• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extracts from Gentianae scabrae bunge (GSB) on the activities of antioxidant, whitening and anti-inflammation. Viability of cells was measured by neutral red (NR) assay, and inhibitory effects of GSB on melanin synthesis was determined the melanin production in B16F10 cells. The expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in media was analyzed by ELISA kit, and nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. GSB showed highly efficacy in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and significantly reduced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. MMP-1 production in UVB-stimulated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells was inhibited by GSB treatments. NO production was suppressed by the treatment of GSB in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. From this results, it was indicated that GSB could be utilized as anti-aging and whitening cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2018

Background: Danggwisusan is a herbal medicine which is used to treat bruises, static blood, external injuries, and somatalgia in Korean medicine. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether Danggwisusan hot aqueous extract had an inhibitory effect upon inflammatory cytokine production and oxidation. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of Danggwisusan extract was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The amount of nitric oxide produced was measured using Griess reagent. Prostaglandin E2 production was measured using an enzyme immunoassay. Inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) were measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The anti-oxidative effect of Danggwisusan was measured by the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl method. The amount of polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin and Ciocalteauea phenol reagent and aluminum nitrate. Results: Danggwisusan hot aqueous extracts did not show significant toxicity at 10, 20, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. At a dose of $100{\mu}g/mL$, Danggwisusan hot aqueous extract significantly inhibited nitric oxide and $PGE_2$ production, and significantly reduced $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production. At a dose of $100{\mu}g/mL$, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging capability was over 50%. Conclusion: This study showed that Danggwisusan hot aqueous extract may have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on macrophages.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.20-28
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• 2013

Objectives: This study examined the effects of 8 types of herbal prescriptions prescribed to alleviate dementia symptoms in a rat model of arterial thrombosis induced by ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$). Methods: Thirty minutes before 35% $FeCl_3$ treatment, SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with the 8 types of herbal prescriptions, respectively. We tested the effects of the herbal prescriptions on time to occlusion (TTO) in an arterial thrombosis model using a laser Doppler flow meter. In addition, thrombus weight (TW) and collagen fiber damages were evaluated in the same condition. Results: Herbal prescriptions showed the following rank-order based on their TTO: Chong-myung-tang (CMT) > modified Jangwonhan 02 (LMK02) > Toki-shakuyaku-san (TSS) ${\geq}$ Oren-gedoku-to (OGT) ${\geq}$ Yokukansan (YKS). In particular, CMT (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and LMK02 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) delayed the TTO the most ($14.83{\pm}0.98$ and $13.67{\pm}1.03$ min, respectively) compared with the vehicle group ($7.95{\pm}0.78$ min, P<0.001). In addition, CMT, LMK02, and OGT treatment ($0.63{\pm}0.01$, $0.66{\pm}0.02$ and $0.67{\pm}0.01$ mg/mm, respectively) significantly reduced thrombus weight compared with the vehicle treatment ($0.78{\pm}0.03$, P<0.001) and also alleviated collagen fiber damage (CMT; $28.40{\pm}2.22$%, LMK02; $30.79 {\pm} 4.07$%, OGT; $26.20{\pm}1.48$%) in the vessels injured by $FeCl_3$. Therefore, CMT and LMK02 showed the greatest preventive activity in rat model of arterial thrombosis induced by $FeCl_3$. Conclusions: These results provide experimental evidence for traditional use of herbal prescriptions, suggesting that CMT and LMK02 extracts could be used to prevent vascular injury and thrombosis in the early stages of dementia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.380-393
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• 2003

In order to evaluate the effect of Chekambohyulansin-tang (CST) which was a traditional poly-herbal formula has been used for treatment of obesity in Korea, on the obesity in ovariectomized rats, the changes of body weight, peri-kidney, abdominal and perineal subcutaneous fat weight and their histological changes were measured with the detection of number and/or size of adipocytes after an oral administration of CBT extracts (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively). CBT significantly attenuated elevations in the body weight, the absolute and relative weight of peri-kidney, abdominal and perineal fat tissues and decrease the severe hypertrophy, the number of adipocytes, and the diameter of adipocytes of peri-kidney, abdominal and perineal fat tissues in ovariectomized rats in a dose dependent manner. These results provide a story evidence that CBT can playa role in the treatment of obesity induced by ovariectomy. Determination of the specific mechanisms involred toxicological dosage of CBT on obesity will require addition study.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-120
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• 2013

Objectives : The object of this study was to observe the pharmacological effects of Yookmijihwang-tang-gamibang (Liuweidihuang-tang-jiaweifang, YGB) consisted of 17 types of herbs has been traditionally used in Korean medicine for treating various disorders in clinics, aqueous extracts on the genetically obese and type II diabetic C57BL/6JHam-ob/ob(ob/ob) mice. Methods :Three different dosages of YGB were orally administered, once a day for 28 days to ob/ob mice with ob/ob control and C57BL/6JJms normoglycemic intact mice. Four weeks after treatments of YGB: the changes on the body weight, food consumption, blood glucose levels, leptin and adiponectin contents were observed for monitoring the antiobese and antidiabetic effects of YGB. The effects were compared to those of CLA(conjugated linoleic acid) which improve type II diabetes and inhibit related obesity. Results : After end of 28 days of continuous treatments, ob/ob control showed increases of adipocyte hypertrophy, vasodilated atrophic glomerulus which were detected with marked hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, insulin and glucagon producing cells. These obese and related type II diabetes induced in ob/ob mice were markedly and significantly inhibited by 28 days of continuous treatment of three dosages of YGB. The YGB 50mg/kg showed similar favorable effects on the diabetes and related diabetic complications as compared with CLA 750mg/kg in ob/ob mice of the present study. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that over 25mg/kg of YGB extracts favorably retarded the obese and type II diabetes in genetically obese and type II diabetic ob/ob mice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.124-133
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• 2016

Objectives : Recently, the demands for the effective and safe depigmentating and anti-aging agents of the skin have increased due to the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic reasons. The aim of this study is to search new materials from the traditional herbal medicines which inhibit the aging process of skin in vitro.Methods : Human dermis cell (HS68) was used to test the effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS). 80% ethanol or water extracts were screened for their inhibitory activities against elastase. Elastase inhibition effect was tested by microplate reader instrument. And MMP-1 suppression effect of RVS was tested by western blot. These cells were investigated the viability by MTS assay. And also the inhibition effect of tyrosinase by RVS was tested.Results : RVS (final concentrstion 1 ㎎/㎖ appeared over 30% of inhibition of elastase activity. So we are investigated anti wrinkle effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes look through MMP-1 inhibition activity, also Extracts of RVS showed higher anti-tyrosinase activity than arbutin as final concentration 1 mg/ml. These results suggest that herbal medicines could be strong potential sources of inhibition of anti-aging and whitening effects for the skin.Colclusions : RVS was the best suppressor candidate of elastase activity among other control oriental drugs. It was found that RVS did not have toxicity to cells. We found proper concentration of RVS to treat in HS68 culture and investigated not only wrinkle care effect but also whitening effect of RVS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.441-449
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• 2013

This study was conducted to ferment high quality vinegar by using Omija fruit. Strains of bacteria producing acetic acid were isolated from spoiled Omija wine (OV1 and OV2) and traditional rice vinegar (RA). The bacterium was from optimally-oxidized Omija wine containing 6.0% ethanol and from Omija vinegar with 5.21% acetic acid by 14 days of fermentation. The Omija vinegar got the highest sensory score (5.80) among several commercial vinegars. The Omija vinegar showed a potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas fluorescens by the paper disc test, while Omija wine had limited antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. fluorescens. The diameter of the clear zone formed by the paper disc test using Omija vinegar was not less than 9.5 mm. The DPPH free radical-scavenging activity of Omija wine was higher than that from Omija water extracts. The nitrite scavenging ability of Omija wine (36.98% of all nitrites present) and vinegar (31.14%) was higher than that from Omija water extracts (22.53%). Omija vinegar exhibited strong antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, we prepared high quality vinegar from dried Omija.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.186-189
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• 1999

To analyze scientifically the fundamental formulation theory and drug interaction on the purgative action of Chungpesagan-tang, which is one of the traditional Korean medical prescriptions that has been most frequently used for stroke, water extracts of herbal medicines with Rhei Rhizoma were administered into mice and the purgative action was measured. Water extracts of Raphani Semen or Cimicifugae Rhizoma with Rhei Rhizoma had more potent purgative activity than Rhei Rhizoma alone, although Raphani Semen alone displayed no purgative action. However, Platycodi Radix and Puerariae Radix inhibited the purgative action of Rhei Rhizoma. When Rhei Rhizoma with Raphani Semen or Cimicifugae Radix was extracted with water, sennoside A content in the water extract was increased. However, Puerariae Radix and Platycodi Radix decreased the content of sennoside A in the extracted water. The transforming rate of sennoside A of Rhei Rhizoma was inhibited by Puerariae Radix and Platycodi Radix. The transforming rate of sennoside A of Chungpesagan-tang to rheinan-throne by human intestinal microflora and its purgative activity were similar to those of Rhei Rhizoma. Finally we thought that the purgative action of Chungpesagan-tang could be controlled by the addition and subtraction of Chungpesagan-tang-composing herbal medicines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.460-467
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• 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the word. Although radiation and chemotherapy are generally effective, there are various side effects that greatly limit the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, traditional herbs may have potential as important resources for the discovery of liver cancer therapeutics. In this study, we selected three Korean herbal medicine formulas from the Donguibogam, namely Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgithang (DCGT), and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH), and evaluated their anti-cancer effects on HCC cells. According to our results of three ethanol extracts, BGH was more effective at suppressing HCC growth than DCGT or MHBRH. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that inhibition of HCC proliferation by the three extracts was associated with the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In particular, BGH significantly increased mitochondrial impairment and showed the possibility of inducing mitophagy in comparison with the other two extracts. BGH prominently upregulated the levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain-3 which was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 without altering the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. In addition, the levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 were also markedly increased in BGH-treated HCC cells. Moreover, autophagy blocking improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis after the three treatments, indicating that autophagy by these extracts enhances HCC cells against cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our findings show that BGH demonstrates the highest anti-cancer activity among the three formulas and inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells through autophagy induction.