• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 1995

Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum is a wild plant growing only in Jeju-island, Korea, and in Japan. The whole part of this plant has been known to have the pharmacological actions such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, platelet-aggregation inhibitory, antitussive, and expectorant. With these assumed actions, the leaves (Crinum folium) of this plant has been used in the folk remedies for arthritis and arthralgia. There is, however, no scientific evidences for the pharmacological actions of Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum. In the present study, the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and platelet-aggregation inhibitory actions of Crinium folium were evaluated using writhing test, tail-flick test, carrageenin antiedema test, in vitro thromboxane $B_2$ quantitation assay and in vitro platelet aggregation test. In order to obtain the partially purified fraction whose pharmacological action is excellent, the methanol extract of Crinium folium was fractionated consecutively into four biological fractions such as ether, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions and their pharmacological actions of the fractions were investigated. Putting our results together, Crinium folium, especially ethyl acetate fraction was proven to have significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory and platelet-aggregation inhibitory actions by inhibition of prostanoids biosynthesis as one of its mechanism of action.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.93-108
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• 2011

Objectives : Angelica sinensis has been used extensively in Korean traditional medicine. Although thorough clinical trials are lacking, Various pharmacological actions for Angelica sinensis has been identified newly using animal models. In addition, it was reported that reactive intermediates, potentially causing toxic effects, was isolated from components in Angelica sinensis. In this article, it was purposed for explanation and introduction of new studies for Angelica sinensis. in terms of Pharmacological action and Toxicity. Methods : New studies for Angelica sinensis were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action and toxicity. Results and Conclusions : Angelica sinensis and its components including phthalide, phthalide dimers, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, ligustilide와 butylidenephthalide as well as organic acid showed a variety of pharmacological actions on uterine, cardiovascular system and immune system. In addition, it was identified that three components of such as ligustilide, caffeic acid and safrole was biotransformed to reactive intermediates causing possibly toxicity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.145-160
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• 2011

Objectives : Rehmannia glutinosa has been used extensively in Korean traditional medicine. Although thorough clinical trials are lacking, Various pharmacological actions for Rehmannia glutinosa has been identified newly using animal models. In addition, it was reported that reactive intermediates, potentially causing toxic effects, was isolated from one of components in Rehmannia glutinosa. In this article, it is purposed for explanation and introduction of new studies for Rehmannia glutinosa in terms of pharmacological action and toxicology. Methods : New studies for Rehmannia glutinosa were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action and toxicity. Results and Conclusions : Rhmannia glutinosa and its components including iridoids, saccharides, as well as amino acid, showed a variety of pharmacological actions on the blood system, immune system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system and the nervous system. In addition, it was identified that aucubin, one of major components of Rhmannia glutinosa was biotransformed to reactive intermediates by ${\beta}$-glycosidase and acid-hydrolysis, resulting in forming aucubigenin- albumin adduct. Even if a lot of new pharmacological actions has been identified, it should be considered for Rhmannia glutinosa to contain the material producing reactive intermediates which may induce the side effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 1992

Higenamine is an Aconiti tuber derived compound whose chemical structure is 1-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)-6, 7-dihydroxy-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline containing catechol ring and tetrahydroisoquinoline nucleus in its own structure, both of which are well known to have agonistic effects on adrenergic receptors. Using guinea-pig atria(rich in ${\beta}_1$-receptor) and treachea(rich in ${\beta}_2$-receptor), we studied pharmacological actions of higenamine on these organs with special interest of its relevancy of ${\beta}$-receptor selectivity. In order to further clarify its pharmacological characteristics, the influncences of pretreatment of reserpine or cocaine were also investigated. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Higenamine had remarkable chronotropic, inotropic and bronchodilator effects in guinea-pig spontaneously beating right atria, left atria and trachea, in dose-dependent manners. 2. All of above actions were blocked competitively by propranolol, which shows nonselectivity of higenamine on ${\beta}$-receptor. $pA_2$ values of propranolol against higenamine were 7.93, 7.76 and 8.46 in guinea-pig right atria, left atria and treachea, respectively. 3. Reserpine pretreatment(5mg/kg, ip, 24h) did not show my decrease in pharmacological actions of higenamine, which suggests higenamine has direct action on ${\beta}$-receptor not via catecholamine release. 4. Cocaine pretreatment$(1{\mu}M)$ had no influence on pharmacological actions of higenamine in contrast with nor epinephrine, which suggests there is no neuronal uptake mechanism of higenamine in the studied organ preparations.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2002

Toad venom, 'Chan su' in Chinese and 'somso' in Korean, is a well-known traditional oriental medicine obtained from the skin venom gland of the toad. Formulations of toad venom have been widely applied in China, Japan, Korea and other oriental countries for a long time. It is often found in traditional Chinese formulations, such as Jiuxin (or Kyushin in Japan), Yixin, Huoxin, Shexiang baoxin wan, Lu shen wan and Laryngitis pills. According to a pharmaceutical chemistry study, toad venom contains multiple biological active substances, such as bufalin, resibufogenin and cinobufagin. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that toad venom has multiple pharmacological actions, including acting as a cardiotonic, antitumor local anesthetic effects, stimulates the respiratory center, vasopressor action, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. Like other medications, toad venom also has certain toxicity and adverse effects, for example, inducing delayed afterdepolarization and triggered arrhythmia. The major chemical constituents, basic pharmacological actions and adverse reactions of toad venom are discussed in this article.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1973

The pharmacological activities of paeoniflorin abtained from paeony roots, F$_M$100 from glycyrrhiza roots, crude saikosides from bupleurum roots, crude platycodin from platycodon roots, and bothj of ginsenoside Rb and ginsenoside Rg series from ginseng roots were investigated. Paeoniflorin, F$_M$ 100, crude saikosides, and crude platycodin exhibited sedative antipyretic, anlagesic and anti-ulcerative actions. In addition, crude saidosides and crude platycodin showed antitusaive and the potent anti-inflammatory action. An expectorant action was also observed with crude platycodin. These results coincided with the clinical applications of the aforementioned oriental medicinals. It also should be noted that crude saikosides nad crude platycodin are preferable to the other steroidal nad nonsteroidal drugs as an anti-inflammatory agent, because the drugs aggravate the digestive ulcer. In ginseng, G No3. and GNS frctions out of ginsenoside Rb series hsowed stimulant and antifatigue actions. The synergistic effects identified between paeoniflorin and F$_M$ 100 on the various pharmacological activities, have verified the reasonability of combined uses of two oriental drugs as Jakyak Gaqmcho-Tang.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.70-76
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• 1976

Pharmacological studies on the water extracts of Sambbcus latipnna var. coreana have confirmed that there are: 1) Remarkable sedative actions in preteated mice with C.N.B (caffeine and sodium benzoate) by the administration of intraperitoneal injection. 2) Antihypertensive actions in rabbits intraperitoneally injected with the extract, and as antihypertensive components, rutin, and crystal A (m.p. $250{\sim}254^{\circ}$, Liberman-Buchard's reaction, positive) were isolated from Sambucus latipinna var. coreana. 3) Marked diuretic actions in mice intramuscular injection with the dose of 600mg/kg.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.241-253
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• 2019

Flavonoids are major plant constituents with numerous biological/pharmacological actions both in vitro and in vivo. Of these actions, their anti-inflammatory action is prominent. They can regulate transcription of many proinflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase-2/inducible nitric oxide synthase and many cytokines/chemokines. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain flavonoid derivatives can affect pathways of inflammasome activation and autophagy. Certain flavonoids can also accelerate the resolution phase of inflammation, leading to avoiding chronic inflammatory stimuli. All these pharmacological actions with newly emerging activities render flavonoids to be potential therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disorders including arthritic inflammation, meta-inflammation, and inflammaging. Recent findings of flavonoids are summarized and future perspectives are presented in this review.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2021

Since ancient times, various herbal medicines have been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of diseases. While the majority of drugs belong to the Kingdom of Plantae, some drugs from the Kingdom of Animalia are listed in various Materia medica of alternative medicines. Animal-derived drugs are mentioned in the Unani system of Medicine (USM) and have been used successfully to treat a variety of diseases. Marjān (Corallium rubrum) is a vital marine drug of animal origin that has been used in USM since ancient times and continues to be used today. It possesses a variety of beneficial pharmacological properties, including tonic effects on the heart, brain, stomach, and eyes, pregnancy protection, expectorant, and hemostyptic properties. It is used to treat hemoptysis, palpitation, bleeding piles, hemiplegia, heart failure, and general weakness. It is also an ingredient in a variety of Unani formulations with pharmacological significance. Unani physicians expanded the uses of Marjan and successfully used it to treat a variety of new diseases. There is a dearth of scientific research on its pharmacological and medicinal properties. The urgent need is to validate the Unani claims about its beneficial cardiac and nervine actions, as well as other significant actions mentioned in the Unani literature.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 2010

The spice phenomenon therapy is to adhibit aromatic herbs or materials to the human body or clothing, for the purpose of preventing and treating diseases. Mankind found the fire, and found that some plants and trees give off smoke when they are burning. Then, they found that some of aromatic substances had certain actions after being absorbed through the respiratory organ, which was the beginning of the spice phenomenon therapy. The spice phenomenon therapy is effective to relieve the exterior syndrome, to eliminate dampness, to regulate Qi flow, and to induce resuscitation. It has two actions. One is that the aromas that permeated the body, refreshes the mind, stimulates the appetite, strengthens the spleen and the stomach, and makes a relaxing sleep. The other is that the aromatic substances, absorbed into the human body, have pharmacological actions. The volatile aromatic substances have various pharmacological actions such as stimulating cranial nerves, dilating cardiac blood vessels, promoting gastric secretion, relaxing and sleep-inducing. It has been proved that the spice phenomenon therapy is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial and is effective to dilate cerebral blood vessels and to ease the pain. It is expected to be studied more aggressively.