenan-induced edema, and thermal hyperalgesia were investigated using mice and rats. The present results showed that the aqueous extract of Angelica dahurica inhibited acetic acidinduced abdominal pain in mice and reduced carrageen-induced edema in rats. The present study showed that the aqueous extract of Angelica dahurica possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.53-66
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effects of acanthopanax stem bark (ASB) and acanthopanax root bark (ARB) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through radical scavenging assays using 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Also, we examined total poly phenol and flavonoids contents. Osteoarthritis was caused by injection MIA($50{\mu}{\ell}$ with $80mg/m{\ell}$) into the knee joint cavity of rats. Rats were divided by 4 groups (normal group, control group, ASB treated group, ARB treated group, each n=6). The changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Also, the anti-oxidant, inflammatory protein levels were investigated western blot analysis. Knee joint tissue, histopathological observation hematoxylin & eosin staining and safranin-O staining were measured. Results : In the present study, ARB treated group showed superior inhibitory effects on the inflammatory parameters than the ASB treated group. ARB aqueous extract was effective in antioxidant measurements. The administration of ARB showed a significant reduction of changes in relative hind paw weight distribution. Morever, it decreased ROS, ALT and AST levels in serum, compared with those of the control rats. The ARB administration inhibited the biomarkers of inflammatory in tissues. Conclusions : ASB aqueous extract and ARB aqueous extract have a great effect on osteoarthritis, and ARB aqueous extract has excellent effect on osteoarthritis through antioxidant and anti-inflammation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) is an edible wild mushroom with tough fruiting body that belongs to the family Polyporaceae. It is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of ulcer, anaemia, cough and fever. Recent studies have demonstrated its anticancer, anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. However, little or no information is available regarding the bioactive components and toxicological study of wild dried L. squarrosulus. Therefore, this study investigated the bioactive components of aqueous extract of boiled wild dried L. squarrosulus and its toxicological effects in rats. The extract of L. squarrosulus was subjected to GC-MS analysis. The acute toxicity test was performed by oral administration of a single dose of up to 5,000 mg/kg extract of L. squarrosulus. In subacute study, the rats were orally administered extract of L. squarrosulus at the doses of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days. The haematological, lipid profile, liver and kidney function parameters were determined and the histopathology of the liver and kidney were examined. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds; 1-tetradecene, fumaric acid, monochloride, 6-ethyloct-3-yl ester, 9-eicosene, phytol, octahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 3-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane. In acute toxicity study, neither death nor toxicity sign was recorded. In the sub-acute toxicity study, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed on creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Whilst no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed on packed cell volume, heamoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell and alkaline phosphatase, in all the tested doses. No histopathological alterations were recorded. Our findings revealed that aqueous extract of L. squarrosulus may have antimicrobial, antinocieptive and antioxidant properties based on the result of GC-MS analysis. Results of the toxicity test showed no deleterious effect at the tested doses, suggesting that L. squarrosulus is safe for consumption at the tested doses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.516-523
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• 2006

The mushroom Inonotus obliquue (IO) has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in Russia, Poland, and most of Baltic countries. To explore the possibility that IO has chemoprevention effects, we examined whether or not the aqueous extract of IO inhibits HT-29 cell growth and investigated tile mechanism for this effect. Cells were incubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of the aqueous extract of IO. The extract substantially inhibited the viable HT-29 cell number in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA of HT-29 cells. Annexin-V staining followed by flow cytometry revealed that the extract induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis of total cell lysates revealed that the extract induced cleavage of caspase-8, -9 and -3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, but did not affect the protein levels of Bax and Bcl-2. In addition, the extract dose-dependently increased the activity of caspase-8, -9 and -3. We have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of IO inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells, which may be mediated by its ability to activate the caspase pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2008

Backgrounds: Singihwan is used "to strengthen inborn energy" and we suspected a protective effect on brain neuron cells. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Singihwan (SGH) on traumatic brain injury-induced delayed apoptosis in rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. Methods: For a surgical induction of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a 5 mm diameter stainless rod was used to make traumatic attack from the surface of the brain used by an impactor. The protective effect of the aqueous extract of SGH against TBI in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus was investigated by using step-down avoidance task, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Bax immunohistochemistry, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Results: The aqueous extract of SGH suppressed the TBI-induced increase in apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Conclusions: It is possible that the aqueous extract of SGH has a neuroprotective effect on TBI-induced neuronal cell death.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2019

The study was conducted to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity effect of Aquilaria malaccensis leaves aqueous extract (AEAM) towards male ICR mice in terms of body weight, relative organ weight, mortality rate and sperm parameters. In acute toxicity study, a single dose at of 2000 mg/kg was performed. In sub-acute toxicity study, the mice were received normal saline (control group), 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, or 1000 mg/kg of AEAM orally for 21 days of treatment. In sub-acute toxicity study, the number of abnormal sperm were significantly decreased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, 500, and 1000 when compared to the control group. While, the motility of sperm were found to be significantly increased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, and 1000 as compared to the control group. No mortality was recorded in the control group and treated groups in both toxicity studies except for one mouse from AEAM 1000 group. However, the mild sedative effect in terms of the tendency to sleep was clearly noticeable in both toxicity studies. Results indicated that the AEAM can be one of the useful alternative medicine to enhance fertility rate by increasing healthy sperm production.