• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1521-1527
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• 2012

Medicinal herbs have long been used as a remedy for diverse diseases in Asia owing to their various pharmacological effect. In this study, the immuno-enhancing activity of medicinal herbs was investigated using macrophage cell lines. Specifically, we examined the effects of extracts of twelve medicinal herbs on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, and selected five that were highly effective (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Platycodon grandflorum, and Actinidia polygama) for further immune related studies. The effects of extracts from five theses medicinal herbs, which were mainly composed of polysaccharides and proteins on the production of immune-related cytokines in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line and the Molt-4 T cell line were investigated. The extracts of all investigated medicinal herbs increased the production of NO and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Additionally, they slightly increased the proliferation of T-cells when compared to the control. Overall, the result of this study suggests that the five medicinal herb extracts investigated herein are useful natural immune enhancing agents.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2018

In this study, we evaluated anti-inflammatory effect of biji in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Biji inhibited the generation of NO and $PGE_2$ through the suppression of iNOS and COX-2 expression. In addition, biji attenuated the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ induced by LPS. Biji blocked LPS-mediated $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and subsequently inhibited p65 nucleus accumulation in RAW264.7 cells, which indicates that biji inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling. In addition, biji suppressed p38 phosphorylation induced by LPS. Our results suggests that biji may exert anti-inflammatory activity through blocking the generation of the inflammatory mediators such as NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ via the inhibiting the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38. From these findings, biji has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.270-277
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• 2014

Background: The effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) on ginsenoside production in different organs of ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) was evaluated after the whole plant was dipped in an MJ-containing solution. MJ can induce the production of antioxidant defense genes and secondary metabolites in plants. In ginseng, MJ treatment in adventitious root resulted in the increase of dammarenediol synthase expression but a decrease of cycloartenol synthase expression, thereby enhancing ginsenoside biosynthesis. Although a previous study focused on the application of MJ to affect ginsenoside production in adventitious roots, we conducted our research on entire plants by evaluating the effect of exogenous MJ on ginsenoside production with the aim of obtaining new approaches to study ginsenoside biosynthesis response to MJ in vivo. Methods: Different parts of MJ-treated ginseng plants were analyzed for ginsenoside contents (fine root, root body, epidermis, rhizome, stem, and leaf) by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The total ginsenoside content of the ginseng root significantly increased after 2 d of MJ treatment compared with the control not subjected to MJ. Our results revealed that MJ treatment enhances ginsenoside production not in the epidermis but in the stele of the ginseng root, implying transportation of ginsenosides from the root vasculature to the epidermis. Application of MJ enhanced protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenosides, whereas chilling treatment induced protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the production of PPD-type and PPT-type ginsenosides is differently affected by abiotic and biotic stresses in the ginseng plant, and they might play different defense mechanism roles.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.587-596
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• 2012

Alopecia is usually presented as patchy, no scarring hair loss. It seems to be a hormonal imbalance or an immune mediated disease, whereas genetic predisposition, environmental and psychological factors may be involved in its etiology. Many treatments of alopecia disease have been widely applied, but their side effects are also well known. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate efficacy and safety of a food supplement containing medicinal plant extracts, amino acid and vitamin complex on the prevention of hair loss in human. A total of 20 subjects aged between 29-50 years with subjective hair loss complaint were recruited for this study. Each subject took 1 g/day supplement for 3 months. 5-Scale self-assessment test, hair loss count and measurement of hair thickness were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplement on the improvement of hair loss. Subjective hair loss was decreased and hair damage and thickness were improved in self-assessment test. After 3 months of supplementation, hair loss counts were decreased (P<0.05) while hair thickness was increased(P<0.001) significantly. There was no side effect observed during the study. These results suggest that the supplement consist of medicinal plant extracts, amino acid and vitamin complex might be useful for the improvement of hair loss with no significant side effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.233-238
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• 2014

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant extract on relieving hangovers in mice administered alcohol. The animals were divided into three groups. Each group was treated with fermented plant extract, non-fermented plant extract, or water 30 min after consuming ethanol (2 mL/kg). A locomotor activity test showed that all groups had decreased motor activity until 40 min after plant extract administration. The mice treated with water had lower motor activity until 100 min post-administration. However, the group treated with non-fermented plant extract showed increased motor activity 40 min post-administration, and the higher activity level was maintained until 120 min post-administration. The animals treated with fermented plant extract had a level of motor activity between those of the groups treated with water or non-fermented plant extract. Blood was collected from each mouse 120 min post-administration and aldehyde concentration was measured. The group treated with non-fermented plant extract had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) aldehyde concentration than the other groups. These results demonstrate that the non-fermented medicinal plant extract helped alleviate hangovers 40 min after administration by reducing aldehyde concentrations in the blood.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of extracts of leaves (LCLE) and branches (LCBE) from L. caerulea in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Inhibitory effect of LCLE and LCBE against LPS-induced overproduction of NO, iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ was higher than LCFE. Furthermore, LCLE and LCBE significantly inhibited the overexpression of COX-2, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. LCLE and LCBE did not inhibited LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, but blocked the nuclear accumulation of p65. LCLE did not inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, while LCBE significantly attenuated phosphorylation level of p38. LCLE and LCBE increased HO-1 protein level and decrease of iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ expression by LCLE and LCBE was inhibited by HO-1 knockdown. The inhibition of p38 by SB203580 and ROS by NAC blocked HO-1 expression by LCLE and LCBE. LCLE and LCBE increased p38 phosphorylation and the inhibition of ROS by NAC blocked p38 phosphorylation LCLE and LCBE. LCLE and LCBE induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, but this was significantly reversed by the inhibition of p38 and ROS. In addition, LCLE and LCBE increased ATF3 expression and decrease of iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ expression by LCLE and LCBE was inhibited by ATF3 knockdown. Collectively, LCLE and LCBE inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation by blocking p65 nuclear accumulation, increased HO-1 expression by ROS/p38/Nrf2 activation, and increased ATF3 expression. Furthermore, LCBE inhibited LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.820-829
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• 2003

One of the important function of skin is the protection from harmful environments. Many studies were carried out to keep the skin from wrinkling and pigmenting. Skin wrinkle and pigmentation could be caused' by the unusual disruption of connective tissue, the formation of free radicals and the radiation of ultraviolet. In this study, the extracts obtained from 23 different kinds of medicinal plants were examined whether they have inhibitory effect on tyrosinase and elastase as well as free radical scavenging effect. All the extracts examined were obtained by using 70% (v/v) ethanol at $60^{\circ}C$. It has been found that there were two medicinal plants which have positive effects matching with the purpose of this study. The extract of Ephedra sinica stapf shows an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase ($IC_{50}$ = 83.7~$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), on elastase ($IC_{50}$ = $690{\mu}\textrm{g}$/ml), and also shows free radical scavenging effect ($IC_{50}$ = 29.6$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). The extract of Betula platyphylla Var. shows an inhibitory effect on elastase ($IC_{50}$ = 498.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), and free radical scavenging effect ($IC_{50}$ = 9$\mu\textrm{g}$/ ml). The aim of the study is to find the natural compounds which have function in skin-lightening, anti-wrinkling and anti-oxidation, with safe and active ingredients in cosmetic.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2020

Background: This study investigated the effects of soil properties on the soil fungal community in first and continuous cultivation areas of Cnidium officinale Makino. Methods and Results: The soil fungal community was analyzed for relative abundance and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was conducted using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The correlation between the soil chemical properties and the soil fungal community was assessed with distance-based linear models (DISTLM). The soil fungal community showed distinct clusters consisting in the continuous cultivation area of C. officinale Makino. PCoA and DISTLM indicated that soil pH, calcium, and available P₂O₅ significantly affected the soil fungal community in the cultivation area of C. officinale Makino. In addition, considering 5 different pathogenic fungi the relative abundance of Fusarium in the continuous cultivation area was significantly higher compared to that in the first cultivation area of C. officinale Makino. Conclusions: This study is important because it has determinined the effects of soil properties on the soil fungal community in both first and continuous cultivation areas of C. officinale Makino. Moreover, these results will be helpful to investigate the cause of continuous cropping obstacle in C. officinale Makino by examining the changes of soil fungal community.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.4 s.135
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• pp.335-338
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• 2003

It is thought that highly reactive oxygen species generated after strokes plays a key role in damaging the brain. We examined free radical scavenging activity and neuroprotective effects of several medicinal herbs in a rat model of transient ischemia. Free radical scavenging property of medicinal herbs was examined in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical. Transient ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 120 min, followed by reperfusion for 22 hr in rats. Aqueous extracts of 8 medicinal herbs (200 mg/kg) were orally administered twice to transient ischemic rat prior to reperfusion and 2 hr after reperfusion. Total infarction volume in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the ischemia-reperfusion was significantly decreased in 7 groups treated with Sophora flavescens, Lycopus lucidus, Sanguisorba officinalis, Caesalpinia sappan, Albizia julibrissin, Rubia akane, Psoralea corylifolia, or Prunella vulgaris. However, neuroprotective effects of these medicinal herbs were not correlated with their antioxidative activities. These results suggest that these medicinal herbs exert neuroprotection via antioxidative as well as unknown mechanism.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.155-163
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• 2016

Objectives : Since the Korean pronunciation of the Mantidis Oothea is not unified, it is necessary to unify pronunciation of this particular herb. According to ancient herbal literature, genuine Mantidis Oothea has been regarded as the product which is attached to mulberry tree. However, all forms of Mantidis Oothea need to be used as a medicinal ingredient. Methods : The current study explores pronunciations of the herbal medicinal names, Collection, and the herbal processes of the Mantidis Oothea. There are approximately about 30 herbal manuals dealing with the Mantidis Oothea after Shen Nong's herbal manual(神農本草經) was published. Results & Conclusions : 1. Sangbicho, Sangpyeojo, Sangpyeocho, and other names have been used as a name of medicinal ingredient for the Mantidis Oothea. 2. The Other names of medicinal ingredient for the Mantidis Oothea were Sik woo, Danglangja(螳螂子), Danglanglan(螳螂卵), Danglangso(螳螂巢), Danglangwa(螳螂窩), Danglanggag(螳螂殼), etc.. 3. The name of medicinal ingredient for the Mantidis Oothea should not be pronounced as Sangpyoso but Sangpyocho. 4. The name of medicinal ingredient for the Mantidis Oothea was originated from a type of the egg case, eating habit, therapy of the Mantidis Oothea and so on. 5. Collecting real thing of The Mantidis Oothea does not really matter whether it is attached to the mulberry tree or not. 6. The herbal processes of the Mantidis Oothea is to kill the eggs, so typical methods were to steam, roast, boil with vinegar and so on. In addition, the main effect seemed to be protection from the diarrhea.