• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.178-186
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• 2002

The present study was attempted to investigate the effects of total ginseng saponin (G75), panaxadiol-type (PDS) and panaxatriol-type saponin (PTS) on contractile responses of vasoconstrictors in aortic smooth muscle stripes of normotensive (NR) and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). Phenylephrine (an adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in both NR and AHR aorta, respectively. Phenylephrine- and high potassium-induced contractile responses were greater in NA than those in SHR aortic smooth muscle stripes. In NR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and PTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively whereas phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were markedly inhibited. In SHR, the contractile responses of high potassium (5.6$\times$10$\^$-2/ M) were not affected in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml), PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), and moderate doses of PTS (150-300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively but greatly blocked by high concentration of PTS (600 $\mu$g/ml). Phenylephrine (10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile responses were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion (150-600 $\mu$g/ml) by the pretreatment with PTS while not altered in the presence of GTS (300 $\mu$g/ml) and PDS (300 $\mu$g/ml), respectively. Taken together, these experimental results suggest that ginseng saponins cause vascular relaxation through blockade of adrenergic $\alpha$$\_$1/-receptors and some unknown mechanisms, and that there is some difference in sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle between NR and SHR in responses to ginseng saponins. It seems that panaxatriol type of some ginseng saponins has the greatest potency in vascular relaxation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the enhancement of UV-protection activities and skin-whitening effects from Angelica gigas Nakai extracts on ultra high pressure extraction process. Extraction at $60^{\circ}C$ treated by ultra high pressure for 15 minute and associated with ultrasofication (HPE15) was showed more than double yield, compare conventional extraction, as 12.24% (w/w) from A. gigas. Extracts of HPE15 reduced expression of MMP-1 on UV-irradiated CCD-986sk cells as 122.2% and revealed high inhibitory potency on tyrosinase as 69.4% by adding samples. Extracts of HPE15 from A. gigas showed strong inhibition effect on melanin production test by Clone M-3 cells as 82.4% by adding extracts. From the preliminary observations, we considered that the extracts from A. gigas could be potent natural materials for skin-whitening agent, and could be used as a potential anti-aging agent for the photo-damaged skin.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.15-21
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• 1984

It was aimed to study the effects of ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ agonists on the sleeping time in $one{\sim}two-day-old$ chickens. Furthermore, it was also evaluated whether ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ agonist and antagonist might affect the sleeping in the chickens and discussed in relation with opiate receptor. 1) Guanabenz, clonidine, guanfacine and B-HT 933 decreased the latency of the loss of righting reflex in a dose-dependent manner, but B-HT 920 and oxymetazoline slightly prolonged it. 2) ${\alpha}_2-Adrenoceptor$ agonists produced dose·related increase in sleeping time. The potency was guanabenz>clonidine>oxymetazoline${\geq}$B-HT 933${\geq}$B-HT 920>guanfacine in this order. 3) ${\alpha}_2-Adrenoceptor$ antagonists decreased guanabenz-induced sleeping time in a dose ·dependent manner. The rank order of ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ antagonists was yohimbine>rauwolscine>piperoxan${\geq}$RX 781094. 4) Sleeping time caused by both ethanol and hexobarbital was not affected by yohimbine in chickens. 5) Methoxamine and phenylephrine showed little significant effect on the guanabenz-induced sleeping time. However, prazosin increased it. Paradoxically, corynanthine rather caused to decrease it. These results suggest that the stimulation of central ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ mediates sleeping, however it is remained uncertain in the role of central ${\alpha}_1-adrenoceptor$ in chickens. In addition, the one~two-day-old chickens may be considered as a useful, inexpensive and simple experimental model to evaluate the in vivo pharmacological action of the ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ agonist and antagonist related to sedation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

This study was executed to determine the cumulative dietary risk of PAHs exposed by food ingestion. Food samples including barbecued beef, barbecued pork, grilled chicken, ham, bacon and vegetable oil which were collected from food markets. These samples were saponified, extracted and cleaned up to purify PAHs, and then the purified sample solutions were analyzed by HPLC-FL. Generally, the levels of total PAHs in barbecued beef (0.2 ppb), bacon (0.3 ppb), barbecued pork (0.7 ppb), ham (0.8 ppb), and vegetable oil (1.2 ppb) were low, whereas the level of total PAHs in grilled chicken (9.3 ppb) was significantly high. For the exposure assessment of PAHs due to food ingestion, PAHs levels converted into TEQ$_{BaP}$, the average body weight for 20-73 age group and consumed levels of food proposed from report on the National Health and Nutrition Survey were used. The estimated lifetime average daily intake of dietary PAHs was 4.32${\times}$10$^{-4}$ $\mu\textrm{g}$-TEQ$_{BaP}$kg/day as the mean value. The dietary risk adjusted to cancer potency of benzo(a)pyrene as 7.3 (mg/kg/day)$^{-1}$ was 3.44${\times}$10$^{-6}$ based on current data.ata.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.688-696
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• 2019

This study investigated changes in triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis and tyrosinase activity induced by ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) extract, which cannot be stored for long periods of time due to its high moisture content when it was fermented to improve its storage stability. The accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol in HepG2 cells inhibited the accumulation with a relatively large magnitude in n-butanol and aqueous fractions that generally have high polarity, however, changes in inhibition potency due to the fermentation were not significant. As for the effect to inhibit tyrosinase activity, when L-tyrosine was used as a substrate, the inhibitory activity was the highest for the aqueous fraction at $60.58{\pm}4.03%$ and $63.35{\pm}4.35%$, before and after fermentation, respectively, which amounted to 72% of that of the positive control group (arbutin, $100{\mu}g/ml$). In addition, when L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) was used as a substrate, the inhibitory activity was also found the highest for the aqueous fraction at $56.85{\pm}1.57%$ and $59.38{\pm}1.74%$, before and after fermentation, respectively, which amounted to at least 88% of that in the positive control (kojic acid, $100{\mu}g/ml$). Overall, the activity of the fermented ice plant extract was similar or a little higher compared to that of the one without fermentation, indicating that fermentation can be a good approach to improve the storage stability of the ice plant.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this study was to compare, the potency of toxicity of Cantharidin containing dried Mylabis phalerata (MP) extract and it's modifier. Methods ： They were monitored at dosage level 2,000, 1,000, 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. Changes of body weight, clinical signs, mortality, LD50, macroscopic changes of gastrointestinal tract and liver were observed after single oral dose of test articles with changes of serum Gastrin and Somatostatin levels. Results ： Dosage-dependent decrease of body weight and/or gains were demonstrated in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, the body weights were significantly increased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently detected clinical signs in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these clinical signs dramatically were decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependent increase of mortality rates were observed in dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, the mortalities were significantly decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. The LD50 of dried MP extract in male mice was dramaticlly increased in their modify, 265.86 vs 426.99 mg/kg. Dosage-dependently increase of number of hemorrhagic and/or erythematous spots detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal spots were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of degrees of enlargement and congestion detected in the liver of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal signs were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of serum gastrin levels of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal increase were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Dosage-dependently increase of serum somatostatin levels of dried MP extract-dosing groups, were also detected in modified and dried MP extract-dosing groups at 2,000 and 1,000 mg/kg-dosing group. However, below 500 mg/kg-dosing group, these abnormal increase were dramatically decreased compared to that of equal dosage group of dried MP extract-dosing group. Conclusions ： The toxicity of dried MP extract was reduced by their modify.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 1992

The training of male wistar rats for active conditioned response (ACR) was performed by one daily training session of 30 consecutive trials for 10 successive days using a two-way shuttle box, and the rats that showed 10 or more ACRs on the last day were treated for further 10 days with electroconvulsive shock (ECS : 50 mA, 0.5 msec; 100 Hz; 1.5 sec) and the following compounds. On the 20th day, all the rats were tested for the ACR rention. The ECS regimens were one ECS per day for 10 days with one day interval $(5{\times}ECS)$, one ECS at 3 hrs (ECS-3h), and one ECS at 24 hrs (ECS-24h), respectively, before the ACR retention test. And CDP-choline (cc: 250 mg/kg), spermine (SM: 10 mg/kg), ${\alpha}-difluoromethylornithine$ (DO: 250 mg/kg), or aminoguanidine (AG: 100 mg/kg) was administered by one daily i.p. injection for 10 days. The ACR number $(13.7{\pm}1.0)$ obtained on the last training day was increased by 37.23% on the 20th day in the control rats. And the ACR increase was significantly suppressed by 5-ECS, ECS-3h, CC, or SM but was little affected by ECS-24h, DO, or AG. However, the 5-ECS induced impairment of ACR retention was significantly suppressed by AG, SM, and CC in the order of potency but was little affected by DFMO. And the ECS-3h induced impairment was moderately worsened by SM or AG. The acetylcholine (ACh) of the rat hypothalamus (HT), hippocampus (HC), and entorhinal cortex (EC) was markedly increased by CC and moderately increased by SM, but little affected by ECS-3h, ECS-24h, DO, or AG. But $5{\times}ECS$ slightly increased the ACh content. The brain putrescine (Pt) content was significantly increased by AG and little affected by CC, SM, or DO. But the $5{\times}ECS$ markedy decreased the brain Pt content, and the decrease was significantly suppressed by CC, SM, or AG. CC induced the marked increases of the spermidine (Sd) and spermine (Sm) contents of all the areas. SM increased the Sd contents of all the areas and the EC-Sm content. DO decreased the brain Sd and Sm contents. And AG increased the HT-Sd content and the Sm contents of all the brain areas. The $5{\times}ECS$ induced decrease of the HC-Sm content was suppressed by CC, SM and AG. These results suggest that the improving effect of aminoguanidine on the $5{\times}ECS$ induced impairment of ACR retention may be ascribed in part to its activity as a diamine oxidase inhibitor.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of age and basal serum FSH in predicting the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with poor-ovarian response. Methods: From January 2000 to December 2004, 85 second IVF cycles of 85 poor-ovarian response patients under the age of 42 with a back-ground of the first IVF cycles at our infertility center and 5 or less oocytes were retrieved and their basal serum FSH levels of 15$\sim$25 mIU/ml were enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria were patients with a male factor for the etiology of infertility and undergoing genetic diagnosis of embryo such as PGD. Flare-up protocol was used for ovarian stimulation in all cases. Results: When we stratified the study groups by patient's age, the younger age group (age<35, n=35) showed significantly higher implantation rate (19.0% versus 4.0%, p<0.05) and higher ongoing pregnancy rate (100% versus 14.3%, p<0.05) than the older age group (age$\geq$35, n=50). And then, when we stratified the study populations by basal serum FSH level, the lower FSH group (basal serum FSH<20 mIU/ml, n=58) showed significantly higher number of retrieved oocytes (4.6$\pm$0.7 versus 2.2$\pm$0.5, p<0.05) and lower cancellation rate (19.0% versus 55.6%, p<0.05) than higher FSH group (basal serum FSH$\geq$20 mIU/ml, n=27). Conclusions: In conclusion, it was suggested that the patient's age could predict the IVF outcomes in respect to its potency of pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy. Serum basal FSH levels could predict more accurately the ovarian response of cycle, but not clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-131
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• 2002

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.308-322
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• 1996

Background : Neutrophils are considered to play critical roles in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Histamine, which is distributed abundantly in lung tissue, increases the rolling of neutrophills via increase of P-selectin expression on the surface of endothelial cells and is known to have some interrelationships with IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-$\alpha$. We studied to investigate the effect of the histamine on the acute lung injury of the rats induced by intratracheal insufflation of TNF-$\alpha$ which has less potency to cause lung injury compared to IL-1 in rats. Methods : We intratracheally instilled saline or TNF(R&D, 500ng), IL-1(R&D, 50ng)or histamine of varius dose(1.1, 11 and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) with and without TNF separately in Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-370 grams. We also intratracheally treated IL-1(50ng) along with histamine($55\;{\mu}g/kg$). In cases, there were synergistic effects induced by histamine on the parameters of TNF-induced acute lung injury, antihistamines(Sigma, mepyramine as a $H_1$ receptor blockade and ranitidine as a $H_2$ receptor blockade, 10 mg/kg in each)were co-administered intravenously to the rats treated TNF along with histamine($1.1\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratraeheally. Then after 5 h we measured lung lavage neutrophil numbers, lavage cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractants(CINC), lung myeloperoxidase activity(MPO) and lung leak. We also intratracheally insufflated TNF with/without histamine($11\;{\mu}g/kg$), then after 24 h measured lung leak in rats. Statistical analyses were done by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA test with Dunn's multiple comparison test or by Mann-Whitney U test. Results : We found that rats given TNF, histamine alone(11 and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$), and TNF with histamine(l.1, 11, and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratracheally had increased (p<0.05) lung MPO activity compared with saline-treated control rats. TNF with histamine $11\;{\mu}g/kg$ had increased MPO activity (P=0.0251) compared with TNF-treated rats. TNF and TNF with histamine(1.1, 11, and $55\;{\mu}g/kg$) intratracheally had all increased (p<0.05) lung leak, lavage neutophil numbers and lavage CINC activities compared with saline. TNF with histamine $1.1\;{\mu}g/kg$ had increased (p=0.0367) lavage neutrophil numbers compared with TNF treated rats. But there were no additive effect of histamine with TNF compared with TNF alone in acute lung leak on 5 h and 24 h in rats. Treatment of rats with the $H_1$ and $H_2$ antagonists resulted in inhibitions of lavage neutrophil accumulations and lavage CINC activity elevations elicited by co-treated histamine in TNF-induced acute lung injury intratracheally in rats. We also found that rats given IL-1 along with histamine intratracheally did not have increase in lung leak compared with IL-1 treated rats. Conclusion : Histamine administered intratracheally did not have synergistic effects on TNF-induced acute lung leak inspite of additive effects on increase in MPO activity and lavage neutrophil numbers in rats. These observations suggest that instilling histamine intratracheally would not play synergistic roles in neutrophil-mediated acute lung injury in rats.