• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.512-520
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• 2008

In order to examine the effective components and antioxidative characteristics of Acanthopanacis cortex, response surface methodology was used to optimize the hot water extraction process by analyzing and monitoring the extraction condition characteristics. The total extraction yield was optimized using the extraction temperature of $84.28^{\circ}C$, extraction time of 3.59 hr and 18.37 mL/g as the amount of solvent per sample. For the effective component of eleutheroside E, the optimal extraction temperature, time and amount of solvent per sample were $81.16^{\circ}C$, 3.56 hr, and 19.06 mL/g, respectively; also, for total phenolics, the optimal conditions were $88.45^{\circ}C$, 4.33 hr, and 21.12 mL/g, respectively. Regression equations were deduced for each variable and then eleutheroside E, chlorogenic acid, and antioxidative characteristics were superimposed with the optimal conditions to obtain values for each extraction process factor. The predicted results were $81{\sim}88^{\circ}C$, $3.5{\sim}4.3hr$, and $18{\sim}21mL/g$, respectively. The estimated values for the optimal extraction conditions of Acanthopanacis cortex's effective components and antioxidative characteristics were similar to the experimental results.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.929-936
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• 2003

Methanol extract (MeOH), n-hexane (Hx), chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethyl acetate (EA), butanol (BuOH) and aqueous ($H_2O$) fractions of Eucommiae Cortex including geniposidic acid (GA), geniposide (GP) and aucubin (AU) were tested for their therapeutic efficacy on osteoporosis. The contents of GA, GP and AU in the cortex and leaf of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver were quantified by HPLC. The effect of Eucommiae Cortex on the induction of growth hormone (GH) release was studied by using rat pituitary cells. The proliferation of osteoblast-like cells increased by herbal extracts was assayed using a tetrazolium (MTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and [$^3H$]-proline incorporation assays. The inhibition of osteoclast was studied by using the coculture of mouse bone marrow cells and ST-2 cells. As a result, the GA, GP and AU were present in the cortex more than in the leaf of E. ulmoides Oliver. The MeOH (1mg/mL), Hx, $CHCl_3$ and EA fractions (each 20 $\mu$ g/mL) had potent induction of GH release. The $CHCl_3$ exhibited the potent proliferation of osteoblasts. The AU, GP and GA were increased proliferation of osteoblasts. In addition, GA ($IC_{50}: 4.43{\times}10^{-7}$M), AU and GP were significantly inhibited proliferation of osteoclast. In summary, it is thought that the components in a part of the fractions of Eucommiae Cortex participate in each step of mechanism for activating osteoblast to facilitate osteogenesis, and suppress osteoclast activity to inhibit osteolysis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2008

Objectives: To determine the standards for discrimination of Magnoliae Cortex, the experiment of specific external-internal characters and the physicochemical pattern analysis were performed. Methods: External characteristics was observed using a stereoscope. Paraffin-mediated sectioned materials were stained by Ju's method. Physicochemical patterns of materials were analyzed using HPLC. Results: 1. Botanical characteristics: Magnolia officinalis had one seed and a white flower, while M. obovata had two seeds and a white flower. Machilus thunbergii had berry and spherical fruits and yellowish green panicles. 2. External characteristics: M. officinalis and M obovata were dark and thick. M. officinalis was gray brown and greasy while M. obovata was light-gray, less oily and smoothly sectioned. Machilus thunbergii was thin and relatively light or yellow-brown, coarsely sectioned and faintly specific scents. 3. Internal characteristics: The bast parts of M. officinalis and M. obovata were commonly wider than Machilus thunbergii The cork cortex of M. officinalis was $10{\sim}mg/L$ cell layers with many oil cells, while that of M. obovata was $4{\sim}7$ cell layers with less oil cells. Machilus thunbergii's xylem which consisted of ring-shaped cambium at 1st and 2nd part was occupied in large portion. 4. Physicochemical pattern: Both M. officinalis and M. obovata involved honokiol and magnolol. All kinds of M. officinalis involved Magnatriol B but one kind of M. ovobata and all of Machilus thunbergii didn't. Machilus thunbergii showed different pattern of chromatogram from that of 2 species above. Conclusions: These results could be used as standards for discrimination of Magnoliae Cortex and as the method of objectification in medicinal herbs giving the basic resource for bioactivity research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.162-174
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• 2021

Objectives : We aimed to identify the antidepressant effect of liver tonification acupuncture treatment (ACU (LT); KI10, LR8, LU8, LR4) and four gate acupuncture treatment (ACU (FG); LI4, LR3) and its brain neural activity in the normal and chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced mouse model. Methods : Firstly, normal mice were given ACU (LT) or ACU (FG) and the c-Fos expressions in each brain region were analyzed to examine brain neural activity. Secondly, CRS was administered to mice for 4 weeks, then ACU (LT) or ACU (FG) was performed for 2 weeks. The depression-like behavior was evaluated using open field test (OFT) before and after acupuncture treatment. Then, the c-Fos expressions in each brain region were analyzed to examine brain neural activity. Results : In normal mice, ACU (FG) regulated brain neural activities in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and periaqueductal gray. ACU (LT) changed more brain regions in the prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, including those altered by ACU (FG). In CRS-induced model, ACU (LT) alleviated depression-like behavior more than ACU (FG). Also, brain neural activities in the motor cortex area 2 (M2), agranular ventral part and piriform of insular cortex (AIV and Pir), and cornu ammonis (CA) 1 and CA3 of hippocampus were changed by ACU (LT), and those of AIV and CA3 were also changed by ACU (FG). As in normal mice, ACU (LT) resulted in changes in more brain regions, including those altered by ACU (FG) in CRS model. M2, Pir, and CA1 were only changed by ACU (LT) in depression model, suggesting that these brain regions reflect the specific effect of ACU (LT). Conclusions : ACU (LT) relieved depression-like behavior more than ACU (FG), and this acupuncture effect was associated with modulation of brain neural activities in the motor cortex, insular cortex, and hippocampus.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2013

In this study, quantitative and pattern recognition analysis for the quality evaluation of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Cinnamomi Cortex using HPLC/UV was developed. For quantitative analysis, three major bioactive compounds were determined. The separation conditions employed for HPLC/UV were optimized using an ODS $C_{18}$ column ($250{\times}4.6$ mm, 5 ${\mu}m$) with gradient conditions of acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a detection wavelength of 265 nm. This method was fully validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and robustness. The HPLC/UV method was applied successfully to the quantification of three major compounds in the extract of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Cinnamomi Cortex. The HPLC analytical method for pattern recognition analysis was validated by repeated analysis of thirty eight Cinnamomi Ramulus and thirty five Cinnamomi Cortex samples. The results indicate that the established HPLC/UV method is suitable for quantitative analysis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.793-799
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• 2012

This study was conducted to examine the antioxidative effect and nitrite scavenging ability of extract from Acanthopanax cortex shoot. The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of extract from Acanthopanax corex shoot were $116.33{\pm}6.09mg\;GAE/g$ and $65.07{\pm}4.10mg\;RE/g$, respectively. Antioxidative activities were measured by various in vitro models such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAP, reducing power, ABTS radical scavenging activity, ORAC assay. This results showed that the extract of Acanthopanax cortex shoot was effective in scavenging radicals and protecting oxidation when assessed various in vitro systems. Similarly, the nitrite scavenging ability of extract was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ORAC value at a concentration of $0.1mg/m{\ell}$ was $103.4{\pm}5.6{\mu}M\;TE/g$. Considering high consumer demand beneficial health effects, Acanthopanax cortex shoot can be utilized to develop functional food health-promoting and natural antioxidant agents.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.30-45
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of pregnancy-related four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) on the endometrial and placental cells. Methods: In this study, we examined viability and decidualization of telomerase immortalized human endometrial stromal cell lines (T-HESCs) and viability and invasion ability of human first trimester trophoblast cell lines Sw.71 by four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) Results: In the study, we showed that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang increased decidualization marker prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in T-HESCs. Moutan Radicis Cortex decreased the mRNA level of PRL and IGFBP1, and the protein level of PRL and IGFBP1 had no significant effect. Moreover, four herbal medicines reduced invasion ability of Sw.71 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, and Chokyungjongok-tang have beneficial effects on successful embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance by increasing decidualization markers such as PRL and IGFBP1. Moutan Radicis Cortex reduces the mRNA levels of PRL and IGFBP1, which may adversely affect pregnancy. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the significance of the decreased invasive ability of Sw.71 cells induced by four herbal medications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.199-212
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• 2005

Objective : Airway inflammation is now regarded as a defining feature of asthma. The importance of eosinophits in the airway inflammation of asthma patients is widely recognized, and eosinophils mobilization in the respiratory epithelium is activated by chemoattractants and cytokines. This study was designed to examine the extent of the ability of Moutan Cortex Radicis to inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis of pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Moutan Cortex Radicis and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis were estimated via MTS assay, and the effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells were estimated by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Moutan Cortex Radicis. was conducted Result : In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines' mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines of eotaxin, ICAM-1, YCAM-1, IL-8, IL-16 were inhibited by Moutan Cortex Radicis in a dose dependent manner, but RANTES showed no inhibition due to Moutan Cortex Radicis. Eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentrations of Moutan Cortex Radicis. Conculusion : These findings are indicative of supression of chemokines accomplished by Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of Moutan Cortex Radicis for treating diseases such as asthma.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2000

The morphological changes in normal and weathering hair shafts of the human scalp were investigated by using the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The hair shaft composed of cuticular layer, cortex and medula. The surface of normal hairs are smooth and covered by imbricated cuticular scales. The cuticular layer consists of five to seven cuticle cells. These cells, which are flat and thin, measuring about $100{\mu}m$ long and $0.4{\mu}m$ thick, appears intercellular membrane complex in diameter 25 nm. The cortex composed of melanin granules and cornified cells, which multicomponent concentric microfibrils in diameter about 8 nm give rise to macrofibrils in diameter $0.5{\mu}m$ to $0.8{\mu}m$ encased in limiting membrane. The melanin granules are spherical shaped about $0.5{\mu}m$ in size and scattered between macrofibrils. The medulla in the normal hairs are $16{\mu}m$ in diameter centrally region of cortex. Normal hair shafts undergo progressive degenerative changes due to a variety of environmental insults. In the initial weathering process of hair, the cuticular scales became irregularly raised and broken, and then cuticle cells formed cytoplasmic vacuolation, following dissociated intercellular membrane complex, ultimately entirely lost and nuded cortex. Occasionally, transverse fissures were seen at hair shafts indicating that the hairs were deteriorated. Complete removal of the cuticular layer in the heavily damaged cortex portions appeared splitting of the cortical cell into its macrofibrils and scattering of melanin granules.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2005

We investigated the activation of the cerebral cortex during active movement, passive movement, and functional electrical stimulation (FES), which was provided on wrist extensor muscles. A functional magnetic resonance imaging study was performed on 5 healthy volunteers. Tasks were the extension of right wrist by active movement, passive movement, and FES at the rate of .5 Hz. The regions of interest were measured in primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (SI), secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), and supplementary motor area (SMA). We found that the contralateral SI and SII were significantly activated by all of three tasks. The additional activation was shown in the areas of ipsilateral S1 (n=2), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral (n=2) SII, and bilateral SMA (n=3) by FES. Ipsilateral M1 (n=1), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral SII (n=1), and contralateral SMA (n=1) were activated by active movement. Also, Contralateral SMA (n=3) was activated by passive movement. The number of activated pixels on SM1 by FES ($12{\pm}4$ pixels) was smaller than that by active movement ($18{\pm}4$ pixels) and nearly the same as that by passive movement ($13{\pm}4$ pixels). Findings reveal that active movement, passive movement, and FES had a direct effect on cerebral cortex. It suggests that above modalities may have the potential to facilitate brain plasticity, if applied with the refined-specific therapeutic intervention for brain-injured patients.