• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.437-442
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• 2015

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to South Korea, the antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of an aqueous methanolic extract from the heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha were investigated. Eighty percent of the methanolic extract of A. agallocha was further divided into $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to yield four solvent-soluble portions, namely $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by employing radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals, while the anti-obesity efficacy of A. agallocha extracts and solvent-soluble portions were tested by porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts and solvent-soluble portions, the $CH_2Cl_2$-soluble portion showed much higher radical scavenging activity and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties when compared with other solvent-soluble portions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacies, and A. agallocha extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidants and as a pancreatic lipase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass will be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-obesity effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.745-754
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• 2021

Deterioration of the immune function weakens the body's resistance to various infections, leading to a series of diseases. Immunomodulatory biomaterials have been used to reduce the side effects of immunosuppressants or to enhance immunity. Agarwood is the aromatic resinous portion of Aquilaria trees that has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of various diseases. Although previous studies have shown that agarwood can improve the body's immunity, evidence for this claim is still lacking. In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of the agarwood methanol extracts of Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk were evaluated in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model. Based on the results, the agarwood extracts markedly enhanced phagocytosis in the absence of cytotoxicity. The agarwood extract-treated RAW 264.7 cells exhibited the typical morphology of activated macrophages, which are spindle-shaped with elongated filopodia. Agarwood extract also significantly increased the production of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase. Moreover, the secretion and expression levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, were increased by agarwood treatment. Notably, these are also associated with a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence that agarwood has potential immune-enhancing effects in vitro.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.125-136
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• 2004

The pharmacological mechanisms of most Oriental medicines have not been clearly defined in spite of their effective use in treating many diseases throughout the world. Many Oriental medicines have been used against various allergic diseases for generations, and still occupy an important place in traditional medicine in far eastern countries including Korea. It is also still unclear how Oriental drugs prevent allergic disease in vivo or in vitro models. Some Korean folk medicine inhibited the mast cell-mediated allergic reaction. This review summarizes the effective folk medicine in experimental effect on systemic or local anaphylaxis reaction. Potential anti-anaphylactic folk medicines include: Poncirus trifoliata; Siegesbeckia glabrescence; Solanum lyratum; Aquilaria agallocha; Ulmi radicis; Polygonum tinctorium; Hwanglyun-Haedok-Tang; Rehmannia glutinosa; Kum-Hwag-San; Syzygium aromaticm; Spirulina platensis; Sosiho-Tang; Sinomenium acutum; Schizonepta tenuifolia; Shini-San; Magnoliae flos; Sochungryong-Tang; Oryza sativa; Cryptotympana atrata; Salviae radix; Rosa davurica; Asiasari radix; Chung-Dae-San; Cichorium intybus; Perilla frutescens; Vitex rotundifolia; Terminalia chebula; Siberian Ginseng; Solanum melongena; Gahmi-Shini-San; Alpinia oxyphylla; Acanthopanax senticosus root; Prunella vulgaris; Allergina; Ixeris dentate; Acanthopanax senticosus stem; Tongkyutang; Salvia plebeia; Rubus coreanus; Sinpo- Tang; Dodutang; Forsythia fructus; Xanthii fructus; and Purple bamboo slat. Ensuring the effects and understanding the mechanisms of action for these Oriental medicines can permit drug development and laying of the ground-work for evaluating potential synergistic effects by addition and subtraction of prescriptions.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2000

Although Oriental medicines have long been used effectively in treating many diseases throughout the world, the pharmacological mechanisms of most Oriental medicines used have not been defined. As part of our continuing search for biologically active antiallergic drugs from natural sources, Oriental medicines were analyzed. Some Oriental medicines have been used against various allergic diseases for generations, and still occupies an important place in traditional medicine in Korea. It is also still unclear how Oriental medicine prevents allergic disease in experimental animal models. Some Korean folk medicines inhibited the mast cell-mediated allergic reaction. This review summarizes the effective folk medicine in experimental effect of allergic reaction. Potential antiallergic folk medicines include: Poncirus trifoliata; Siegesbeckia glabrescence; Solanum lyratum; Aquilaria agallocha; Ulmi radicis; Polygonum tinctorium; Hwanglyun-Haedok-Tang; Rehmannia glutinosa; Kum- Hwag-San; Syzygium aromaticm; Spirulina platensis; Sosiho-Tang; Sinomenium acutum; Schizonepta tenuifolia; Shini-San; Magnoliae flos; Sochungryoung-Tang; Oryza sativa; Cryptotympana atrata; Salviae radix; Rosa davurica; Asiasari radix; Chung-Dae-San; and Cichorium intybus. Understanding the mechanisms of action for these Oriental medicines can permit drug development and laying of the ground-work for evaluating potential synergistic effects by addition and subtraction of prescriptions.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.10 no.1 s.13
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• pp.21-30
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• 2001

The antibacterial and insecticidal properties of ethanol extracts and volatile components extracted from Eugenia caryophyllata, Boswellia carterii, Agastache rugosa, Aristolochia contorta, and Aquilaria agallocha were evaluated. The ethanol extract and volatile component of E. caryophyllata showed strong antimicrobial effect against all strains (Mucor hiemalis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium funiculosum, Trichoderma viride) and the volatile component of B. carterii showed antimicrobial effect against all strains except T. viride. The ethanol extract of E. caryophyllata and A. contorta showed $100\%\;and\;32\%$ mortality against Reticulitemes spertus kyushuensis Morimoto for 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively. In the case of volatile component, E. aryophyllata showed $100\%\;and\;20\%$ mortality against R. spertus and Lyctus linearis GOZE, respectively. The main constitute, eugenol $(92\%)$ among nine components from volatile component of E. aryophyllata were identified as antibacterial active substance.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.416-428
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• 2018

To gain an insight into the function of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in insects during thermal stress, three HSP cDNAs were identified in the transcriptome of adult Heortia vitessoides, one of the most destructive defoliating pests in Aquilaria sinensis (Loureiro) Sprenger forests. The open reading frames of HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 were 1,719, 2,070, and 2,151 bp in length, respectively, and encoded proteins with molecular weights of 61.05, 75.02, and 82.23 kDa, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all three HSPs were highly conserved in structure. Regarding the stage-specific expression profiles, HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 mRNAs were detected in all developmental stages. Regarding the tissue-specific expression profiles, the expression levels of the three HSP genes were different in various larval and adult tissues. Moreover, the expression patterns of heat-stressed larvae, pupae, and adults indicated that HvHsp60, HvHsp70, and HvHsp90 were heat-inducible. In particular, HvHsp60 transcripts increased dramatically in larvae and pupae that were heat-stressed at $40^{\circ}C$ and were upregulated in adults that were heat-stressed at $35^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$. The expression of HvHsp70 significantly increased in all of the three different developmental stages at $35^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, and $45^{\circ}C$. The expression of HvHsp90 obviously increased at $30^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$ in larvae and could be induced at $35^{\circ}C$ in pupae and adults. The results suggest that HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 play a major role in protecting H. vitessoides against high-temperature stress.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.29-36
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to fix the synonyms, origin, formation mechanism, description, and efficacy of Hwangnapchim in Elucidation of Materia Medica. Methods : Through searching histories and herbal classics, We categorized the contents, and compared with Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum. Results : The synonyms of Hwangnapchim were classified by 3 categories : Napchimhyang-type, Ganamhyang-type and Ginamhyang-type. In early period, it was called by Napchimhyang-type, named after its description that was similar to beeswax. Afterward it was called by Ganamhyang-type or Ginamhyang-type, because of the name "Kynam" that was called by in its producing region. And there were records of producing region of Vietnam, Cambodia, and being from abroad, while those of Vietnam were most frequent. According to custom duties of Ming Dynasty, Hwangnapchim was 17.5 times as expensive as Agarwood. Hwangnapchim shared main producing region, original plant, and process of formation with Agarwood. Therefore, its original plant was Aquilaria crassna, but added honey during formation process. Hwangnapchim was classified 5 types according to its description, the highest quality was Yu-gyeol, resembled beeswax, and easily recovered if get a scar. Hwangnapchim had a fragrance at room temperature, a spicy flavor, and the efficacy of blocking urine and feces. Conclusions : These results showed that Vietnam was major producing area of Hwangnapchim, and that it shared same origin with Agarwood, but it had different description, efficacy, and higher prices because of being added honey during formation.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.49-58
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• 2001

The antibacterial and insecticidal properties of ethanol extracts and volatile components extracted from Eugenia caryophyllata, Boswellia carerii, Agastache rugosa, Aristolochia contorta, and Aquilaria agallocha were evaluated. The ethanol extract and volatile component of E. caryophyllata showed strong antimicrobial effect against all strains (Mucor hiemalis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium funiculosum, Trichodema viride) and the volatile component of B. carterii showed antimicrobial effect against all strains except T. viride. The ethanol extract of E. caryophyllata and A. contorta showed $100\%\;and\;32\%$ mortality against Reticulitermes spertus kyushuensis Morimoto for 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively. In the case of volatile component, R. aryophyllata showed $100\%\;and\;20\%$ mortality against R. spertus and Lyctus linearis GOZE, respectively. The main constitute, eugenol $(92\%)$ among nine components from volatile component of E. aryophyllata were identified as antibacterial active substance.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.774-783
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• 2001

The ethanol extract of 77 species of edible and medicinal plants were examined antimicrobial activity against 5 strains of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111, ATCC 19112, ATCC 19113, ATCC 19114 and ATCC 15313 by optical density using Bioscreen C. The ethanol extract of Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino, Jeffersonia dubia Benth, Aquilaria agallocha Roxburgh, Lysimachia clethroides Duby and Nardostachys chinensis Batal. exhibited comparatively strong growth inhibition effect on 5 strains of L. monocytogenes at 1000 ppm level in broth. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract of Lysimachia clethroides Duby was $100{\sim}500\;ppm$ on 5 strains of L. monocytogenes. The MIC of the n-hexane and chloroform fraction of the extract were same concentration as $50{\sim}100\;ppm$. The n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby showed strong growth inhibition at 25 ppm on Vibrio parahaemolyticus for 72 hr at $30^{\circ}C$ and at 50 ppm on Bacillus cereus and at 500 ppm on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1-27
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the modern research achievements of agarwood and its association with the efficacy of herbal medicine based on the in vivo and in vitro activities of volatile compounds detected in agarwood. Methods : Databases such as PubMed and ScienceOn were searched for medicinal in vivo and in vitro activity studies on agarwood. They were categorized into "medicine and pharmacy" and "others not related to medicine and pharmacy," and the studies on medicine and pharmacy were organized according to active efficacy. The efficacy and virtue of agarwood as identified in the book (or herbal medicine/herbology) corresponded to modern medical terms and diseases in reference to the . Separately, the Gas Chromatography & Mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis results of agarwood from a total of 5 production areas of Aquilaria crassna from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia as identified in previous studies were consulted to search for research papers on the medicinal activity of the 13 compounds of the aromatic sesquiterpene family detected in agarwood, and they were categorized according to topic. Results : There were 123 studies on the medicinal activity of agarwood. Overall, 46 studies on single extracts of agarwood reported activities such as improving mental health, including anti-anxiety and stability, and antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and digestive system protective effects. In total, 59 papers on the activities of single compounds isolated from agarwood reported anti-inflammatory and mental health benefits. Separately, 13 compounds detected in agarwood, such as α-agarofuran and β-caryophyllene, were reported by 110 studies to have anticancer, stabilizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. There were also papers on the cultivation methods and resin formation conditions of agarwood trees unrelated to the efficacy of herbal medicine. Conclusion : Among the pharmacological papers, a total of 57 papers corresponded to the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine, including 33 papers related to agarwood extracts and 24 papers analyzing 8 types of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene and cedrol, from previous studies. Based on the research findings of each paper, it was possible to correlate the effects of agarwood in traditional herbal medicine with the achievements of modern pharmacological research. In addition, further research is anticipated in new areas related to traditional herbal medicine, including the improvement of mental health such as anti-depression, as well as activities related to anticancer, antioxidant, and hair growth.