• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.199-212
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• 2005

Objective : Airway inflammation is now regarded as a defining feature of asthma. The importance of eosinophits in the airway inflammation of asthma patients is widely recognized, and eosinophils mobilization in the respiratory epithelium is activated by chemoattractants and cytokines. This study was designed to examine the extent of the ability of Moutan Cortex Radicis to inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis of pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Moutan Cortex Radicis and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis were estimated via MTS assay, and the effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells were estimated by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Moutan Cortex Radicis. was conducted Result : In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines' mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines of eotaxin, ICAM-1, YCAM-1, IL-8, IL-16 were inhibited by Moutan Cortex Radicis in a dose dependent manner, but RANTES showed no inhibition due to Moutan Cortex Radicis. Eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentrations of Moutan Cortex Radicis. Conculusion : These findings are indicative of supression of chemokines accomplished by Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of Moutan Cortex Radicis for treating diseases such as asthma.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.183-186
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• 1994

This study was conducted to investigate desirable storage method to major chinese herbal medicine materials, Moutan Radicis Cortex in different packing materials and sealing degree. The loss in weight of Moutan Radicis Cortex as influenced by packing materials was the lowest at complete sealing treatment with transparent or black polyethylene film. The rot ratio of Moutan Radicis Cortex during the storage period was not difference between packing materials, transparent and black polyethylene film, but rot ratio of complete sealing condition was lower than punch ($\phi$J5mm) on polyethylene film.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.85-109
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• 2009

Objective & Methods : The present study was to investigate the effect of Moutan Cortex Radicis Herbal-acupuncture (MCR-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis induced by high fat diet in rats. Results : 1. Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture infusion solution (MCR-HAS) increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased serum total cholesterol level, and increased serum phospholipid/total cholesterol in rats with high fat diet. 3. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased atherogenic index in rats with high fat diet. 4. MCR-HA at GB34 increased hepatic catalase activity in rats with high fat diet. Conclusion : These results suggested that Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and related complications in rats with high fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 1998

From the 60% aqueous methanolic fraction of Moutan Cortex Radicis two hyaluronidase inhibitors were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Their structures were identified as paeoniflorin (com-pound I) and oxypaeoniflorin (compound II). Compound I and II exhibited hyaluronidase inhibitory activities with $IC_{50}$ of 1.71 and 1.73mM, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.308-311
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• 2007

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and amyloid beta(1-42) peptide is good drug targets for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. Among the twenty enthusiasm reducing herbals, the 70% methanol extracts (1 mg/ml) of Moutan Radicis Cortex and Forsythiae Fructus showed 91.5% and 85.3% about acethylcholinesterase inhibition, respectively. The extracts (1 mg/ml) of Coptidis Rhizoma and Paeoniae Radix Rubra showed more than 85% inhibition rate against amyloid beta (1-42) peptide aggregation. The neuroprotective effect of the extracts (1 mg/ml) of Moutan Radicis Cortex, Forsythiae Fructus and Paeoniae Radix Rubra showed 90.0%, 87.4% and 85.1% to compare with amyloid beta (1-42) peptide treated cells (IMR-32), respectively. Three herbs, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Forsythiae Fructus and Paeoniae Radix Rubra are promising candidates from natural products for development of Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.2240-2244
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• 2009

A simple high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to evaluate the quality of Moutan Cortex Radicis based on chromatographic fingerprints that characterize eight pharmacological compounds, namely, gallic acid, paeoniflorin, galloyl paeoniflorin, benzoic acid, quercetin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, paeoniflorigenone, and paeonol. These compounds were identified by their characteristic UV profiles and the mass spectroscopy data, and their contents were determined by HPLC. The chromatographic separation was performed on a $C_{18}$ column by gradient elution with 0.05% formic acid in water and acetonitrile. The methodological validation gave acceptable linearities (r = 0.9996) and recoveries (ranging from 99.4∼103.1%). The limits of detection (LOD) of these compounds ranged from 10 to 30 $\mu$g/mL. The representative chromatographic fingerprints of Moutan Cortex Radicis were obtained by analyzing 20 batches of samples collected from markets in Korea and China. For the efficient evaluation of quality for the commercial Moutan Cortex Radicis it is recommended that the total content of the six characteristic compounds should contain more than a minimum of 2% and that the content of total paeoniflorin and paeonol should exceed a minimum of 1.5% of dry weight of Moutan Cortex Radicis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.30-45
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of pregnancy-related four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) on the endometrial and placental cells. Methods: In this study, we examined viability and decidualization of telomerase immortalized human endometrial stromal cell lines (T-HESCs) and viability and invasion ability of human first trimester trophoblast cell lines Sw.71 by four herbal medicines (Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang and Moutan Radicis Cortex) Results: In the study, we showed that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, Chokyungjongok-tang increased decidualization marker prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in T-HESCs. Moutan Radicis Cortex decreased the mRNA level of PRL and IGFBP1, and the protein level of PRL and IGFBP1 had no significant effect. Moreover, four herbal medicines reduced invasion ability of Sw.71 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that Samul-tang, Onkyung-tang, and Chokyungjongok-tang have beneficial effects on successful embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance by increasing decidualization markers such as PRL and IGFBP1. Moutan Radicis Cortex reduces the mRNA levels of PRL and IGFBP1, which may adversely affect pregnancy. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the significance of the decreased invasive ability of Sw.71 cells induced by four herbal medications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.231-241
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• 1997

The purpose of this research was to investigate effect of water extract of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis on the proliferation of human cancer cell-lines. The effects of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis on the proliferation of A431, HeLa, MOLT-4, K562 cells, Balb/c 3T3 cells, mouse thymocytes, splenocytes and human lymphocytes were estimated by MTT colorimetric assay. The results were as follows; 1. In proliferation of A431, HeLa, MOLT-4 and K562 cell-lines, Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells. 2. In the combined effect of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and mitomycin C, Moutan Cortex Radicis and mitomycin C, all herbs stimulated the proliferation of MOL T-4 cells. 3. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis did not inhibited the proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 cells. 4. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of mouse thymocytes. 5. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of mouse splenocytes. 6. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of human lymphocytes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Objectives : The goal of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamic system. Methods : We were performed the Forced Swimming Test. The expressions of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and c-Fos at paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. Results : The duration of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test was significantly decreased in A100, A400(p<0.05~p<0.01). CRF expressions at PVN was significantly decreased in A400(p<0.05).No other group showed significant difference in expression of c-Fos at PVN comparing with control group. TH expressions at VTA was significantly decreased in A100 and A400, respectively(p<0.001). TH expressions at LC was significantly decreased in A100(p<0.01). Conclusions : According to the above results, Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex has antidepressant effects via the reduction of CRF expression and the Catecholamine System activity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2009

Object : In conditions of brain infarction, irreversible axon damage occurs in the central nerve system (CNS), because gliosis makes physical and mechanical barriers. If gliosis formation could be suppressed, irreversible axon damage would be reduced. This could mean that an injured CNS could be regenerated. CD81 and GFAP have close relationships to gliosis. The increase in glial cells at CNS injury gives rise to the expression of CD81 and GFAP. CD81 was postulated to play a central role in the process of CNS scar formation. Method : In this study, the author investigated the effect of the water extract of the Moutan Radicis Cortex on regulation of CD81 and GFAP expression in injured CNS cells. MTT assay was used to examine cell viability, while RT-PCR and ELISA methods were carried out to measure the expression of CD81 and GFAP in the astrocyte. Results : We observed that water extract of the Moutan Radicis Cortex increased cell viability under hypoxia induced by $CoCl_2$ and suppressed the expression of CD81 and GFAP up-regulated by hypoxia. Conclusion : These results suggest that the Moutan Redicis Cortex could promote neural regeneration as a consequence of protecting CNS cells from hypoxia and suppressing the reactive gliosis following CNS injury.