• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.475-483
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• 2016

The current study was conducted to evaluate beneficial effects of a new formula (CWC-9) using four traditional Oriental medicinal herbs, Cynanchum wilfordii, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus gramineus, on hippocampal cells and memory function. To examine the neuroprotective effects of a new four-herb extract, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays were performed in HT22 cells and behavioral tests (Morris water maze and passive avoidance retention), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In HT22 hippocampal cells, pretreatment with CWC-9 resulted in significantly reduced glutamate-induced cell death with suppression of ROS accumulation caused by glutamate. In a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia, we observed significant improvement of spatial and short-term memory function by treatment with CWC-9. Phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in hippocampus of ischemic mice were decreased by treatment with CWC-9, but phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) were significantly enhanced. By immunohistochemical analysis, we confirmed higher expression of phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampal neurons of CWC-9 treated mice. These results suggest that new multi-herb formula CWC-9 mainly exerted beneficial effects on cognitive function through regulation of neuro-protective signaling pathways associated with CREB.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-38
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora, vegetation and soil properties of serpentine area in Andong, Korea. The vascular plants identified during the seven-round field surveys were a total of 359 taxa: 88 families, 239 genera, 311 species, 6 subspecies, 33 varieties, 6 forms and 3 hybrids. 249 taxa were newly discovered in this region. The plant composition of serpentine area is the deciduous broad-leaved and conifer-mixed forest which is the common one in the middle part of the Korean peninsula. Four taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Clematis brachyura, Populus ${\times}$ tomentiglandulosa, Paulownia coreana and Aster koraiensis were collected. The vascular plants on the red list according to IUCN evaluation basis were found to be seven taxa: Near Threatened (NT) species of Hypericum attenuatum, Polygala tenuifolia and Senecio argunensis, Least Concern (LC) species of Penthorum chinense, Potentilla discolor and Acorus calamus, and Not Evaluate (NE) species of Scorzonera austriaca ssp. glabra. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 19 taxa comprising two taxa of grade IV, five taxa of grade III, four taxa of grade II, and nine taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were identified as 34 taxa and the percentage of naturalized index (NI) was 9.5 %, and urbanization index (UI) was 10.6 %. Forest soils contained high content of nickel and cadmium. The soil layer consists of loam and silt loam from the surface to a depth of 20 cm and loam and silt clay from a depth of 20 cm to 40 cm.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2008

To produce bioactivity-strengthen medicinal herbs, the 36 medicinal herbs which have antioxidation or blood circulation activity, were solid fermented using Phellinus baumii mycelium. Most of medicinal herbs, except Chrysanthemum indicum (flower), Zizyphus jujuba Miller (fructus), Aconitum koreanum R. Raymond (root), Magnolia denu-data (flower), and Polygonatum sibiricum Redt (root bark), showed good fermentation at $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 days under 90% of relative humidity. The poor fermentations of the herbs could be explained by lack of nutrient, structural rigidity, and the content of antifungal substance. After fermentation, the average water content of herbs were increased to $67.21{\pm}11.43%$ from $30.84{\pm}15.67%$, but the average pH and average methanol extraction ratio were slightly decreased to $11.16{\pm}7.06%$ and $4.83{\pm}0.73$ from $13.91{\pm}12.22%$ and $5.06{\pm}0.87$, respectively. The analysis of thrombin inhibition and DPPH scavenging activity of the methanol extracts of herbs showed that thrombin inhibition activities of the fermented Drynaria fortunei Kunze, Melia azedarach var. japonica, Prunus persica and Orostachys japonicus, and DPPH scavenging activities of the fermented Polygala tenuifolia, Scrophularia buergeriana, Angelica dahurica, Drynariafortunei Kunze, Cyperus rotundus, and Boschniakia rossica were increased as compared with those activities of non-fermented its cognate herbs. Our results suggest that the production of bioactivity-strengthen medicinal herbs is possible by solid fermentation of Phellinus baumii mycelium, as fermented Drynaria fortunei Kunze showed increased antioxidant and thrombin inhibitory activities than those of non-fermented herbs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1268-1275
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of solid-state fermented medicinal herbs which include Phellinus baumii. Methanol extracts were prepared from 36 different medicinal herbs and their fermented counterparts. These extracts were used to treat human colorectal HCT116 cell, human embryonic kidney cell HEK-293, pre-adipocyte cell 3T3-L1, and pre-osteoblast cell MC3T3-E1 for 24 hr. At a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, the extracts of Amomum villosum, Cnidium officinale Makino, Dendrobium moniliforme, Dictamnus dasycarpus, Diospyros kaki Thunb, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv, Ginkgo biloba L, Magnolia denudata Desrousseaux, Orostachys japonicus, Panax notoginseng, Pharbitis nil Choisy, Polygala tenuifolia and Trichosanthes kirilowii (seed) led to a < 50% decrease in cell proliferation, and mycelium of P. baumii showed a 46.3% decrease in cell proliferation. Meanwhile, the extracts of the 25 fermented herbs showed similar anti-proliferative activities compared to those of individual non-fermented herbs. However, the extracts of the fermented Drynaria fortunei Kunze (1), Lycium chinense Mill (2), Fritillaria thunbergii Miquel (3) and Prunus persica showed increased anti-proliferative activity. The $IC_{50}s$ of (1), (2) and (3) were especially decreased to 28, 85 and 80 ${\mu}g/ml$ from 394, 917 and 149 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the extracts of fermented (1), (2) and (3) against HEK-293, 3T3-L1, and MC3T3-E1was negligible up to 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. These results suggest that solid-state fermentation using the mycellium of P. baumiiproduce potential anti-cancer agents or strengthen the bioactivity of medicinal herbs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.605-610
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• 2003

According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) that originates in a cell in the marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of developing marrow cells. There are two major classifications of leukemia: myelogenous or lymphocytic, which can each be acute or chronic. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved. Thus, four major types of leukemia are: acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired (not inherited) genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. In the United States, about 2,000 children and 27,000 adults are diagnosed each year with leukemia. Treatment for cancer may include one or more of the following: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, surgery and bone marrow transplantation. The most effective treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy, which may involve one or a combination of anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells. Specific types of leukemia are sometimes treated with radiation therapy or biological therapy. Common side effects of most chemotherapy drugs include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, decreased blood counts and infections. Each type of leukemia is sensitive to different combinations of chemotherapy. Medications and length of treatment vary from person to person. Treatment time is usually from one to two years. During this time, your care is managed on an outpatient basis at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or through your local doctor. Once your protocol is determined, you will receive more specific information about the drug(s) that Will be used to treat your leukemia. There are many factors that will determine the course of treatment, including age, general health, the specific type of leukemia, and also whether there has been previous treatment. there is considerable interest among basic and clinical researchers in novel drugs with activity against leukemia. the vast history of experience of traditional oriental medicine with medicinal plants may facilitate the identification of novel anti leukemic compounds. In the present investigation, we studied 31 kinds of anti leukemic medicinal plants, which its pharmacological action was already reported through many experimental articles and oriental medical book: 『pharmacological action and application of anticancer traditional chinese medicine』 In summary: Used leukemia cellline are HL60, HL-60, Jurkat, Molt-4 of human, and P388, L-1210, L615, L-210, EL-4 of mouse. 31 kinds of anti leukemic medicinal plants are Panax ginseng C.A Mey; Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc; Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc; Aloe ferox Mill; Phorboc diester; Tripterygium wilfordii Hook .f.; Lycoris radiata (L Her)Herb; Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz; Lilium brownii F.E. Brown Var; Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.; Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels; Asparagus cochinensis (Lour. )Merr; Isatis tinctoria L.; Leonurus heterophyllus Sweet; Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.; Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim; Dioscorea opposita Thumb; Schisandra chinensis (Rurcz. )Baill.; Auium Sativum L; Isatis tinctoria, L; Ligustisum Chvanxiong Hort; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch; Euphorbia Kansui Liou; Polygala tenuifolia Willd; Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth; Chelidonium majus L; Rumax madaeo Mak; Sophora Subprostmousea Chunet T.ehen; Strychnos mux-vomical; Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr.et Maxim.)Harms; Rubia cordifolia L. Anti leukemic compounds, which were isolated from medicinal plants are ginsenoside Ro, ginsenoside Rh2, Emodin, Yuanhuacine, Aleemodin, phorbocdiester, Triptolide, Homolycorine, Atractylol, Colchicnamile, Paeonol, Aspargus polysaccharide A.B.C.D, Indirubin, Leonunrine, Acinosohic acid, Trichosanthin, Ge 132, Schizandrin, allicin, Indirubin, cmdiumlactone chuanxiongol, 18A glycyrrhetic acid, Kansuiphorin A 13 oxyingenol Kansuiphorin B. These investigation suggest that it may be very useful for developing more effective anti leukemic new dregs from medicinal plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.729-735
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• 2010

In our previous study, it was reported that an herbal mixture, SH21B, inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo models of obesity. SH21B is a mixture composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd, and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner (Ratio 3:3:3:3:3:2:2). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of the effects of SH21B on various regulators of the adipogenesis pathway. During the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, SH21B significantly decreased the expression levels of central transcription factors of adipogenesis, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)$\gamma$ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)$\alpha$. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effects of SH21B, we examined the expression levels of the various pro-adipogenic or anti-adipogenic regulators of adipogenesis upstream of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$. The mRNA levels of Krox20 and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 15, which are pro-adipogenic regulators, were significantly down-regulated by SH21B treatment, whereas the mRNA levels of C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and KLF5 were not changed. KLF2 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are anti-adipogenic regulators, were significantly up-regulated by SH21B treatment. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of SH21B involves both the down-regulations of pro-adipogenic regulators, such as Krox20 and KLF15, and the up-regulations of anti-adipogenic regulators, such as KLF2 and CHOP, which results in the suppression of central transcription factors of adipogenesis including $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$.