• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.41-46
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• 2007

Effects of mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture at sinsoo (B-23)and Jisil(B-52)on adrenal cortical insufficiency were investigated in dexamethasone treated rats. Concentration of serum cortisol was decreased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, these values showed a tendency to increase in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups. Concentration of serum total protein was increased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, these values were decreased by the mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture. The portion of neutrophils was decreased and the portion of lymphocytes and eosinophils were increased in dexamethasone treated rats. However, in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups, the portion of neutrophils showed a tendency to increase and the portion of lymphocytes and eosinophils showed a tendency to decrease. In dexamethasone treated rats, the weight of adrenal glands were decreased, however these values were increased in mahwang(Ephedrae herba) aqua-acupuncture groups.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Ephedrae Herba extract. Methods : Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC), total antioxidant response(TAR) against potent free radical reactions, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activities, and the inhibitory effect of the extract on lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. Results : 1. TAC and TAR of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 5mg/ml were 3.76 and 1.65 mM Trolox equivalents , respectively. 2. Total phenolic content of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concenuation of 5mg/ml was 3.52 mM gallic acid equivalent. 3. Concentration of Ephedrae Herba extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.46mg/ml as compared to 100% by pyrogallol solution as a reference. 4. Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 2mg/ml significantly decreased TBARS concentration by 97%, showing that Ephedrae Herba extract prevented lipid peroxidation at the low concentration. Conclusion : Thus antioxidant effects of Ephedrae Herba extract appear to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicalsinduced oxidation, followed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.80-89
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Ephedrae Herba pharmacopuncture (EHP) on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, lipolysis in rat epididymal adipocytes and histological changes in porcine adipose tissue. Methods : Inhibition of preadipocyte differentiation and/or stimulation of lipolysis play important roles in reducing obesity. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents by incubating for 3 days in the absence or presence of EHP ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$. The effect of EHP on adipogenesis was examined by measuring glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity and by oil red O staining. Mature adipocytes from rat epididymal fat pad were incubated with EHP ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ for 3 days. The effect of EHP on lipolysis was examined by measuring free glycerol released. Fat tissue from porcine skin was injected with EHP ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ to examine the effect of EHP on histological changes under light microscopy. Results : The following results were obtained from present study on adipogenesis of preadipocytes, lipolysis of adipocytes and histological changes in fat tissue. Proliferation of preadipocytes was significantly inhibited by EHP at the concentration of 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$. Lipolysis of adipocytes was increased by EHP at the concentration of 0.1, 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$. Porcine fat tissues were widely injured by EHP at the concentration of 10.0 $mg/m{\ell}$. Conclusions : From the above results, EHP efficiently induces inhibition of preadipocytes proliferation, lipolysis of adipocytes and histologic injury in fat tissues. Therefore, EHP may be useful to treat localized obesity.