• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.117-123
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• 2014

Adenophorae Radix (AR) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. However, the regulatory effects of AR in atopic dermatitis are not yet understood. This study attempted to determine the pharmacological effects of AR and its constituent on both compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and 2, 4-dinitrochlrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. The findings of this study demonstrated that AR reduced compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors in mice. Treatment of AR attenuated the AD symptoms such as eczematous, erythema and dryness and serum IgE and IL-6 levels in AD model. Additionally, AR inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced the Nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activation in HaCaT cells. Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of AR as a potential molecule for therapeutic agent against atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2009

Korean ginseng, which contains ginsenosides and polysaccharides as its main constituents, is orally administered to humans. Ginsenosides and polysaccharides are not easily absorbed by the body through the intestines due to their hydrophilicity. Therefore, these constituents which include ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc, inevitably come into contact with intestinal microflora in the alimentary tract and can be metabolized by intestinal microflora. Since most of the metabolites such as compound K and protopanaxatriol are nonpolar compared to the parental components, these metabolites are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The absorbed metabolites may express pharmacological actions, such as antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects. However, the activities that metabolize these constituents to bioactive compounds differ significantly between individuals because all individuals possess characteristic indigenous strains of intestinal bacteria. Recently, ginseng has been fermented with enzymes or microbes to develop ginsengs that contain these metabolites. However, before using these enzymes and probiotics, their safety and biotransforming activity should be assessed. Intestinal microflora play an important role in the pharmacological action of orally administered ginseng.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.345-354
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• 2012

Angelica keiskei has exhibited numerous pharmacological effects including antitumor, antimetastatic, and antidiabetic effects. However, the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms employed by xanthoangelol E isolated from Angelica keiskei are incompletely understood. In this study, we attempted to determine the effects of Xanthoangelol E on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophage. The findings of this study demonstrated that xanthoangelol E inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Xanthoangelol E inhibited the enhanced levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) caused by LPS. Additionally, we showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of xanthoangelol E is through the regulation of the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ and caspase-1. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological actions of xanthoangelol E as a potential candidate for the development of new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1993.04a
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• pp.72-72
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• 1993

Chan'su the dried toad venom preparation, has been used for centuries as a cardiotonic a local anesthetic and in the treatment of ecphyma. Bufadienol ides are major effective components of Chan'so. Their pharmacological activities have been studies to date. However, their pharmacokinetic and metabolism have not been studied. Considering variously divergent pharmacological actions of bufadienolides we decided to examine their metabolism and their other biological activites. We isolated and purified various components of bufadienolides. Cinobufagin and bufalin are prominent components. Firstly we examined metabolism of cinobufagin and found that this compound was extensively metabolized into various metabolites by mixed-function oxidase and deacetylase.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 1998

The ethanol extracts of Opuntia ficus-indica fructus (EEOF) and Opuntia ficus-indica stem (EEOS) were prepared and used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of cactus. Both the extracts inhibited the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid, indicating that they contains analgesic effect. The oral administrations of EEOF and EEOS suppressed carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and also showed potent inhibition in the leukocyte migration of CMC-pouch model in rats. Moreover, the extracts suppressed the release of $\beta$-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme in rat neutrophils. It was also noted that the extracts showed the protective effect on gastric mucosal layers. From the results it is suggested that the cactus extracts contain anti-inflammatory action having protective effect against gastric lesions.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 1982

In order to investigate pharmacological actions of combined preparations of crude drugs, 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' were studied. The 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' using abdominal pain and convulsion of pediatric diseases are composed of Glycyrrhizae Radix and Paeoniae Radix alba. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang'(S-I) and parched 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang'(S-II) on anticonvulsive, analgesic, antipyretic and sedative actions. The results of this study were summarized as follows; Both 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' and parched 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' showed anticonvulsive effects against convulsions induced by strychnine, picrotoxine and caffeine. 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' and parched 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' also showed analgesic and antipyretic effects. Parched 'Jakyakgamcho-Tang' only prolonged the duration of hypnosis induced by sodium pentobarbital.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.188-193
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• 1984

It was previously indicated that 'Samulanshintang' had been examined for effects of the anticonvulsive, antipyretic, analgesic, sedative and antispasmodic actions. In order to investigate the effect on the cardiovascular system and anemic rabbits induced by phenlhydrazine HCl, pharmacological studies have been carried out with extract. The results of this investigation were summarized as follows: The relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and antihistamine action were recognized. Antihypertensive and vasodilating actions due to vascular smooth muscle relaxation were noted in frogs and rabbits. 'Samulanshintang' lowered the rate of anemia induced by phenylhydrazine and rapidly recovered from the anemia state.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.29-31
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• 1962

Although Lycaconitine, one of the alkaloids of Radix Jingyu, had been identified in 1884, its use in practice has not been known probably because of our limited knowledge on pharmacologic actions of the drug. Recently repellent efficacy of Lycaconitine against Korean cattle ticks and goat ticks was demonstrated. Obviously, there in a need to investigate toxicologic aspects of Lycaconitine before its widespread use for the control of animal ticks can be attempted. As will be reported in this paper, Lycaconitine Shows a wide margin of safety in the concentration applied as cattle or goat tick repellent.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.262-266
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• 1999

Dopamine transporter (DAT) plays the most important role in terminating the actions of dopamines released into the synaptic cleft. DAT is also the target of various psychotropic drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine. In this study were prepared DAT-specific antibodies using the 2nd extracellular loop of rat DAT as an antigen. The 2nd extracellular loop of the rat DAT was expressed in bacterial as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase, and injected ito rabbits to raise antibodies. Produced antibodies clearly recognized the rat DAT in ELISA, immunoblotting, and immumoprecipitation. As expected from the high sequence homology between the rat and human DAT, the antibodies raised for the rat DAT cross-reacted with the human DAT in the immunoblotting. Considering the specificity for DAT with wide range of applications such as ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation, these antibodies would be valuable tool for understanding the pharmacological actions of dopamine transporter and drug addition.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.122-128
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• 1982

In order to investigate the pharmacological action of combined preparation of crude drugs, 'Oyo-Tang' were studied. 'Oyo-Tang' consist of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ephedrae Herba, Armenicae Semen, Platycodi Radix and Nepetae Herba. They have widely been prescribed in Oriental Medicine for controlling of cough, asthma, nasal abstraction, pharygeal pain and hoarseness. Experimental studies were implemented on analgesic, sedativc, anticonvulsive and ileum relaxing actions. The results of the studies were as follows; Significant anticonvulsive action was recognized by fraction IIII. Sedative and analgesic actions were noted by fraction I and III. Relaxing action was shown on the extracted ileum in mice, antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2-induced$ contraction of the ileum of mice and Histamine-induced contraction of the ileum of guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized.