• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.87-93
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• 2013

Objectives : We recently have reported that constituents of OMC-2010 have an immuno-modulatory effects via inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-5. In this study, based on previous data, we investigated the effects of combinations with each OMC constituents on splenocyte cytotoxicity, cytokine productions, and ovalbumin (OVA) induced experimental allergic asthma. Methods : Mouse splenocytes were pre-treated with ethanol extract of constituents of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), Pinellia ternata (PT), Schisandra chinensis (SC). We made 4 combinations using RG, PT, and SC (A;1:1:1, B;2:1:1, C;1:2:1, D;1:1:2). The cells were pretreated with A, B, C, or D for 1 h, then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/ml$) for 48 h. Then the cells were harvested for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect cytokine productions. Then using effective combination from RG, PR and SC, we administrated the combination orally, then challenged with OVA to induce asthma. Then we analyzed the airway hyper-reactivity (AHR), lung histology and lung TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5 mRNA. Results : A. B. C. and D did not showed significant cytotoxicity on splenocytes. Pre-treatment of A inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5 significantly, but not B, C, and D. In experimental asthma, administration of A significantly inhibited the increase of AHR, lung damage, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5 expression. Conclusions : Theses results could suggest that inhibitory effects of the ideal combination with RG, PT and SC (1:1:1) could be applied to treatment of asthma and study of asthma mechanisms.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.275-280
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• 2022

The treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is challenging due to its complex etiology. From epidermal disruption to chronic inflammation, various cells and inflammatory pathways contribute to the progression of AD. As with immunosuppressants, general inhibition of inflammatory pathways can be effective, but this approach is not suitable for long-term treatment due to its side effects. This study aimed to identify a plant extract (PE) with anti-inflammatory effects on multiple cell types involved in AD development and provide relevant mechanistic evidence. Degranulation was measured in RBL-2H3 cells to screen 30 PEs native to South Korea. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Parasenecio auriculatus var. matsumurana Nakai extract (PAE) in AD, production of cytokines and nitric oxide, activation status of FcεRI and TLR4 signaling, cell-cell junction, and cell viability were evaluated using qRT-PCR, western blotting, confocal microscopy, Griess system, and an MTT assay in RBL-2H3, HEK293, RAW264.7, and HaCaT cells. For in vivo experiments, a DNCBinduced AD mouse model was constructed, and hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, toluidine blue, and F4/80-staining were performed. The chemical constituents of PAE were analyzed by HPLC-MS. By measuring the anti-degranulation effects of 30 PEs in RBL-2H3 cells, we found that Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PA, and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud. show an inhibitory activity of more than 50%. Of these, PAE most dramatically and consistently suppressed cytokine expression, including IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and TNF-α. PAE potently inhibited FcεRI signaling, which mechanistically supports its basophil-stabilizing effects, and PAE downregulated cytokines and NO production in macrophages via perturbation of toll-like receptor signaling. Moreover, PAE suppressed cytokine production in keratinocytes and upregulated the expression of tight junction molecules ZO-1 and occludin. In a DNCB-induced AD mouse model, the topical application of PAE significantly improved atopic index scores, immune cell infiltration, cytokine expression, abnormal activation of signaling molecules in FcεRI and TLR signaling, and damaged skin structure compared with dexamethasone. The anti-inflammatory effect of PAE was mainly due to integerrimine. Our findings suggest that PAE could potently inhibit multi-inflammatory cells involved in AD development, synergistically block the propagation of inflammatory responses, and thus alleviate AD symptoms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1045-1062
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the latest clinical studies on Korean medicine treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. Methods: We searched the last 6 years of clinical studies discussing Oriental medicine-based treatments for ITP in the CNKI database. A meta-analysis of 13 RCTs was performed by synthesizing the outcomes, including the measured platelet count and total effective rate. The quality of the studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB) tool. RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 15 selected studies, 1 was a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), 2 were case series, and 12 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatments in all studies included oral herbal medicine. The most frequently used herbal decoction was the Liangxue Jiedu prescription (凉血解毒方), and the most commonly used herb was Agrimonia pilosa (仙鶴草), Astragali Radix (黃芪), Fossilia Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), and Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz ex Steudel (地黃). The meta-analysis showed significantly better improvement in platelet counts and total effective rate for ITP in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion: Treatment with herbal medicine was effective in treating ITP. However, the significance of this conclusion is somewhat limited due to the low quality of the available studies. Multifaceted and scientifically designed clinical studies are required to develop treatments for ITP based on Korean medicine. The results of this study could be used as basic data for further ITP studies.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2007

Two pig trials were conducted to test Herb MixⓇ, a mixture of Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas, Discorea japonica, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Schisandra chinensis and Ligusticum jeholense, as a herbal additive to weaning pig diet. Exp. 1 was conducted with 45 three-way cross-bred(Y×L×D) weaning pigs randomly allocated to 3 treatments; control, Herb MixⓇ 0.15% and Herb MixⓇ Gold(Plellidendron amurense fortified Herb MixⓇ) 0.15%. Exp. 2 was conducted with 48 weaning pigs randomly allocated to 4 treatments; control, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% Herb MixⓇ. There was a significant(p=0.05) difference between the control and herbal additive groups, however, no significant difference was found between Herb MixⓇ and Herb MixⓇ Gold in growth performance of Exp. 1. In Ex. 2, supplementation of Herb MixⓇ at all level(0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) significantly(P<0.05) improved average daily gain and feed intake, however, there were no significant differences among supplemented groups. Among the blood parameters, serum IgG level and WBC numbers were significantly lowered by Herb Mix supplementation in both experiments. Stress indicator(SI) was significantly lower in herbal additive groups in Exp. 1. Nutrient digestibility of DM and NFE in supplemented groups was lower than the control in Exp. 1. Howener, it was not significantly different among treatments in Exp. 2. Number(cfu) of fecal E.coli decreased while that of Lactobacilli increased in treated groups. It was concluded that fortifying Herb MixⓇ with Plellidendron amurense was not effective in improving the efficacy of Herb MixⓇ and supplementation of Herb MixⓇ at 0.1~0.2% level improves growth performance of weaning pigs. Blood parameters especially immunity related ones(IgG, WBC and SI) were significantly influenced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1518-1524
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• 2011

This study was investigated the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of the Rehmanniae radix (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino) paste (RRP) and Rehmanniae radix preparata extract (RRPP). RRP and RRPP were made from vacuum concentrates of hot water extracts. The sugar contents of RRP and RRPP were 65.3 and 72.0$^{\circ}Brix$, respectively, whereas the reducing sugar contents were 2.4% and 44.9%. The pH level was lowest in the RRPP. The DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of RRPP were much higher than those of RRP. Total phenol contents of RRP and RRPP were 2.15 mg/mL and 12.36 mg/mL, respectively. FRAP values of RRP and RRPP were 0.55 mg/mL and 2.02 mg/mL, respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that RRPP was the most appropriate in terms of both physicochemical and antioxidative activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of Rehmanniae radix (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. var. purpurea Makino) freeze-dried powder (RRP) and Rehmanniae radix preparata powder (RRPP). Under the Hunter color system, redness was higher and lightness/yellowness lower in RRPP, compared to RRP. The reducing sugar contents of RRP and RRPP were 0.8% and 6.0%, respectively (p<0.05). The pH was lower in the RRPP (RRP: 6.71, RRPP: 4.23). The amount of catalpol amount in RRPP (47.20 mg/mL) was lower than RRP (144.90 mg/mL). RRPP contained high amounts of 5-HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 47,231 mg/mL), but 5-HMF was not detected in RRP. Total phenol contents of RRP and RRPP were 2.10 mg/mL and 3.66 mg/mL, respectively. FRAP values of RRP and RRPP were 0.51 mg/mL and 1.99 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activities by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of RRPP were much higher than RRP. Based on these results, RRPP is a good candidate for food processing in terms for its physicochemical and antioxidative activities.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.277-287
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• 2012

To develop new therapeutic materials to prevent hair loss and enhance hair growth, we developed a medicinal herbal complex extract (MHCE) using 23 herbs traditionally used in oriental medicine. Medicinal Herbal complex extract was consist of Angelica gigas Nakai, Psoralea corylifolia Linne, Biota orientalis Endlicher, and Eclipta prostrata Linne, Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz var. purpurea Makino, Ligustrum lucidum Aiton, Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg, and Sesamum indicum Linne, Sophora angustifolia Sieboldet Zuccarini, Angelica dahurica Benthamet Hooker, and Leonurus sibiricus Linne, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Prunus persica Batsch, Commiphora molmol Engler, Chrysanthemum indicum Linne, Boswellia carterii Birdwood, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, Cnidium officinale Makino, Albizia julibrissin Durazzini, and Corydalis ternata Nakai that have traditionally been used for treating hair loss, preventing gray hair, anti-inflammation, and blood circulation in oriental medicine. In addition, we examined the hair growth effect of MHCE in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, we evaluated the effects of MHCE on cultured HFDPC, HaCaT cells, and murine embryonal fibroblasts (NIH3T3 cells). Also, we evaluated the ability of MHCE to prevent gray hair on murine melanoma cells (B16F1 cells). The hair growth-promoting effect of MHCE in vitro was also observed in vivo using C57BL/6 mice. Our results showed that MHCE significantly increased the proliferation of HFDPC (175 % proliferation at $50{\mu}g/mL$), HaCaT cells (133 % proliferation at $20{\mu}g/mL$), and NIH3T3 cells (120 % proliferation at $50{\mu}g/mL$). MHCE also showed consistent melanogenesis in B16F1 cells (154 % melanin synthesis at $50{\mu}g/mL$). Moreover, MHCE showed potential for hair growth stimulation in C57BL/6 mice experiments (98 % hair growth area on 4 weeks). These results indicate that MHCE may be a good candidate for promotion of hair growth.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 1995

This experiment was carried out to clarify the effect of root diameter and length on yield in Rehmannja glutionosa on experimental fields of Chungbuk Provincial Rural Development Ad­ministration. Emergance date was faster Sand 10 days with root diameter 3mm and 9mm than that of root diameter 6mm. Emergance ratio was high in the order of 6mm >7mm > 9mm with root diameter, and bolting ratio was increased in the order of 9mm > 6mm > 3mm with root diameter. Leaf length had no differences betwere root diameter and length, and leaf width had same tendency. Content of inorganic matter such as T - N, $P_2O_5,\;K_2O,\; C_aO,\;M_gO$ was high measuring date was delayed, and higher in root than leaf. Sugar content was higher in November than in October and had no differences with root diameter, but was more de­creased as the root length was longer. Yield was increased 9 % with root diameter 9mm. Comparing with root length, yield was higer 5% with 6cm than that of 1, 172kg/10a with 3cm, and decreased 25% with 9cm. And the profitable root was considered root diameter 8mm and root length 6cm.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.60-70
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• 2017

This study traces the development of physic gardens in Korea and explores their significance in the history of landscape architecture. For this purpose, records related to physic gardens from medical sources from the period of the Three States to the Joseon dynasty, when herbal medicine was systematized as a field, were searched. Physic gardens had been developed by the time of the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, in the 13th and the 15th centuries. Yakpo(kitchen gardens for medicinal herbs) were cultivated by a group of new high-level officials in the late Goryeo dynasty, when an increasing interest in hyangyak(native herbs) emerged under the influence of the Neo-Confucian perspective on nature, which emphasized locality. The sources analyzed in this study confirm that physic gardens called jong-yakjeon(royal medicinal herb gardens) were in operation in the early Joseon dynasty when policies to investigate, discover, cultivate, and research native herbs were put into place. It is likely that the jong-yakjeon were established at the beginning of the Joseon dynasty as subsidiary facilities under its central medical institutions, the Naeuiwon and Hyeminseo, and then declined in the late Joseon dynasty. Jong-yakjeon can be confirmed to have existed in the mid-15th century. Physic gardens were located in several places outside the Fortress Wall of Hanyang, such as Yakhyeon, Yuldo, Yeoudo, and Saari. The total area encompassed by physic gardens was about 160,000 square meters in the early 18th century. In jong-yakjeon, dozens of medicinal herbs were cultivated, including Schizonepeta tenuifolia var. japonica, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, and these gardens were operated by physicians dispatched from the Naeuiwon and dozens of provincial slaves. In conclusion, the jong-yakjeon were similar to the physic gardens of Renaissance medical universities in that they reflected the interest in and development of theories about new herbs, and were similar to the physic gardens of medieval castles and monasteries in terms of species types, location, and function. This paper has limitations in that it does not present the specific spatial forms of the yakpo or the jong-yakjeon. Nevertheless, this paper is significant for the field of garden history because it shows that physic gardens in Korea appeared in the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties concomitantly with the development of medicine towards native herbs and functioned as utilitarian gardens to cultivate community remedies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2006

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs on the improvement of blood glucose, lipid peroxides, lipids in the plasma and liver of strpetozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats in the experimental group were orally administered with combined extract of safflower seed (100 mg, 200 mg/kg B.W.) with herbs (Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gaqler, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Mori Folium, Poria cocos, Rehmannia glutinosa, Eriobtrya japonica, Aralia continentalis Kitagawa, Zizyphus jujuba var, Cornus officinalis, Paeonia suffruticosa, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim and Schizandra chinensis Baill) for 4 weeks. Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly lower in diabetic groups than those of control group. These were no protective effect of the supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs. Concentration of blood glucose was significantly higher in the diabetic groups than those in the control group. Blood glucose concentration was remarkably lower supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed (200 mg/kg B.W.) with herbs. There was no significant difference of plasma lipid peroxides among experimental groups, while liver lipid peroxides of diabetic group was significantly higher in control group. But supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs was induced markedly lower in liver lipid peroxides in diabetic rats. Diabetic groups had markedly higher levels in triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, while had lower HDL-cholesterol level. Triglyceride levels of plasma and liver were significantly lower with combined extract of safflower seed with herbs. But total cholesterol, phospholipid and free fatty acid were no differing significantly among experimental groups.