• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.102-108
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• 2005

We have studied the physico-chemical change and pharmacological transformation of traditional herbal medicines with processing. Evodia fruit (EF) has processed for the purpose of detoxification and reduction of its bitter taste. There are various methods of processing EF in Oriental medicinal reference. Among them, we processed EF according to the method of Sang-han theory, the most famous medicinal reference. We processed EF with washing in hot water, and then dried. Processed EFs(PEFs) were prepared according to the above procedure through repetition of 1,3,5 and 7 times respectively. The contents of weight loss, water extract, diluted ethanol extract, ether extract, total ash, acid insoluble ash, alkaloids and limonin in non-processed EF (NPEF) and PEFs were examined. The weight loss, and contents of water extract and dilute ethanol extract in PEF showed decrease in proportion to increase of washing time, while the contents of ether extract, total ash and acid insoluble ash showed little change as compared with those of NPEF. And the content of evodiamine and rutaecarpine was not changed distinctly. However, the content of limonin decreased in the final processed material in proportion to increase of washing times with hot water. And the intense of bitter taste in PEF was also reduced. These results were ascribed to the flowing-out of the water-soluble portion. The biological activities of NPEF and PEF were also investigated. In the test of DPPH scavenging effect, xanthine oxidase inhibition effect and TBA-Rs effect, PEF was more effective than NPEF in vitro. Also, both NPEF and PEF showed potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects against in mice. Especially, PEF by 3 times washing with hot water was more effective than other PEFs. From these results, it is considered that PEF should be prepared by 3 times washing with hot water.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.991-998
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• 2012

Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines and health foods. Korean red ginseng (KRG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract is known to have potential therapeutic activities, such as anti-viral effects, the amelioration of food allergies, anti-oxidant effects, and obesity reduction. Nevertheless, no reports have been issued the modulatory effects of KRG extract on the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP). In the present study, we investigated the modulatory effect of KRG extract in vitro and in vivo by using pooled human liver microsomes and male ICR mice. When human liver microsomes were incubated with KRG extract at 0.01-10 mg/ml, CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A were not significantly inhibited by KRG extract, although CYP2B6 was slightly inhibited. Mice were orally administered KRG extract at 50, 250, or 500 mg/kg daily for 3, 7, or 14 days. However, the activities of CYPs in mouse livers were not significantly different from those of vehicle-treated controls. In conclusion, no significant ginseng-drug interaction was observed. KRG extract did not significantly modulate the activities of CYPs in vitro or in vivo.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.184-202
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• 1997

The results of immune response and antiallergic reaction were as follows. 1. Hemagglutinin titer and hemolysin titer were increased in case of AMR, AR, SNH. But the results were not recognized as having significance. 2. PFC was increased in case of AMR, AR. But the results were not recognized as having significance. 3. RFC was increased in all groups, and the results in the AR, SNH were significant. 4. In experimentation of phagocytic activity in peritoneal exudate cells, AR and SNH showed significant increase. In spleen cells AR and SNH showed significant increase. In monolymphocytus cells AMR, AR and SNH were increased, but result of AMR was of no significance. 5. I examined promotion on spleen cells transformation. As these results, AMR showed increase in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in comparison with control group. And in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ AMR showed increase in case of 24 hours, 72 hours incubation, but showed decrease in case of 48 hours incubation. AR showed increase in all. In $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SNH showed increase in comparison with control group. And in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SNH showed increase in case of 24 hours, 48 hours incubation, but showed decrease in case of 72 hours incubation. 6. I examined proliferation of spleen cells. As these results AMR and SNH showed the highest increase in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, but showed the lowest increase in $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. AR showed the highest increase in $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, but this result was the almost same in $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $5000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. And AMR, AR, SNH showed higher activity in Lipopolysaccharide than Concanavalin A. 7. In all groups results of PCA were decreased in 2 week. In 4 week AR and SNH showed decrease, but AMR didn't show change. In 6 week AR and SNH showed decrease, but on the contrary AMR showed increase. 8. In experimentation on histamine contents, AMR showed significant increase at first agent contact. And AR, SNH showed decrease at first agent contact, but these results were of no importance. At second agent contact AMR showed decrease, but was of no importance. AR, SNH showed significant decrease. At third agent contact, AMR showed significant increase. AR, SNH showed decrease, but these results were of no importance. From above these results, AR and SNH showed good effects on immunoreaction. And all the herb medicines in this examination showed good effects in promotion on spleen cells transformation and proliferation of spleen cells, especially activated B-cells. AR, SNH showed good effects on anti-allergic reaction, but AMR was almost inefficient. Accordingly I think that AR shall be used in disease bringing about a lowering of immunity, that is, AR shall be used in strengthening the body resistance. And I think that SNH shall be used in eliminating pathogenic factors with strengthening the body resistance. It is necessary to a deep study in future.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.111-133
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• 2006

This study was examined to reveal the medical Science of Balhae which was not well displayed until now. For this, the category of the medical science of Balhae(渤海) was decided in diachronic and synchronic perspective and the concrete contents of the medical science of Balhae(渤海) was presumed. Balhae(渤海) succeeded to the medical science of Koguryo(高句麗) and its orthodoxy. Through the interchange between Balhae(渤海) and the country as Dang(唐) and Shilla(新羅), Balhae(渤海) accepted new medical knowledge. Balhae(渤海) had a customs to eat a cake made of rice flour and artemisia paste on the Tano Festival(端午) to overcome its constitutional character. And medicines as Gon-po(昆布), Doo-shi were treated valuable. and they used Ondol(溫突). Balhae(渤海) advanced suigeneris abscess medicine(治腫醫學), and they valued much of Hyangyak(鄕藥). And they took the serious view on the scripture in the education and on the simplic in the clinic. It shows Balhae(渤海) had the unique medical tradition of our nation. The medical institution and medical educational system of Balhae(渤海) was fundamental to that of Koguryo(高句麗), and it was established in the reference of the system of Dang(唐) and Shilla(新羅). It influenced the establishment of medical system and medical education of Corea(高麗) later on. And the medical doctor of the Balhae(渤海) who was dispatched to Japan imparted the advanced medicine of Balhae(渤海) and it was fundamental to the Japanese medical development. Balhae(渤海) produced superior acupuncture on the basis of superior materials which are represented as metalwork technology and Corea-copper(高麗銅) which are handed down from the Old-Chosun(古朝鮮) and Koguryo(高句麗). And we can suppose the level of Balhae(渤海) through the fact that the acupunctual technique of Koguryo(高句麗) was spread out to the nearby country. By the tradition of acupuncture and moxibustion, the theory of Bi-bo(裨補) that cure a disease on the theory of acupuncture and moxibustion appeared in the north and south branch period(南北國時代). And we can prusure the level of acupuncture of Balhae(渤海) through this fact. Balhae(渤海) educated herbal medicine with priority given to Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyong(神農本草經) stand on the serious view on the scripture. They produced a various herbs on the basis of broad territory and suigeneris herbal medicine. It is famous herb of Balhae(渤海), that To-sa-ja, Gon-po(昆布), Doo-shi, Ginseng(人蔘), Woo-hwang(牛黃), Song-ja(松子), Hwang-myung-kyo (黃明膠), Baek-bu-ja(白附子), Sa-hyang(麝香), Honey(蜜).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.946-951
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• 2014

Melanin plays a key role in the protection of skin from ultraviolet light that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. However, the ROS leading to the oxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA are involved in the overproduction of melanin that is known to cause melasma, age spots and freckles. Among the herb medicines, Ulmus macrocarpa used in this study was reported to contain flavonoids as a main component. The aim of this study is to investigate the whitening and anti-oxidant effects of Ulmus macrocarpa ethanolic extracts (UMEE) in B16F1 cells. UMEE below $3.12{\mu}g/ml$ did not show cytotoxicity. In an anti-oxidant experiment, UMEE showed not only high reducing power and scavenging activity on DPPH, but it was also observed that UMEE exhibit an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. UMEE did not display an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in vitro. However, UMEE inhibited melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells. In addition, UMEE reduced the expression levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which are key enzymes in melanogenesis. These results indicate that UMEE exert a whitening effect through the inhibition of both tyrosinase and TRP-2 expressions as well as anti-oxidant activity, suggesting that UMEE could have the functional potential for a whitening effect on the skin.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.438-443
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• 2018

The emergence of biofilms have generated urgent alarm in clinical and medicine manufacturing fields engaged in the search for novel antimicrobials from ethno-medicinal plants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has estimated that 70% of all microbial infections in the world are associated with biofilms. In addition, the emergence of strains resistant to conventional antibiotics has become a serious threat to global public health. Therefore, finding alternative medicines is a major issue in the field of integrative medicine. In this study, four different herb extracts were screened for biofilm formation and the activities of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Of them, Scutellaria scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts had inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and biofilm formation. The Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts did not cause any cytotoxicity to L929 cells. The growth of K. pneumoniae was inhibited compared to other comparators in the experimental group containing Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank. In a group of experiments with plant extracts, a maximum of 60 times the level of living bacteria was confirmed compared to the controls without the addition of the Scutellaia scordifolia Fisch. ex Schrank extracts. In a group of experiments with a significantly lower level of fluorescence extraction, differential interference contrast imaging showed that the number of K. pneumonae was reduced. These results suggest that extracts of this plant be applied as antimicrobial agents against K. pneumoniae, particularly in biofilm forms.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2019

Inflammatory and oxidative stimuli play a critical role not only in the process of transforming normal cells into cancer cells, but also in the proliferation process of cancer cells. Sipyukmiryukieum (SYMRKU), a traditional Korean herb-combined remedy, is composed of 16 kinds of herbal medicines, which were recorded for "Ongjeo" treatment in "Dongeuibogam". In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SYMRKU against inflammatory and oxidative responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that SYMRKU significantly inhibited LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ without showing any significant cytotoxicity. Consistent with these results, SYMRKU down-regulated LPS-induced expression of their regulatory enzymes such as inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. SYMRKU also inhibited LPS-induced production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6. In addition, SYMRKU significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species by LPS and showed a strong, which was associated with induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 expression. Although further studies are needed to fully understand the anti-inflammatory effects associated with the antioxidant capacity of SYMRKU, the findings of the current study suggest that SYMRKU may have potential benefits by inhibiting the onset and/or treatment of inflammatory and/or oxidative diseases.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2017

■ Objective This is a case report about monocular abducens nerve palsy in a patient with pontine infarction. ■ Method At the time of onset, the patient had eye movement impairment in right eye and diplopia. Brain MRI image showed that there was an infarction in the right pons where the nucleus of abducens nerve is located. There was no obvious improvement in the eye movement before he received Korean medicine treatment. He recieved Korean medicine including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture and herb medicines for fifty three days. ■ Result After treatment, the movement of right eye was improved to a normal range. The difference in distance from 'center of the pupil' to 'external canthus of the eye' at maximum abducent in both eye changed 0.9cm to 0.1cm at the discharge. In addition, Diplopia was improved at the discharge. ■ Conclusion This case report demonstrated that the Korean medicine treatment is effective to diplopia and eye movement impairment from abducens nerve palsy caused by pontine infarction.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2014

This report is about a case of an ataxia patient with sensory loss diagnosed with thalamic Infarction. The patient had symtoms of gait disturbances and dysmetria. We used Korean medicine treatment modalities including acupunture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion and herb medicines. The improvement of ataxia was evaluated by International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and Balance master^Ⓡ system. After treatment, decreased scores of International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and change of the trace of Balance master^Ⓡ system showed that symtoms of ataxia were improved. Sensory deficits and other conditions were also getting better. This report suggests that Korean medicine could have a therapeutic effect for Thalamic ataxia.