• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.47-53
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• 2020

Objectives : Bombyx batryticatus L. is the dried larval form of the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) infected by Beauveria bassiania (Bals.) Vuill. It is used as a food and medicinal resource to treat asthma, headaches, epilepsy, and convulsions in traditional Korean and Chinese medicines. However, the research of the toxicity about B. batryticatus is not enough yet. Here, we investigate the effects of potential subacute toxicity following the repeated oral administration of B. batryticatus water extract to C57BL/6 mice, at various doses of 0, 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg/day during a two-week period. Methods : The following parameters were examined during the study period: body weight, gross findings, clinical signs, organ weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and mortality. At the end of the treatment period, all the mice were euthanized. Results : No changes were observed in the body weights, gross findings, clinical signs, organ weights, and mortality after two weeks of administration of the B. batryticatus extract. In addition, compared with the normal control group, no noticeable treatment-related changes were observed in the hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters in the treated group following treatment with doses of up to 450 mg/kg/day. Conclusion : Based on these findings, we conclude that the treatment of mice with the water extract of B. batryticatus did not cause considerable C57BL/6 toxicity, and therefore, it could be considered safe for further pharmacological studies.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.7-13
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• 2014

Objectives : Chronic mild stress (CMS) model is currently recognized as a better animal model of depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effects of the Nelumbo nucifera leave extract using CMS model. Methods : The antidepressant-like effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract was determined by using animal models of depression. Male ICR mice were divided into four groups: saline-treated normal, without CMS; saline-treated stress control; CMS+ Imipramine(20mg/kg); CMS+Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract(200mg/kg). All mice except the normal group exposed an unpredicted sequence of chronic mild stressors for 5 weeks. The behavior of mice were detected by sucrose preference test, forced swim test and tail suspension test. Then concentration of corticosterone in serum was detected by enzyme immunoassay. Results : Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract administration by daily gavage from the 3rd week exhibited an antidepressant-like effect on CMS-induced depression in mice. Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract administration at dose of 200 mg/kg significantly increased the sucrose consumption, and decreased the immobility durations in forced swim test and tail suspension test. Furthermore the corticosterone level decreased than control group. Conclusions : Chronic mild stress can affect mouse behavior and corticosterone level and cause depression. The present experiments not only further confirm the antidepressant-like effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract in the sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test, but also the improving effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract on the depression-like symptoms in the CMS model. Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract has the antagonism on CMS and produce antidepressive effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Objective : This study was designed to investigate anti-diabetic effects of fermented soy bean extract with herbal medicines (Godjang) in diabetic rat models induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Method : Changes in body weight, drinking water, and food intake were observed for 4 weeks before and after induction of diabetes mellitus in rats. The anti-diabetic capacity of Godjang was analyzed by fasting blood glucose (FBG) every week. Also, after 4 weeks of administration, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and then blood levels of insulin were checked. And serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. Histomorphological changes of liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues were also observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats and Godjang administered rats. Result : In Godjang administered group, body weight and water intake were more lower than that of STZ-induced diabetic rats. FBG was decreased in the Godjang administered group than STZ-induced diabetic group. According to OGTT, blood glucose levels at 30 minutes and 60 minutes significantly decreased in Godjang administered group than in STZ-induced diabetic control group. Administration of Godjang extract for 4W significantly decreased levels of serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) in diabetic rats. In histomorphological analysis of kidney, liver, Godjang administrated groups showed the inhibition of pathological damage. Conclusion : These results suggest that Godjang extract has an anti-diabetic action through decrease in serum glucose, TC, TG levels and recovery of the morphological changes in kidney and liver in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.40-48
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• 2010

1. Objectives Herbal Extracts are used in Korean Oriental Medicine clinics. The sixty eight kinds of single herbal extracts and fifty six kinds of mixed herbal extracts has been using since the first year of execution of Korean medicine national insurance policy in 1987. This paper was performed to make a guideline of using herbal extracts. Single herbal extracts and mixed herbal extracts were discussed and classified according to Sasang constition. 2. Methods The sixty eight single herbal extracts were classified into four categories according to Sasang Constitution and fifty six mixed herbal extracts were classified by six Korean oriental medical doctors. Mixed herbal extracts were considered in terms of drug roles[sovereign, minister, assistant and courier(君臣佐使)] or most included ingredient herb. 3. Results Sasang constitutions which were suitable for fifty six mixed herbal extracts were Soeumin(46.4%), mixed constitution(39.2%) and Soyangin(8.9%), Taeeumin(5.3%). Sasang constitutions which were suitable for sixty eight single herbal extracts were Soeumin(47.1%), Soyangin(32.4%) and Taeeumin(20.6%). 4. Conclusions The rate of Soeumin herbal extracts was the most highest among all constitutions. It is regarded that warming and enforcing herb medicine were most used in all prescriptions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.818-822
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• 2002

Fruits of Cornus Officinalis have been used as an astrinent, tonic and haemostatic in chinese medicine, contain a large amount of hydrolyzable tannins. The main aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Corni Fructus on melanogenesis. Cells were cultured in the presence of water extracts from Corni Fructus for 48 h, and there were estimated total melanin content as a final product and activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme, in melanogenesis. Water extract from Corni Fructus increased the melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent mammer. Especially, It was observed that 100 μg/ml only water extract stimulated melanin secretion in B16/F10 melanoma cells by 130% at 48 h treatment and activity of tyrosinase increased by 160% in presence of same concentration.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.42-54
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• 2018

Objectives This study was aimed to compare effects of Yukgunja-tang (YGJT) extract granule on functional dyspepsia (FD) by sasang constitution. Methods A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, two-center trial was performed. We obtained 3D face images of FD patients participating in this study using face-only scanner and classified them into two types as narrow face and wide face by 3D facial shape diagnosis system (3-FSDS). 96 subjects (48 subjects per type) were enrolled and were randomly allocated into treatment or control groups in a 2:1 ratio. YGJT extract granule or placebo were administered to each group during the 8 week treatment period. One of sasang constitutional specialist diagnosed their constitutions by referring to questionnaires and 3D face images. The primary outcome was total dyspepsia symptom scale (TDS scale), the secondary outcomes were single dyspepsia symptom scale (SDS scale), visual analog scale (VAS) and so on. This trial was registered with clinical research information service identifier: KCT0001920, 15 May, 2016. Results In the Taeeumin treatment group, the TDS scale was significantly decreased after 8 weeks compared to the control group (t=2.331, p=0.025) and the SDS scale also significantly decreased. (t=2.042, p=0.048). The specific effects of the YGJT extract granule without the placebo effect on the Taeeumin with functional dyspepsia were 30.61% in TDS scale and 28.33% in SDS scale. Conclusions The effects of Yukgunja-tang extract granule on functional dyspepsia was different according to Sasang constitution. So the constitution should be considered in randomized controlled trials using herbal extract granules.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.438-444
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• 2014

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, $500{\mu}g/mL$ of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.674-680
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) on the process of melanogenesis. Cell viability of B16F10 cells was measured by MTT assay and melanin content was assessed using the method of Hosoi with some modifications. Methanol extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (MFLL) significantly inhibited melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, and it reduced the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Additionally, $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulation hormone ($\alpha$-MSH)-induced hyperpigmentation was down-regulated by MFLL. MFLL was fractionated by organic solvent. In the present study, Hexane extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (HFLL) inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin production of B16F10 cells in the absence or presence of $\alpha$-MSH. Ethyl acetate, butanol and water layers did not affect tyrosinase activity and melanin production. Meanwhile ethyl acetate, butanol and water layers showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that extract of FLL could be used as functional biomaterial in developing a skin whitening agent having the antioxidant activity.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.67-67
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• 2021

The genus Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) has been used as an oriental herbal medicine for a long time in Asian countries. Wongam (WG), which is Glycyrrhiza new variety, have been developed to improve limitation of licorice including low productivity, environmental restriction and insufficient components by Korea Rural Development Administration. To using WG as a herbal medicine, it is important to reveal the adverse effects in health. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxicity test of WG extract through in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (AMES) assay, in vitro chromosomal aberration assay and in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay. When compared with the control, WG extract with or without the S9 mix showed no genotoxicity in the AMES assay up to 5000 ㎍/plate and in the chromosomal aberration assay up to 1100 ㎍/ml. In micronucleus assay, no significant increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or in the mean ratio of polychromatic to total erythrocytes up to 5000 mg/kg/day for 2 days. The present study demonstrated that WG extract is safe and reliable herbal medicine since no detectable genotoxic effects at least under the conditions of this study.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.241-255
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• 2000

Sihosamultang(SST) has been used for the treatment of puerperal fever, liver disease in traditional medicine. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant effects of SST extract in vitro. The inhibitory effect of SST extract on lipid peroxidant was examined in the linoleic acid autoxidation system. In this test, SST extract significantly inhibited the time course of the lipid peroxidation. And SST extract showed about 73% scavenging effect on DPPH radical. And this extract inhibited not only the lipid peroxide formation induced by hydroxyl radical derived from $ H_{2}O_{2}-Fe^{2+}$ in the rat liver homogenate, but also the superoxide generation from xanthine-xanthine oxidase system in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SST extract protected the hepatic cell death induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. These data indicated that SST might play a protective role against oxidative injury by free radicals.