• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.455-462
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• 2000

To investigate how the aqueous extracts of Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EK) affects pigmentation of skin, the aqueous extract of EK at various concentrations were incubated with 1 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ melanoma cells per well for 72 h. The morphology and number of cell line were not changed, but the aqueous extract of EK increased the tyrosinase activity and the content of melanin polymer in the cell line. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of EK promotes melanogenesis of Bl6 mouse melanoma cell line.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) in phenylephrine(PE) treated isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of phenylephrine(PE, $1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-precontracted strips to EK at $0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$ were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation using organ bath. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of EK-induced relaxation, $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), indomethacin(IM) were pretreated before EK extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of EK extract on EA.hy926 cells, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity(MTT) assay and nitric oxide detection kit were used. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by EK extract at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, $3.0mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses of PE-precontracted strips denuded endothelium also inhibited in comparison with intact endothelium. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA reduced EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of IM didn't affect EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When EK extract was applicated on EA.hy926 cells, the NO concentration was increased. Our findings have shown that EK extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-27
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of the Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EK) on menopausal obesity in mice. Methods: To induce the menopausal obesity, female C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized and fed with high fat diet for 12 weeks. 17β-estradiol was injected as a positive control and the extract of EK was orally administered 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Body weight, uterine weight and visceral fat weight were measured. The size of the adipocyte in visceral fat tissues was estimated by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Fasting glucose level was estimated in serum. Results: Body weight and visceral fat weight were significantly decreased by EK treatment, while the uterine weight/body weight was increased in high fat diet-fed ovariectomized mice. The diameter of adipocyte in the visceral fat tissues was markedly reduced in EK-treated menopausal obese mice. In addition, the fasting blood glucose level was inhibited by oral EK administration. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results showed that EK has ameliorative effects on overweight after menopause. EK could be one of the alternative therapy for treating menopausal obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2000

Melanization of B16 melanoma cells was comparatively studied by the aqueous extract of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) and $\alpha$-MSH. In addition, inhibitory effects of RA was investigated. B16 melanoma cells(about 1${\times}10_5$) have been shown an increase in tyrosinase activity and melanin contents in proportion to concentration of $\alpha$-MSH when treated with $\alpha$-MSH and incubated for 72 hrs. They indicated a 350% increase in tyrosinase activity and a 290% increase in melanin contents at 8 ng/mL. In case of EK, they have been shown a 200% increase in tyrosinase activity and a 180% increase in melanin contents at 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. In addition of RA to the above condition, they have been shown an inhibition from 350% to 210% in tyrosinase activity and from 290% to 250% in melanin contents in $\alpha$-MSH, and inhibition from 200% to 100% in tyrosinase activity and from 180% to 120% in melanin contents in EK. From the above results, it is suggested that EK promotes melanization of B16 melanoma cells through cAMP pathway, whereas RA inhibits it.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.131-141
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• 1999

In order to eludidate the mechanism of oxidative stress in cultured spinal motor neurons damaged by oxygen free radicals, cytoxicity was assesed by MTT assay and NR assay after spinal motor neurons from mouse were cultured in media containing various concentrations of xanthine oxidase(XO) and hypoxanthine(HX) for 3 hours. In addition, neuroprotective effects of several herb extracts on oxidant-induced neurotoxicity were examined in these cultures, compared with nerve growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF). XO/HX decreased cell viability in dose- and time dependent manners on cultured mouse spinal motor neurons, and MTT50 and NR50 values were measured at 20mU/ml XO and 0.1mM HX for 3 hours in these cultures. bFGF significantlt increased cell viability. In neuroprotective of herb extracts, Epimedium Koreanum Nakai(EK) and Alpinia oxphylla Mig(IJI) was very effective in the prevention of the neurotoxicity induced by XO/HX in cultured mouse spinal motor neurons. From the above results, it is suggested that XO/HX shows toxic effect in cultured mouse spinal motor neurons and selective herb extracts such as Epimedium Koreanum Nakai(EK) and Alpinia oxphylla Mig(IJI) were very effective in the increase of cell viability against the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals in these cultures.