• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2023

Jukyeo (竹茹; Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam: BCT) is an herbal medicine made from the inner part of the bamboo stem of Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf ex Rendle or Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini. Although medical literature published in China and Korea decades ago introduced BCT as a remedy for reducing vomiting, fever, and hematemesis, decoctions containing BCT as a main herb (君藥) in Korea have been approved only for treating neurologic symptoms. Here, we discuss the anti-inflammatory function of BCT. Combined with the clinical usage of a BCT-containing decoction in treating inflammatory diseases in Japan, we raise the possibility of repurposing the BCT-containing decoctions for treating inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of BCT was mainly assessed by using RAW 264.7 cells. The regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2 and A20 activities was determined by western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. The list of decoctions containing BCT currently approved in Korea was obtained from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA). BCT suppressed the activity of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB elicited by LPS, activated an anti-inflammatory factor Nrf2, and induced A20 that is known to block several inflammatory pathways simultaneously, suggesting that BCT can suppress inflammation via at least 3 different pathways. KFDA approved 11 decoctions containing BCT as a major herb, including Gamiondam-tang (加味溫膽湯; GOT), for treating neurologic disorders. Interestingly, Jukyeoondam-tang (竹茹溫膽湯; JOT), whose composition is almost identical to GOT except for one herb, has been used to treat inflammatory pulmonary disorders including Covid-19 pulmonary infection in Japan Given the anti-inflammatory function of BCT evidenced by medical literature and experimental results and the clinical usage of JOT in treating inflammatory pulmonary disorders, we suggest a repurposing and extension of the BCT-containing decoctions approved in Korea to treating inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2013

This study examined the status of the vegetation around Gangcheonsan provincial park located in Sunchang-gun in Jeollabuk-do and Damyang-gun in Jeollanam-do from June 4 to October 12, 2011. Gangcheonsan vegetation was arranged 9 plant communities in accordance with data of 28 releves. Major forest vegetation included Quercus variabilis communityand Quercus variabilis-Quercus serrata community, Pinus densiflora community, and Pinus densiflora-Quercus variabilis community (evergreen coniferous forest in all), and Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis community (plantation). Wetland vegetation included Salix gracilistyla community (riverbank forests), Phragmites japonica community, and Polygonia thunbergii community. Gangcheonsan Provincial Park has beautiful scenery that is in harmony with fantastically-shaped rocks, waterfalls, and valleys and conserves a specific plant community habitat distributed through the forest wetlands including its valleys. It is necessary to conduct long-term monitoring with its focus on Pinus densiflora community, Lycoris koreana community, and Lycoris squamigera community in the provincial park to grasp the characteristics of ecological inhabit changes in major communities and provide active methods for conservation, restoration, and publicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1279-1285
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• 2004

To evaluate the antimutagenic effect and hepato protective of bamboo trees and bamboo byproduct, hot-water extracts from four kinds of bamboo [wang-dae (Phyllostachys bambusoides S. et Z.), som-dae (Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis), maengjong-juk (Phyllostachys pubescens) and o-juk (Phyllostachys nigra Munro)] and maengjong-juk extract coated rice were evaluated for antimutagenicity by Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Bamboo extracts showed strong antimutagenic activity in the Ames test which MNNG was used as mutagen in the absence and presence of S9 mix. Maengjong-juk extract coated rice diet suppressed the loss of body weight significantly. Food intake was increased in maengjong-juk extract coated rice supplemented group but showed no significant differences between control and maengjong-juk extract coated rice diet groups. Food efficiency of maengjong-juk extract coated rice supplemented group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Liver weight was significantly increased by maengjong-juk extract coated rice diet administration. Plasma GOT & GPT activities of rabbit were significantly suppressed in maengjong-juk extract coated rice supplemented group. These results suggest that bamboo trees extracts and maengjong-juk extract coated rice are bioavailable resource on treatment of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.