• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2016

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant(MDR) strain. (+)-Usnic acid(UA) is uniquely found in lichens, and is especially abundant in genera such as Usnea and Cladonia. UA has antimicrobial activity against human and plant pathogens. Therefore, UA may be a good antibacterial drug candidate for clinical development. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of UA against 17 different strains of the bacterium. In this study, the effects of a combination of UA and permeable agents against MRSA were investigated. For the measurement of cell wall permeability, UA with concentration of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA) was used. In the other hand, Sodium azide($NaN_3$) was used as inhibitors of ATPase. Against the 17 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of UA were in the range of $7.81-31.25{\mu}g/ml$. EDTA or $NaN_3$ cooperation against MRSA showed synergistic activity on cell wall. UA and in combination with EDTA and $NaN_3$ could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.121-132
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• 2010

Inflammatory reaction is characterized by over-production of inflammatory mediators due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglantin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and nitric oxide (NO) in U937 cells. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts from Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and $PGE_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS- stimulated U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. Their combination extract also inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by focal loss of cartilage due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1(IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha($TNF-\alpha$), prostaglantin, and nitric oxide(NO). We investigated the anti-arthritic effects of water extracts from Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma in vitro and in vivo. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, $IL-1\beta$, $TNF-\alpha$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. The same results were also observed in the rat osteoblast sarcoma cell line ROS17/2.8 stimulated with $IL-1\beta$, $IFN-\gamma,$ and $TNF-\alpha$. Moreover, the combination of these water extracts significantly suppressed collagen-induced mouse arthritis. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma may be useful for therapeutic drugs against rheumatoid arthritis, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.555-563
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• 2017

Objectives: This case report describes a patient who had suffered a stroke and who was treated for a long period with herbal medicine in combination with a Western medicine. Methods: Changes in liver function and renal function laboratory tests were measured while the patient took herbal medicine during the 1190 days of hospitalization. Results: During the hospitalization period, the liver function test (LFT) levels were elevated two fold, but after taking the herbal medicine, the LFT levels were stabilized and have remained stable since. Conclusions: The high risk of prescribing herbal medicine by an unlicensed person and the possibility of long-term herbal medicine usage for stabilizing liver function test were shown.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.27-54
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• 2021

Objectives : This review was conducted to validate the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine combined with conventional therapy for rosacea. Methods : Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) reporting the effects of herbal medicine treatment on rosacea were searched through eight electronic databases from 2016 to March 17, 2020. This study collection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviews. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used for the evaluation of the risk of bias in all included RCTs. Mean differences(MD) and Risk ratio(RR) of 95% Confidence intervals(Cls) were calculated and data synthesis was conducted using Review Manager(RevMan, ver.5.4) Results : Eighteen RCTs were included and all trials compared the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy to conventional therapy alone. The effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with western medicine(RR 1.20, 95% CI : 1.13-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%), the effective rate of the combination of herbal medicine with laser-based therapy(RR 1.12, 95% CI : 1.04-1.21, p=0.004, I²=18%) and the effective rate of the combination treatment group using herbal medicine, western medicine and external drugs were all statistically higher that of the control group(RR 1.19, 95% CI : 1.11-1.28, p<0.00001, I²=0%). The score of non transient erythema(MD -0.36, 95% CI : -1.01 0.29, p=0.27, I²=93%), flushing(MD -0.69, 95% CI : -0.97, 0.41, p<0.00001, I²=32%), papules or pustules(MD 0.10, 95% CI : -0.15, 0.35 p=0.44, I²=0%) were also seen in the herbal medicine and western medicine combination group. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was some concerns. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusions : This review found the safety and effectiveness of the combined therapy of herbal medicine with conventional western therapy for rosacea.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1996

GC/MS analysis of 27 controlled pesticides in herbal drugs was studied. Selected ion monitoring(sim) technique was applied to increase the GC/MS sensitivity. Typical peaks in th e mass spectrum of each pesticides were selected as quantitation, comfirmation or alternate ion. Twenty seven pesticides were divided into five groups according to their retention time and the peaks for SIM were programmed accordingly. The combination of two ionization methods, electron impact(EI)-SIM-MS and negative ion chemical ionization(NCI)-SIM-MS, were well-fitted for the detection, confirmation and quantitation of multiclass residual pesticides in herbal drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2409-2414
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• 2012

Objective: Traditional Chinese herbal medicines have a very long history. Rosa roxburghii Tratt and Fagopyrum cymosum are two examples of plants which are reputed to have benefits in improving immune responses, enhancing digestive ability and demonstrating anti-aging effects. Some evidence indicates that herbal medicine soups containing extracts from the two in combination have efficacy in treating malignant tumors. However, the underlying mechanisms are far from well understood. The present study was therefore undertaken to evaluate anticancer effects and explore molecular mechanisms in vitro. Methods: Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed with three carcinoma cell lines (human esophageal squamous carcinoma CaEs-17, human gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 and pulmonary carcinoma A549) by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively, after exposure to extract from Rosa roxburghii Tratt (CL) and extract from Fagopyrum cymosum (FR). $IC_{30}$ of CL and FR were obtained by MTT assay. Tumor cells were divided into four groups : control with no exposure to CL or FR; CL with $IC_{30}$ CL; FR with $IC_{30}$ FR; CL+FR group with 1/2 ($IC_{30}$ CL + $IC_{30}$ FR). RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of Ki-67, Bax and Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels. Results: Compared with the CL or FR groups, the combination of CL+FR showed significant inhibition of cell growth and increase in apoptosis; the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in CL+FR group were all greatly decreased, while the expression of Bax was markedly increased. Conclusions: These results indicate that the synergistic antitumor effects of combination of CL and FR are related to inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.86-113
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• 2018

Objectives: We examined the effects of a mixed formula consisting of dried pomegranate concentrate powder (PCP) and the aqueous extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC) and Achyranthis radix (AR) in rats with surgically induced osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Two weeks after OA-inducing surgery, a PCP:EC:AR 5:4:1 (g/g) combination or single formula was orally administered. Changes in body weight, knee thickness, maximum knee extension angle, bone mineral density of the knee joints, femoral and tibial articular surfaces, and compressive strength of the femoral and tibial articular cartilage (AC) were assessed, along with the prostaglandin E2 level, 5-lipoxygenase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity, and chondrogenic gene mRNA expression in the femoral and tibial AC with the synovial membrane (SM). In addition, the number of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, cyclooxygenase and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$-immunoreactive cells in the femoral and tibial AC with SM were monitored, and the rate of cell proliferation was determined with a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine uptake assay. Results : The signs of surgically induced OA in rats were significantly inhibited by both PCP, EC and AR combined and single formulas. In particular, the combination formula-treated OA model rats showed dose-dependent, significantly increased inhibitory activity against all tested criteria compared with single formula-treated rats. Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that the combination formula synergistically increased the anti-OA effects of its components through anti-inflammatory and chondrogenic activity in rats with surgically induced OA. In addition, 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg combination formula treatments showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity against all of the tested criteria.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.628-644
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• 2021

Objectives: This study analyzed, through network analysis and data mining analysis, the relationship between herbs used in osteoporosis prescriptions, diversified the analysis of osteoporosis-related prescriptions, and analyzed the combination of herbs used in osteoporosis-related prescriptions. Methods: The prescriptions used in osteoporosis treatment and experiments were established by conducting a full survey of the papers published by the OASIS site. A database for osteoporosis-related prescriptions was established, herbs were extracted, and the frequency of frequent herbs and prescriptions were investigated using Excel (MS offices ver. 2013). Using the freeware R version 4.0.3 (2020-10-10), igraph, and arules package, network analysis was performed in the first second of prescription composition. Results: Among the osteoporosis-related prescriptions, the most studied prescriptions are as follows.: Yukmijihwang-tang (六味地黃湯) and Samul-tang (四物湯). In the osteoporosis prescription network, herbs with connection centrality, proximity centrality, mediation centrality, and eigenvector centrality appeared in the order of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Poria Sclerotium, Paeoniae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. After extracting the herbal combination network, including the corresponding herbs, and clustering it, it can be divided into drugs of the Yukmijihwang-tang (六味地黃湯) series and the Samul-tang (四物湯). Conclusions: This study could assist researchers in diversifyingy formula analysis in future studies. Moreover, the herbal combination used in osteoporosis prescriptions could be used to search for osteoporosis prescriptions in other databases or to create a new prescription.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2010

Objective : Oriental medicines have been combined oriental medical theory which based on the seven modes of emotions. Notopterygium incisum (N. incisum) and Clematis manshurica (C. manshurica) have been used as an anti-rheumatic and analgesic medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, headache, cold, etc. In this study, we evaluate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of N. incisum and C. manshurica. Method : To evaluate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of a herbal mixture N. incisum and C. manshurica, we examined the changed ear thickness in 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model after topical application of herbal mixture. In addition, the levels of markers for inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, prostaglandin $G_2$ ($PGE_2$), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by ELISA assay and Griess reagent in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Results : Our results showed that aqueous extracts of N. incisum and C. manshurica combination significantly inhibited the mouse ear edema induced by TPA. Moreover, the aqueous extracts of N. incisum and C. manshurica combination exhibited synergistic effects in down-regulating TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, $PGE_2$ level, but not NO. Conclusions : This study suggested that combined treatment of N. incisum and C. manshurica, based on seven methods in prescription compatibility, has a synergistic effect in down-regulating inflammatory response both in vitro and in vivo models.