• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2015

Objectives : Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Jeokhasuo in Korean) is a Oriental traditional herbs widely used in East Asian countries. Overconsumption of fructose results in hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and impaired glucose tolerance which have documented as a risk of cardiovascular diseases. This experimental study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of an ethanol extract from Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) in high-fructose (HF) diet-induced metabolic syndrome rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups; Control group, receiving regular diet and tap water, HF group, and HF + PMR group both receiving supplemented with 65% fructose (n=10), respectively. The HF + PMR group initially received HF diet with PMR (100 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Results : PMR significantly prevented the metabolic disturbances such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. Chronic treatment with PMR significantly decreased body weight, fat weight and adipocyte size, suggesting a role of anti-obesity effect. PMR led to improve the hyperlipidemia through the increase in HDL cholesterol level as well as the decrease in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol level. In addition, PMR suppressed adhesion molecules and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in aorta resulting in the decrease of hypertension. In muscle tissue, PMR significantly recovered the HF-induced insulin resistance through increase of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), p-$AMPK{\alpha}1/2$, and p-Akt expression. PMR improved HF-induced metabolic disorders and its action was caused by energy metabolism-mediated insulin signaling activation. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that PMR may be a beneficial therapeutic for metabolic syndrome through the improvement of hyperlipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 1991

It has been well known that the integrity of airway epithelium is important in developing of bronchial hyperreactivity or bronchial asthma. But the mechanisms underlying this nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness are not yet determined. To evaluate the ability of guinea pig trachea to release an epithelium derived relaxing factor (EpDRF) which relax rat vascular smooth muscle, we performed the coaxial bioassay using guinea pig trachea and rat aorta. And to evaluate the nature of EpDRF we investigate the influence of methylene blue and indomethacin on the coaxial bioassay. Results were as follows. 1) Vascular smooth muscle mounted into the epithelium intact trachea which was precontracted with phenylephrine was relaxed by addition of histamine or acetylcholine. But vascular smooth muscle mounted into epithelium denuded trachea failed to be relaxed. 2) Epithelium dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle was not affected by pretreatment of methylene blue or indomethacin. These results strongly suggests that guinea pig tracheal epithelium releases EpDRF which is able to relax rat vascular smooth muscle. And EpDRF released by airway epithelium is not related to endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) or cyclooxygenase products.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1482-1486
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• 2008

The antihypertensive effects of the Wild Mountain Ginseng Cultured Root Extract (WMGCE) were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Daily oral administration of the WMGCE (100 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant decrease in blood pressure in SHR rats during for 8 weeks. The systolic blood pressure was dose- and time-dependently decreased significantly from the second weeks (p < 0.05) to the end of WMGCE treatment in SHR. The WMGCE decreased the plasma levels of sodium, potassium, chlorides, urea and osmolarity in SHR rats but no statistically significant change was observed. Furthermore, no significant changes were noted on heart weight, heart rate and diameter of aorta after WMGCE treatment in SHR. Our results suggest that daily oral administration of WMGCE at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg for 8 weeks exhibited antihypertensive activities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2008

Objective&Methods: The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of HK-1000 Herbal-acupuncture solution at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, urine and liver, as well as the histological change of liver and aorta. Results: 1. HK-1000 herbal-acupuncture infusion increased the cell viability rate, DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. The levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipid in serum and AI(atherogenic index) were decreased, and the ratio of HDL to TCL(HDL/TCL) and the level of TG in serum were increased as compared with those of the control group. 3. In the HK-1000 group, serum AST and ALT were significantly lower than those of the HG group and saline group. 4. Hepatic GSH and catalase activities were significantly increased as compared with those of the saline group. Conclusions: From the above results, it is suggested that HK-1000 herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1382-1386
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• 2004

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Samhwangsasim-tang(SST), herbal remedy. SST relaxed vascular strips precontracted with phenylephrine or KCI(51 mM), but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in phenylephrine(PE) induced contraction. The relaxation effects of SST was endothelium-independent. L-NAME, iNOS inhibitor, and methyl en blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, did not attenuate the relaxation responses of SST. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with SST significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the SST includes inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores (SR). In addition, the cell death was induced by SST in human aortic smooth muscle cells but not that of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We conclude that in rat thoracic aorta, SST may induce in part vasodilation through inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-53
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• 2008

Objective&Methods The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, urine and liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results 1. HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture infusion solution increased the cell viability rate, DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. The levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipid in serum and AI(atherogenic index) were decreased, and the ratio of HDL to TCL(HDL/TCL) and the level of TG in serum were increased as compared with those of the control group. 3. In the HK-1001 group, serum GOT was significantly lower than those of the HG group and the saline group, and serum ALP was significantly higher than that of the HG group. 4. Hepatic GSH and catalase activities were significantly increased as compared with those of the saline group. Conclusion From the above results, it is suggested that HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

A variety of experiments of endothelial cell seeding onto artificial vessels have been performed. To improve endothelialization, one or two components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been used as an underlying matrix. In this study, the whole ECM excreted from fibroblasts was used as an underlying matrix. Fetal human fibroblasts were cultured on a polyurethane (PU) sheet. After a conflu; ence was attained, the cytoskeleton and the nuclei of the fibroblast were destroyed using Triton-X. Mitomycin, or irradiation. Omental microvascular endothelial cells from adult human were seeded onto various substrates. After 12 days in culture, the cells were counted. It was observed that the ECM treated by irradiation had the highest cell number. In addition, the cells on this substrate exhibited the most typical endothelial cell morphology. For preliminary animal experiments the PU vessels (inner diameter, 1.5mm) coated with ECM were implanted in the infrarena] abdominal aorta of rat. After the vessels had been implanted for 5 weeks, it was found that the surface of the PU vessels was completely covered with endothelia] cells. In conclusion, we can state that the fibroblast-derived whole ECM makes a better underlying substrate for the endothelialization of small diameter artificial vessels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2003

The cellular mechanisms that contribute to the acceleration of atherosclerosis in diabetes are poorly understood. Therefore, the potential mechanisms involved in the diabetes-dependent increase in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was investigated. Using primary culture of VSMC from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat aorta, cell proliferation assay showed two-fold increase in cell number accompanied with enhanced superoxide generation compared to normal VSMC, 2 days after plating. Both the increased superoxide production and cell proliferation in diabetic VSMC were significantly attenuated by not only tiron (1 mM), a superoxide scavenger, but also by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI; $10{\mu}M$), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor. NAD(P)H oxidase activity in diabetic VSMC was significantly higher than that in control cell, accompanied with increased mRNA expression of p22phox, a membrane subunit of oxidase. Furthermore, inhibition of p22phox expression by transfection of antisense p22phox oligonucleotides into diabetic VSMC resulted in a decrease in superoxide production, which was accompanied by a significant inhibition of cell proliferation. Based on these results, it is suggested that diabetes-associated increase in NAD(P)H oxidase activity via enhanced expression of p22phox contributes to augmented VSMC proliferation in diabetic rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.114-124
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• 2007

Purpose : The pharmacological effects of medicinal remedies traditionally used in Asian countries for improving the blood circulation were examined on isolated rat thoracic aorta strips in organ baths. Methods and results : Each experimental medicine was consecutively extracted under reflux with water. Of three medicinal remedies . Hirudo(HI) having the strongest acute relaxant activity in endothelium-intact arteries, Tabanus(TA), Empoly ohaga(EO) were showing dose-dependent relaxant activity. Long-term relaxant effects were showed in Hirudo(HI) and Empoly ohaga(EO). In endothelium-injury test using carbachol, Hirudo(HI), Tabanus(TA) and Empoly of ohaga(EO) were not damaged to endothelium. Conclusion: As a result of this study, the possibility that a part of medicinal remedy may contribute to the beneficial effects in blood circulation was proposed, but inter-individual variation has been observed. Also, further studies on the vasorelaxant effects of these remedies are still required.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.145-149
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• 1994

Intravenous administration of hydro-methanolic extract of Cyperus scariosus (3-10 mg/kg) produced hypotensive and bradcardiac effects. These effects remianed unaltered in atropinized animals indicating that cardiovascular effects of the plant extract are not medliated through activation of muscarinic receptors. In the in vitro studies, it suppressed the spontaneous contractions of guinea-pig paired atria, rat ulterus and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent (0.1-1 mg/ml) manner. It also inhibited histanmine or acetylcholine-induced contractions of guinea-pig ieum indicating non-sepcific spasmolytic action. In rabbit aorta, it inhibited norepinephrine $(10\;mu{M)}$ as well as $K^+$ (80mM)-induced contractions at similar concentrations (0.1-1 mg/ml). These data indicate that cyperus scariosus contains $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker-like constituent(s) which may explain hypotensive effect observed in vivo and the general spasmolytic activity of plant explain its folkloric use in diarrhoea.