• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.78-87
• /
• 2020

Objectives: To expand and provide information on the efficacy of herbal medicines, anti-obesity effects were evaluated. In many studies, plant-derived components with anti-obesity efficacies have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effects on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of 65 herbal medicine in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Methods: Preferentially, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 65 herbal medicines (500 ㎍/mL) during differentiation for 8 days. Next, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with selected herbal medicines at concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 ㎍/mL during differentiation for 8 days. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining. The expressions of genes related to adipogenesis were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Results: Among the 65 kinds of herbal medicines, 13 herbal medicines that been shown to be effective against the accumulation of lipid droplets were selected. Finally, selected Banhasasim-tang and Samhwangsasim-tang showed inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation at 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without affecting cell toxicity. In addition, Banhasasim-tang and Samhwangsasim-tang significantly reduced the expression levels of several adipocyte marker genes including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α. Conclusions : These results suggest that the ability of Banhasasim-tang and Samhwangsasimtang has inhibited overall adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cells. Banhasasim-tang and Samhwangsasim-tang may be a promising medicine for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antiperspirant and deodorant effect of herb mixtures including Schisandra chinensis(SC). This herb mixtures including Schisandra chinensis was made of Astragalus membranaceus(AM), Triticum aestivum(TA), Atractylodes japonica(AJ) and peppermint essential oil extracted from Mentha piperita(MP). We examined antimicrobial activity, antiperspirant activity and L-leucine dehydrogenase activity of the herbal extracts. We found that the mixture of SC and MP have the best antimicrobial effects on B. subtilis subsp. spizizenii and mixture of SC, AJ, AM and TA have best antiperspirant effect. Moreover, the combination of SC and AM showed the most inhibitory effect on L-leucine dehydrogenase activity. These results suggested that the herb mixtures Including Schisandra chinensis have good antimicrobial and antiperspirant effects.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.178-182
• /
• 2008

Five essential oils and 15 herbal extracts were evaluated to control Bursaphelenchus xylophillus in laboratory. The essential oils from clove plant (Syzygium aromaticum), mustard (Brassica integrefolia), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and Pelargonium inquinans were found to be highly promising and gave excellent control of the nematodes at all the time of exposure. Among them, the least one gave 91.3% mean mortality rate at 24 hours of exposure time, which is highly significant from the control. While in the second study, most of the methanol (Desmodium caudatum, Paulownia coreana, Auckulandia lappa, Sophota flavescens, Aloe sp., Rheum palmatum, Zingiber officinale, Magnolia officinalis, and Eugenia caryophyllata), hexane (Torreya nucifera, Pharbitis nil, Prunus mume, Melia azedarach, and Xanthium strumarium), and hot water (Cinnamomum cassia) herbal extracts killed the nematodes, but in varying degrees compared to the control. Only one extract was found to be promising viz Magnolia officinalis which found to be statistically different from the control and gave mean mortality of 72, 82.3, and 85.3 % for 24, 48, and 72 hours exposure, respectively. Further screening was conducted for M. officinalis with concentrations of 1,000, 100, and 10 ppm against the same species of nematode with the same time of exposure. However, it gave an excellent result for 1,000 ppm for all time of exposure, whereas for the 100 and 10 ppm it gave mean mortality of 39.5 and 25.8% for the time 72hrs, respectively that were statistically different from the control.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2023

Essential oils and aromatherapy have traditionally been used for the treatment of anxiety and depression with few side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oils from six herbal prescriptions known to be effective in treating anxiety and depression in Korean medicine. The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of six essential oils, including Gamisachil-tang (GMSCT), Guibi-tang (GBT), Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang (SYM), Danchisoyosan (DCSYS), Sihosogansan (SHSGS), and Soyosan (SYS), were examined in PC12 and BV2 cells. In corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated PC12 cells, all six essential oils ameliorated the CORT-induced decrease in cell viability at a concentration of 10 ㎍/ml. GMSCT, GBT, and SHSGS recovered CORT-induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 1 ㎍/ml and 10 ㎍/ml. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells, GBT (10 ㎍/ml) decreased interleukin (IL)-1β production, whereas SHSGS (1 ㎍/ml) inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production. In the MK-801-induced anxiety in zebrafish, electroencephalogram (EEG) assessment indicated that GMSCT and SHSGS induced recovery in the delta and beta power densities and reduced theta/beta and delta/beta ratios. DCSYS and SYS decreased theta power density and theta/beta ratio, whereas GBT and SYM showed no effects on EEG signals. In the tail suspension test (TST) in mice, GBT, DCSYS, SHSGS, and SYS exhibited antidepressant-like effects by decreasing immobility time. These results suggest that the essential oils from the six herbal prescriptions, except SYM, may have beneficial effects on anxiety and/or depression. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the molecular signaling pathways that mediate the effects of these essential oils on anxiety and depression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2023

Objective : Obesity in modern society has a significant impact on pathological, psychological and social problems. Therefore, many studies on obesity treatment using herbal extracts with fewer side effects have been conducted. This study was designed to investigate the effect of inhibiting fat accumulation in vitro in order to Mongolian medicinal plants find anti-obesity candidate among. Methods : We measured pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in Mongolian medicinal plants extract. Cytotoxicity of these extracts was monitored in 3T3-L1 cells by MTT assay. In addition, the anti-obesity effects was confirmed at concentrations of 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg/㎖ through Oil red O staining. Results : Among Mongolian medicinal plants, Rheum undulatum roots in September (RURS), Paeonia anomala L. (PAL), and Fragaria orientalis (FO) showed the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. As a result of the MTT assay, more than 80% was judged to be non-toxic, and the concentration was determined, and as a result of evaluating the lipid accumulation inhibitory effect, 6 types were selected as candidates. Conclusion : Based on these results, the top 7 species expected to be used as anti-obesity functional materials were selected. However, additional efficacy verification and mechanism of action need to be established in the future. So, it is expected that the medicinal plants verified through this will be used as functional materials for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1344-1351
• /
• 2012

We studied the physical, chemical, biological, and antimicrobial effects of eight types of essential oils used in the cosmetics industry: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, juniper berry, Chamaecyparis obtusa, cypress, cedar wood, and pine. Lavender oil had a linalyl acetate (an ester chemical compound) content of 48% and radical scavenging activity of 22.36% at 5,000 ppm. Tea tree oil had radical scavenging activity of 43.94% at 5,000 ppm and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. mutans, and C. albicans in each 6, 3.5, 6.5, and 5 mm, respectively. Chamaecyparis obtusa oil had the highest acidity (pH 2.64) compared with the other oils, and sesquiterpene compounds were found to have 19.20%. Cedar wood oil had the highest specific gravity and refractive index compared to the other oils and had a sesquiterpene content of 99.73%. The radical scavenging activity of cedar wood essential oil exceeded 39.68% at 5,000 ppm. The clear zone, indicating antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, P. ovale, and C. albicans, was 3.5, 6, and 6 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 1% cedar wood oil. Results showed that with a high sesquiterpene content, the antioxidant effect was generally, but not always, high, suggesting that this is determined according to composition of the compound rather than presence of each antioxidant. The results indicate that antimicrobial activity is determined by the existence of each antimicrobial ingredient rather than terpene composition.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2017

Objectives : The present study was designed to investigate effects of mixed extracts (9:1, v/v) of Hwangryunhaedoktang, Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil. We evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity by manufacturing mixed extracts as the materials for functional medicinal herb cosmetics. Methods : We performed antimicrobial were tested microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Propionibacterium acnes) by disc diffusion method and measure clear zone. Antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. Results : Antimicrobial activities of mixed extracts against S. epidermideis, P. acnes, S. aureus, E. coli, and Candida. A were $10.9{\pm}3.0mm$, $16.9{\pm}2.0mm$, $9.2{\pm}2.0mm$, $10.3{\pm}1.0mm$, $11.8{\pm}3.0mm$ respectively. The Chamaecyparis obtusa essential oil had the highest antimicrobial activities against S. epidermideis, P. acnes, S. aureus, E. coli, and Candia. A and clear zone of microbes ware $16.7{\pm}3.0mm$, $28.8{\pm}0.2mm$, $15.9{\pm}2.0mm$, $11.5{\pm}1.0mm$, $16.3{\pm}3.0mm$. Hwangryunhaedoktang extract showed antimicrobial activity but only P. acnes and S. aureus The antioxidant activities of the mixed extracts were tested through the evaluation of DPPH radical scavenging activity. The 100 % mixed extracts were found to have 90 % DPPH radical scavenging activity. The mixed extracts was presented similar antioxidant activities compared with that of ascorbic acid. As a result, A mixture extract is expected to have antimicrobial effects and free radical scavenging activity was found. Conclusions : Accordingly, It can be concluded that mixed extracts has the potential to cosmetic material.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.99-110
• /
• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of a herbal preparation HJ01 consisting of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix on adipocyte differentiation in OP9 cells and on poloxamer 407(P-407)-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods : 1. MTT assay was used to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01, respectively. 2. Bone-marrow derived OP9 cells were treated with HJ01, and the alterations in fat storage in the cells were determined by the Oil red O assay. 3. The protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$), as a adipocyte differentiation marker, was examined using western blot analysis in differentiated OP6 cells. 4. Adult male C57BL6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of P407 to induce hyperlipidemia, simultaneously, were treated with HJ01 for 4 weeks. Then the cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in sera and liver tissues were measured. Results : 1. The MTT assay exhibited that Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01 showed no significant cytotoxicity in tested dosages. 2. Ten days' treatment with HJ01 markedly inhibited the increases in fat storage in differentiated OP6 cells. 3. Four weeks' treatment with HJ01 down-regulated the protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$) but up-regulated the levels of adiponectin in differentiated OP9 cells. 5. HJ01 inhibited the accumulation of TC and TG in liver tissues and increased serum levels of TC in hyperlipidemic mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HJ01 can in vitro inhibit adipocyte differentiation and fat storage in OP6 cells, in vivo improve the hyperlipidemia induced by P-407 in mice, which may be mediated by promoting glucose uptake and improving a lipid metabolite profile.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.661-667
• /
• 2010

Astragali Radix (AR) has been used in traditional medicinal herb, which is known to tonify the qi and blood. It has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the function of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, promote healing and reduce fatigue. Also, Plantago asiatica (PA) has the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic effects, though it is considered to be less powerful than the seed. Recent research is showing that it is promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes. Obesity is characterized at the cellular level by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from fibroblastic preadipocytes in adipose tissue. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 3 to 7 extracts of mixed medicinal herbs (water and ethanol extract of Astragali Radix; ARW and ARE, water and ethanol extract of Plantago asitica; PAW and PAE, and those mixed extracts; ARW+PAE, ARW+PAW and ARE+PAE) on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by MTT assay, Oil-Red-O staining and TUNEL assay. And then, we determined total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoid compounds in mixed herbal extracts. These result showed that herbal extracts (ARW, PAE and ARW+PAE) affected on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes among 3 to 7 extracts tested. Especially herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) had the highest inhibition on differentiation of preadipocytes and lipoid accumulation of maturing adipocytes. And it did not affect cell viability of mature adipocytes, but herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) increased apoptosis in mature adipocytes, as proved by highest concentration $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using TUNEL assay. In addition, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids showed the highest level in ARE+PAE and PAE than ARW. These results suggest that this main target for adipocyte functions could be effective in improving the metabolic syndrome including obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.9
• /
• pp.1170-1176
• /
• 2013

Essential oils have been used to treat psychophysiological disorders, but their effects on human electroencephalographic (EEG) activity have not been thoroughly investigated. We evaluated the effects of essential oil of Zizyphus jujuba seeds, a Korean folk medicine known as San-Jo-In, on human EEG activity. For this purpose, essential oil was extracted from San-Jo-In by the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method. The effect of its inhalation on EEG activity was evaluated by measuring the EEG power spectrum (25 indices) in 20 healthy participants. The results of the EEG power spectrum indicated that the values of the theta wave decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the left (from 17.277 to $13.854{\mu}V$) and right parietal (from 15.324 to $13.020{\mu}V$) regions compared to the other regions. During the inhalation of San-Jo-In oil, the EEG spectrum values of fast alpha, relative gamma, and spectral edge frequency increased 50% compared to those before inhalation. The values of the fast alpha wave increased significantly (p<0.05) in the left prefrontal (from 0.063 to $0.085{\mu}V$), right prefrontal (from 0.064 to $0.085{\mu}V$), and left frontal (from 0.073 to $0.100{\mu}V$) regions following inhalation of the San-Jo-In essential oil. The changes in the EEG activities following inhalation of San-Jo-In suggest that the oil can improve psychological well-being by increasing attention and relaxation.