• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.343-358
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• 2000

Epimedii Herba is an important traditional herb medicine widely used as a tonic. However, the mechanism of action of this drug on the immune system is not well studied. This study was performed to elucidate the effects of the aqueous extract of Epimedii Herba on the production of antibodies in mice. Antibodies in serum were detected in male ICR mice treated with the aqueous extract of Eplmedii Herba (AEEH) at a dosage of 40, 120, and 360mg/kg orally for 2 weeks. Effects of oral administration of AEEH on antibody forming responses were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in serum. The results were as follows; 1. Epimedii Herba slightly decreased body weight gain. 2. Epimedii Herba significantly increased the relative spleen weight. 3. Epimedii Herba significantly increased total serum IgG levels. 4. Epimedii Herba significantly enhanced total serum IgG1 levels. 5. Epimedii Herba significantly increased total serum IgG2a levels. 6. Epimedii Herba markedly increased total serum IgM levels. These findings demonstrate that Epimedii Herba significantly enhances the production of antibodies at therapeutic concentrations, and suggest that administration of Epimedii Herba may prevent the host from immunologic diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.13-22
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• 2011

Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, muscle cramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, we do have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to those of Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods: 24 two-month-old Spargue-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Epimedii Herba(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and were analyzed. Results: In comparison with normal group, the PTU-induced control group significantly showed hypothyroidism with low T3, T4 and high TSH. In Epimedii Herba group, T4 was significantly increased(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in TSH between the Epimedii Herba treatment group and the control group. And no significant differences were observed in biochemical labs and weight between the Epimedii Herba group and the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that Epimedii Herba could help thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormones. And no significant side effects related with Epimedii Herba were found, suggesting that it is safe to administer. According to these results, Epimedii Herba may be a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.142-155
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• 2005

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the dose dependent effects of Epimedii Herba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis, and the activities of spermhyaluronidase and antioxidants. Materials and Method: We choose the 2-month-old mice, and administered the extract powder of Epimedii Herba in the different concentration once in a day for 60 days. The control group was administerde to normal water in the isolated testis tissue. Also we observed changes of isolated testis at the before and after administration of Epimedii Herba extracts in the mice. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results: The significant dose dependent differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups compared than that of control group, respectively. In the histological analysis of the testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedii Herbaextract administered groups than control group, respectively. Also, the activity hyluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups than that of the control group. In case of antioxidant activity analysis, the activity of peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased in the Epimedii Herba extract administered groups than that of control group, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that Epimedii Herba can effect the count and motility of sperm, the important ractor in male fertility and also promote the activity of antioxidants, catalase and peroxidase, which is the important factor in spermatogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.1 s.124
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• pp.43-48
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• 2001

Epimedii Herba has been used for tonic, cardiotonic, impotency, amnestic and diuretic. Icariin, a main component was isolated from the Epimedii Herba and identified by the spectroscopic methods. In order to evaluate the quality of Epimedii Herba purchased from various regions of Korea, quantitative determination of icariin in Epimedii Herba using HPLC method has been conducted. Quantitative analysis showed the average amount of icariin in commercial 42 samples was 0.34% on the dry weight basis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2012

Epimedii Herba is a traditional medicinal herb used in Korea and China and exerts estrogenic activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of peripubertal administration of Epimedii Herba on pubertal development in female rats using a modified protocol of the rodent 20-day pubertal female assay. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old after weaning, 10 rats per group) were divided into five groups: saline (Con), ethinyl estradiol (E2), Epimedii Herba ext (Ext), icariin (ICI), and icaritin (ICT), which were administered by oral gavage (E2 by subcutaneous injection) from postnatal day (PND) 21 through PND40. The time to vaginal opening (VO) was shorter for the Epimedii groups, particularly for the ICT group (p<0.05). Treatment with ICI and ICT significantly increased the duration of the estrus cycle (ICI, 2.78 days; ICT, 4.0 days; control, 1.78 days). Ovary weight was reduced by E2 treatment and increased by the Ext, ICI, and ICT treatments while the weight of the uterus and pituitary glands increased significantly only in the E2 and ICT groups. Although Epimedii Herba displayed relatively weak estrogenic activity, its repeated administration could affect pubertal development in female rats.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.111-117
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• 2013

Objectives : This research aimed at studying the immuno modulating activity of Fermented Epimedii Herba (EHS). Method : The impacts on the cell viability, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) generation in cells, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level have been measured by using Raw 264.7 cells with the specimen EHS as the fermented extract of Epimedii Herba with Saccharomyces cerevisiae STV89. Result : As a result of MTT assay to confirm the cytotoxicity of extracts from fermented Epimedii Herba, the toxicity was not excessively induced in Raw 264.7 cells when EHS were processed by concentration. EHS increased hydrogen peroxide generation in Raw 264.7 cells. EHS suppressed NO generation in Raw 264.7 cells while they significantly suppressed the increase of NO generation induced by LPS in macrophage. EHS significantly decreased the generation amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 induced by LPS in Raw 264.7 cells at $25{\mu}g/mL$ or more. Conclusion : It appeared that the fermented extract of Epimedii Herba manufactured from Epimedii Herba significantly has the immuno modulating acitivity as it did not excessively trigger cytotoxicity to Raw 264.7 cells, increased hydrogen peroxide generation in Raw 264.7 cells, decreased NO generation in macrophage, and especially, suppressed both TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 generation in macrophage induced by LPS.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.215-223
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• 2000

To understand immunopharmacologic effects on Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Morindae Officinalis Radix, Cistanches Herba, Curculginis Rhizoma, Epimedii Herba, Eucommiae Cortex, we investigated chinese experimental documents, and we could reach conclusions as follows : 1. The effects on cell-mediated immune system were as follows. 1) The effects on macrophage (1) The herbal medicines promoting to increase the number of WBC in the peripheral blood were Morindae Officinalis Radix, Epimedii Herba and that promoting to reinforce the phagocytic functions of neutrophil was Curculginis Rhizoma. (2) The herbal medicines promoting the phagocytic functions of mononuclear, macrophage were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. 2) The herbal medicines stimulating the activities of T lymphocytes were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Curculginis Rhizoma, Epimedii Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. 2. The effects on humoral immune system were as follows. 1) The herbal medicines increasing the activity of complement receptor were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Curculginis Rhizoma. 2) The herbal medicines reinforcing immunity of spleen cells were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Epimedii Herba. 3) The herbal medicines promoting proliferation of spleen cells that produce antibody after having been immunized by SRBC were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Epimedii Herba. 3. The herbal medicines, reinforcing immunity on delayed type hypersensitivity were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. As you know in the many bibliological documents, the studies on the effects of Drugs for Tonifying Yang were started along right lines. Recently the studies on those were accomplished more rapidly and applied many immune diseases. We thought that Drugs for Tonifying Yang could be important immunopotentiators. Therefore we can apply those herbal medicines not only to immune diseases but also inflammatory diseases, senile infirmity and all sorts of tumor.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.388-395
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• 2002

The growth of enterobacteria, Bifidobacteriurn adolescentis KCTC 3216 was promoted by natural products bearing antioxidative capacity and combined two, three and four kinds of them. B. adolescentis was showed a good growth by Sophorae flos, Phellodendri cofex, Mori cortex radicis, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, Angelicae gigantis radix, alone, and two mixed combinations were composed of Paeonia japonica and Theae foiium, Epimedii herba and Angelicae gigantis radix, Paeonia japonica and epimedii herba, Atractylodis rhizoma alba and angelicae gigantis radix, and three mixed combinations were oraganized with Theae folium, Paeonia japonica and epimedii herba, Theae folium, Beiamcanda chinensis and Paeonia japonica, Theae foiium, Astragaii radix and Mori cortex radicis, and four mixed combinations were formed with Seiamcanda chinensis, Angelicae gigantis radix, Epimedii herba, Theae folium, and Angeiicae gigantis radix, Epimedii herba, Paeonia japonica, Theae folium, and Epimedii herba, Paeonia japonica, Sophorae flos, Theae folium. The best four mixed combination for the growth of B. adolescentis was mixture of Epimedii herba, Paeonia iaponica, Sophorae flow and Theae foiium, which promoted 2.6 times than that of control, and its antioxidative capacity was also 5.6 times higher, and the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 80% in each dilution rate. As these combinations of natural products will activate some parts of body, they may be applied to pharmaceuitcal applications, functional foods, antiaging tea, also expected to promote useful entero bacterial growth for fermentative beverage bearing multifunction.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.230-237
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• 1996

The fractions of Epimedii Herba were examined for the immunological effects in ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups and administered orally the fractions of Epimedii Herba for 10 days. The results of this study were summarized as following: (1) The fraction 1 (EtOAc layer) administered group as compared with control group significantly decreased spleen weight, Arthus reaction and hemagglutination (HA) titer but significantly increased circulating white blood cells (WBC). (2) The fraction 2 ($H_20$ layer) administered group as compared with control group significantly decreased liver weight, Arthus reaction and HA titer but significantly increased WBC. (3) The fraction 3 (ppt) administered group as compared with control group significantly increased liver weight, thymus weight rate, delayed type hypersensitivity, phagocytic activity and WBC. The results showed that Frs. 1 and 2 administered groups reduced humoral immune response but increased WBC, and that Fr. 3 administered group increased cell-mediated immune response, phagocytic activity and WBC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.931-938
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• 2002

The growth of enterobacteria, Bifidobacterium infantis KCTC 3270, was promoted by natural products bearing antioxidative capacity and mixed combinations of two, three and four kinds of them. B. infantis was expressed a good growth by Aurantii nobilis pericarpium majus L., Astragali radix, Epimedii herba, alone, and two mixed combinations of Epimedii herba and Theae folium, Epimedii herba and Crataegi fructus, Epimedii herba and Eucommiae cortex, and three mixed combinations of Theae folium, Epimedii herba and Chelidonium majus L., Theae folium, Epimedii herba and Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L. and Auantii nobilis pericar pium, Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L. and Astragali radix, Theae folium, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and puerariae radix, Epimedii herba, Chelidonium majus L. and Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, and four mixed com-binations of Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L., Astragali radix and Epimedii herba, and Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L., Astragali radix and Puerariae readix, and Theae folium, Epimedii herba, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and Puerariae radix, and Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L., Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and Puerariae radix. The best four mixed combination ofr the growth of B. infantis was Theae folium, Chelidonium majus L. Astragali radix and Epimedii herba, which promoted 2.1 times than that of control, and its antioxidative capacity was also 5 times higher, and the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 80% in each dilution rate. As these combinations of natural products might activate some parts of body, they could be applied to pharmaceutical applications, functional foods, antiaging tea, also expected to promote useful bacterial growth for fermentative beverage bearing multifunction.