• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.106-114
• /
• 2009

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the world's most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. In-Jin-ho-Tang (IJHT) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is widely used as a medication for jaundice associated with inflammation of the liver. In-Jin-Ho-Tang is a drug preparation consisting of three herbs: Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (Artemisia capillaries $T_{HUNS}$, Injinho in Korean), Gardeniae Fructus (Gardenia jasminodes $E_{LLIS}$, Chija in Korean) and Rhei radix et rhizoma (Rheum palmatum L., Daehwang in Korean). This study investigated whether or not methanol extract of IJHT could induce HepG2 cancer cell death. Cytotoxic activity of IJHT on HepG2 cells was measured using an XTT assay, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $700{\mu}g/ml$ at 24 h Apoptosis induction by IJHT in HepG2 cells was verified by the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and a decrease in procaspase-3, -8, -9. Treatment of IJHT resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$), decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and an increase in pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Thus, IJHT induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells via activation of caspase and mitochondria pathway. These results indicate that IJHT has potential as an anti-cancer agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2017

Objectives : In this study, the inhibitory activities of Korean Medicine against pancreatic lipase in vitro and biochemical analyses in vivo were measured to determine its possibility as a well-matched sauce material with chicken. Methods : The inhibitory activity on pancreatic lipase enzyme of 11 samples were evaluated in vitro and then 5 samples were selected. The activity of pancreatic lipase was investigated using orlistat as a positive control. Animals were divided into eight groups (n=7). The experimental groups except for normal group were fed 60% high-fat diet for 7 days. 5 samples were orally administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight and orlistat were orally administrated at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. Biochemical anaylses of 5 samples were executed based on lipid parameters analysis. Results : Korean Medicines with an $IC_{50}$ of below 1 mg/kg were Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Theae Folium Coptidis Radix, and Mori Cortex Radicis. Body weight change of Mori Cortex Radicis reduced significantly, however fecal triglyceride couldn't regulate effectively. The most excellent inhibitory effect of pancreatic lipase showed in Scutellariae Radix treatment and also regulated significantly serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. Moreover, the supplementation of Coptidis Radix excreted meaningfully triglyceride to fece. Conclusions : In conclusion, Coptidis Radix may exert anti-obesity effect by directly inhibiting pancreatic lipase, which would prevent the absorption of lipid from the small intestine. Besides, Mori Cortex Radicis may led to the decrease of the body weight via the different pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.390-410
• /
• 1995

This study was attempted to investigate the effects of Composite Preparation (Samulchungkan-Tang) extract (SCTE), Scutellarias Radix extract (SRE), Artemisiae iwayomogii Herba extract (AIHE), Artemisia capillaris Flos extract (ACFE), Paeaniae Radix extract (PRE) and Gardeniae Fructus extract (GFE) on the activities of GOT, GPT, ALP and LDH, and Content of total cholesterol in serum of $CCl_4$ and ${_D}-galactosamime$ intoxicated rats, and bile flow in rats. 1) In $CCl_4-intoxicated$ rats-The activities of S-GOT and S-GPT which were elevated by $CCl_4$ were significantly decreased in dose of SCTE 450 mg/kg, ACFE 600 mg/kg and GFE 300 mg/kg, respectively as compared to $CCl_4$ intoxicated rats. ALP activity increased by $CC1_4-treatment$ was markedly decreased in dose of SCTE 450 mg and 600 mg/kg, SRE 400 mg/kg, AIHE 400 mg/kg, ACFE 600 mg/kg and PRE 300 mg/kg, and LDH activity in SCTE 450 mg and 600 mg/kg, ACFE 600 mg/kg and GFE 300 mg/kg, respectively compared to $CCl_4$ treated rates. ACFE 400 mg/kg and PRE 300 mg/kg decreased the content of total cholesterol increased by $CCl_4$, the liver weight in all sample administered groups was decreased significantly as compared to $CCl_4$ treated groups. 2) In ${_D}-galactosamine$ intoxicated rats-Sample of SCTE 450 mg and 600 mg/kg, SRE 400 mg/kg, AIHF 400 mg and 600 mg/kg, ACFE 600 mg/kg, PRE 300 mg/kg and GFE 300 mg and 500 mg/kg decreased the activities of S-GPT, ALP and LDH which was increased by ${_D}-galactosamine$ intoxication, compared to ${_D}-galactosamine$ intoxicated groups. In S-GOT activity elevated by ${_D}-galactosamine$ was significantly decreased by SCTE 450 mg/kg, ACFE 600mg/kg, AIHE 600 mg/kg, PRE 300 mg/kg, GFE 300 mg and 500 mg/kg. However, SCTE 600 mg/kg, SRE 400 mg/kg, and AIHE 400 mg/kg were not effected significantly. 3) In bile secretion-SCTE 450 mg and 600 mg/kg, ACFE 600 mg/kg and GFE 500mg/kg increased significantly the amount of bile secretion as compared to normal groups, but AIHE 400 mg/kg, SRE 400 mg/kg, and PRE 300 mg/kg did not effected significantiy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.226-234
• /
• 2006

Disturbance of antioxidant system is very common in chronic alcoholics and herbal or natural products with antioxidant activity have been used for its treatment. This study was to investigate the effect of Vitis vinifera extract(V), Schisandra chinensis extract(S), Taraxacum officinale extract(T), Gardenia jasminoides extract(G), Angelica acutiloba extract(A) and Paeonia japonica extract(P), and their combinations on the antioxidant and ethanol oxidation system. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet(ED) and were then given different herbal extract mixtures for 6 weeks including VST(V 100+S 150+T 150mg/kg/day), VSG(V 100+S 150+G 150mg/kg/day), VTG(V 100+T 150+G 150mg/kg/day), and VAP(V 100+A 150+P 150mg/kg/day). When the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) were compared between ED only group and herbal extracts treatment group, the differences were statistically significant. Phase I and II(glutathione-S-transferase, phenol sulfatransferase) enzyme activities were found to be significantly higher in the VAT treatment group compared to the ED group. Herbal extracts not only repressed the ethanol-induced elevation of malondialdehyde level, but also protected against ethanol-induced decrease in glutathione content, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. The administration of the herbal extracts was found to be effective in eliminating lipid-peroxides induced by long-term consumption of alcohol by activating various enzyme systems and physiological active compound formation system. After a chronic consumption of alcohol, Angelica Radix protected the liver via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme system, and Paeoniae Radix via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme and the phase I, II-metabolism enzyme system. Taraxaci Herba was also effective in liver protection via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme system and the phase I, II-metabolism enzyme system, Gardeniae Fructus via activating the phase II-metabolism enzyme system and the anti-oxidation system enzyme, and Schisandra Fructus and a grapestone via activating the anti-oxidation system. Our data suggest that these herbal extracts may be useful as a health functional food or new drug candidate for fatty liver and hepatotoxicity induced by chronic alcohol consumption.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.144-157
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang (HH) and Geongangbuja-tang (GB) on the plasma hormone level in mice exposed to cold stress. HH and GB are the representative prescriptions of cold and hot property, respectively. Methods : We established cold condition by confining ICR mice to a $4^{\circ}C$ cage for 24 hours, ICR mice were given a HH (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) or GB (100, 300, 1000 mg/kg) extract orally twice a day for three consecutive days. From the second day, they were given cold stress ($4^{\circ}C$) for twenty four hours. To measure the plasma corticosterone, insulin, thyroxine, epinephrine and norepinephrine levels of mice, their blood samples were collected from cardiac puncture, immediately centrifuged at $4^{\circ}C$. The protein level of HSP70 and JNK was examined using western blot analysis in cortex and hypothalamus. Results : Oral administration of GB more significantly reduced plasma corticosterone level raised by cold stress than HH. Gardeniae Fructus (CJ), the constituent of HH, significantly increased the thyroxine level. Western blot analysis showed that cold stress-induced Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression was increased by HH and GB, HH decreased JNK expression and GB increased JNK expression dose-depently in hypothalamus. Scutellariae Radix (HG), Zingiberis Rhizoma (GG) and Aconiti Tuber (BJ) decreased HSP70 in hypothalamus and GG, BJ decreased HSP70 in cortex as well. Conclusions : These results suggest Geongangbuja-tang (GB) is more effective for ameliorating the stress response caused by cold stress.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2002

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (Huang-lian-jie-du-tang, HRHDT, 黃連解毒湯) is a traditional Korean herbal medicine that is formulated with Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex, Scutellariae Radix and Gardeniae Fructus. HRHDT is cold (寒) and bitter (苦) in nature and has general properties of clearing heat and detoxifying (淸熱解毒), strengthening the stomach and settling the liver (健胃平肝), and reducing inflammation, fever and swelling. This formula can prevent and treat artherosclerosis, hyperplasia of the endothelium, cerebral fluid circulation, cerebral vascular deterioration through aging, impairment of neurotransmitters, or disruption of the functioning of the cerebral cortex following infection or trauma. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the neuroprotective effect of HRHDT on global ischemia induced by 4-vessel occlusion in Wistar rats. Methods: HRHDT extract was lyophilized after extraction with 85% methanol and 100% water. Rats were induced to 10 minutes of forebrain ischemia by 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO) and reperfused again. HRHDT was administered with a dose of 100 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg of 85% methanol extracts and 100 mg/kg of 100% water extracts, respectively, at 0 min and 90 min after 4-VO. Rats were killed at 7 days after ischemia and the number of CA1 pyramidal neurons was counted in hippocampal sections stained with cresyl violet. Results: Body temperature of animals showed no significant difference between saline-treated groups and HRHDT extracts-treated groups until 5 hours of reperfusion. This result indicated that neuroprotective effects of HRHDT extracts were not due to hypothermic effects. The administration of HRHDT showed a significant neuroprotective effect on hippocampal CA1 neurons at 7 days after ischemia compared to the saline-treated group (P<0.001). HRHDT methanol extracts of 100 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and HRHDT water extracts of 100 mg/kg showed 88.5%, 98.3% and 95.1 % neuroprotection, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that administration of HRHDT is highly effective in reducing neuronal damage in response to transient global cerebral ischemia. HRHDT may involve many mechanisms that might account for its high degree of efficacy. A number of factors including free radicals, glutamate, calcium overload, NO, and various cytokines have been proposed to have an important role in causing neuronal death after short periods of global ischemia. Further studies are needed to know the neuroprotective mechanisms of HRHDT.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.399-404
• /
• 1998

Genipin was obtained from hydrolysis of geniposide isolated from gardenia fruits with ${\beta}-glucosidase$. Reaction of genipin with glycine, alanine, histidine, lysine, phenylalanine and glutamate in aqueous buffer solution converted colorless starting materials to blue pigments. Effect of pH for the formation of blue pigments was tested using UV/Vis spectrophotometer. The optimum pH for the formation of blue pigments was 7.0. No pigment and trace amounts were formed at acidic (pH 3.0) and alkaline (pH 12.0) conditions, respectively. The amount and tincture of blue color were distinct with different amino acids. In contrast with lysine $({\lambda}_{max}=573\;nm)$, glycine $({\lambda}_{max}=595\;nm)$, phenylalanine $({\lambda}_{max}=602\;nm)$ and alanine $({\lambda}_{max}=595\;nm)$, the reaction of genipin with histidine $({\lambda}_{max}=601\;nm)$ and glutamate $({\lambda}_{max}=601\;nm)$ produced relatively small amounts of blue pigments. Rate constants for the formation of blue pigments from genipin with amino acids at various temperatures $(60,\;70,\;80,\;90^{\circ}C,\;pH\;7.0\;phosphate\;buffer)$ were obtained. Rate constants of genipin with basic amino acids were larger than neutral or acidic amino acids. Arrhenius activation energies of the formation of blue pigments indicated that activation energy of glycine $(E_A=9.8\;kcal/mol)$ was especially lower than those of other amino acids $(E_A=13.3{\sim}15.4\;kcal/mol)$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.65-81
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Haedoksamul-tang (HSTE), a water extract from a mixture of Phellodendri Cortex, Coptidis, Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus, Angelica acutiloba Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, has been traditionally used for allergic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis in oriental countries. However, little is known about the effects of aqueous extract of HSTE on trimellitic anhydride (TMA)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in a mouse model. Methods : In this study, we investigate the pharmacological effects of HSTE on TMA-induced CHS in Balb/c mice. Contact hypersensitivity was induced in mice by topically sensitizing and challenging with TMA in flank skin and ears during oral administration (for 17 days) and topical treatment (30 min before challenge) with HSTE. We examined the effects of HSTE on IgE and IgG1 levels, inflammatory parameters in ear tissues, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, cytokine and chemokine production in sera, tissues, and immune cells from TMA-sensitized mice.Results : Oral and topical administration with HSTE reduced, in a dose dependent manner, thickness and leukocyte infiltration of ear tissues and IgE levels in serum from mice sensitized with TMA. In addition, auricula lymph node cells isolated from TMA-sensitized mice significantly elevated the expression ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ as well as increased the production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ by ex vivo stimulation with antibodies against CD3 and CD28, and these inflammatory indexes, except for IFN-γ, were significantly suppressed by orally and topically administration of HSTE. Furthermore, stimulation of auricula lymph node cells from TMA-sensitized mice with antibodies against CD3 and CD28 increased the production of MCP-1/CCL2 and MIP-1α/CCL3, and these effects were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in cells from mice treated with HSTE. Conclusions : These results suggest that HSTE can be used for treating contact hypersensitivity by inhibiting leukocyte infiltration as well as production of serum IgE and chemokine/Th2 cytokine in an animal model.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.1039-1044
• /
• 2007

We investigated the residual contents of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) on the 280 kinds of herbal medicines distributed at 8 cities including in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Jecheon, Yeongju, Geumsan and Jeonju in Korea. The residual contents of $SO_2$ were determinated by modified Monier-Williams method. The residual contents of $SO_2$ were not detected at 206 products in total 280 products. However, it was detected below 100 ppm in 39 products, between 101 and 1000 ppm in 30 products and exceeded 1000 ppm in 5 products. $SO_2$ contents ranged 11 ${\sim}$ 2339 mg/kg (mean 293 mg/kg) at domestic samples distributed. Regardless of region, $SO_2$ contents were not found at Notopterygii Rhizoma, Ligustici Scinensis Rhizoma et Radix, Bombyx Batryticatus, Coicis Semen, Cnidii Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma. But it's found at Batatatis Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix and Codonopsitis Radix of every region collected the samples. $SO_2$ contents were not detected at 58 products which collected cultural fields of dometic. After treated with water wash and hot water extraction, the reduction rates of sulfur dioxide were appeared with 14.3% ${\sim}$ 40.4% and 55.2% ${\sim}$ 100.0%, respectively. These data will be used to establish a criteron of residual sulfur dioxide in herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HH) is a representative heat clearing multiherb prescription. We evaluated the protective effect of HH against heat stress exposure in mice. Methods: Six weeks old ICR mice were used for this study. After $43^{\circ}C$ heat stress for 15 minutes, we evaluated the changes of motor activity and c-fos expression level to determine the proper heat stress and evaluation time. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (1. control group, 2. heat stress group with normal saline, 3. heat stress group with administration of 100 mg/kg, and 4. heat stress group with administration of 1000 mg/kg). After oral administration of HH once a day for 3 days, 2, 3, 4 groups were exposed to $43^{\circ}C$ heat stress for 15 minutes. Then, we evaluated the motor activity for 120 minutes and analyzed the c-fos expression using western blot. We investigated the effect of HH and its ingredients on c-fos expressions after heat stress. The mice were administrated HH, Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex, and Gardeniae Fructus for 3 days. After one hour of last treatment, the mice were exposed to heat stress at $43^{\circ}C$ for 15 min. After two hours, the hypothalamus was dissociated and lysed to measure c-fos expression. Results: After oral administration of HH for 3 days, motor activity was recovered insignificantly. 100 mg/kg HH treatment reduced the c-fos expression after heat stress but insignificantly. Among the ingredients of HH, Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix treatment groups significantly reduced the c-fos after stress. Conclusions: These results show that Hwangryunhaedok-tang may be effective to reduce the heat stress response.