• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2014

Objectives : In this study, we investigated Hyangyak in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs" of "Kwangjebikeup" and then conducted further studies focusing on ginseng as it is written in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs". Methods : Through a study of classical literature on Hyangyak and ginseng, information regarding the two was gathered and analyzed, with respect to both time and region. Results : All of the herbs in "Single-medicine prescription treatment of domestic herbs", the 4th volume of "Kwangjebikeup", are domestic herbs. Ginseng was a part of the flora of the Korean Peninsula from long ago and ginseng was cultivated from most of the peninsula. We confirmed cultivation of ginseng in Sungcheon, Pyungan-do and most areas of Hamgyeong-do through geography books such as "Geography Monograph of King Sejong". Because the natural environmental condition of the Korean Peninsula was conducive to growing wild ginseng, it was possible to cultivate ginseng. In the late Chosun period, cultivated ginseng was so prevalent that people would have been able to collect and use ginseng without great difficulty. In "Kwangjebikeup", ginseng shows superior efficacy in terms of first-aid. "Kwangjebikeup" contains practical herbal medicines that were based on obtainable ingredients. Conclusions : The purpose of publication of this book was to make medical knowledge available to general public in an easy-to-understand form. And through added clinical experiences of the author, we know that "Kwangjebikeup" played a role in settlement and spreading of foreign knowledge to civilians.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.111-116
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activity of water extract of Cnidii Fructus (CF) and Torilis Fructus (TF) in Leydig cells. Methods : Free radical scavenging activity of CF and TF against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined spectrophotometrically. We investigated the effect of CF and TF in Leydig cells by MTT assay. The protective effects of CF and TF against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Leydig cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity assays were performed in Leydig cells. Results : The results showed that CF scavenged DPPH radical in a dose-dependent manner by up to 81.2%, TF scavenged DPPH radical in a dose-dependent manner by up to 63.8%. CF showed cell viability as 121.0, 132.7, 126.6% in 5, 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations. TF showed cell viability as 127.5, 111.8% in 5, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentraions, respectively. The hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity of Leydig cells were protected to 86.3% by CF at concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ and protected to 83.5% by TF at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. Both CF and TF at all concentrations, SOD activity was not significantly changed. Catalase activity was significantly increased at 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of CF, respectively. TF's catalase activity showed no significant difference from that of the control. Conclusions : These results suggest that CF, as an antioxidant, protects Leydig cells in hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. know that "Kwangjebikeup" played a role in settlement and spreading of foreign knowledge to civilians.