• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2016

Objectives : Polygalae Radix (POL) has an ameliorating effect on learning and memory impairment caused by cerebral hypoperfusion. In regard to POL's action mechanism, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of POL on oxidative damage and neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.Methods : The cerebral hypoperfusion was induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (pBCAO) in Sprague-Dawley rats. POL was administered orally once a day (130 mg/kg of water-extract) for 28 days starting at 4 weeks after the pBCAO. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the brain tissue were measured using ELISA method. Expressions of 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were observed using immunohistochemistry. In addition, neuronal apoptosis was evaluated with Cresyl violet staining, TUNEL labeling, and immunohistochemistry against Bax and caspase-3.Results : POL treatment significantly increased SOD activities and significantly reduced MDA levels in the cerebral cortex. The up-regulations of 4HNE and 8-OHdG expression caused by pBCAO in the CA1 of hippocampus were significantly attenuated by POL treatment. POL treatment also restored the reduction of CA1 thickness and CA1 neurons caused by pBCAO and significantly attenuated the apoptotic markers including TUNEL-positive cells, Bax, and caspase-3 expression in the CA1 of hippocampus.Conclusions : The results show that POL attenuated the oxidative damage in brain tissue and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus caused by the cerebral hypoperfusion. It suggests that POL can be a beneficial medicinal herb to treat the brain diseases related to cerebral hypoperfusion.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4378-4384
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• 2011

In order to evaluate the anti-oxidative capabilities of Angelica dahurica Radix ethanol extract (ADEE), we analyzed the contents of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds and the electron donating ability from ADEE. For animal experimentation, the test agent was topically applied to the artificial tanning spots which were induced by 1,500 mJ/$cm^2$ of ultraviolet B radiation on the backs of brown guinea pigs weighing approximately 450~500g. The test agent of $30{\mu}{\ell}$ was applied (6areas per group) twice a day, five days a week, for five weeks. On completion of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under anesthetization, and the artificial tanning spots were obtained by biopsy punch and stained with H&E to observe the histological change in the epidermis and dermis. As a result, the contents of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds in ADEE were 20.7mg/g and 19.5mg/g respectively. As the for electron-donating capability of ADEE, it was observed that ADEE displays a dose-dependent antioxidative capacity of 14.8% and 19.8% at the concentration of 500 and 1000 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ respectively. Tissue staining with H&E revealed that the epidermis of the control group was slightly thicker than that of the other groups. However no inflammation or any other undesirable effect on the skin tissue due to ADEE was observed. These results indicate that ADEE is of value as a natural antioxidant.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.813-819
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• 2017

This study carried out to determine the physicochemical components of Cynanchi wilfordii Radix (CWR) fermented with Rhizopus delemar. The physicochemical components such as changes on moisture content, pH, total acidity, reducing sugars, and the contents of free sugars, free amino acid, cynandione A were investigated. The moisture content of fermented CWR was increased after 4 days of fermentation. The pH value of fermented CWR was decreased after 4 days of fermentation. The reducing sugars contents were in the range of 1.42-1.69%. The major free sugars were identified as rhamnose, glucose, fructose and sucrose. The content of free sugars was decreased during fermentation process of CWR while the glucose contents in 80% ethanol and water extracts were increased. In addition, the free amino acid increased significantly during fermentation. Finally, The content of cynandion A of the fermented CWR was highest at the level of 14.09 mg/g on the $8^{th}$ day. These results are indicated that fermentation with Rhizopus strains could be used to increase the bioactivity of CWR and the fermented CWR can be used as a functional material and edible resource in the food industry.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2007

To obtain the risk assessment of hazardous materials with maturing process of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, the residual heavy metals and pesticides in samples are surveyed. Concentration of As, Cd and Pb during the maturing process of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata of Korea are $0.147{\pm}0.007\;mg/L,\;0.025{\pm}0.001\;mg/L\;and\;0.193{\pm}0.021\;mg/L$, respectively. Concentration of As, Cd and Pb during the maturing process of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat of China are $0.0145{\pm}0.014\;mg/L,\;0.023{\pm}0.002\;mg/L\;and\;0.299{\pm}0.013\;mg/L$, respectively. Concentration of As, Cd and Hg remain unchanged during the maturing process of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. Concentration of As, Cd and Pb in Rehmanniae Radix Preparat on the Korea are 3.53%, 6.66% and 5.16% for Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) advisory level, respectively. The residual pesticides, such as aldrin, $BHC-{\alpha},\;BHC-{\beta},\;BHC-{\gamma},\;BHC-{\delta}$, captan, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, DDD, DDE, DDT-o,p, DDT-p.p, dieldrin, endosulfan-sulfate, $endosulfan-{\alpha}$, $endosulfan-{\beta}$, fenitrothion, penthoate, permethrin, quintozene, tolyfluanid and vinclozolin, are not detected in Rehmanniae Radix Preparat on the Korea and China. The hazardous materials in Rehmanniae Radix Preparata on the Korea and China are verified the safety of the residual heavy metals and pesticides compare with Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) advistory level.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2019

Antioxidants are involved in the defense mechanism against the attack of free radicals. This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of new variety of Glycyrrhiza cultivar radix, Wongam and Sinwongam. Dissolved freeze dried Wongam and Sinwongam extracts were filtered by $0.2{\mu}m$ filter and serially diluted at the concentrations of $10{\mu}g/mL$, $50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, $500{\mu}g/mL$, and $1000{\mu}g/mL$. The antioxidant potential was determined by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, ABTS (2,2-azino-bis (3-rthylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) radical cation decolorization assay, nitrite radical scavenging assay, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. DPPH radical scavenging activities (i.e. the highest value $50.9{\pm}0.8%$ by Wongam and $82.6{\pm}1.1%$ by Sinwongam), ABTS radical scavenging activities (i.e. the highest value $88.1{\pm}1.8%$ by Wongam and $98.6{\pm}0.1%$ by Sinwongam), and nitrite radical scavenging activities (i.e. the highest value $87.3{\pm}1.6%$ by Wongam and $89.8{\pm}0.8%$ by Sinwongam) increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, ferric reducing power activities also increased in a dose-dependent manner. The FRAP value of Wongam and Sinwongam extracts were $0.72{\pm}0.03$ and $0.99{\pm}0.06$ compared to ascorbic acid, as a positive control, was $1.32{\pm}0.02$. These results suggested that Wongam and Sinwongam have beneficial effects as a potent antioxidant.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.157-163
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• 2014

Objectives : Gamisoyo-san complex prescription were made with Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Paeoniae Radix, Atractylodes rhizome white, Hoelen, Bupleuri Radix, Moutan Cortex Radicis, Gardeniae Fructus, Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus, Menthae Herba. The purpose of this study was to research the whitening effect of the extract from Gamisoyo-san, which is one of the used herbal complex prescription. Methods : This study investigated inhibitory effect of Gamisoyo-san in tyrosinase activity. Cell viability were performed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, Gamisoyo-san measured reversed-transcription-PCR for mRNA expression using B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Results : For whitening effects, the tyrosinase inhibition effect of extract was shown to 52.4% at $5,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration. The cell viability on B16F10 melanoma cells of Gamisoyo-san extract showed higher than 75% at $1,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration. In this study, an experiment was performed by setting the non-toxic concentration range of 50, 150, $250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as a positive control. The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), tyrosinase mRNA expression inhibitory by reverse transcription-PCR of Gamisoyo-san extract were decreased by 95.3%, 98.8%, 96.3% and 49.5% at $250{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ which the highest concentration. Conclusions : All these findings could verify that whitening effects of Gamisoyo-san extract by tyrosinase inhibitory activity and mRNA expression. The Gamisoyo-san could be used as material for functional cosmetics, such as skin whitening products.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Objective : Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae) (SM), an eminent herbal plant, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of vascular diseases such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether SM inhibits production of nitrite, an index of NO, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. And this study investigated whether or not SM could reduce tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced inflammatory response in human vascular aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Methods : Cytotoxic activity of SM on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxy phenyJ)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. We measured the NO production using Griess Reagent System. Production of Proliflammatory cytokines was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results : Our results indicated that SM significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production accompanied by an attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 formation in macrophages. SM decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IL-8, IL-6 production, and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression. Conclusion : These results indicate that SM has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2000

Effects of Astragali radix extract (AG) on the humoral immunotoxic responses of zinc chloride (Zn) were studied in ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups (10 mice/group), and Zn was given to the mice, 1 hr after i.p. injection with 0.5 g/kg of AG, by i.p. injection daily for 10 days at a dose of 25 mg/kg. Mice were immunized and challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Zn treatment increased the relative weight of spleen compared with those in controls, but decreased the hemagglutination (HA) titer 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant HA (MER-HA) titer and splenic plaque forming cells (PFC). AG treatment significantly increased the relative weight of spleen, HA titer and PFC compared with those in controls. Combination of Zn and AG significantly increased the relative weight of spleen compared with those in controls, but decreased the HA titer, MER-HA titer and PFC. The relative weight of spleen was significantly increased in the Zn and AG combination group than those in Zn alone treatment group. But the HA titer, MER-HA titer and PFC were slightly increased in the group of combination. These results suggest that AG might slightly restore humoral immune responses lowered by an excess of zinc.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.380-387
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (ADR) extract on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) induced by cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. COPD was induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS and CSC 5 times for 12 days; this increased airway hyperresoponsiveness (AHR) and inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). ADR extract was administered orally at a dose of 50 and 200 mg/kg. The concentration of imperatorin, a major component of ADR and therefore used as a measure of quality control, was $0.098%{\pm}0.018%$. Treatment of the mice with ADR extract (50 and 200 mg/kg) alleviated AHR and reduced inflammatory cell counts. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CSA; 10 mg/kg) also modulated AHR and reduced inflammatory cells effectively. Compared with CSA treatment, treatment with ADR (50 mg/kg) extract reduced neutrophil and $CD4^+/CD3^+$ cell counts by 22.67% and 44.92%, respectively. In addition, compared with CSA treatment, treatment ADR 200 mg/kg reduced neutrophils, $CD4^+/CD3^+$ cells and $CD8^+/CD3^+$ cells, by 32.10%, 83.17% and 82.11%, respectively. These results indicate that ADR extract may have an inhibitory effect on COPD induced by LPS and CSC in mice.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.435-440
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality variation of Lithospermum radix on the pigment contents and antioxidant activities according to different growth stages and areas of cultivation. Acetylshikonin contents showed the tendency to decrease gradually from the middle of July (0.28%) to the end of August (0.05%) and then the content was increased again to the end of October (0.25%). Shikonin content was detected as small amount of about 0.009% during the period. The weight of plants was increased from the end of September to the end of October and showed the highest value as 19.8 g on October 25. ROS scavenging activity was the highest in the early of October as $IC_{50}$ value of 0.11 ${\mu}g/mL$. Lithospermum radix of September showed lower ROS scavenging activities than those of other growth stages as $IC_{50}$ value of 1.02 and 0.49 ${\mu}g/mL$ on September 9 and September 27, respectively. Among 17 areas cultivated Lithospermum radix, 10 areas (59%) showed 0.05-0.10% of acetylshikonin contents and 3 areas (18%) were measured to contain 0.16-0.26% of acetylshikonin.