• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2009

Forsythiaside is a polyphenolic constituent of the fruits of Forsythia suspense Vahl which are widely used as anti-inflammatory herbal raw materials in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the authors assessed the effects of forsythiaside on learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine using a passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tests in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by scopolamine treatment (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Forsythiaside (10 mg/kg, p.o) administration significantly prevented scopolamine-induced step-through latency reduction in the passive avoidance test and scopolamine-induced increased escape latency in the Morris water maze test (p<0.05). Moreover, in an ex-vivo study, forsythiaside treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o) significantly reduced the increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels induced by scopolamine (p<0.05). Taken together, the present study suggests that forsythiaside could be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, and that its beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by its antioxidative properties.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2007

The roots of Liriope platyphylla (Liliaceae) are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol (70%) extract of the roots of Liriope platyphylla (ELP70) on learning and memory using behavioral and immunohistochemical methods in mice. Control animals were treated with vehicle (10% Tween 80). With sub-chronic treatments of ELP70 (p.o.) for 14 days, the latency time was significantly increased compared with that of the vehicle-treated control group (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). Moreover, immunopositive cells for brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus and CA1 regions after ELP70 treatments for 14 days (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P < 0.05). In addition, those cells for nerve growth factor (NGF) were also increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus region (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). These results suggest that the sub-chronic administration of ELP70 improves learning and memory, and that their beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by the enhancement of BDNF or NGF expression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.803-809
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• 2009

Recent evidence has revealed the occurrence of an apoptotic phenotype in Candida albicans that is inducible with environmental stresses such as acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and amphotericin B. In the present study, we found that the Chinese herbal medicine Baicalein (BE), which was one of the skullcapflavones, can induce apoptosis in C. albicans. The apoptotic effects of BE were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC and DAPI, and it was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. After exposure to 4 ${\mu}g$/ml BE for 12 h, about 10% of C. albicans cells were apoptotic. Both the increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulation of some redox-related genes (CAP1, SOD2, TRR1) were observed. Furthermore, we compared the survivals of CAP1 deleted, wild-type, and overexpressed strains and found that Cap1p attenuated BE-initiated cell death, which was coherent with a higher mRNA level of the CAP1 gene. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential of C. albicans cells changed significantly (p<0.001) upon BE treatment compared with control. Taken together, our results indicated that BE treatment induced apoptosis in C. albicans cells, and the apoptosis was associated with the breakdown of mitochondrial membrane potential.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 1996

Radiotherapy is an irreplaceable method of cancer treatment but, it has various side effects, especially damage to the hemopoietic system. A lot of radioprotectors have been found but they also have toxic effects. Many kinds of crude drugs(Oriental Chinese medicine)with low toxicity have been reported to promote the recovery from radiation damage. Recently, the trial to combine radiotherapy with herbal treatment of cancer patients shows a desirable result, an enhancement in recovery of the blood system.. This study was performed to determine whether prescriptions to support the healthy energy and strengthen the body resistence, Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang, promote the recovery of splenocytes of N:GP(s) mice from radiation damage. We investigated the proliferative effect of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang and EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) on N:GP(S)mice splenocytes before or after ${\gamma}$-irradiation. We also investigated the morphology of splenocytes cultured with these herbs. Buzhongyiqi-tang and Siliu-tang promoted the proliferation of splenocytes in a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml compared with normal control(p<0.001). After 1-5Gy of ${\gamma}$-irradiation they also showed the effect of recovery of hemopoietic cells, especially in Buzhongyiqi-tang(4Gy:p<0.005; 5Gy:p<0.05). In addition, EIB(ethanol insoluble fraction of Buzhongyiqi-tang) showed the highest proliferative effect of all agents suggesting that more effective fractions could be found from crude herbs or prescriptions. These results suggest that it is possible to make use of Buzhongyiqi-tang, Siliu-tang or EIB as radio-protective agents.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 1980

In this paper, we studied what the drug name of Sang-Baik-Pi(桑白皮) Mori Cortex Radicis) is, how to collect it; and how the chief symptoms had changed in the chinese medical references and herbological literatures and formularies. Also we bibliographically analyzed in the herbological way the drugs combinated with Sang-Baik-Pi and their active principles among the prescriptions in the famous medical book; 'Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam', (東醫寶鑑) of our country. Finally, we concluded as foolow. Numerous names of botainical origin were described, but it was not recorded that San-Keun-Baik-Pi(桑根白皮) in old days is different from root bark of Morus sp. in this times. Sang-Baik-Pi has been a common designation since Ming dynasty (AD 1500). Collections of it were independent of seasons, it could effect perfectly over 10 years old. And its cork layer should be removed after collections, it was especially emphacised that root bark on ground was poisonous. The chiefly cured symptoms with Sang-Baik-Pi were constantly not different from the contents of 'Shin-Nong-Bon-Chau-Kyung'(神農本草經) in ancient times, but it has been developed since Ming dynasty. Its uses are widely extended to a surgical and dermatologic desease; rheumatis, beriberi and diabetes in this times. and its efficacies depend upon curing. Prescriptions on Sang-Baik-Pi that were prescribed in 'Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam' are there, 177 drugs combinated with it. Glycyrrhizae Radix is most frequently combinated with Sang-Baik-Pi(frequently 68%). It is proved that Armeniacae Semen, Platycodi Radix etc, in the order take strong effects on anti-tussive, anti-phlogistic, diuretic, anti-pyretic etc. It is expressed 34 times, frequently, that a dose is 3.75g, and it shows that a usual doses is 2-4g. As the above prescriptions are classified, the results is as follows, respiratory tract desease is most frequently in 69 prescriptions, the next gastrointestinal tract 13 times, diuretic 12 times, and antipyretic 11 times. Therefore, Sang-Baik-Pi contains a good remedial value chiefly of the effects upon the respiratory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2016

Background: A set of logical criteria that can accurately identify and verify the cultivation region of raw materials is a critical tool for the scientific management of traditional herbal medicine. Methods and Results: Volatile compounds were obtained from 19 and 32 samples of Angelica gigas Nakai cultivated in Korea and China, respectively, by using steam distillation extraction. The metabolites were identified using GC/MS by querying against the NIST reference library. Data binning was performed to normalize the number of variables used in statistical analysis. Multivariate statistical analyses, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed using the SIMCA-P software. Significant variables with a Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) score higher than 1.0 as obtained through OPLS-DA and those that resulted in p-values less than 0.05 through one-way ANOVA were selected to verify the marker compounds. Among the 19 variables extracted, styrene, ${\alpha}$-pinene, and ${\beta}$-terpinene were selected as markers to indicate the origin of A. gigas. Conclusions: The statistical model developed was suitable for determination of the geographical origin of A. gigas. The cultivation regions of six Korean and eight Chinese A. gigas. samples were predicted using the established OPLS-DA model and it was confirmed that 13 of the 14 samples were accurately classified.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

It is believed that traditional Korean medicines can be managed more scientifically through the development of logical criteria to verify their region of cultivation, and that this could contribute to the advancement of the traditional herbal medicine industry. This study attempted to determine such criteria for Sansuyu. The volatile compounds were obtained from 20 samples of domestic Corni fructus (Sansuyu) and 45 samples of Chinese Sansuyu by steam distillation. The metabolites were identified in the NIST Mass Spectral Library via the obtained gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) data of 53 training samples. Data binning at 0.2 min intervals was performed to normalize the number of variables used in the statistical analysis. Multivariate statistical analyses, such as principle component analysis (PCA), partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed using the SIMCA-P software package. Significant variables with a variable importance in the projection (VIP) score higher than 1.0 were obtained from OPLS-DA, and variables that resulted in a p-value of less than 0.05 through one-way ANOVA were selected to verify the marker compounds. Finally, among the 11 variables extracted, 1-ethylbutyl-hydroperoxide (9.089 min), nonadecane (20.170 min), butylated hydroxytoluene (25.319 min), 5β,7βH,10α-eudesm-11-en-1α-ol (25.921 min), 7,9-bis(2-methyl-2-propanyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione (34.257 min), and 2-decyldodecyl-benzene (54.717 min) were selected as markers to indicate the origin of Sansuyu. The statistical model developed was suitable for the determination of the geographical origin of Sansuyu. The cultivation areas of four Korean and eight Chinese Sansuyu samples were predicted via the established OPLS-DA model, and it was confirmed that 11 of the 12 samples were accurately classified.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.185-199
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• 1998

Going back to long chinese medical history, there were many different methods of treatment according to the origin of local chinese areas, such as Bian-Shi(?石) from east, herbal therapy from west, acupuncturing from south, moxibustion from north, and mainpulating therapy from middle china. In the midst of these therapies, acupuncture needling had developed very much both in theories, shapes, usages and also in theraputic boundray. Historical books dealing with acupuncture had introduced and used Jiu-Zhen as a tool for acupuncture needling in common. But there are some differences between each texts about in shape, use, and there are also another different point of view about the interrelationship between Bian-Shi and Ji-Zhen. So the author, in this research, tried to look for how Jiu-Zhen had took on its real kinds, adaptive usages, theraputic boundaries, many different skills of needing. By researching over ${\ulcorner}$ Ling-Shu, Jiu-Zhen(靈樞,九鍼)${\lrcorner}$, ${\ulcorner}$ Ling-Shu, Jiu-Zhen-Shi- Yi-Yuan(靈樞,九鍼十二原)${\lrcorner}$, ${\ulcorner}$ Ling-Shu, Guan-Zhen(靈樞,官鍼)${\lrcorner}$, and by compar- ing them with the contents of Jiu-Zhen in ${\ulcorner}$ Zhen-Jiu-Yi-Jing(鍼灸甲乙經)${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner}$Zhen-Jiu-Da-Cheng (鍼灸大成)${\lrcorner}$, the author discovered small conclusions such as following. 1. Taking Jiu-Zhen in a narrow sense, it only repesents nine different needle used in different cases. But in large sense, this means nine different deedling methods using each different needles which is represented in the form of Wu-Ci ( 五剌 ), Shi-Yi-Ci ( 十二剌 ) in ${\ulcorner}$ Ling-Shu, Guan-Zhen ${\lrcorner}$ 2. Jin-Zhen has been first originated from stone age as a substitute for Bian-Shi and through bronze and iron age, it followed a process of it's own shape and applicating functions. As an example, the moxibustional therapies shown in ${\ulcorner}$ Zu-Bi-Shi-Yi-Mai- Jiu-Jing ( 足臂十一脈灸經 )${\lrcorner}$ ${\ulcorner}$ Yin-Yang-Shi-Yi-Mai-Jiu-Jing ( 陰陽十一脈灸經)${\lrcorner}$ in ahead of ${\ulcorner}$ Nei-Jing ( 內經 )${\lrcorner}$ era, was relationship in acupuncturing skills and shape. So Jiu-Zhen had been originated on the base of Bian-Shi in ancient times to develop into delicate shape, skill, and theraputic foundation of modern oriental medicine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2000

Ginsenf Radix (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine for many therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in the oriental countries such as Korea, Japan and China for at least two thousand years and also extensively studied in the modern scientific field of chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology. The herb is now also indicated for use as tonic or a prophylactic and restorative agent for enhancement of mental and physical capacities, in case of weahess exhaustion tiredness loss of concentration, impotence, cold limbs, during illiness anuor convalescence. Ginseng is commonly used in the form of detections, extract and powderl and ginseng products, in the form of capsules tablets and drinks. And also ginseng radix has been widely traditionally prescribed as an important comuonents of manny Chinese prescriptions or alone in various diseases and for health with its different dosages. Nowadays since rinsenf can be generally classified into food or medicine in many nations, it is very difficult to give any exact desnition on the dosage, which may be of particular importance in clinical applications. In addition, the establishment of the reasonable dosage is currently of great significance to meet the demand for such wide applications. Accordingly in this review paper we summarized the dosage of ginseng on the basis of oriental medical books oriental and western pharmacopeias and modern scientific clinical data. The recent survey demonstrated that the averare dosare of finsenf is considered to be three to four grams per day unless prescribed apart, while one to two grams per day in western countries from the western viewpoint of classification of ginseng as a medicine, surrorted by the dosage of not more than one gram per day in most clinical studies. For that reason, it seems likely that the dosage in western countries is ascribed to the safety of ginseng considering side or unwanted effects. Consequently whether the differences of dosage between oriental and western countries depend on dietary habits and races should be closely investigated. Besides, further studies on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ginseng components in clinical trials need to be done to decide optimum dosage of ginseng.