• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.147-155
• /
• 1998

Acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture stimuli have long been used to cure human diseases. However, it still remains to be unkown on its action mechanism, physiolosical and biochemical aspects. Thus, many attempts were made to show the scientific background covering the above mentioned mechanisms. Most recent studies show that these tests improve blood circulatory system and increase leucocyte counts. In this study, we have applied the acupuncture stimuli to mouse Sinsu(BL-23), which is a stimulative point of oriental medicine, to see if cytokine such as IL-6 can be detected. Mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) for inflammation induction, and then reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using each primer set was performed to trace the amounts of mRNA. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. IL-6 was not temporarily expressed in normal mice 15 min after the acupuncture was pulled out. But, it started to show a feeble expression at 30 min after the removal of acupuncture and it started to reduce at 1h. after the acupuncture was pulled out 2. IL-6 was specifically expressed in LPS-treated mouse 30 min after the acupuncture was pulled out. The transcriptional expressions of LPS-treated mice were more effective than those of normal mice at 30 min after the removal of acupuncture 3. IL-6 was not temporarily expressed in normal mice 15 min after Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture. But it expressed most highly at 30 min, and the transcriptional expressions of IL-6 was continued to 3 h. 4. IL-6 was not expressed in all the time after Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture in LPS-treated mice. Therefore, a follow-up of cytokine IL-6 can be used not only a basis of the effect of acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture but a diagnosis giude through the immunological action of thats. And, it is suggested that cytokine's expression by Acupuncture and Radix Astragali aqua-acupuncture stimulation should be continuously elucidated.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제32권4호통권127호
• /
• pp.311-315
• /
• 2001

The root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (Leguminosae), which has been used for the treatment of hypertension, chronic hepatitis, duodenal ulcers, chronic nephritis and promotion of immunity in folk remedies. Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) is responsible for the production of large amounts of proinflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) at the inflammatory site. Thus, a logical approach to the treatment of inflammatory disease should involve the inhibitors of COX-2. To develop new COX-2 inhibitors from natural products, Astragali Radix was screened by inhibiting prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ generation in the culture medium using enzyme immunometric assay. Two isoflavone glycosides, $7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ and $calycosin-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ isolated from Astragali Radix inhibited COX-2 activity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.184-194
• /
• 2003

Objective : This study was designed fo find out whether Astragali Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(ARHA) can scavenge NO, DPPH and IL-4 or not. Astragali Radix has been clinically used to reforce the depression of immune reponse etc. in Oriental Medicine. Methods : Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of ageing and ageing related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and possibly neurodegenerative disease. The effects of ARHA on NO, DPPH and IL-4 were measured. Results : The followings are the summary of the result; (1) There is a significant scavenging effect of ARHA on NO in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ group in after 24hrs. (2) There is no significant scavenging effect of ARHA on DPPH. (3) There is a significant scavenging effect of ARHA on IL-4 in 1, $10,100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ group. Conclusions : These results suggest that ARHA has significant scavenging effect on NO, IL-4 and not on DPPH. This study shows that ARHA can be used for ageing related disease and further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2012

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect of KOB, a polyherbal medicine for allergic rhinitis and its main herb, Astragali Radix on allergic responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced Allergic rhinitis(AR) mice. Methods : Sprague Dawley (SD)-rats were orally administrated with KOB (500 mg/kg), Astragali Radix water extract (ARW, 100 mg/kg) or anti-histamine drug, dosodium cromoglycate (50 mg/kg) as a reference drug, and then intraperitoneally injected with compound 48/80 (8 mg/kg). Rats were measured the mortality and serum levels of histamine. BALB/c mice were orally administrated with KOB (500 mg/kg), ARW (100 mg/kg) or anti-histamine drug, Ketotifen (10 mg/kg) as a reference drug, followed by sensitization and challenge of OVA. Mice were measured the serum levels of histamine and IgE, and observed histopathological changes of nasa mucosa H&E staining. Results : KOB and ARW significantly decreased the mortality and the serum levels of histamine in compound 48/80-induced anaphylatic rats. KOB and ARW also decreased the serum levels of histamine and IgE in OVA-induced AR mice, and inhibited histopathological changes of nasal mucosa with inflammation and the eosinophils infilteration. Conclusions : These data suggest that KOB has a strong anti-allergic effect through the inhibitory property of Astragali Radix, the main component of KOB against allergic responses in allergic rhinitis.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제25권2호
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the neuroprotective effects of modified Boyanghwano-Tang (mBHT) and the major medicinal plants, Astragali Radix(AR) and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(SMR) were investigated in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic stroke of rats. Methods : mBHT(400 mg/kg) and AR(154 mg/kg) or SMR(62 mg/kg) water extract orally injected in rats after 90 min occlusion of MCA and then allow reperfusion to 24 h. Brain infarction was measured by TTC staining and the expressions of NOS isoforms and apoptotic molecules were determined in ischemic brain by Western blot. Results : The results showed that mBHT has stronger neuropreotective property through inhibitions of the PARP cleaved and caspase-3 activation in ischemic rats, and could reduced infarction volumes comparison of those of AR or SMR, respectively. While, AR extract has an angiogenic property through increasing the expressions of eNOS and VEGF, and SMR extract has a strong anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of iNOS expression in ischemic brains. Conclusions : These results suggest that mBHT has multifactorial therapeutic advantages through anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation and angiogenesis for ischemic stroke based on a synergistic combination of ingradients rather than monotherapy.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.43-57
• /
• 1997

It was claimed that the herbal medicine with the function of strengthening the body resistance exerts to enhance the immunity. And the medicine with the effect of eliminating the pathogenic factor is stated to inhibit the immune response. To evaluate the the effects of the herbal medicine on the immune response, the mice were administrated with the herbal medicine for 2 weeks. And the responses were analyzed. As the result, water extract of Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Semen Coicis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae, and Radix Sophorae increased the ROI production, while Radix Tripterygia inhibited it. Phagocytic activity was increased after administration of Radix Astragal, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae and Radix Sophorae. NK cell activity was also significantly inhibited by Radix Tripterygia. Administration of Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Herba Ecliptae, Spica Prunellae and Semen Coicis enhanced the antibodies(hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen, while Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia decreased it. Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia also decreased the allogenic immune response and mixed-lymphocyte reaction. And all the experimental herbs decreased contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. These results show Radix Astragali, Fructus Psoraleae, Spica Prunellae, Cortex Acanthopanacis, Semen Coicis and Herba Ecliptae enhanced innate immunity, humoral and cellular immune responses. However Radix Sophorae and Radix Tripterygia exert imunosuppressive action. Also these results indicate that the medicine with the action of the strengthening the body resistance enhances the immunity. And the the some of drugs belonging to the eliminating the pathogenic factor also increase the immune responses.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.52-57
• /
• 2002

Effects of the butanl fraction of Astragali Radix (BFAR) on the cellular and nonspecific immune responses were investigated in ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups and BFAR at doses of 5, 25 and 125 mg/kg u ere administered orally to mice daily for 3 weeks, and the normal animals were given vehicle. The results of this study are summarized as follows; the relative weight of thymus was greatly increased by BFAR treatment, compared with that in mormal mice. However, the body weight gain was not affected. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) for cellular immunity was significantly enhanced by BFAR treatment, compared with those in normal mice. In these mice, BFAR also dose-dependently increased activities of phagocyte and natural killer (NK) cells as well as the number of leukocyte resulted from nonspecific immunity Thus, these results demonstrate that BFAF treatment results in a significant increase in both cellular and nonspecific immune responses to antigen in concentrations that enhance humoral immune function.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제33권4호통권131호
• /
• pp.305-307
• /
• 2002

Evodiae Fructus and Astragali Radix were processed according to Chinese pharmacopoeia and traditional literatures. The content of formononetin in processed Astragali Radix was significantly decreased (p<0.05) than that of unprocessed one.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제17권5호
• /
• pp.1330-1334
• /
• 2003

Astragali Radix(AR), one of the strong tonic herbs, is known to improve immunological responses in mice and human. In this study, AR's ai-reinforcing effect was examined in the context of CD4/sup +/ T cells' TCR/CD3 induced activation responses. In order to evaluate the direct effect of AR on helper T cells, CD4/sup +/ T cells are isolated using magnetic bead and their proliferation and CD69 expression in AR treated medium were assessed with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 activation for 48h. CD4 T cells' proliferation was slightly increased but there was little effect on CD69 expression. RT PCR and ELISA equally demonstrated that IL-2 and IL-4 production was increased but IFN-ν was down-regulated. This shows AR ethanol extract favors Th2 cytokine profile under neutral conditions.

• 대한예방한의학회지
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.13-32
• /
• 2006

In order to indentify the effect of Astragali Radix(A.R) on cyclophosphamide(C.Y) induced leukopenia, A.R. extracts(EAR) were treated to mice orally, and blood sampling was done by periods. For the in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 4 groups, which treated EAR before, or after C.Y injection, or both, or none. Rapid normalization in the peripheral blood count of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, RBC, and platelets observed in every EAR treated group regardless of the treatment periods of EAR. These studies suggest that, A.R. premedication can be effective in protection of bone marrow suppression during anticancer therapy.