• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2006

In order to search anti-obesity agents, the methanol extracts of 155 herbal medicines were screened using with pancreatic lipase, which is involved in conversion of triglycerol to fatty acid. Among the tested medicinal plants, methanol extracts of Amsonia elliptica, Arecae pericarpium, Biota orientalis, Cinnamomum cassia, Curcuma aromatia, Elsholtzia ciliate, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Mucunae Caulis, Rhus javanica, and Rubus coreanus showed potent inhibition at final concentration of $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ on pancreatic lipase activity. All of them were extracted into chloroform fraction. The relative inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase by orlistat, the chloroform fraction of Arecae pericarpium and Cinnamomum cassia were 89, 80 and 80%, respectively. These results demonstrated that the screened medicinal plants could be develop as the effective lipase inhibitors in preventing and ameliorating obesity of human beings.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.73-81
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• 2016

Objectives : $18{\beta}$-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18betaGA) is an metabolite of glycyrrhizin in Glycyrrhiza (licorice). The present study investigated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect of 18betaGA on the brain tissue of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : 18betaGA was administered orally with low (30 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) doses for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 24 h after the LPS injection. Histological changes of Cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) neurons, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting method. Results : 18betaGA significantly attenuated the up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 mRNA, and COX-2 mRNA expression in the brain tissues induced by the LPS injection. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the reductions of the thickness of CA1 and the number of CA1 neurons. The up-regulation of Bax protein expression in the hippocampal tissue by the LPS injection was significantly attenuated, while the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expression was increased by 18betaGA treatment. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the up-regulation of Bax and caspase-3 expression in the CA1 of the hippocampus. Conclusion : This results indicate that 18betaGA has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect under neuroinflammation induced by the LPS injection and suggest that 18betaGA may be a beneficial drug for various brain diseases accompanied with the brain tissue inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2019

In the process of adapting climate change, the government needs to provide policy and technical support necessary for growing promising crops imported from abroad. Therefore, this study was conducted to survey and analyze the conditions of growth of imported foreign crops and to derive response tasks. As a result, tropical and subtropical vegetables were cultivated 18 crops in 920 farms in 321 ha area (in 2015 year). The cultivation scale decreased in the order of Curcuma aromatica, Momordica charantia, Asparagus aethiopicus, Allium hookeri and Herbs. Tropical and subtropical fruits were cultivated 9 crops in 264 farms in 106.5 ha area (in 2015 year). Special and medicinal crops introduced abroad cultivated 10 crops in 753 farms in 276.3 ha area (in 2015 year). The cultivation scale decreased in the order of Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Lepidium meyenii and Moringa oleifera. For the stable settlement of domestic growth of tropical and subtropical crops introduced abroad, there should be safety and economic feasibility in terms of the cultivation environment according to the domestic culture adaptation test. Consideration needs to be given to the use of locally grown products in Korea, the securing of distribution and sales markets, and the competitiveness of imported products.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Purpose: Glabridin (GD) is a bio-available isoflavane isolated from the root extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). It exhibits a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. However, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secretion and the anti-cancer mechanism of action remains largely unknown. The present study investigates the anticancer effects of GD by determining the inhibition of EVs secretion in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, migration, invasion rate, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with increasing concentrations of GD (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20 µM). Subsequently, EV secretion and exosomal DEL-1 protein expression were evaluated to determine the anticancer effects of GD. Results: The results showed that GD significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- or time-dependent manner. Also, ROS production and apoptosis marker protein cleaved caspase-3 were significantly increased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231, compared to control. Furthermore, GD exposure resulted in significantly decreased not only migration and invasion rates but also the VEGF concentration, thereby contributing to a reduction in angiogenesis. Interestingly, the concentration and number of EVs as well as EV marker proteins, such as CD63 and TSG101, were decreased in GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Markedly, extracellular matrix protein DEL-1 as angiogenesis factor was decreased in EVs from GD-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: This study identifies that the anti-cancer molecular mechanism of GD is exerted via inhibition of angiogenesis and EVs secretion, indicating the potential of GD as a chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.49-54
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• 2012

Objective : We recently reported that OMC-2010 has an immuno-modulatory effects via inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-5. However, we did not find out which constituents play an important role in immuno-modulatory effect of OMC-2010. Thus, this study was performed to estimate the effects of constituents of OMC-2010 on cytokine production in mouse spleen cells, then ultimately reach to find out effective constituents regulating splenic cytokine production. Methods : Mouse spleen cells were pre-treated with water and ethanol extract of constituents of OMC-2010 such as Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), Pinellia ternata (PT), Citrus unshiu Markovich (CUM), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), Schisandra chinensis (SC). After 1 h, the cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 ${\mu}g/ml$) for 48 h. Then the cells were harvested for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect cytokine productions. Results : The water extract of RG extract significantly inhibited the LPS-induced inTNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5 mRNA expressions, but the water extract of PT, CUM, GU, PG, and SC did not. The ethanol extract of RG, PT, and SC significantly inhibited the LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-5 mRNA expressions, but the ethanol extract of CUM, GU, and PG did not. Conclusions : Theses results could suggest that the water extract of RG and the ethanol extract of RG, PT, and SC inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5, which means that the possible candidate of OMC-2010 water extract's action might be RG, and ethanol extract's action might be RG, PR, and SC.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of herbal medicines on pacemaker potentials of large intestinal interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in mice. Methods : We made the ICC culture in large intestine in mice and used the electrophysiological method to record pacemaker potentials. Also we used MTT assay to check cell viability and examined the ICC protein expression by western blot. Results : 1.Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (GF) (50-150 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 58.95 ㎍/ml. Angelica gigas (AG) (50-200 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 77.22 ㎍/ml. Poncirus fructus (PF) (10-100 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 13.39 ㎍/ml. Citrus unshiu S. Marcov. (CU) (10-500 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 139.80 ㎍/ml. Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (GJ) (100-500 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 78.70 ㎍/ml. Coptis chinensis (CC) (100-1000 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. EC₅₀ is 138.10 ㎍/ml. Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) (10-100 ㎍/ml) had no effects on pacemaker potentials and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. IC₅₀ is 18.34 ㎍/ml. Atractylodes macrocephala koidzumi (AM) (10-100 ㎍/ml) induced pacemaker hyperpolarizations and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. IC₅₀ is 18.54 ㎍/ml. 2. PF, SB and AM had no effects on cell death in large ICC. 3. PF increased the ANO1 and c-kit protein expression and SB and AM increased the c-kit protein expression in large ICC. Conclusions : These results suggest that PF, SB, and AM are likely to be the optimal combination of herbal medicines that can be used to treat diseases such as gastrointestinal motility disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.29-49
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• 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to systemically review the recent studies in the Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Methods We search the clinical studies from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023. The studies were searched through 10 databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Medical Database, ScienceON, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Results A total of 19 studies were included in the study. 12 studies were case report studies, 5 studies were randomized controlled trials, 2 studies were non-randomized controlled trials. Of the 19 interventions, Chuna was the most used in this study and of the 28 evaluation tools, Sternocleidomastoid thickness was the most used in this study except efficiency rate. All 19 studies had improvements after treatment, and 8 studies had statistically significant improvements. As a result of the study, we found that Chuna, GB, GB20, BL10, Glycyrrhiza uralensis were commonly used Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Conclusions We analyzed the Korean medicine treatments for torticollis. Through this study, we found that the Korean medicine was effective for torticollis. However, more research is needed to confirm the more detailed effect.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2024

Licochalcone C (LCC; PubChem CID:9840805), a chalcone compound originating from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has shown anticancer activity against skin cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the therapeutic potential of LCC in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Chemotherapy for CRC is challenging because of the development of drug resistance. In this study, we examined the antiproliferative activity of LCC in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells, oxaliplatin (Ox) sensitive and Ox-resistant HCT116 cells (HCT116-OxR). LCC significantly and selectively inhibited the growth of HCT116 and HCT116-OxR cells. An in vitro kinase assay showed that LCC inhibited the kinase activities of EGFR and AKT. Molecular docking simulations using AutoDock Vina indicated that LCC could be in ATP-binding pockets. Decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was observed in the LCC-treated cells. In addition, LCC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating the expression of cell cycle regulators p21, p27, cyclin B1, and cdc2. LCC treatment induced ROS generation in CRC cells, and the ROS induction was accompanied by the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 kinases. Moreover, LCC dysregulated mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the disruption of MMP resulted in the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and activation of caspases to execute apoptosis. Overall, LCC showed anticancer activity against both Ox-sensitive and Ox-resistant CRC cells by targeting EGFR and AKT, inducing ROS generation and disrupting MMP. Thus, LCC may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of Ox-resistant CRC cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2007

Two pig trials were conducted to test Herb MixⓇ, a mixture of Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Discorea japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Schisandra chinensis and Ligusticum jeholense, as a herbal additive to weaning pig diet. Exp. 1 was conducted with 45 three-way cross-bred(Y×L×D) weaning pigs randomly allocated to 3 treatments; control, Herb MixⓇ 0.15% and Herb MixⓇ Gold(Plellidendron amurense fortified Herb MixⓇ) 0.15%. Exp. 2 was conducted with 48 weaning pigs randomly allocated to 4 treatments; control, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% Herb MixⓇ. There was a significant(p=0.05) difference between the control and herbal additive groups, however, no significant difference was found between Herb MixⓇ and Herb MixⓇ Gold in growth performance of Exp. 1. In Ex. 2, supplementation of Herb MixⓇ at all level(0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) significantly(P<0.05) improved average daily gain and feed intake, however, there were no significant differences among supplemented groups. Among the blood parameters, serum IgG level and WBC numbers were significantly lowered by Herb Mix supplementation in both experiments. Stress indicator(SI) was significantly lower in herbal additive groups in Exp. 1. Nutrient digestibility of DM and NFE in supplemented groups was lower than the control in Exp. 1. Howener, it was not significantly different among treatments in Exp. 2. Number(cfu) of fecal E.coli decreased while that of Lactobacilli increased in treated groups. It was concluded that fortifying Herb MixⓇ with Plellidendron amurense was not effective in improving the efficacy of Herb MixⓇ and supplementation of Herb MixⓇ at 0.1~0.2% level improves growth performance of weaning pigs. Blood parameters especially immunity related ones(IgG, WBC and SI) were significantly influenced.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.282-286
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• 2005

This study was to investigate the content of total phenolic compounds, electron donating ability, nitrate-scavenging effect, and angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibition effect of medicinal plant liquors prepared from Cnidium officinale, Angelica gigas, Pueraria thunbergiana(root), Pueraria thunbergiana (flower), and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Physicochemical characteristics of the medicinal plant liquors are as follows: pH $5.65{\sim}6.36$; reducing sugar, $0.13{\sim}0.45\%$. The highest value of total phenolic compounds was found in liquor prepared with Pueraria thunbergiana(root) as $23.9{\sim}54.3\;mg\%$. The electron donating ability of liquor prepared with Pueraria thunbergiana showed the highest value($67.4{\sim}85.3\%$) among the liquors, and its nitrite scavenging ability($24.56{\sim}78.3\%$) showed the highest value than those of other medicianal plant liquors. ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest value in liquor prepared with Cnidium officinale.