• CELLMED
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.15.1-15.12
• /
• 2015

Comparative studies have established that the North-Eastern (NE) region of India which is a part of the Eastern Himalayan region is affluent in both traditional knowledge based phytomedicine and biodiversity. About 1953 ethno-medicinal plants are detailed from the NE region of India out of which 1400 species are employed both as food and ethnopharmacological resources. Nearly 70% of species diversity has been reported from the two Indian biodiversity hotspots-The Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas and these hotspots are protected by tribal communities and their ancient traditional knowledge system. Paris polyphylla Smith belongs to the family Melanthiaceae and is a traditional medicinal herb which is known to cure some major ailments such as different types of Cancer, Alzheimer's disease, abnormal uterine bleeding, leishmaniasis etc. The major phytoconstituents are dioscin, polyphyllin D, and balanitin 7. Phylogeny of Paris was inferred from nuclear ITS and plastid psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF DNA sequence data. Results indicated that Paris is monophyletic in all analyses. Rhizoma Paridis, which is the dried rhizome of Paris polyphylla is mainly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and its mode of action is known for only a few cancer cell lines. The current review determines to sketch an extensive picture of the potency, diversity, distribution and efficacy of Paris polyphylla from the Eastern Himalayan region and the future validation of its phytotherapeutical and molecular attributes by recognizing the Intellectual Property Rights of the Traditional Knowledge holders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2018

Traditional medicines (TM) in Korea, China, and Japan share most of the theories and therapeutic tools, but there are also differences due to their unique histories and cultures. Here, we aim to identify the differences in the utilization of TM theory between three countries by analyzing herb usage data in terms of the related traditional theories. Herb usage data of each country was collected from "Investigation of Korean medicine use and herbal medicine consumption survey" (Korea), "Analytical report on circulation of key Chinese medicinal materials" (China), and "Survey report on raw material crude drug usage" (Japan). Fifty five herbs with sixty features belonging to five theoretical categories (four properties, five tastes, targeting meridians, treatment strategies, and herbal parts) were selected and analyzed. Weight Sum Model (WSM) and Network-Based Group Features (NBGF) were used to compare the theoretical characteristics of TM between three countries. For the statistical evaluation, we developed and applied Herb Set Enrichment Analysis (HSEA) for WSM and NBGF results. HSEA for WSM results revealed the kidney meridian were targeted more in Korea than Japan, while the spleen meridian were targeted more in Japan than Korea. Herbs with sour taste were used more in Japan than China. HSEA for NBGF results found that NBGF including warm, neutral, sweet, and tonifying features were more dominant in Korea and than Japan, while NBGF including cold, bitter, heat-clearing features were more dominant in Japan than the others. These results suggest that TM in Korea, China, and Japan have unique aspects of practice patterns and theoretical utilization.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.178-186
• /
• 2014

Many recent studies have focused on maintaining a healthy life by preventing and/or postponing the aging process. Numerous studies have reported that continuous exposure to reactive oxygen species can stimulate skin aging and that excessive accumulation of fat can cause an impaired skin barrier and tissue structure alterations. Thus, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the suppression of adipose accumulation are important strategies for skin anti-aging. Here, we prepared three types of extracts [whole juice, acetone-perchloric acid (PCA), and ethanol] from 20 fruits and medicinal herbs native to the Gyeongnam area of Korea. The total phenolic content of each extract was analyzed, and we observed higher total phenolic contents in the medicinal herbs. Consistent with this, the results of the oxygen radical absorbance activity capacity assay indicated that the in vitro antioxidant activities of the medicinal herb extracts were stronger than those of the fruit extracts. The fruits and medicinal herbs had strong effects on cell-based systems, including $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation. Nishimura Wase persimmon, Taishu persimmon, wrinkled giant hyssop, sweet wormwood, Chinese cedar, red perilla, tan shen, hiyodori-jogo, and cramp bark may be natural anti-aging materials with effective antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities. Taken together, our findings may provide scientific evidence supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals from fruits and medicinal herbs.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.276-286
• /
• 2017

Licorice, a traditional Korean medicinal plant, is recognized for its main active ingredient, glycyrrhizin. The level of glycyrrhizin in Chinese licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is lower than the reference level (2.5%) set by the Korean Pharmacopoeia, reducing its value as a medicinal herb. In this study, we aimed to overcome this problem by generating an interspecific licorice hybrid by crossing European licorice (G. glabra) with Chinese licorice, resulting in the production of 32 $F_1$ lines. A comparison of genetic traits revealed variations in glycyrrhizin content among lines, ranging from 1.5 to 5.6%, with a mean value of 3.2%; these values are higher than that of the parental plants. Additionally, 25 lines (78.1%) had a glycyrrhizin content greater than 2.5%, which is higher than the reference level set by the Korean Pharmacopoeia. Four of these lines had glycyrrhizin levels higher than the WHO recommended level of 4.0%. A comparison of phenotypic characteristics showed that the leaves of the hybrids possessed all of the characteristics of European and Chinese licorice; however, the stems of most hybrids had characteristics of European licorice. Finally, we determined the genetic distances of 34 samples of Glycyrrhiza plants (parents, 32 $F_1$ lines) by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD); the $F_1$ lines showed a close genetic distance. We plan to develop to a cultivar using five of these lines (glycyrrhizin content < 4.0%).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Araliae Continentalis Radix and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix have been used as the same medicinal name Korean and Chinese traditional medicines, respectively. The authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix is described only the root of Aralia continentalis in the Korean Pharmarcopoeia. However, the dried root of Angelica biserrata, Levisticum officinale, or Heracleum moellendorffii also has been distributed adulterants of Araliae Continentalis Radix. To develop a reliable method for identifying Araliae Continentalis Radix from adulterants, we carried out the analyses of universal DNA barcode sequences.Methods : Four plants species were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of matK and rbcL were analyzed. The species-specific sequences and phylogenetic relationship were estimated using entire sequences of two DNA barcodes, respectively.Results : In comparative analysis of matK sequences, we were identified 104 positions of marker nucleotide for Ar. continentalis, 3 for An. biserrata, 4 for L. officinale and 8 for H. moellendorffii enough to distinguish individual species, respectively. Furthermore, we obtained marker nucleotides in rbcL at 42 positions for Ar. continentalis, 5 for An. biserrata and 2 for H. moellendorffii, but not for L. officinale. The phylogenetic tree of matK and rbcL were showed that all samples were clustered into four groups constituting homogeneous clades within the species.Conclusions : We confirmed that species-specific marker nucleotides of matK sequence provides distinct genetic information enough to identify four species. Therefore, we suggest that matK gene is useful DNA barcode for discriminating authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix from inauthentic adulterants.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.9
• /
• pp.381-429
• /
• 1996

Choo-Joo(鄒澍;1790-1844) was the medicine scholar who lived in the late peroid of the Chung-Dynasty and wrote "Bon-Kyung-So-Jeung(本經疏證)", "Bon-kyung-Sok-So(本經續疏)", "Bon-Kyng-Seo-So-Yo(本經序疏要)". In the books mentioned above, He annotated the chief effectiveness of herbal medicine(本草) which had been presented on "Shin-Nong-Bon-Cho-Kyung(神農本草經)" and "Myoung-Eui-Byul-Lok(名醫別錄)". He defined medical action of 315 herb-items with the many theories of various scholars. Scholars whom Choo-Joo has qoutated belong to the school of study of Chinese classics, and they have regarded "Hwang-Je-Nae-Kyung(黃帝內經)", "Shin-Nong-Bon-Cho-Kyung(神農本草經)" and "Sang-Han-Lon(傷寒論)" as great important cannon and have lived during the Myoung Chung Dynasty. The distinctive character of Choo-Joo belongs to similar academic traditions. It seems that he was appected mainly by "Bon-Cho-Gang-Mok(本草綱目)" written by Lee-Si-Jin(李時珍), Mok-Jung-Soon(繆仲淳)'s "Sin-Nonng-Bon-Cho-Kyung-So(神農本草經疏)", You-Yak-Guem(劉若金)'s "Bon-Cho-Sul(本草述)" and Yang-Si-Tae(楊時泰)'s "Bon-Cho-Sul-Gu-Won(本草述鉤元)". He contributed in two big sides. First, Choo-Joo(鄒澍) have achieved much contribution in biliographical study of Chinese classics(考證學). He analyzed the medical theory of herb-medicine, combining with "Nae-Kyung(內經)", "Sang-Han-Lon(傷寒論)" and many theory of various scholars in order to make research on the chief effectiveness that had been presented in "Shin-Nong-Bon-Cho-Kyung(神農本草經)". Therefore the practical application of medical theory and term which had been represented on classics were offered. Secondary, Choo-joo did great accomplishment in pharmacology. The point of his theory was grasping the effect of a medicine through distinctive one beyond general feature. He set up standards that grasp distintive feature as form, color, energy and taste, place of production and temper. And on the basis of these standards he investigated distinctive feature on various fields, then he induced 'the Uem-Yang-0-Haeng Theory(陰陽五行說)' from distictions. According to the these method of classification, form(形) stand for the resultant shape of herbal function, color(色) represent the active direction of herb, energy and taste(氣味) imply the ultimate active function of herb, the place of production(産地) and the period of occurrence(發生時期) symbolize symptoms. When he applied these method to seek for effetiveness, he regarded the field which revealed most representative feature as of great importance, and Combining remained distinctions with one another, he determined more accurate medicinal value. These method of obsevation solved contradiction which occured by equaly appling all medical herbs for the regular standard. The most important theory that represented in Choo-Joo(鄒澍) is to induce and to certify the distintive feature of herb into the 'Uem-Yang-0-Haeng Theory'. That is, concluded as "spring(生), growing(長), change(化), collecting(收) and storing(藏)". As the results of these studies, he made clear the action of medicine more concretly and made 'the Uem-Yang-0-Haeng Theory(陰陽五行說)' more concret and actual for applying. And he contrbuted to establish the standard for grasping the effect of medicines.

• Journal of The Association for Neo Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.253-295
• /
• 1997

It is very critical to specify certain medical personnels in defining the history of certain era. Due to the limited source of information and lack of thorough research, there still aren't enough study grounded on concrete historical investigation. Authors attempted to investigate those medicinal personnels engaged in Three Kingdoms period in terms of the activity area, relation with religion and their role in medical system and medical exchange. The sum of recorded medical personnels in Three Kingdoms period numbers 50 of which 6 belonged to Kokooryo, 18 to Baekje, 7 to Shilla and 19 to Unified Shilla. There might existed far more medical personnels who tried to alleviate the suffering of the people and were not recorded in the documents. The more earlier in times, the more medicine gets the religious tinge. This is not the exception for the period of the Three Kingdoms and those medicine men, wizard doctors and priest doctors were playing important role in healing people and processing crude drugs. The system of royal physician and medical education facility were established and doctors and pharmacists, shamanic doctor, herb collectors, Kongbong's doctor(供奉醫師), Kongbong's diviners(供奉卜師) took leads in medicine in those times. Those folkloric healers also took part in. Korea imported chinese medicine and Japan employed chinese medicine via Korea or directly from China and developed into traditional japanese medicine. In this process those who emigrated from Baekje and Kogooryo and their offsprings took an active part. Since the limited source of information of Three Kingdoms, we only can infer the me야cal environment of those times by featuring the activities of medical personnels.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.32 no.3 s.126
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2001

The water extracts of 82 Korean medicinal herbs were examined for the binding affinity on the recombinant human muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype 1 $(mAChR-M_1)$ produced from the CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cell line. Of those tested, the extracts of Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex, Hedyotis Herba and of Terminariae Fructus were found to exhibit a significant competition with $[^3H]$ N-methyl-scopolamine for the specific binding to $mAChR-M_1$ in a dose dependent manner, respectively.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.202-205
• /
• 2011

The Angelica root has been used as a medicinal herb in many Asian countries including Korea, China, and Japan. Angelica gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba have been considered as Angelicae radix in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia, respectively. Since the origins of Angelicae radix differ from country to country, there is a need to develop an efficient analytical method to identify the origin of the Angelica root. In order to obtain chemical fingerprints, three different Angelicae Radices were analyzed by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Significantly different DART-MS spectra were observed from three different species of Angelicae Radix. Strong peaks of decursin or decusinol angelate, and its dimer were exclusively found from A. gigas. Ligustilide and linoleic acid were detected as the major component from A. acutiloba. The strongest ligustilide peak was observed from A. sinensis. DART-MS fingerprinting is a promising method for the rapid identification and/or quality control of Angelicae Radix.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.5
• /
• pp.564-568
• /
• 2008

The root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd (PT) is known to have neuroprotective effects and as an antidementic herb in Chinese and Japanese traditional medicine. We examined potential neuroprotective effects of PT using the 4-vessel occlusion model in rats. In this study, the efficacy of PT for the prevention of neuronal damage and for the reduction of memory impairment was investigated. The results indicate that PT confers significant neuroprotection especially for ischemic hippocampal neurons.