• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.73-83
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was investigated the effects of the root of Polygala tenuifolia (POL) on learning and memory impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Methods : Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was produced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (pBCAO). POL was administered orally once a day (130 mg/kg of water-extract) for 28 days starting at 4 weeks after the pBCAO. The acquisition of learning and the retention of memory were tested on 9th week after the pBCAO using the Morris water maze. In addition, effects of POL on $A{\beta}$ generation and expressions of APP and BACE1 were observed in the hippocampus of rats. Results : POL significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in target quadrant and significantly reduced the swimming time spent in the quadrant far from the target. POL significantly increased the percentage of swim in the targer quadrant in the retention test, while POL was not effective on the escape latencies in the acquisition training trials. POL significantly reduced the levels of $A{\beta}_{(1-40)}$ and $A{\beta}_{(1-42)}$ in the cerebral cortex and the level of $A{\beta}_{(1-42)}$ in the hippocampus produced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. POL also significantly attenuated the up-regulation of APP and BACE1 expression in the hippocampus produced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Conclusions : The results show that POL alleviated memory deficit and up-regulation of $A{\beta}$ and BACE1 expressions in the hippocampus. This result suggests that POL may exert ameliorating effect on memory deficit through inhibition of ${\beta}$-secretase activity and $A{\beta}$ generation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and contamination levels of aflatoxin in Medicinal Herbs for Food and Medicine at Yakyeang market in seoul. 191 Samples 11 items medicinal herbs for food and medicine were evaluated for the aflatoxin contamination. in result 41 samples 10 items (21.5%) were detected in the alfatoxin, a high incidence of aflatoxins items are cassiae semen (50.0%), testudinis plastrum (43.8%) and Batryticatus Bombyx (40.0%), Polygalae Radix (31.2%), Zizyphi Semen (23.5%), Dolichoris Semen, Myristicae Semen (20.0%), Nelumbinis Semen (15.8%), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (7.4%), Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus (4.3%). AFB1 were detected 27 cases (14.1%), AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 were detected 18cases (9.4%), 16cases (8.4%) and 5cases (2.6%). The excess cancer risk estimated using the cancer potency of aflatoxin B1 (7(mg/kg/day)-1 for HBsAg-and 230(mg/kg/day)-1 HBsAg+) was N.D ~ $3.79{\times}10^{-6}$ for hepatits B surface antigen negative (HBsAg-) and N.D ~ $9.68{\times}10^{-5}$ hepatits B surface antigen positive (HBsAg+) respectively.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.253-257
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• 2006

We examined anti-angiogenic effects of water extracts from 32 plant materials (20 Korean medicinal plants and 12 western herbs) using cell-based anti-angiogenic assay, HUVEC tube formation assay, and then we found that 7 plant extracts inhibited HUVEC tube formation strongly. The plant materials which showed anti-angiogenic effects are Cinnamomi Ramulus, Atractylodis Rhizoma alba, Polygalae Radix, Myristicae Semen, Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba, leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis, and leaves of Melissa officinalis. We also investigated inhibitory effects of these anti-angiogenic herbal extracts on MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activity which has important roles in angiogenesis. Among extracts tested in this study, water extract of Melissa officinalis showed the most potent anti-angiogenic and MMP inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-229
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• 2009

In this dissertation, I will focus on the channel entry[歸經] and the effect and the treatment [效能主治] in oriental medicine texts from ancient to modern times in order to classify the medicines of the kidney. Medicines that effected the Kidney through working on any other viscera were as follows: Fossilia Ossis Mastodi(龍骨), Schizandrae Fructus(五味子), Nelumbinis Semen(蓮肉), Ostreae Testa(牡蠣), Polygalae Follium(小草), Angelicae Gigantis Radix(當歸), Albizzae Cortex(合歡), Thujae Semen(栢子仁) and Bambusae Calulis in Liquamen(竹瀝). This study was dedicated to researching the medicines related to the kidney and making efficient use of these medicines.

• 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.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 1998

One hundred and seventeen crude drugs were screened for DNA-binding activity in vitro. The DNA-methyl green assay is a useful biochemical screen for the detection or development of biologically active compounds which bind to DNA. This assay is based upon the fact that free methyl green undergoes rapid spontaneous molecular rearrangement to its colorless carbinol base so that the liberation of the dye from DNA by displacement can be followed spectrophotometrically as a decrease in absorbance at 65Onm. Seven methanolic extracts of crude drugs including Cinnamomi Cortex spissus, Coicis Semen, Coptidis Rhizoma, Perillae Semen, Plantaginis Semen, Polygalae Radix and Zanthoxyli Fructus showed less than 2,000${\mu}$g/ml as their $IC_{50}$ values. The active principles of Plantaginis Semen and Zanthoxyli Fructus were transferred into organic solvents, which showed the $IC_{50}$ values with 588 and 574${\mu}$g/ml, respectively. These fractions have been selected for isolation of biologically active constituents.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.216-227
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• 2000

1. Purpose For many years, Taeumin Chungsimyoinjatang(太陰人 淸心蓮子湯, CS) has been used in Sasang(四象) constitutional medicine as a therapeutic agent for cerebral disease. The effects of CS on the vascular system is not well-known. The purpose of this study is to make it clear the effects of SJ and composing drugs on blood pressure(BP) and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF). 2. Method We measured BP with Pressure Transducer, rCBF with Laser-Doppler flowmeter. Propranolol and methylene blue were used to determine the mechanisms of CS effects. 3. Results and Conclusion BP was not affected by CS in rats, and rCBF was significantly increased by CS in rats. rCBF was increased by Nelumbinis Semen(蓮于肉), Ophiopogonis Radix(麥門冬), Asparagi Radix(天門冬), Polygalae Radix(遠志), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁), Longnae Arillus(龍眼肉), Raphani Semen, Chrysanthemi Flos(甘菊) in rats. The increase of rCBF is mediated by adrenergic ${\beta}$- receptor and guanylyl cyclase which is enzyme producing cyclic GMP.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-104
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• 2001

The effects of the oriental herbal medicine Saenghyetang(SHT, 生慧湯), which consists of Rehmanniae Radix (熟地黃 九蒸: was made by 9th steam) 40g, Corni Fructus(山茱黃) 16g, Polygalae Radix(遠志) 8g, Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁) 2g, Biotae Semen(柏子仁 去油: oil ingredient was removed) 20g, Poria Cocos(茯笭) 12g, Ginseng Radix(人蔘) 12g, Acori Graminei Rhizoma(石菖蒲) 2g, Sinapis Semen(白芥子) 8g, on learning ability and memory were investigated. Hot water extract(HWE) and ethanol extract(EE) from SHT were used for the studies. Learning ability and memory are related to modifications of synaptic strength among neurons that interactive. Enhanced synaptic coincidence detection leads to improved learning ability and memory. If the NMDA receptor, a synaptic coincidence detector, acts as a graded switch for memory formations, enhanced signal detection by NMDA receptors should enhance learning ability and memory. It was shown that NR2B was increased in the forebrains of oriental medicine-administrated mice, leading to enhanced activation of NMDA receptors and facilitating synaptic potentiation in response to stimulation at 10-100 Hz. These HWE-SHT treated mice exhibited that superior ability in learning and memory when performing various behavioral tasks, showing that NR2B is enhanced by HWE-SHT treatment and also is critical in gating the age-dependent threshold for plasticity and memory formation. NMDA receptor-dependent modifications, which were mediated in part by HWE administration, of synaptic efficacy, therefore, represent a mechanism for associative learning ability and memory. Results suggest that oriental medical enhancement of NR2B contributes to increase intelligence and memory in mammals On the other hand, to examine the effects of EE-SHT on the learning ability and memory in experimental mice, EE-SHT was tested on passive and active avoidance responses. The EE-SHT ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by ethanol in mice, but not other memory impairments. EE-SHT(10, 20mg/100 g, p.o.) did not affect the passive avoidance responses of normal mice in the step through and step down tests, the conditioned and unconditioned avoidance responses of normal mice in the shuttle box, lever press performance tests and the ambulatory activity of normal mice in a normal condition. However, EE-SHT at 20 mg/kg significantly decrease the spontaneous motor activity during the shuttle box test, and also to extend the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital in mice. These results suggest that SHT has an ameliorating effect on memory retrieval impairments and a weak tranquilizing action.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.537-551
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• 2017

Objectives : Jinnoe-san (JNS) is a novel herbal formula consisting of five oriental medicinal herbs including Polygalae Radix, Prunellae Spica, Perillae Herba, Betulae Cortex, and Lonicerae Flos. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of JNS on Parkinson's disease in vitro model. Methods : The effects of JNS on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and western blots analysis. The effects of JNS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. Result : $MPP^+$-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells was significantly reduced by JNS pre-treatment in a dose-dependent manner. JNS inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondria dysfunction, and apoptosis induced by $MPP^+$ in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, JNS significantly activated Akt and ERK in SH-SY5Y cells and the ability of JNS to prevent mitochondria dysfunction by $MPP^+$ was antagonized by pre-treatment of LY294002 and PD98059, an Akt and ERK inhibitor, respectively. In addition, JNS inhibited LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production as well as iNOS expression and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$, pro-inflammatory cytokines without affecting the cell viability. JNS also suppressed LPS-induced ERK activation. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that JNS has a protective effect on the dopaminergic neurons against $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect on the LPS-stimulated microglia. These findings provide evidences for JNS to be considered as a new prescription for treating Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to review the effect of oral administration of herbal medicines on the improvement of memory in Alzheimer's disease animal model reported in Korean domestic journals. Methods: The Korean databases (Koreantk, KISS) were searched with memory as a popular search term. During the searches, only animal study reports were reviewed. Data of animal models, intervention, observation methods of measuring indicators were extracted from the databases. Results: Typically, 36 articles were reviewed. Twenty-two studies used scopolamine to induce Alzheimer's disease, 24 studies used complex herbal medicines, and 12 studies used simple herbal medicines. Polygalae Radix and Acori Rhizoma were the most frequently used herbal medicines to improve memory in Alzheimer model. To evaluate the effect of herbal medicines, 36 studies used macroscopy, 16 studies used molecular biological analysis, 21 studies used biochemical analysis, 15 studies used histological analysis, and 11 studies used hematological analysis. Each study showed significant improvement with respect to memory indicators. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that treatment employing herbal medicines is an effective option to treat memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease.