• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2002

Ginseng is a perennial herb widely used in China, Japan, and Korea. It is also one of the most commonly used herbal medicines in the U.S. Although it is generally considered safe to use, adverse effects associated with ginseng use have been reported. Inappropriate ginseng use, such as high dose administration, may cause insomnia, headaches, diarrhea, as well as cardiovascular and endocrine disorders. Other factors that may contribute to adverse effects of ginseng include the variety of ginseng species, variability in commercial ginseng preparations, and potential ginseng-drug interactions. To minimize adverse effects of ginseng, consumers should be advised to use it appropriately, and the herbal industry should try to provide standardized ginseng preparations.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2015

In the present study we evaluated comparative herb-drug interaction potential of red ginseng total powder, ginsenoside Rg1, and Rb1 by inhibition of CYP isoforms including CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 using pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs). As measured by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, red ginseng total powder inhibited significantly activities of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and testosterone 6-beta hydroxylation by CYP3A4, but the $IC_{50}$ values were higher than $556{\mu}g/ml$. Activities of CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 were inhibited by ginsenoside Rb1. Also, activities of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and testosterone 6-beta hydroxylation by CYP3A4 were inhibited by ginsenoside Rg1. The $IC_{50}$ values of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 were higher than $200{\mu}g/ml$. Based on $IC_{50}$ values against CYP isoforms, ginsenosides-drug interactions by CYP inhibition may be very low in clinical situations.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.104-107
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• 2012

Mollugin isolated from Rubia cordifolia is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-viral activities. In the present study, a cocktail probe assay and LC-MS/MS were used to investigate the modulating effect of mollugin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in male ICR mice. After mollugin was orally administrated to mice at the 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg for 3 days, the activities of CYP in hepatic S-9 fractions were investigated. Unlike the selective inhibitory effect of mollugin on CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation in vitro, mollugin only significantly inhibited the activity of CYP2E1-catalyzed chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase in vivo. The activities of other CYPs were only slightly altered by mollugin. The results of this study suggest that mollugin might cause herb-drug interactions via the selective inhibition of CYP2E1 in vivo.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2023

Objectives This study is designed to evaluate the safety of palmul-tang soft extract in healthy male volunteers. Methods Twelve healthy male volunteers were recruited. And this study was conducted in a single center. As a result of the laboratory test, the safety was evaluated by collecting vital signs of volunteers. Twelve subjects were assigned by serial number according to the registration order. For safety evaluation, blood samples were collected and vital signs were checked four times throughout the test period, including screening, pre-administration, post-administration (after 48 hours) and post-administration (after 7 days). The difference in variables was summarized as the mean±standard deviation. The normality was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test. If normality is satisfied, a paired t-test is applied. Otherwise, the Wilcoxon sign rank test, which is a nonparametric method, is applied. The significance was p<0.05. The incidence of all side effects is expressed as a percentage. Results In the case of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values, the result of normality test of variables for the difference value before and after administration is significant level p<0.05. However, all laboratory test values before and after administration did not deviate from the normal range. Also the deviations in the normal range could not be seen as significance related to this clinical trial. And no side effects related to clinical trial drugs were observed. Conclusions The soft extract of palmul-tang was considered safe for healthy male volunteers.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

Recently, there has been prevailing of the combined utilization (CU) with herbs and prescribed drugs in medical therapies in the world. But the information about frequency, efficacy and safety of this CU has not well known in Korea, yet. This study aimed to identify the status of CU by Koreans, and to inquire which side effects of CU represent to those people. A self-completed questionnaire survey was performed through each health examination center in twenty general hospitals and one oriental hospital. Of the initial 2,100 health examinees, 1,851 were participated in this survey, resulting in a response rate of 88.1%. The proportion of CD was 26.3%. The most commonly mentioned reason of CD was 'to promote general health and well-being' (17l persons, 35.5%). The main route of taking CD was self-purchase at drugstore or at herbs market, followed by the prescription of (oriental)physicians. 33.0% (151 persons) of those who took the CD rated it as effective. 93 respondents (19.8%) were experienced several adverse effects including nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. The growing simultaneous use of herbal products and pharmaceutical drugs by Korean consumers may be continuously increased the risk of herb-drug interactions. The medical professionals should be provided with comprehensive and up-to-date information about potential benefits and risks of herbs and prescribed drugs. In the future studies it may be recommended to deal common cold, health promotion, indigestion, headache, and hypertension for the effect and safety of the CD by well-organized prospective study design.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1728-1734
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• 2005

The interactions of Cu(II)-meso-Tetrakis(n-N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin (n = 2,3,4), respectively referred to as o-, m- and p-CuTMPyP, and DNA, poly$[d(A-T)_2]$ and poly$[d(G-C)_2]$ were investigated by circular and linear dichroism (CD and LD). In the o-CuTMPyP case, in which the rotation of the pyridinium ring is prevented, the shape of the CD spectrum when associated to DNA and poly$[d(A-T)_2]$ resembles and is characterized by a positive band at a low drug to DNA concentration ratio (R ratio) and is bisignate at a high R ratio. The former CD spectrum shape has been attributed to porphyrin that is bound monomerically outside of DNA while the latter can be attributed to those that are stacked. When o-CuTMPyP is bound to poly$[d(G-C)_2]$, the excitonic CD appeared at a relatively high R ratio. In contrast, a characteristic negative CD band in the Soret region was apparent for both m- and p-CuTMPyP when bound to DNA and poly$[d(G-C)_2]$ at the low R ratios, indicating that the porphyrin molecule intercalates. However, the DNA is bent near the intercalation site and the plane of the porphyrin molecule tilts relative to the DNA helix axis, as judged by the magnitude of the reduced LD. Various stacking patterns were identified by the shape of the CD spectrum for m- and p-CuTMPyP when bound to poly$[d(A-T)_2]$. Three species for the former complex and two for the latter complex were found which may reflect the extent of the stacking.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.40-46
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• 2003

Objectives : Achyranthes bidentata radix (Usul) has been used as anti-arthritic, antiallergic, antidiuretic, and so on. Recently extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix have shown anti-inflammatory and cancer preventive effects in vitro and in vivo. Methods : We therefore evaluated the inhibitory potential of ethanol extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix on cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms-catalyzed reactions, which relate to causes of cancer and inflammation, including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, and CYP3A4, using human liver microsomal preparations. Results : The extracts showed weak or negligible inhibitory effects on CYP2C9-catalyzed (S)-warfarin 7-hydroxylation, CYP2C19-catalyzed S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, and CYP2D6-catalyzed dextromethorphan O-demethylation with each IC50 over 1750 g/ml, respectively. However, it showed relatively significant inhibitory effect on CYP1A2-catalyzed phenacetin O-deethylation and CYP2E1-catalyzed chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation with IC50s of 970.5 g/ml and 821.4 g/ml, respectively. Conclusions : These results suggest that extracts of Achyranthes bidentata radix have inhibitory effects on CYP-catalyzed reactions, especiallyCYP1A2 and CYP2E1, in human liver microsomes. These effects appear to relate to anti-inflammatory and cancer prevention following decrease of reactive oxygen species formed by CYP, especially CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, by Achyranthes bidentata radix. However, further evaluation is necessary to demonstrate and to confirm its effects in human.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.84-88
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• 2014

Licoricidin isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis is known to have anticancer, anti-nephritic, anti-Helicobacter pylori, and antibacterial effects. In this study, a cocktail probe assay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to investigate the modulating effect of licoricidin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in human liver microsomes. When licoricidin was incubated at $0-25{\mu}m$ with CYP probes for 60 min at $37^{\circ}C$, it showed potent inhibitory effects on CYP2B6-catalyzed bupropion hydroxylation and CYP2C9-catalyzed diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation with half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of 3.4 and $4.0{\mu}m$, respectively. The inhibition mode of licoricidin was revealed as competitive, dose-dependent, and non-time-dependent, and following the pattern of Lineweaver-Burk plots. The inhibitory effect of licoricidin has been confirmed in human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP2B6 and 2C9 with $IC_{50}$ values of 4.5 and $0.73{\mu}m$, respectively. In conclusion, this study has shown the potent inhibitory effect of licoricidin on CYP2B6 and CYP2C9 activity could be important for predicting potential herb-drug interactions with substrates that mainly undergo CYP2B- and CYP2C9-mediated metabolism.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2021

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Mental sequelae occurring in patients with COVID-19 and the general population are important concerns. In Korea, herbal medicine is used nationwide to respond to this pandemic. It can be prescribed by COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean medicine (KM). Among some herbal medicines, Gamiguibi-tang is the only herbal medicine prescribed for individuals with mental health, especially for those with insomnia. In this mini-review, the objective of this study was to summarize the evidence of some promising herbal medicines available for treating primary insomnia based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Methods: A research team was formed for KM clinical practice guidelines for insomnia (version 1.0). Team members were provided with a list of references of relevant herbal medicines for insomnia. To gather evidence from clinical studies with appropriate sample sizes, among the list of references, randomized controlled trials for primary insomnia that included 50 subjects or more per arm and used herbal medicine were included in the final analysis. Moreover, pre-clinical studies examining the mechanism of action of each herbal medicine and studies on herb-drug interactions, were searched and summarized. Results: Four herbal medicines (Ondam-tang, Sanjoin-tang, Guibi-tang, and Hyeolbuchugeo-tang) were reviewed based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Based on findings of existing studies, some suggestions of herbal medicines for insomnia in the COVID-19 era in Korea were suggested. Conclusions: Data of this study could be used to prepare a future revision of the manual of COVID-19 telemedicine center of KM.