• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2011

Herbal medicines are widely used in many countries for the treatment of many diseases. Although the use of herb extracts as alternative medicine is growing, their toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we have investigated the effects of water and ethanol extracts of 18 herbs on the hepatic lipid metabolism and steatogenic hepatotoxicity. Ethanol extracts of Cirsium japonicum, Carthamus tinctorius, Rehmanniae glutinosa (preparata), Polygala tenuifolia, Foeniculum vulgare, Polygonum multiflorum, and Acorus gramineus and water extracts of Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmanniae glutinosa induced lipid accumulation in Sk-hep1 human hepatoma cells as determined by Nile red staining. These extracts increased the luciferase activity of sterol regulatory element (SRE) and decreased that of peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE), indicating the possibilities of enhanced fatty acid synthesis and decreased fatty acid oxidation. To identify the components responsible for the fat accumulation, we tested 50 chemicals isolated from the nine herbs. Apigenin, luteolin, pectolinarin and lupeol from Cirsium japonicum, 8-methoxypsoralen and umbelliferone from Foeniculum vulgare and pomonic acid and jiocerebroside from Rehmanniae glutinosa significantly increased the accumulation of lipid droplets. These results suggest that ethanol extracts of Cirsium japonicum, Carthamus tinctorius, Rehmanniae glutinosa (preparata), Polygala tenuifolia, Foeniculum vulgare, Polygonum multiflorum, and Acorus gramineus and water extracts of Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmanniae glutinosa can cause fatty liver disease by decreasing ${\beta}$-oxidation of fatty acid and increasing lipogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2013

This study investigated flora and vascular plants area around Buyongdae where include optimum view point Okyeonjeongsa and Gyeomamjeongsa in Hahoe Village, Andong. Based on the findings, the aim of results was attempted to suggest the management plan of the vegetation area around Buyongdae which designated UNESCO World cultural heritage and folk village in Korea. The results of the study is as the following. All flora of this site, Buyongdae in Andong, were 301 taxa; 89 families, 217 genera, 251 species, 1 subspecies, 38 varieties and 11 forms. Vegetation of each of areas in site was classified Pinus densiflora as representative forest around Buyongdae, Quercus variabilis forest around Gyeomamjjeongsa and Koelreuteria paniculata forest in river cliff of Buyongdae. The 14 taxa(Polygala tenuifolia, Koelreuteria paniculata, and others) as the rare plants and the 7 taxa(Weigela subsessilis, and others) as endemic species were recorded in the surveyed site among the whole flora. The specific plants which is categorized to degree by the Ministry of Environment appeared as 32 taxa; degree IV was 4 species; Polygala tenuifolia, etc. and degree III was 10 species; Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Pyrrosia petiolosa, etc. and degree I was 13 species; Hemiptelea davidii, Zizyphus jujuba var. jujuba, etc. Also, the 11 taxa were recorded in limestone area as the chamaephyte; Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Celtis koraiensis, Siphonostegia chinensis, Artemisia gmelini, and others. The naturalized plants recorded as 25 taxa; Viola arvensis, Erechtites hieracifolia, etc. and invasion of Sicyos angulatus which is ecosystem disturbing plants. The naturalization rate(NR) was 8.3% and the urbanization index(UI) was 7.8% by field survey. For recovery of indigenous to traditional vegetation landscape in Buyongdae, Pinus rigida of upper-growth and Alnus sibirica of middle-growth need thinning. In addition, the site demands both sustainable management through long-term monitering and gradual elimination method for the naturalized plants including Sicyos angulatus where found in Kyumamjeongsa. Particularly, intentional planting for decoration and cultivation around Hwachunseowon, Helianthus tuberosus must be substitute with the native plants. Meanwhile, Polygala tenuifolia is potently demanded preventing habitate, confirming additional habitate, seed securing and preservation of gene resource internally or externally. Koelreuteria paniculata; denoting feature of river cliff, including Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Siphonostegia chinensis, Zizyphus jujuba var. jujuba, Pyrrosia petiolosa, and Celtis koraiensis, also need an assertive preservation. Futhermore, Wisteria floribunda for. floribunda, located around Galmo rock to Chunggil course, remained by colonizing form, need preservation and observation for a while. Beside that, the information boards are required to educate visiting user about safe regulations on the narrow way in rock hill.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 1995

MeOH extracts of eight herbal medicines were investigated for the effects on catecholamine biosynthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in PC12 cells. Among them, the MeOH extracts of Polygalae Radix and Rehmaniae Radix showed 32 and 22% inhibition on the dopamine biosynthesis, respectively at a concentration of $40{\mu}g/ml$ medium. But, the TH activity was reduced by the treatment of Polygalae Radix. These results suggest that Polygalae Radix has an inhibitory effect on the catecholamine biosynthesis by the reduction of TH activity in PC12 cells.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

In this study we investigated the embryo toxicity of three kinds of plant extracts during early development of African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis through FETAX assay (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Aassay with Xenopus). The plants used in this study were the materials of the Korean herbal medicines, Polygala tenuifolia, Lycium chinensis and Comus officinalis. The test embryos exposed to 1, 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of each plant extract and control embryos were incubated for 96h at $24{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. The focus of this study is to elucidate the malformation due to toxicity of plant extracts, especially, to elucidate plant inducing optic malformation. As a result, the growth inhibition of embryos, optic malformation, axial distortion, cephalic and abdominal edema, dysplasia of digestive track and hyper-pigmentation were occurred in all of extracts, and these malformations were increased to the increase of extract concentration. The rate of optic malformation was highest in $100{\mu}g/ml$ of Lycium chinensistreated group and 27% of tested 150 individuals showed optic hernia. The histological results showed enlarged ventriculum in brain, dysplasia of vitreous chamber in eye and unclear retinal layers.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.194-200
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• 2011

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.) is known as the most destructive pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. As most insecticides targeted to mainly larval stage, new insecticides which have hatching-inhibitory or ovicidal activity could be more efficient to control DBM. Therefore, we developed an easy and efficient method for screening ovicidal activity of DBM eggs using aluminum foil. The aluminum foil ($4{\times}12$ cm) coated with filtered juice of chinese cabbage leave (hereinafter called oviposition foil) exposed to 300 newly-emerged adults for 24 hours inside the rearing container. The oviposition foils were replaced every 4 days consecutively after mating, but it was better to discarded over then. Oviposition foil were divided into 6 to 12 pieces depending on egg mass volume. After dipping into test solutions for 10 seconds using faucet, oviposition foil pieces were placed into common petri dish, and then investigated hatchability. The effect of methanol solvent (50%) for 10 seconds dipping on the toxicity against DBM eggs was negligible. In addition, whether covering the petri dish or not should be dependent on nature of active compounds tested. With applying the new bioassay method, methanol extracts from 50 plants were tested the ovicidal activity to DBM eggs. Among them, four plant extracts; Angelica tenuissima root, Lycium chinense root, Cnidium officinale root and Polygala tenuifolia root, showed high ovicidal activity of over 90% control efficacy, against DBM eggs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2005

Objectives : Polygalae Radix (PR) from Polygalae tenuifolia (Polygalaceae) has been clinically used as a sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial agent. To extend pharmacological effects of PR in the central nervous system (CNS) on the basis of its CNS protective effect, the present study was conducted to identify the effect of PR, whether it shows the neuroprotective action against excitatory neurotoxicity. Methods : To identify the protective effect of PR to excitatory neuro-toxic agent, the present study was focused on the PR effect on cell death, that was caused by applying NMDA to nerve cell, elevation of $(Ca^{2+})_i$, releasement of glutamate, and ROS generation. Result : 1. PR methanol extract, at the concentration range of 0.05 to 5 g/ml, significantly inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced neuronal cell death as well as MK-801 (non competitive NMDA antagonist). 2. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. NMDA application in the presence of MK-801 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ failed to produce the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ through all the measurement time. 3. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of glutamate release. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. 4. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of ROS generation. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. Conclusion : The present study provides the availability of PR to exert its protective effect on the neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative pathophysiological conditions.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2000

The extracts of Euphoria longan, Ziryphus jujuba, Thuja orientalis, Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus, Cyperus rotundus, Poria cocos, Uncaria rhynchophylla, and Albizzia julibrissin, which have been used as sedative drugs in Korean folk medicine, were evaluated for their effects on neurotransmission and antioxidative system in vitro. Among the tested drugs, Acorus gramineus showed most inhibitory activities on monoamine oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and lipid peroxidation and Uncaria rhynchophylla also inhibited most effectively GABA transaminase and DPPH radical.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2004

Secondary phenolic metabolites play an important role in plant defense mechanisms, and increasing evidence indicates that many phenolic compounds are important in human health. To date, few studies have investigated the impact of various medicinal plants on levels of secondary plant metabolites. To address this issue, 82 species of Korean medicinal plants were screened to determine their resveratrol contents. Among 82 medicinal plants, 5 species such as Gardenia jasmonoides, Phlomis umbrosa, Rheum palmatum L., Polygala tenuifolia, Rubus chingii HU contained relatively high concentrations of resveratrol $(179.75{\sim}42.71\;{\mu}g/g)$. But, 40 species including Adenophora triphylla var. japonica HARA were only observed low concentrations or trace of resveratrol, and 20 species including Alpinia officinarum HANCE did not contain a resveratrol.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.375-378
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• 1997

The Chongmyungtang (CMT; the combination of Acorus gramineus, polygala tenuifolia and Poria cocos) has been recognized to possess the preventive effect against several neurologic disorders in human. In this study, we examined the effect of CMT on the three parameters associated with kainic acid (KA)-induced neurotoxicities; seizure/mortality, increased fos-related antigen (FRA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. KA induced vigorous convulsions lasting 4-6 hr. Pretreatments with CMT before KA injection significantly reduced the seizure intensity as well as the mortality. CMT pretreatments also attenuated the KA-induced increase in FRA/GFAP expression in the hippocampus. These results suggest that CMT has a neuroprotective effect against KA-induced neurotoxicities.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2017

P-methoxycinnamic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid are the compounds found in Polygalae Radix, the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow, and have been reported to have hepatoprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects. On the other hand, there are no reports of their effects on gastric lesions. This study examined the inhibitory effects of cinnamic acids, including p-methoxycinnamic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid, and 8 compounds (cinnamic acid, 2-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, 3-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, trans-4-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, 4-(dimethylamino) cinnamic acid, 3,4-(methylenedioxy) cinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid), which were selected based on their presence in medicinal herbs and molecular weight, against gastric lesions. Animal models were used to confirm the protective effects on acute gastritis caused by the administration of HCl/EtOH. Gastric acid inhibition was examined by an acid-neutralizing test and the proton pump ($H^+/K^+$-ATPase) inhibiting activity. In addition, antioxidant tests were performed and the gastric emptying rate was determined. The results showed that cinnamic acid, p-methoxycinnamic acid, and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid had an inhibitory effect on gastric lesions.