• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2015

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is an important Rasayana herb and widely considered as Indian ginseng in Ayurveda. In traditional system of Indian medicine, it is used as tonic to rejuvenate the body and increase longevity. In Ayurvedic preparations, various parts of the plant have been used to treat variety of ailments that affect the human health. However, dried roots of the plant are widely used for the treatment of nervous and sexual disorders. The major active chemical constituents of this plant are withanolides, which is responsible for its wide range of biological activities. Since the beginning of the $20^{th}$ century, a significant amount of research has been done and efforts are ongoing to further explore other bioactive constituents, and many pharmacological studies have been carried out to describe their disease preventing mechanisms. In this chapter, we have reviewed the chemistry and pharmacological basis of W. somnifera in various human ailments.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2015

Medicinal fungi, taken whole or as various forms of extracts, have been used to alleviate, cure or prevent human ailments since pre-historic times. In particular, Asian cultures have incorporated a variety of mushrooms into their medical practices. Chemically pure, bioactive metabolites from fungi have been a mainstay of modern pharmacological research and in addition to antibiotics, include anticancer agents, immunosuppressants, enzyme inhibitors, antagonist and agonists of hormones, and a variety of psychotropic substances. However, to date not many studies have focused on the possible health benefits of odorant volatile organic compounds (i.e., gas phase compounds). An analysis of these compounds for their health related effects will expand the range of compounds available for the treatment of chronic and acute diseases. This review highlights phenolic acids and monoterpenes from Asian medicinal mushrooms (AMMs), which not only produce pleasant odors but also have antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Odorant bioactive volatile phase compounds from medicinal mushrooms remain an essentially untapped source for future medicines, and AMMs remain a promising resource for future pharmacological research.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.90-99
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• 2003

There are several data in the literature indicating a great variety of pharmacological activities of Polypodium genus, which exhibit antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Since one of our main interests is to obtain natural immunoregulatory agents devoid of pharmacological adverse effects, we used flow cytometry analysis to highlight relative contributions of a water-soluble fraction of different concentrations of Polypodium rhizome extracts on lymphocyte subpopulations, NK and LAK activity. To measure their potential immunoregulatory activity a T cell proliferation assay in response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and mixed lymphocyte reactions were chosen. As a confirmatory bioassay we studied the effect of our extracts on CD45RO and CD95 antigen expressions. The results indicate that CD95 expression dramatically increases after peripheral blood lymphocyte activation and treatment with Polypodium leucotomus, cambricum and vulgare extracts, suggesting a powerful intrinsic pro-apoptotic effect.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2013

Chungyangeum (CYE) is a newly designed herbal drug formula for the purpose of treating atopic dermatitis. The aim of the present study is to elucidate whether and how CYE modulates the allergy inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We investigate to ascertain the pharmacological effects of CYE on both compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and 2, 4-dinitrochlrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. Additionally, we attempted to determine the effects of CYE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. The findings of this study demonstrated that CYE reduced compound 48/80 or histamine-induced scratching behaviors and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in mice. The CYE inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and caspase-1 in stimulated macrophages. Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of CYE as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of allergic inflammation diseases.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2008

Delirium independently contributes to poor outcomes including prolonged hospital stays and increased risk of mortality. The reported prevalence of delirium in variety of medical and surgical hospital settings is from 15% to 70% ; delirium is, therefore, one of major reason for consultation that is required for psychosomatic interventions. This article reviews the psychosomatic interventions to treat delirium including 1) identification of risk factors and precipitating causes ; 2) non-pharmacological interventions, such as modifying treatment environment and educating patient's family and care-giver ; and 3) pharmacological approaches to control the various symptoms that are frequently presenting with delirium.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.133-142
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• 2020

Objectives Studies on Chinese herbal injections are increasing. But, its safety are still not well reported. We have reviewed the literature related to the safety of Chinese herbal injection, especially those related to anaphylaxis. Methods The PubMed database was used to select the literatures related to anaphylaxis in China and to study the quality control and safety of Chinese herbal injection. Results Chinese herbal injection is a major traditional medical treatment in China, but it is the cause of adverse drug reactions including anaphylaxis. In order to solve this problem, various proposals have been made to identify the pharmacological and chemical causes of major side effects and to use them safely clinically. In addition, various researches have been conducted from preclinical to postmarketing surveillance to secure the safety of Chinese herbal injection. Based on this, it was found that various efforts are needed to secure the safety of bee sting needles. Conclusion In order to secure the safety of chinese herbal injections, it is necessary to identify the main mechanism of action and the pharmacological components contributing to it, and to develop a standardized formulation based on this. In addition, institutional pharmacovigilance is required.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2012

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines and is reported to have a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological applications. Ginseng may also be potentially valuable in treating cardiovascular diseases. Research concerning cardiovascular disease is focusing on purified individual ginsenoside constituents of ginseng to reveal specific mechanisms instead of using whole ginseng extracts. The most commonly studied ginsenosides are $Rb_1$, $Rg_1$, $Rg_3$, $Rh_1$, Re, and Rd. The molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of cardiovascular disease have attracted much attention and been the subject of numerous publications. Here, we review the current literature on the myriad pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in this area. In vitro investigations using cell cultures and in vivo animal models have indicated ginseng's potential cardiovascular benefits through diverse mechanisms that include antioxidation, modifying vasomotor function, reducing platelet adhesion, influencing ion channels, altering autonomic neurotransmitters release, and improving lipid profiles. Some 40 ginsenosides have been identified. Each may have different effects in pharmacology and mechanisms due to their different chemical structures. This review also summarizes results of relevant clinical trials regarding the cardiovascular effects of ginseng, particularly in the management of hypertension and improving cardiovascular function.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.45-49
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• 2016

This study investigates the success rate of pulpotomy using electrosurgery operated on a primary molar in caries. The pulpotomy using electrosurgery was done on 253 primary molars of 111 young patients from 2 to 9 years old during the period of the first day of January 2011 to the last day of December 2015. After the amputation of pulp and hemostasis of primary molar were done using electrosurgery, MTA as pulp capping material was applied to the primary molar and the tooth was restored with the stainless steel crown. The follow up period after the treatment ranged from 4-46 months. The clinical and radiographic success rate ranged from 92.1 - 94.3%. Which is comparable to formocresol and ferric sulfate pulpotomy. Due to its non-pharmacological characteristic, electrosurgery can minimize harmful effect on the pulp tissue. Its fast bleeding control makes it easy and safe to use in pediatric and disabled patients in comparatively simple manner. Electrosurgery can be an alternative for pulp therapy considering the side effects of pharmacological ways.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 1982

In order to investigate the effect of 'Whangryonhaedok-Tang' on the anti-inflammatory, ileum of mice, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and antibacterial activity, those pharmacological actions were conducted. The results of this studies were summarized as follows; Rat hind paw edema induced by acetic acid was inhibited. In mice, tone of intestinal smooth muscle was suppressed with the treatment of sample and intestinal contractions induced by $BaCl_2$ was inhibited. Hypertensive effect was not observed in rabbits but was observed by the water extract of 'Whangryonhaedok-Tang' excluded Phellodendri Cortex in rabbits. The increased blood glucose levels in alloxandiabetic rabbits were significantly decreased by the oral administration of the sample I after 6 days. The total cholesterol levels in alloxan-induced rabbits were significantly decreased by the oral administration of the sample I after 9 days. Antibacterial activity was observed. In addition, we thought the pharmacological actions were significantly noted by the sample III (Methanol soluble fraction) because of the purification of effective components.