• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2012

In this paper, to find out how different the treatment of special individuals named 'old people' is with that of ordinary cases, Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) was chosen as the study material and some parts in it where the symptoms of old people in the same disease category were treated in different ways were excerpted to analyze the tendency of pathological symptoms and prescriptions in the physiological perspective. As the result of analysis on the parts in Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) where the old people were treated in different ways, it turned out that 65 prescriptions were used in 24 pathological symptoms. The 24 symptoms are included mainly in chapters of 'inner view(內景)' and 'outer form(外形)'. They are including the pathological symptoms which had been presented as general geriatric symptoms and also seems to have added other symptoms which should be clinically reflected in the specialty of treatment for geriatric diseases. The 65 prescriptions are also recorded mainly in chapters of 'inner view(內景)' and 'outer form(外形)'. The herbs used for them were sweet and warm herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertner) Libosch(熟地黃), Angelica gigas Nakai(當歸), Panax ginseng C. A. Mey(人蔘) and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz(白朮) that can support the essence blood of liver and kidney and the energy of spleen, lung and stomach. Those herbs could be added or subtracted according to the symptom. It seems to have resulted from the treatment method that old people was applied to old people in consideration of their physiological features. When the 24 symptoms and 65 prescriptions for geriatric diseases different from ordinary ones in Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) were considered in the physiological view point, it could be seen that each pathological symptom was manifested as a exhaustion of kidney qi(腎氣枯渴) which was a characteristic physiologic state of old people. Through this, it could be seen that the use of prescriptions was also made to mitigate the body fluid deficiency(津液不足), the kidney yin inner heat(腎陰內熱), the heart spirit void and loss(心神虛損), the kidney yang deficiency(腎陽不足), the spleen failing in transportation(脾失健運), the spleen yang deficiency(脾陽不足), the liver fire inner movement(肝火內動) and the lung energy void and loss(肺氣虛寒).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2013

We studied the anti-diabetic effects of medicinal herb water extracts on expression of hepatic glucokinase (GCK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA. The medicinal herbs used for experiments were Cornus officinalis (CO), Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (PSA), Discorea japonica Thunb. (DJ), Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), Lycium chinense (LC), and Pyrus pyrifolia (PP). For GCK mRNA expression, CO, RG, and LC water extracts exhibited a more effective activity than other extracts. Cells treated with RG and LC water extracts showed an increase in expression of PDH mRNA to 191% and 124%, respectively, compared to control. Expression of ACC mRNA was significantly higher in LC water extract. These data indicate that CO, RG, and LC water extracts stimulates expression of hepatic GCK, PDH, and ACC mRNA.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2015

The safety of plant species used as a source for herbal medicines and dietary supplements has recently been questioned due to poisonings associated with the presence of cadmium (Cd) in these plants. These plants can derive Cd from their presence in the soil. Organic matter (OM) concentrations in soils could affect the availability of Cd for plants. To determine the effect of OM concentration in soil on the concentration of plant available Cd and uptake of this toxic element by medicinal plants, soil and plant samples were collected from 102 fields supporting for 5 species of medicinal plants in 6 province of South Korea. Concentrations of OM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils affected the phytoavailability of Cd. One M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soil increased with increasing OM concentrations. There were significantly positive relationships between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and OM concentration in soil and between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and DOC concentration. Likewise, OM and DOC concentrations significantly affected Cd concentration in medicinal plant soils. Cadmium concentration in medicinal plants increased with increasing OM concentration in soil [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.179+1.424{\times}10^{-3}$ OM concentrations, $R^2=0.042*$] and with DOC concentration [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.150+5.870{\times}10^{-4}$ DOC concentrations, $R^2=0.124***$]. These results might result from Cd-DOC complex which is easily absorbed Cd form by plant root. Dissolved organic carbon concentration had more positive relationship with Cd concentration in medicinal plants and 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soils than OM. Cadmium concentration in all 5 species of medicinal plant (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis lanceolata, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Rehmannia glutinosa) significantly increased with increasing DOC concentration in soil. From the above results, formation of Cd-DOC complex caused by OM application might be mainly attributed to increase in Cd concentration in medicinal plants.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 1994

This experiment was carried out to clarify the effects of planting date and mulching material on the yield characters and tuber yields of Rehmannia glutionsa LIBOSC HIZ on experimental fields of Chungbuk Provincial Rural Development Administration from 1985 to 1987. Emergence period had no difference among planting dates, but it was late about 10 days in rice straw mulching compared with that of others. Leaf length and width showed no differences among planting dates and mulching materials, and no. of fresh leaves was decreased in the order of April 25, May 10 and April 10 with planting dates. Sugar content of tuber was highest on May 10 planting and in open fields. Tuber yield increased 8% on April 25 planting and it decreased 2% on May 10 planting compared with April 10 planting. The white P. E. mulching and rice straw mulching brought yield increase as 22% and 17%, respectively, compared with that from the open field.

• 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.