• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.300-306
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• 2014

Ethanol consumption causes psychomotor alterations. Hovenia Semen seu Fructus (HS), widely distributed in Korea, China, and Japan, has been reported to have beneficial effects on acute alcohol-induced liver injury. The present study sought to assess the effects of HS extract on ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were orally (p.o.) given ethanol (4 g/kg) (ethanol group) to induce psychomotor alterations. A separate group (HS-treated groups), were treated with different dosages of HS (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.), 30 minutes before ethanol treatment. The control group received only the vehicle (saline). Ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations were evaluated in the open-field, rota-rod, hanging wire, and cold swimming test. In addition, blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations were also measured. Behavioral evaluations and blood analysis were carried out 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours after ethanol administration. Pre-treatment of HS ameliorated ethanol-induced alterations in the open-field, rota-rod, and cold swimming test, significantly evident in 2 and 4 hours after ethanol treatment. These improvements coincided with decrease in blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentration. Based on these results, the present study suggests that HS may have ameliorating effects against ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2014

Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis) is traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat various diseases. Ethanol (EtOH) consumption entails physiological, mental and psychomotor alterations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of L. nobilis in attenuating the EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations. L. nobilis was administered to SD rats, 30 minutes before EtOH administration (4 g/kg), at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Evaluations of psychomotor activity in the open-field, accelerating rota-rod, wire, and swimming ability were done at 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after EtOH administration. In addition, blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were also measured. Pre-treatment of L. nobilis significantly improved EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations and decreased blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels. These findings suggest that L. nobilis might be an effective substance to attenuate the harmful effects of EtOH, particularly psychomotor alterations, and can potentially be considered as a functional food.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.364-370
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to find optimal ratio of herbal extracts to ameliorate ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations. Four mixtures of Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis), Rosa roxburghii (R.R.) and Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) were pretreated 30 minutes before ethanol administration in rats. Behavioral activities were evaluated. Blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were also measured. These effects of mixture of R.R (50 mg/kg)+OFI (100 mg/kg)+L.nobilis (100 mg/kg) were better than those of other mixtures. This mixture could be used as an effective substance to develop a functional food.