• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.52-63
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the effects of Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PLFE) on macrophages and their underlying mechanism(s) of action. PLFE increased the production of NO and cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼) in a dose-dependent manner, indicating its immunostimulatory property. Furthermore, PLFE upregulated iNOS, COX-2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PLFE enhanced the phosphorylation of I𝜅B𝛼 and subsequent I𝜅B𝛼 degradation, thereby enabling the nuclear translocation of NF-𝜅B. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the immunostimulatory effects of PLFE are mediated by the nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-𝜅B and subsequent secretion of cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼), upregulation of iNOS and COX-2, and stimulation of MAPK signaling (JNK, ERK, and p38). Thus, PLFE may be a potential immunostimulatory therapeutic.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2023

Objectives : Alcohol-induced liver disease advances as to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular lipid peroxidation increase. We examined the hepatoprotective effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome extract (ZR), Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PF), and a newly developed herbal juice (HJ), which was a combination of ZR and PF extracts, against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: The study utilized the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells to validate the hepatoprotective effect of HJ (50~200 ㎍/mL) against ethanol (EtOH, 700 mM)-induced liver damage. Results: HJ effectively reduced the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, adiponectin, and AMP-activated protein kinase in EtOH-induced HepG2 cells. The levels of ROS, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are the result of various synthesis and lipogenesis processes induced by EtOH in the liver, were reduced by HJ. Furthermore, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, enzymes linked to alcohol degradation, were more effectively downregulated by HJ treatment compared to treatment with ZR and PF alone, all without causing cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: HJ protects the liver by inhibiting EtOH-induced lipogenesis, lowering ROS generation, and improving alcohol degradation, which is more effective than ZR and PF alone. Further, in vivo experiments can offer additional evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of HJ.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.710-718
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• 2002

It is reported that Pueraria Radix contains phtoestrogens whereas flower, and bud of Pueraria lobata Ohwi were not known. In the present study, we determined the amount of phytoestrogen in each portion of P. lobata Ohwi and carried out therapeutic effects of osteoporosis. The amounts of genistein, daidzein, and formononetin in Pueraria Radix (PR), Pueraria Flos (PF), and young Pueratia Folium (PL) were quantitated using a HPLC system. Proliferation of osteoblast and growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast were measured in order to screen their effects on osteoporosis. Proliferation of osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) was analyzed by both MTT methods and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. Growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast was also detected as Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay. Ovariectomized rat as an in vivo animal model was selected and administrations of PR were 1 g/kg/day (PR-1) and 5 g/kg/day (PR-5) for 9 weeks, respectively. Trabecular bone areas (TBAs) of tibia and lumbar were analyzed usibg histomorphological methods. Results show that PR contains the highest level of daidzein ($10435{\pm}2143\;mg/kg$ of dried herb) and stimulated ALP activity, approximately 160% of the control. Growth inhibitory effect on osteoclast by both PR and daidzein were almost identical with control although $IC_{50}$ of genistein was $5.81{\times}10^{-7}$ M. Increases in body weight of OVX rats were suppressed by administration of PR but wet weights of uterus in PR-5 group were increased (p<0.05). Plasma ALP and HDL-cholesterol levels were decreased following ages (p<0.01), and LDL-cholesterol level was also decreased in PR-5 group at 20 week of age (p<0.01). TBAs of tibia and lumbar in PR-1 and PR-5 groups were higher than those of the control although the values were less than those of the sham group (each p<0.01) In conclusion, administrations of PR prevented loss of TBAs of tibia and lumber in OVX rats, while PL and PF did not (p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.278-290
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hangover relieving effect of HO-series. HO-S1 is an herbal mixture, which consists of extracts from Flower of Pueraria lobata Ohwi, Glycyrrhiza glabra Linné, Fruit of Lycium chinense Miller, Poria cocos Wolf, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seeman, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Atractylodes lancea De Candlle and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. HO-S2 is a candidate that has been performed to ultra filtration based on HO-S1. HO-S3 is a mixture of amino acids and vitamins based on HO-S2. HO-01 is the final beverage base produced based on HO-S3. The antioxidant activity of HO-series was similar to that of vitamin C or trolox. The production of t-BHP induced reactive oxygen species(ROS) was significantly blocked in the presence of HO-series. In vivo study, AUC of alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations in HO-S2 and HO-S3 treated groups significantly decreased. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) activity were significantly higher in HO-S2 and HO-S3 treated groups. And 2E1 activity and glutathione were significantly elevated, while the malondialdehyde level was not significantly in liver tissue. After alcohol exposure, the sensitivity scores of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentration and hangover symptoms were significantly decreased in the HO-01 intake group compared with the non-intake group. ALDH activity was significantly increased in the HO-01 intake group. HO-series have antioxidant activity and a protective effect from ROS. HO-S2, HO-S3 and HO-01 are potentially highly beneficial in relieving hangover, as it scavenges reactive free radicals and boosts the endogenous antioxidant system.