• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2011

This study was carried out to search for natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from 5 medicinal plants (Carthamus tinctorius seed, Cyperus rotundus, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum, and Paeonia lactiflora). These plants were extracted with 70% ethanol. In order to measure total antioxidant activity of flavonoids, polyphenol content was measured. Radical scavenging activities of extracts were examined using a-a-Diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl ($DPPH{\cdot}$), 2,2-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ($ABTS{\cdot}$), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and superoxide anion radical assays. C. tinctorius seed extracts showed the highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents as well as strong $DPPH{\cdot}$, $ABTS{\cdot}$, FRAP, and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity. Also, C. tinctorius seed extracts showed the highest nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory effect. Theses results indicate that the C. tinctorius seed extracts can be used as a functional material due to their effective anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory activities.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.383-406
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• 2015

Objectives: People with tension-type headache generally take pain relievers, but long term dependency causes problems as well as side effects. The present study aimed to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine for tension-type headache by systematic review of randomized controlled trials on the effect of herbal medicine for tension-type headache. Methods: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that verified effects of herbal medicine intervention on patients with tension-type headache were included in the study. A literature search of English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean databases was performed. The selected literature were assessed by Jadad scale and Risk of Bias. Results: Herein, 40 reports were selected from a total of 157. Meta-analyses of 2 trials indicated that the effective rate was significantly higher in the herbal medicine treatment group, as compared to the placebo control (risk ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23 to 1.80, p<0.0001, I²=0%). Four trials that compared herbal medicine with routine care with routine care only group showed a significantly higher effective rate of benefits for herbal medicine with routine care, as compared to routine care only (RR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.10, p=0.002, I²=0%). Conclusions: The effective rate was significantly higher than control and adverse events were less in the treatment group. Pattern analysis (辨證) indicated that the studies on wind-fire pattern (風火證) were highest. Yougeun-bang (柔筋方) in prescription and Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥) in medicinal herbs were most used. This finding could be widely utilized in future clinical practice and form the basis for the development of clinical practice guidelines in advance.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2017

Objectives : The objective of present study is to evaluate anti-arthritic effects of dried pomegranate concentrate powders (PCP), Eucommiae Cortex aqueous (EC) and ethanolic (ECe) extracts, Achyranthis Radix aqueous (AR) and ethanolic (ARe) extracts on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes. Methods : MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium Bromide) assay was performed cytotoxic effect of test substances. In addition, anti-inflammatory effects were also observed on the lipopolysaccaride (LPS) treated chondrocytes through prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production and 5-lipoxygenase (LPO) activities, and inhibitory effects on metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities were observed on the recombinant human interleukin $(rhIL)-1{\alpha}$ treated chondrocytes with their extracellular matrix (ECM) related mRNA expressions - collagen type II, SOX9 and aggrecan. Results : As results, ECe and ARe showed obvious cytotoxicity against primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes at a dose level of 10 mg/ml, respectively. However, no obvious cytotoxic effects of PCP, EC and AR were demonstrated at a dose level of 10 mg/ml, on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes. In addition, treatment of LPS $50{\mu}g/ml$ induced significant increases of $PGE_2$ contents and 5-LPO activities indicating inflammatory responses of the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes, and also decreases of cell viabilities, increases of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities with decreases of extracellular matrix (ECM) related collagen type II, SOX9 and aggrecan mRNA expressions were observed by treatment of $rhIL-1{\alpha}$ 50 ng/ml, suggesting damages on the primary cultured rat articular chondrocytes and related ECM degradations. However, these inflammatory responses and related ECM degradations were inhibited by pretreatment of all test substances, in order of PCP > ECe > ARe > EC > AR, and $rhIL-1{\alpha}$ induced chondrocytes deaths are inhibited by treatment in order of PCP > EC > AR > ECe > ARe. Conclusions : Taken together, it is expected that mixed formulation of PCP as main components with appropriate proportion of EC and AR as additional components will be achieved a potent alternative medicinal food for osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.233-242
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• 2013

The genus Taraxacum, known by the common name Dandelion, is a medicinal herb in the family Asteraceae. It has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment or prevention of various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we attempted to evaluate protective effects of Dandelion related with anti-oxidative activity to Thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver damage. 36 rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups : Control, Dandelion water extract (DWE), TAA, TAA&DWE 300, TAA&DWE 600, TAA&DWE 1,200 groups. Rats in DWE and TAA&DWE groups were pretreated with DWE (300, 600 or 1,200 mg/kg BW) by gavage for 7 days. All rats were treated intraperitoneally with TAA (200 mg/kg BW) or normal saline at 12 hours after last oral administration and sacrificed at 12 hours after last treatment. Levels of WBC and Neutrophil count were significantly decresed in TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared with that in TAA group (P<0.05). In TAA&DWE 600 and TAA&DWE 1,200 groups, serum AST, ALT, GGT levels were lower than TAA group (P<0.05). The serum TG level was significantly elevated in TAA&DWE groups compared with those in TAA group. Liver tissues from TAA group showed extensive histopathological changes, characterized by moderate or severe hepatocytes degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and congestion. In the TAA&DWE group, The severity of histopathological lesions were decreased compared to those in the TAA group. The MDA concentration was significantly decreased and GSH content was significantly increased in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared to those in the TAA group. GR, CAT and GST activities in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group were significantly increased compared to those in the TAA group.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2010

Euryale ferox is only annual hydrophyte among endangered plants in Korea and its seed is high valuable medicinal material. This studies were carried to find out key factors that made E. ferox endanger in Korea and to apply the results for effective management of the natural wetlands inhabited by E. ferox. We investigated the distributed sites reported by previous studies and classified the distribution-affected factors into three categories, eutrophication(hypothesis 1), soil accumulation(hypothesis 2) and increasing of water level(hypothesis 3) in the habitat. These three hypotheses were tested in the field and explained the results with the morphological characteristics of seed germination stages of E. ferox. The geographical distribution ranges of E. ferox diminished at a rate of $1^{\circ}$ latitude with about 10 natural wetlands for last 30 years. Water eutrophication in the wetland had a positive effect on the establishment of E. ferox. But higher in soil accumulation and water depth, then lower in the establishment rate of E. ferox. These results indicate that water depth in the wetland must be below 50cm during the germination season, especially in May and emergent hydrophytes filter zone is need to protect soil accumulation from soil erosion within its watershed for the effective management of wetland with E. ferox.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2013

Kalopanax pictus has pharmacologically anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and is known to respond to treatment of backache, knee pain and etc. In this study, we investigated the effects on gastric lesions of Kalopanax pictus both from Korea (KPK) and China (KPC) compared with their related origin, Znthoxylum ailanthoide both from Korea (ZAK) and China (ZAC), and Korean Bombax malabaricum (BMK). In preliminary screening, KPK and KPC shown effective inhibition of HCI EtOH-induced gastritis in rats. To elucidate their protective effects on gastric lesions, we assessed inhibition of H. pylori colonization, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activities, reducing power test, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. KPK was the most effective from antioxidant assays. KPK also shown the inhibition of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric secretion in rats, KPK reduced the secretion of gastric juice and total acidity and raised pH. Therefore, it is possible that KPK can be developed as health functional food and natural medicine. In addition, it can contribute to the standardization with objectivity and reliability for KPK through the criteria establishment of the precise origin of medicine, the prevention of indiscriminate distribution of imitation, and the rising rate of dependence on imports of medicinal herbs, and mixing prevention of low-quality goods.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1090-1097
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• 2015

Traditionally, mistletoe is known as an effective anti-cancer medicinal plant, and lectin is recognized as a major component with cytotoxic and immuno-stimulant activity in mistletoe. A Korean mistletoe lectin (KML) has specificity to galactose and galactosamine and is distinguish from European mistletoe lectin (EML). When we examined the concentration of lectin in mistletoe originated from five different types of host trees, the result indicate that the lectin concentration is variable depending on the host tree. Noticeably, mistletoe from chestnut tree contains ten folds higher lectins than that of an oak tree. We also tested the concentration of KML and crude extract (KM-110) of Korean mistletoe that shows 90% cytotoxicity in L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma cell. In addition, the cells show 90% and 70% viability by the treatment of two neutralizing antibodies of KML, 9H7-D10 and 8B11-2C5 neutralization effect with two monoclonal antibodies of KML, 9H7-D10 and 8B11-2C5. Therefore, the result expected that the mistletoe contain some other cytotoxic components except lectin. Finally, the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lectin free-crude extract (LFKM-110) following neutralization by 9H7-D10 monoclonal antibody shows higher than that of lectin containing-crude extract (KM-110). These results suggest that the Korean mistletoe lectin ha a great potential to be developed as therapeutic agent of cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.407-412
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• 2012

Wild grass is edible, and it grows in the mountains or field areas. Wild grass has diverse biological effects, such as antiobesity, anti-cancer, antioxidant activities and immune stimulation. Currently, many studies are aimed at enhancing the efficacy of medicinal foods on biological activity using a bioconversion technology, including the fermentation process. In this study, the quality characteristics and antioxidative activity of the fermented wild grass was investigated. The antioxidant activity of fermented wild grass was assessed by various radical scavenging assays using DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP(ferric ion reducing antioxidant power), reducing power, and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)). Moisture contents of the fermented wild grass is $49.6{\pm}0.06%$. Contents of crude ash, crude protein, and crude fat were $0.65{\pm}0.01$, $0.65{\pm}0.04$, and $3.3{\pm}0.59%$, respectively. Moreover, fermented wild grass showed that the hunter's color values were 80.36(lightnees), 11.47(redness), and 44.53(yellowness), respectively. Total phenolic contents of the fermented wild grass was $1,185{\pm}159{\mu}g$ GAE(gallic acid equivalent)/g. The antioxidative activities of the fermented wild grass were significantly increased in a dose dependent manner. In addition, fermented wild grass did not show any cytotoxicity up to 500 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. However, the anti-adipogenic effect of the fermented wild grass extract was barely detectable. This antioxidant potential is partly due to the phenolic compounds that are present in the fermented wild grass extracts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.547-554
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• 2018

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), also called linseed and one of the raw materials for making linen, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vegetable estrogen, ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid, and dietary fiber. Studies on flaxseed have reported various additional effects, such as the inhibition of cholesterol, blood clotting, and tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the functional components of flaxseed fermented with lactic-acid bacteria. Lactic-acid bacteria was inoculated into heat-treated (roasted) flaxseed and fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. The fermented flaxseed was extracted with 70% ethanol and the antioxidant effect of the fermented extracts according to the lactic-acid bacteria was analyzed. It was confirmed that the total polyphenol contents had expanded by about 1.5-8 times, and the total flavonoid contents had increased around 1.2 times in the case of fermented flaxseed with lactic-acid bacteria compared to non-fermented flaxseed (NFFS). DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase-like activities had increased around 5.6 and 2.3 times, respectively, in the fermented flaxseed compared to the NFFS at 100 ppm concentration. The study concluded that fermentation of flaxseed with lactic-acid bacteria is possible and that it is effective to increase the antioxidant effects of flaxseed. These results can be applied to the development of improved foods and cosmetic materials.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.714-720
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• 2008

Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus which has been used for patient suffering from cancer in Oriental medicine. It was previously reported that C. militaris extracts are capable of inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis; however, the anti-poliferative effects of human cancer cells have been poorly understood. In this study, to elucidate the anti-cancer mechanisms of human cancer cells by treatment with aqueous extract of C. militaris (AECM), we investigated the anti-proliferative effects of AECM in human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. AECM treatment inhibited the growth of Hep3B cells and induced the apoptotic cell death in a concentration-dependent manner such as formation of apoptotic bodies and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. The induction of apoptosis by AECM was connected with a proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8. and concomitant degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and ${\beta}$-catenin proteins. Furthermore, caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly inhibited AECM-induced apoptosis demonstrating the important role of caspase-3 in the bserved cytotoxic effect. Taken together, these findings suggest that AECM-induced inhibition of human hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via activation of caspase-3 and C. militaris may have therapeutic potential in human cancer.