• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.138-148
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Injinchunggan-tang(Yinchenqinggan-tang) on expression of angiogenic factors in HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods : The mRNA expression levels and protein secretion levels of angiogenic factors were measured using quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA assay respectively in Injinchunggan-tang-treated and untreated HepG2 cells. Results : Injinchunggan-tang(Yinchenqinggan-tang) reduced mRNA expression levels and protein secretion levels of angiogenic factors, especially VEGF, bFGF and $TGF{\beta}1$ in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Results indicate that Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang) inhibits expression of angiogenic factors in HepG2 cells. Further, results suggest that Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang) inhibits angiogenic effects in HCC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-58
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Injinchunggan-tang(Yinchenqinggan-tang) on the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes and proteins in kupffer cells. Materials and Methods : The mRNA expression level and protein secretion level were measured using quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assay respectively in Injinchunggan-tang-treated and untreated kupffer cells after exposed to ethanol, acetaldehyde and lipopolysaccharide. Results : Injinchunggan-tang(Yinchenqinggan-tang) reduced mRNA expression level and protein secretion level of $TNF-{\alpha},\;TGF-{\beta}1,\;IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;IL-8$ that are induced by ethanol, acetaldehyde and lipopolysaccharide in kupffer cells and that mediate inflammation and fibrosis of liver. Conclusion : The result indicates that Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang) blocks alcohol-induced liver injury and protects liver by reducing production of inflammatory cytokines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.519-529
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of Injinchunggan-tang on cell growth and apoptosis in human hepatic stellate cell line LX2. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells were treated with various concentrations of Injinchunggan-tang extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The extraction was done with distilled water. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, caspase activity, caspase inhibitor and the mRNA of the Bcl-2, and Bax with ${\beta}$-actin were measured by using MTT assay, apoptosis assay and RT-PCR. Results : Proliferation, and mRNA expression of the hepatic stellate cells were inhibited by Injinchunggan-tang treatment in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates the prescription has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating the fibrogenesis-associated genes in transcription. Cell viability was inhibited in time- and dose-dependent manners. Conclusions : These results suggest that Injinchunggan-tang would be beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for the patients with chronic hepatitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.94-104
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• 1999

Objectives: Hepatoma is a very serious disease in Korea and worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has proved the most significant cause of hepatoma. We carried out this study to investigate the effect of Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan -tang) on inhibiting cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in HepG2.2.15 cell lines and on inhibiting phosphorilation of oncogene (MAP kinase) in NIT /3T3-HEx cells. Methods: First we confinned the Hepatitis B virus producing ability of HepG2.2.15 cells. To investigate the anti-cancer effect of Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang), we did the NTS/PMS assay, [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay and transfection of pcDNA-X. We also measured the gene expression through western blotting. Results: Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqing gan tang) showed the suppressing effect of HepG2.2.l5 increase in the MTS/PMS assay and the inhibiting effect of DNA synthesis of HepG2.2.15 in the [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang) also showed the inhibiting phosphorilation effect of MAP kinase in HBV -X genes. Conclusions: From the above Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang) is thought to have an anti-cancer effect on the hepatoma from HBV. It is suggested that further studies on this prescription would give us a better medicine with an anti-cancer effect.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.133-148
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenchinggan-tang) on DMN liver damage caused by applying proteomics. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment; the rats were divided into the normal group (normal saline), the control group (DMN) and the samplegroup (DMN+IJCGT). The DMN was induced 3 days a week for 3 weeks in the control group. The normal saline without DMN was induced by the same method in the normal group. Injinchunggan-tang extract was orally administered twice a day for 3 weeks after DMN was induced in the sample group. The livers of each group were processed and we investigated histology, OxyBlot, 2-dimensional electrophoresis, and western blot of liver of each group. Results : In the histological findings of the liver, the control group showed portal fibrosis with a few septa or without septa. The sample group showed no fibrosis or portal fibrosis without septa. In the OxyBlot finding, Injinchunggan-tang prevented liver damage by oxidation. In the 2-dimensional electrophoresis finding, formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD), FYVE-finger containing protein, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and ratio of predicted : hypothetical protein LOC68668 isoform 1 were changed. Conclusions : Injinchunggan-tang exerts an inhibitory effect against the fibrosis and oxidation induced by the DMN in the rat liver cell, and some proteins induced by the DMN were changed by Injinchunggan-tang.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Injinchunggan-tang on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Injinchunggan-tang extract for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The extraction was done with distilled water. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and ASMA were measured by using MTT assay. BrdU assay, procollagen type I C-peptide EIA kit and RT-PCR. Results : The proliferation, mRNA expression and synthesis of collagen of the hepatic stellate cells were inhibited by Injinchunggan-tang treatment in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates the prescription has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating the fibrogenesis associated genes in transcription. Cell viability was inhibited in time- and dose-dependent manners. It seemed that the drug should be used with sufficient dose to acquire treatment effect. Conclusion : These results suggest that Injinchunggan-tang is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for the patients with chronic hepatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.28-45
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• 2004

Objectives : The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Injinchunggan-tang on $TNF-{\alpha}$ signal transmission system. Materials and Methods : We analyzed the following with quantitative RT-PCR method; the effect of Injinchunggan-tang on secretion of $TNF-\alpha$ mRNA/protein and stability, the effect on gene revelation that consists of signal transmission system (TRAIL, NIK, A20, TRADD, RAIDD, RIP TNFR-I, TNFR-II, TRAF1, TRAF2, FADD), the one on activation of p38, Erk1/2 MAPK and the rate of nuclear $NF-{\kappa}B/cytosolic\;NF-{\kappa}B$ in HepG2 cell. We also analyzed the inhibitory effect of Injinchunggan-tang on the apoptosis of HepG2 cell that $TNF-{\alpha}$ induces and the $NF-{\kappa}B$ restraint effected by transfection of $I{\kappa}B{\Delta}N$ through tryphan blue exclusion assay. Results : Injinchunggan-tang prohibits revelation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in HepG2 cell and the creation of protein. However, it has no effect on the stability of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA. While it did not have any effect on the generation of TRAIL, NIK, A20, TRADD, RAIDD and RIP genes, Injinchunggan-tang reduces the revelation of TNFR-I, TNFR-II, TRAF1, TRAF2 and FADD genes. It has been confirmed that Injinchunggan-tang restraints the revelation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA that is promoted by ethanol, acetaldehyde, lipopolysaccharide, in proportion to the treatment density and time. It activated $NF-{\kappa}B$ of HepG2 cell and promoted activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ that is occurred by $TNF-{\alpha}$. It has been observed that the restraint effect against the $TNF-{\alpha}$ inducing apoptosis is lost when it is intercepted the function of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in HepG2 cell. Conclusion: It has been confirmed that Injinchunggan-tang has restraining effect against the revelation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and mRNA that is constituent element of TNF-a signal transmission system. It also has been revealed that it restraints the activation of p38, Erk1/2 by $TNF-{\alpha}$. Through this prohibiting effect, it is inferred that it restraints signal transmission among various cells that are related to inflammation reaction. Meanwhile, Injinchunggan-tang protects liver cell from apoptosis that is caused by $TNF-{\alpha}$, by maintaining the activating function for $NF-{\kappa}B$.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1014-1026
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• 2006

Liver cirrhosis is a liverdisease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Liver cirrhosis is regarded as a serious health problem with high prevalence in the world as well as in Korea. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible disease. However, in cases of liver cirrhosis induced by chronic hepatitis B, we should treat the chronic hepatitis B, because it frequently progresses to cirrhosis and hepatoma. We observedimprovements of symptoms and laboratory tests with herb medicine Injinchunggan-tang (茵蔯淸肝湯) in five cases ofliver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. The serum aminotransferase was preserved within normal value levels for a long time, 3 years to 7 years. However, further study is necessary to determine the effect of herb medicine on liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.200-218
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenchinggan-tang) on DMN-induced liver damage by applying proteomics. Materials and Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment and were divided into the normal group (normal saline), the control group (DMN) and the sample group (DMN+IJCGT). DMN was injected i.p. once a day three times a week for 3 weeks in the control group. Normal saline instead of DMN was administered to the normal group. In the sample group, Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenchinggan-tang) extract was orally administered once a day for 10 days after DMN was induced. The livers of each group were processed and analyzed by histology, Western blot, $Oxyblot^{TM}$, CBB and 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Results : In the histological findings of the liver, IJCGT reduced collagen deposition and liver damage in DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis. IJCGT increased MMP-13 protein production assessed by western blot. Protein oxidation induced by DMN treatment was decreased by IJCGT. In the 2-dimensional electrophoresis finding, the level of the increased proteins induced by DMN treatment such as GRP 75, 58kDa glucose regulated protein and heat shock 70kDa protein 5 were decreased by IJCGT. IJCGT was considered to have the protective effects on hepatotoxicity induced by DMN. In the 2-dimensional electrophoresis finding, the level of increased oxidized proteins such as heat shock 70 protein, mitochondrial malonyltransferase, calreticulin precursor, actin, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase, ankyrin repeat and SOCS box protein 11 were decreased by IJCGT. IJCGT was considered to have protective effect on the protein production induced by DMN treatment. Conclusion : Injinchunggan-tang (Yinchenchinggan-tang) exerts an inhibitory effect against the fibrosis and protein oxidation induced by DMN treatment in the rat liver. IJCGT was considered to have protective effects on the hepatotoxicity and protein production induced by DMN treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.743-747
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• 2011

Here we describe a case of lamivudine and entecavir resistant chronic hepatitis B, treated with western medicine plus traditional korean medicine combination therapy. We administered Injinchunggan-Tang(茵蔯淸肝湯), a traditional Korean herb remedy, with entecavir to a 45-year-old chronic hepatitis B patient who didn't have achieved HBV-DNA suppression, in spite of 18 month lamivudine mono therapy and 14 month entecavir mono therapy. HBV-DNA decreased more than one thousandth from 98,100 IU/mL to 53 IU/mL just in 23 days, and resultingly it seems that the combination therapy could be very potent, at least to some chronic hepatitis B patients.