• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

The present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of water extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon on acute hepatotoxicity induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by a single dose of galactosamine (400 mg/kg, i.p). The animals were divided into four groups. The animals in the Con group were fed basal diet. GalN group were administered with galactosamine. LE200 and LE500 groups treated with water extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon (such as 200 and 500 mg/kg/day, p.o) for 7 days before galactosamine injection. In the change of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and LDH contents, as compared with GalN group, LE200 group were significantly decreased. According to the electron microscopical observation, liver cells were increased the lipid droplet, change of mitochondria in the GalN compared with LE200. These results suggest that administration of water extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon suppress or retard galactosamine induced acute liver injury.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.195-204
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• 2008

This study was intended to identify the effectiveness of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in the UVB-irradiated mouse skin. The C57BL mice were divided into three groups; the control group, the UVB irradiated group(UVB group), and the group treated with Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts after UVB irradiation(UVB+Le group). 10 mouses were collected and sacrificed at 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 120 hrs, and 168 hrs, respectively. In the result, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was decreased the UVB+Le group than UVB groups by time. At the 168 hrs group was significantly lower(p<0.05). In the result, the melanin value was decreased in the UVB+Le group than UVB group, but meaningless(p>0.05). In the result of erythema index, the UVB+Le group was meaningfully lower at 24 hrs, 48 hrs, and 72 hrs group than UVB group(p<0.05). In the result of scanning electron micrograph observation, the UVB+Le group was allevited swelling than UVB group at the 24 hrs, formation of the scab at the 48 hrs, regular plate shap at the 72 hrs, new keratin observated at the 120 hrs partially, and fine fiber covered epidermis surface at the 168 hrs. In the result of transmission electron micrograph observation, the UVB+Le group was facilitation of increased lamellar bodies and reformation lamellar bodies than UVB group at the all groups. Almost all the structures were recovered at the 160 hrs group. In conclusion, Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts may recovery on the UVB-irradiated mouse skin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.495-505
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• 2024

Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon, LE) can mitigate obesity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-skeletal muscle atrophy effects of LE and the underlying molecular mechanism. C2C12 myotubes were pretreated with LE or shikonin, and active component of LE, for 24 h and then treated with 500 μM palmitic acid (PA) for an additional 24 h. Additionally, mice were fed a HFD for 8 weeks to induced obesity, and then fed either the same diet or a version containing 0.25% LE for 10 weeks. LE attenuated PA-induced myotubes atrophy in differentiated C2C12 myotubes. The supplementation of LE to obese mice significantly increased skeletal muscle weight, lean body mass, muscle strength, and exercise performance compared with those in the HFD group. LE supplementation not only suppressed obesity-induced skeletal muscle lipid accumulation, but also downregulated TNF-α and atrophic genes. LE increased protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle via the mTOR pathway. We observed LE induced increase of mitochondrial biogenesis and upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation related genes in the skeletal muscles. Furthermore, LE increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha and the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Collectively, LE may be useful in ameliorating the detrimental effects of obesity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy through the increase of protein synthesis and mitochondrial biogenesis of skeletal muscle.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2008

A variety of anti-inflammatory agents have been shown to exert chemopreventive activity via targeting of transcription factors such as NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1. Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE) has long been used in traditional oriental medicine. In this study, we demonstrated the inhibitory effects of LE extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of inflammatory cytokines. As an underlying mechanism of inhibition, LE extracts reduced LPS-induced transactivation of AP-1 as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ in mouse macrophage cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that LE extracts inhibited the DNA binding activities of AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$. In addition, phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ protein was suppressed by LE extracts. Moreover, LE extracts inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated signaling pathways. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of LE extracts may be mediated by the inhibition of signal transduction pathways that normally lead to the activation of AP-1and NF-${\kappa}B$. These inhibitory effects may be useful for chemoprevention of cancer or other chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.984-989
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts on lipid oxidation of oil emulsion. The results are as follows; The scavenging ability of plant extracts for hydroxyl radical was found, and plant extracts played an important role as a strong chelating agents to bind iron if Fe2+ ion exists in oil emulsion. Pinus densiflora(PD), Lithospermum erythrorhizon(LE) and PD＋LE acted as strong chelating agents to bind iron to reduce lipid oxidation in oil emulsion. The content of Fe2+ ion in ethanol extracts from LE and PD＋LE were significantly higher(p<0.05) than that of ethanol extracts from PD. The content of total iron has same tendency. The ascorbic acid content of PD(16.36ppm) was slightly higher than those of LE(13.08ppm). Electron donating ability of PD was significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of LE. However, the superoxide(SOD) like ability of LE showed a little higher than those of LE and PD＋LE, which means the strong antioxidant activity of LE. The nitrite scavenging effects were dependent on pH value, however, they decreased as pH value increased. Especially, they almost didn't show the nitrite scavenging effect in pH 6.0. In conclusion, the PD and LE extracts may be used as natural antioxidant sources to reduce lipid oxidation in oil emulsion.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2013

Objective : Lithospermum Erythrorhizon (LE) has been used as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is unclear that LE aqueous extract could show the anti-inflammatory effects in RAW 264.7cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract from LE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced inflammatory response. Methods : To measure out the cytotoxicity of LE, we performed the MTT assay. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of LE, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin, (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and (IL)-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation by western blot. Results : Aqueous Extract from LE itself did not have any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from LE inhibited LPS-induced productions of inflammatory mediators such as NO, $PGE_2$, and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in RAW 264.7cells. In addition, LE inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : LE down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through the inhibition of p38, JNK and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Taken together, these results could provide the evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of LE. Therefore, LE may be a novel target in the management of inflammation and help to support a potential strategy for prevention and therapy of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.1744-1752
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• 2013

We investigated the protective effect of UVB inducing photodamage from mulberry extract (ME) and Lithospermum erythrorhizon extract (LE). The contents of total anthocyanin and shikonin as a color compound of ME and LE were 4.92 mg/g and 9.58 mg/g, respectively. The electron donating ability and superoxide radical scavenging activity of ME were 84.32% and 76.34%, respectively. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the ME ($545.37{\mu}moles$ TE/g) was higher than LE ($427.18{\mu}moles$ TE/g). MMP-1 production in the HS68 cells were exposed to UVB suppressed by treatment with $200{\mu}g/mL$ of ME (68.6%) and LE (32.7%). ME and LE were applied to a skin aging mouse model, which was induced by the irradiation of UVB to the backs of hairless mice. The value of skin erythema index, wrinkle depth and thickness, epidermis thickness, and collagenous fiber damage in the experiment groups (MEL: ME 3%, MEM: ME 5%, MEH: ME 7%, LEL: LE 3%, LEM: LE 5%, LEH: LE 7%) were remarkably reduced than in the control group (only UVB exposure group), while water capacity increased. The level of total wrinkles depth in the skin was decreased to be 30% of the control group by MEH and LEM. These results suggest that ME and LE are useful cosmetic materials for skin protection against UVB-inducing.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-62
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• 2013

Objective : Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a major pathogenic bacteria for acne vulgaris. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts on the inflammatory cytokines gene expression by P. acnes in human keratinocytes, HaCaT cell line. Methods : Anti-bacterial activity and cytotoxicity of LE extracts was analyzed by agar plate culture and XTT assay. The cytokines gene expressions were assessed by real time RT-PCR for IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$. During the cell culture and treatments, amounts of secreted TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by ELISA. Translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm into nucleus was observed by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results : There were no anti-bacterial effects and cytotoxicity as high as $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of LE extracts in XTT assay. Transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were increased by P. acnes in HaCaT. LE extracts decreased the upregulated gene transcription levels. However, amounts of secreted TNF-${\alpha}$ were similar in HaCaT cells with P. acnes and LE extracts. Translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus by P. acnes was significantly inhibited by LE extracts. Conclusions : From the results of this study, LE extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on HaCaT cells by P. acnes that decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$. This anti-inflammatory effects of LE extracts could provide the potential of therapeutic substance for acne vulgaris.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fashion and Beauty
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.139-144
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• 2007

There was an increasing interest that herbal medicine and natural material extracts were proved processes of antioxidant, cosmeceutical activity and the other effects. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant of extraction of four kinds from Prunus armeniaca L., Reynoutria elliptica, Curcuma aromatica, Lithospermum erythrorhizon. RE (Reynoutria elliptica) and CA (Curcuma aromatica) have good electron donating ability. The water and ethanol extract of RE at a 100 ppm concentration showed over 70%, the water extract at 500 ppm concentration showed 83% and the ethanol extract at 100 ppm concentration showed 86% of CA. Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity of the water extract of LE (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) at a 1,000 ppm concentration showed over 44%, on the other hand, RE showed in all lowest effect and there was no inhibition activity of a couple more extracts. In the measurement of nitrite scavenging activity, all extracts showed highly scavenging activity. Especially the water and ethanol extract of RE showed over 99% at 500 ppm, also LE showed over 40% at 10 ppm concentration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.624-629
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• 1998

This studies were carried out to investigate antimicrobial activity of 35 kinds of medicinal herbs against lactic acid bacteria isolated from home-made Kimchi. The most isolated lactic acid bacteria were inhibited by ethanol extract of various medicinal herbs such as Schizandra chinensis (SC), Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LE) and Sophrora flavescens AITON (SF). But Cnidium monnier, Pinus densiflora, Paeonia suffruticosa, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum and Rhus chinensis inhibited the growth of only a few isolated lactic acid bacteria. The pH of Kimchi containing 1% of medicinal herbs extracts such as SM, GU, LE and SF was higher than that of control during fermentation for 25 days at $10^{\circ}C$, respectively. Titratable acidity and viable cells of total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria of the Kimchi were lower than that of control during fermentation. The sensory quality (taste, flavor and overall acceptability) of SM, GU, and LE added Kimchi was similar to that of control at 10th day of fermentation. But Sophrora flavescens AITON added Kimchi decreased significantly its sensory quality compared with control(P<0.05).