• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.328-332
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• 2002

Cordyceps is reputed for its broad biological activities and as a tonic for replenishing vital function in Chinese traditional medicines. As an attempt to obtain fundamental data for the development of new type Cordyceps, the effects of the fruiting bodies of cultivated fungus of Paecilomyces japonica grown on silkworm larvae on fatigue and hematotoxicity were investigated. The antifatigue activity of dongchongxiacao (Paecilomyces japonica) was studied in mice using weight loaded forced swimming performance method. The water extract of dongchongxiacao(25 mg/kg of body weight, intraperitoneal injection at 12 and 36 hours before irradiation and 30 minute and 24 hours after irradiation) showed a significant antifatigue effect in normal mice and radiation-induced fatigue mice (p<0.0005). In the experiment on the improvement of hematotoxicity, a significant difference from the irradiated controls was seen at day 3 of the group treated with dongchongxiacao and substantial differences from the irradiated controls at day 7 was also detected.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2003

Cordyceps has a reputation for its broad biological activities and as a tonic which replenishs vital function in Chinese traditional medicines. As an attempt to obtain fundamental data for the development of new type Cordyceps, the effects of the fruiting bodies of cultivated fungus of Paecilomyces japonica grown on silkworm larvae on radiationinduced damages were investigated. We performed this study to determine the effect of Dongchongxiacao (Paecilomyces japonica) on jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells and hair follicles of mice irradiated with high and low dose of gamma-radiation. Treatment with Dongchongxiacao showed no significant modifying effects on the jejunal crypt survival and endogenous spleen colony formation. The frequency of radiationinduced apoptosis was reduced by pretreatment of Dongchongxiacao (i.p.: 50 mg/kg of body weight, at 12 and 36 hours before irradiation, p<0.01). The spontaneous levels of apoptotic cells are $0.082{\pm}0.041$ in intestinal crypts and $0.231{\pm}0.084$ per hair follicle section of skin. Pretreatment of Dongchongxiacao was associated with decreases of 26.86% in intestinal crypt and 66.36% in hair follicle decrease in the number of cells with nuclei positively stained for apoptosis compared with the irradiation control group. We demonstrated for the first time that Dongchongxiacao administration could reduce the extent of apoptosis produced by radiation in the hair follicle. The results presented herein that Dongchongxiacao given before irradiation is capable of reducing the severity of cell loss as a result of apoptosis.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2012

To evaluate the ability of Dongchongxiacao ($Paecilomyces$ $japonica$) extract (PJE) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and PJE-treated mice exposed chronically to ultraviolet (UV) were examined. The skin of the UV-irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back. PJE-treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score. By the 22nd week, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 44.4% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV-irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. PJE delayed tumor onset significantly. PJE (i.p.) was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation-induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 80.0% (i.p.) and 75.0% (topical) of the mice treated with PJE were tumor-free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 96.2% (i.p.) in the PJE treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and regular use of PJE would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2001

This study was performed to determine the effect of several herbs on radiation-induced apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells. Longyanrou(Euphoris longana), Suanzaoren(Zizyphus vulgaris), Yuanzhi(Polygala tenuifolia), Rensan(Panax ginseng), Fuling(Poria cocos), Muxiang (Saussurea lappa), Chuanxiong(Cnidium officinale), Baishaoyao(Paeonia lactifolia), Shengma (Cimicifuga heracleifolia), Chaihu (Bupleurum falcatum) and Dongchongxiacao ( Paecilomyces japonica) reduced the frequency of radiation-induced apoptosis(p<0.05). Although the mechanisms of this effect remain to be elucidated, these results indicated that Longyanrou, Suanzaoren, Yuanzhi, Rensan, Fuling, Muxiang, Chuanxiong, Baishaoyao, Shengma, Chaihu and Dongchongxiacao might be useful inhibitors of apoptosis, especially since these are relative nontoxic natural products.