• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.524-525
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• 2006

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 1998

We have tested tyrosinase inhibitory activity on the methanol extracts of 23 species marine algae and 23 species traditional medicinal plant. Among them, four medicinal plants, Ephedra sinica, Atractylodes japonica, Pinnelia ternata, and Citrus aurantium, showed strong inhibition potency over 90% at concentration of 0.33 mg/mL. Also, two marine algae, Enteromorpha compressa and Sargassum singgildianum showed mild inhibition potency over 50% at concentration of 0.33 mg/mL.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1995

As a continuation of the previous study, a second group of sixty two aqueous extracts(freeze dried) from natural products was screened for the inhibitory effect of platelet activating factor(PAF) binding to rabbit platelet using 0.6 nM [$^{3}$H]PAF as a radioligand. The results demonstrated that three medicinal plants inhibited 40~50% of [$^{3}$H]PAF equilibrium binding at the concentration of 200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.167-173
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• 1997

We have tested 101 species traditional medicinal plants on Acetylcholinester ase inhibition. Among them. Caesalpina sappan. Cnidium offcinale, Coptis japonica, Ephedra sinica, Eribotrya japonica, Gardenia jasminoides, Liriope platyphylla, Lonicera japonica, Paeonia suffruticosa, Phyllostachys nigra, Polygonum multiflorum, Prunella vulgaris, Rheum undulatum, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Uncaria rhynchophylla showed strong inhibition potency over 88%. In addition, Aconitum carmichaeli, Caesalphina sappan, Cinnamomun japonica, Citrus unshiu, Hordeum vulgare, Glycine max and Rehmannia glutinosa showed relatively good inhibition potency over 80%.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.229-233
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• 2009

20 species of plants were extracted with Methanol and were investigated for DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTs free radical scavenging activity to quest anti-oxidation ability depending on the proton beam irradiation quantity. In the proton beam irradiation, 15 species's activities increased but among them, Pharbities nil Choisy decreased at 10 KGray and 4 species' activity didn't change at all. In hydrogen ion radical elimination activity, Ulmus macrocarpa (84 %) showed the highest and Pharbitis nil Choisy showed 6 % decreasing at more than 1 KGray. By comparison with untreated $IC_{50}$ value, the beam-treated $IC_{50}$ value increased 6.3 times for Dioscorea batatas Decne. at 1 KGray, 2.1 times for Trichosanthes kirilowii Max., and 2.8 times for Dioscorea batatas Decne. at 5 KGray. In ABTs free radical elimination activity, the activity increased 60 % for Terminalia chebula Retzius compared with untreated one. Besides, the beam-treated $IC_{50}$ value increased 2 times for Gray Ephedra sinica Stapf, 2.5 times for Terminalia chebula Retz. and 2.4 times for Arctium lappa Linne at 1 KGray.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2003

Aqueous extracts from eleven species of Korean medicinal plants were screened for antiviral activity against transmissble gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhae virus (PEDV). Seven of eleven plant extracts were found to have cytotoxicity for ST cells at the concentration of 1mg/ml, and ten extracts except Ephedra sinica were found to have non-cytotoxicity for Vero cells at the same concentration, Extracts of Zanthoxylum piperium, Cudrina tricuspidata, Clerodendron trichomum, Sophora flavescens, effectively inhibited TGEV, respectively. There were the antiviral activity against TGEV in the extracts of Glesdistsia sinensis, Euonymus alatus, Ficus carica, Solanum nigrum, Ephedra sinica, Xanthium strumarium, Acanthopanax seeliflorus in spite of their cytotoxicities. Nine extracts except Xanthium strumarium and Acanthopanax seeliflorus were found to have the antiviral activitity against PEDV. Extracts of Zanthoxylum piperium, Sophora flavescens was shown to have antiviral activities against both TGEV and PEDV.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 2011

Objectives The objective of this study was to contribute to the development of pharmacupuncture for obesity treatment by reviewing the studies of pharmacupuncture experimentations and clinical trials. Methods We searched the papers with keywords of 'obesity' and 'pharmacupuncture' in the search site, RISS, Oriental medicine advanced searching integrated system(OASIS), Korean traditional knowledge portal, the society of Korean medicine for obesity research, Korean pharmacupuncture institute, the Korean academy of oriental rehabitation medicine and Korean acupuncture & moxibustion society. Results 1. We reviewed 37 articles searched. 27 articles(73.0%) were animal experimentations, 5 articles(13.5%) were cell experimentations, 4 articles(10.8%) were clinical trials and 1 article(2.7%) was study analysis. 2. The herbs, using for animal experimentations, were atratylodes japonica, coix lachrymajobi, ephedra sinica, crataegus pinnatifida, wild ginseng and etc. Acupucture points were joksamni(ST36), zhongwan(CV12), gansoo(BL18), pungnyung(ST40), umnungchon(SP9), bisu(BL20), gokji (LI11), cheun-chu(ST25) and etc. 3. For cell experimentations, preadipocytes and adipocytes performed on cell cultures with using rats, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and porcine skin including fat tissue were treated with fel ursi, bovis calculus, ephedrae herba, spirodelae herba, wild ginseng. 4. For clinical trials, Sangsik no.1, Bigiheo, ephedra, green tea and sweet bee venom were injected at the region where a lot of fat like zhongwan(CV12), xiawan(CV10), kwanwon(CV4), cheun-chu(ST25) and thigh. Conclusion Through animal and cell experimentations and clinical trials, the treatment of obesity using local acupuncture therapy was effective. For clinical use, however, it is considered that animal and cell experimentation and clinical trial's connection using one kind of herb and studies about more clinical trials and associated side effects are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.74-80
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• 2001

Objectives : Ma-huang is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, derived from Ephedra sinica Stapf and other Ephedra species, used to treat asthma, nose and lung congestion, and fever with anhidrosis. It contains 0.5-2.5% by weight of total alkaloids, of which ephedrine accounts for 30 to 90%. Recently, Ma-huang has been used as a source of ephedrine in many dietary supplements formulated for the treatment of obesity, since ephedrine has been found to be effective in inducing weight loss in the obese. In this study the effects of the methanol extract of Ma-huang on the adipocyte of epididymal and brown fat pads in rats fed a high fat diet for six weeks were studied. Methods : Male Sprague Dawley rats weighing an average 94g (4 weeks old) were fed either a regular diet (RE) or a high fat diet (HF), and the HF group was subdivided into a Ma-huang methanol extract (30mg/100g body weight) group (HF+MH). The weight of epididymal fat pad and brown adipose tissue were measured. The cell size and cell number per unit area of epididymal fat pad were investigated. Results : The yield weight of methanol extract of Ma-huang was 3.63mg per l00g of Ma-huang. The body weight gain of the HF group was similar with that of the HF+ MH but higher than that of the RE. The weights of the epididymal fat pads and brown adipose tissue of the RE group were lower than those of HF and HF+MH groups. The cell sizes and numbers per unit area of epididymal fat pads of the RE and HF+MH groups were larger than those of HF group. The cell numbers per unit area size of epididymal fat pads were the smallest in the RE group. Conclusions : It could be concluded that the Ma-huang extract has no effect on the epididymal fat pads in rats fed a high fat diet and the clinical application of Ma-huang for the treatment of obesity should be re-considered.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.188-196
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• 2006

Background: Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in oriental medicine for over a hundred years. Ma-huang preparations contain approximately 1.25% ephedrine alkaloids. Recently, the ephedra alkaloids have received much press lately due to adverse effects in those using whole extracts as 'dietary supplements' for weight loss or athletic performance enhancement, and these reports are troubling given the increasing use of Ma-huang by the general public. The purpose of this report is to determine the proper dosage to minimize adverse effects and maximize the potential curative value. Objectives : The object of this study was to find an effective yet low risk dosage of Ma-huang. Methods : The study was designed as a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The subjects of this study were 26 adults between 20 to 40 of age who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization into three groups. Each group took three opaque capsules three times a day. A group (N=9) took one Ma-huang capsule and two placebo capsules, B group (N=8) took two Ma-huang capsules and one placebo capsule, C group (N=9) took three Ma-huang capsules. The total trial periods was two days. To compare the adverse effects of Ma-huang according to dosage, blood pressure and pulse were checked, and other adverse effects were assessed using a morning questionnaire, patient's global assessment scale and Wong-Baker faces pain rating. Results : The following result were obtained: 1. After taking 18 g of Ma-huang per day, pulse rate had a significant increase. 2. After taking more than 6 g of Ma-huang per day, palpitation would be increased significantly. 3. After taking more than 18 g of Ma-huang per day, tiredness would be increased significantly. Conclusion: According to the results, 12 g of Ma-huang per day will minimize adverse effects and maximize the potential curative value.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Background : Use of Ma Huang is controversial. Multiple reports of adverse effects led the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to announce about prohibiting dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids/Ma Huang. Objective : The objective of the study was to review the evidence from literature and rigorous clinical trials on the dosage, effectiveness, and adverse effects. Methods : Literature searches were conducted in U.S. FDA database after 2003 and digital Uibujeonok(醫部全錄). Hand searches of medical journal and bibliographies of identified articles were conducted. Results : Ma Huang has been used in Korean Oriental Medicine to treatment asthma and other ailments. Recently, Ephedrine/Ma Huang are used for weight loss or to enhance athletic performance in Europe and America, Korea. Ephedrine/Ma Huang are associated with increased risk of psychiatric, autonomic, or gastrointestinal symptoms, and heart palpitations. In addition to that, a risk of serious adverse events, including heart attack, stroke, epilepsy and psychiatric problem are also have been reported. Therefore, max dose of total alkaloids of ephedrine is studied in need of a specialist's part. Conclusion : In most reports, Ma Huang effectively promoted short-term weight loss and enhancement of athletic performance, But, safety with long-term use requires further investigation.