• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1617-1624
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• 2010

Recently, it has been found that Asiasari radix showed a hypopigmenting effect on melanogenesis through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-activated kinase (ERK) in B16F10 melanoma cells. However, the hypopigmenting effect of A. radix on the $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulating hormone ($\alpha$-MSH)-stimulated melanogenesis has remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of the partially purified A. radix (PPAR)-induced hypopigmentating effects on $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. PPAR strongly inhibited tyrosinase activity and leads to decreased melanin synthesis in $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. PPAR also decreased the $\alpha$-MSH-induced over-expression of the melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, dopachrome tautomerase (Dct) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). We further showed that PPAR inhibits $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenesis via phosphorylation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt, and that their activation was blocked by MEK inhibitors, PD98059 and PI3K inhibitors, LY294002 in $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. These results suggest that PPAR inhibits $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenesis by activation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt through MITF degradation, which may lead to down-regulation of tyrosinase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.136.1-136
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• 2003

Aristolochic acid has been known to be a carcinogenic compound and to cause Chinese herbs nephrophathy. To determine the content of aristolochic acid in various medicinal herbs marketed domestically, samples of Aristolochia fangchi, Aristolochia fructus, Aristolochia radix, Asiasari radix, Saussureae radix, and Akebia caulis were analyzed using TLC and HPLC. The optimal conditions for TLC and HPLC were established for the quantitative analysis of aristolochic acid. This study showed that Aristolochia fangchi and Aristolochia fructus examined in this study contain aristolochic acid of 3.9 and 2.3 mg/g sample, respectively. In contrast, aristolochic acid was not detected in other samples.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.191-203
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• 2022

Purpose : In 『Herbal Formula Science in Korean Medicine (HFSKM)』, the weight unit of Shanghanlun '1 Liǎng (一兩)' is mostly converted to 3 g. We tried to confirm whether the usages of the Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM are valid in the view of safety and efficacy. Method : The toxicity of herbs in Shanghanlun were summarized. The prescriptions of HFSKM including herbs recorded by weight in Shanghanlun were compared with the pharmacopoeia usage. Domestic clinical case studies were analyzed to confirm the clinical evidence for safety and efficacy. Results : Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Ephedrae Herba, Pinelliae Tuber, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, Armeniacae Semen and Scutellariae Radix have been reported to have toxicity. As a result of analyzing the 39 Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM, 26 prescriptions were identified when they were within the pharmacopoeia usage, and 13 prescriptions were found in excess. As a result of analyzing the domestic clinical research papers, symptoms considered to be side effects were not mentioned, and improvement of the diseases was confirmed. As a result of measuring the actual weight, it was confirmed that the usage greatly exceeded the pharmacopoeia usage, such as 57.23 g for Pinelliae Tuber and 45.77 g for Armeniacae Semen. Conclusion : The composition of the prescription for Shanghanlun proposed in HFSKM is considered to be a reasonable dose, but continuous review and standard supplementation are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1164-1167
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• 2003

Aristolochic acid has been known to be a carcinogenic compound and to cause Chinese herbs nephrophathy(CHN). To determine the content of aristolochic acid in various medicinal herbs marketed domestically, samples of Aristolochia fangchi, Aristolochia fructus, Aristolochia radix, Asiasari radix, Saussureae radix, and Akebia caulis were analyzed using TLC and HPLC. The optimal conditions for TLC and HPLC using $C_{18}$ column were established for the quantitative analysis of aristolochic acid. This study showed that Aristolochia fangchi and Aristolochia fructus examined in this study contain aristolochic acid of 3.9 and 2.3 mg/g sample, respectively. In contrast, aristolochic acid was not detected in the other samples.

• 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.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 2013

In order to search for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors as therapy of type 2 diabetes and obesity from Korean traditional prescriptions, we selected 58 traditional prescriptions based on a review of the Korean traditional medicine books. The hot water extracts of Korean traditional prescriptions were screened for the inhibitory activity against PTP1B. Among the tested extracts, water extracts of Jakgamhwangsinbu-tang, Seonbanghwalmyung-eum, and Takreeonjoong-tang showed relatively good inhibitory activity against PTP1B at the concentration of $30{\mu}g/ml$. Additionally, we evaluated PTP1B inhibitory effect for each herbal ingredient and composition in Jakgamhwangsinbu-tang (芍甘黃辛附湯). Of the tested ingredients from this herbal medicine, water extracts of Paeoniae Radix rubra and Rhei Rhizoma, and ethanol extracts of Paeoniae Radix alba, Rhei Rhizoma, Asiasari Radix, and Aconiti Tuber showed good PTP1B inhibitory effect. Herbal compositions composed of these active herbal ingredients exhibited significant activity for PTP1B inhibition over 70% at $7.5{\mu}g/ml$.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.471-481
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• 2017

Objectives : Noemyeong-san (NMS) is a novel herbal prescription composed of five oriental medicinal herbs including Prunellae Spica, Betulae Cortex, Foeniculi Fructus, Asiasari Radix, and Clematidis Radix for treating Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of NMS on BV2 microglia to evaluate the potential action of this formula for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. Methods : To determine the cytotoxicity of NMS on BV2 microglia, the MTT assay was performed. The effects of NMS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay and western blots for inflammatory mediator-related proteins, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway-related proteins, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Result : NMS inhibited induction of iNOS and COX-2 as well as NO production without affecting the cell viability in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. NMS also suppressed activation of ERK and p38 MAPK among main kinases of MAPKs as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ by LPS stimulation. Furthermore, NMS dose-dependently induced the expression of HO-1 and the inhibitory effect of NMS on the production of NO were blocked by pretreatment with an HO-1 inhibitor, Snpp. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that NMS has potent anti-neuroinflammatory effect on the LPS-stimulated microglia. These findings provide evidences for NMS to be considered as a new prescription for preventing or treating neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.15-28
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• 2014

Objectives This study was carried out to find out the Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Components of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages. Methods There are 5 experimental groups. ; normal, control, EH (Ephedrae Herba), ALRP (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) and AR (Asiasari Radix). The extract of EH, ALRP and AR ($100{\mu}g/ml$) was added to each group. We examined cytotoxicity, total phenolic contents, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, Intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NO (Total Nitric oxide), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), $IL-1{\beta}$ ($interleukin-1{\beta}$), IL-6 (interleukin-6), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$), MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) expression level. Results 1. Total phenolic contents of EH were in the highest level. 2. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of EH was in the highest level. 3. ROS production was significantly decreased in AR. 4. NO production was significantly decreased in EH, ALRP, AR and iNOS expression was decreased in EH, AR. 5. PGE2 and COX-2 expression was decreased in EH, AR. 6. $IL-1{\beta}$ production was significantly decreased in EH, AR and IL-6 production was significantly decreased in AR. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was significantly decreased in ALRP, AR. 7. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production were significantly decreased in EH. 8. HO-1 expression was significantly increased in EH. 9. With simultaneous usage of SnPP which is expression inhibitor of HO-1, NO, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production were partially increased in EH, ALRP, AR. Conclusions According to this study, Components of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang have anti-oxidants and anti-inflammation effects in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.