• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.215-219
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• 2002

Over the past decade there has been a resurgence of interest in botanical products for their medicinal uses. This present study was designed to screen medicinal plants for the treatment of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or aging. We tested the effects of the water extracts from 41 species medicinal plants on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and antioxidant activity in vitro. Among them, Euodia rutaecarpa, Rubus coreanus, Achyranthes japonica, Morus alba, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Liriope platyphylla, and Rheum palmatum showed relatively AChE inhibition potency over 80%. Among the 7 medicinal plants investigated, E. rutaecarpa showed an 25%, 65%, and 93% inhibitions on AChE activity at 2.5, 12.5, and 25 ㎍/㎖ of the extract, respectively and was found to be one of most potent AChE inhibitor. The water extracts from 4 species (E. rutaecarpa, R. coreanus, A. iaponica, and M. alba) were tested on their antioxidant capacities using radical scavenging effect against ABTS/sup ㆍ+/. Among the 4 medicinal plants investigated, both R. coreanus and E. rutaecarpa showed significant antioxidant capacity. Therefore, E. rutaecarpa and R. coreanus are expected to ameliorate the clinical symptoms in Alzheimer's disease due to significant AChE inhibition and radical scavenging effect.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2008

Five essential oils and 15 herbal extracts were evaluated to control Bursaphelenchus xylophillus in laboratory. The essential oils from clove plant (Syzygium aromaticum), mustard (Brassica integrefolia), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and Pelargonium inquinans were found to be highly promising and gave excellent control of the nematodes at all the time of exposure. Among them, the least one gave 91.3% mean mortality rate at 24 hours of exposure time, which is highly significant from the control. While in the second study, most of the methanol (Desmodium caudatum, Paulownia coreana, Auckulandia lappa, Sophota flavescens, Aloe sp., Rheum palmatum, Zingiber officinale, Magnolia officinalis, and Eugenia caryophyllata), hexane (Torreya nucifera, Pharbitis nil, Prunus mume, Melia azedarach, and Xanthium strumarium), and hot water (Cinnamomum cassia) herbal extracts killed the nematodes, but in varying degrees compared to the control. Only one extract was found to be promising viz Magnolia officinalis which found to be statistically different from the control and gave mean mortality of 72, 82.3, and 85.3 % for 24, 48, and 72 hours exposure, respectively. Further screening was conducted for M. officinalis with concentrations of 1,000, 100, and 10 ppm against the same species of nematode with the same time of exposure. However, it gave an excellent result for 1,000 ppm for all time of exposure, whereas for the 100 and 10 ppm it gave mean mortality of 39.5 and 25.8% for the time 72hrs, respectively that were statistically different from the control.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2002

In order to search for insulin-like substances from the constituted herbs of Sogal prescriptions, we selected 19 traditional herbs, based on a review of the Donguibogam. The effects of the hot-water extract from the selected herbs on the proliferation and the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were tested. The various water-extracts from Pinellia ternata, Magnolia obovata, Rheum palmatum, Acanthopanax sessiliflorun, Atractylodes japonica and Strychnos ignatii inhibited the proliferation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, did not influence entirely in differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Treatment of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts with the extract from Ephedra sinica, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Scrophularia buergeriana and Sophora flavescens significantly increased the differentiation of the cells. In conclusion, these may contain such compounds that play a role of insulin-like action.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2009

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the world's most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. In-Jin-ho-Tang (IJHT) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is widely used as a medication for jaundice associated with inflammation of the liver. In-Jin-Ho-Tang is a drug preparation consisting of three herbs: Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (Artemisia capillaries $T_{HUNS}$, Injinho in Korean), Gardeniae Fructus (Gardenia jasminodes $E_{LLIS}$, Chija in Korean) and Rhei radix et rhizoma (Rheum palmatum L., Daehwang in Korean). This study investigated whether or not methanol extract of IJHT could induce HepG2 cancer cell death. Cytotoxic activity of IJHT on HepG2 cells was measured using an XTT assay, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $700{\mu}g/ml$ at 24 h Apoptosis induction by IJHT in HepG2 cells was verified by the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and a decrease in procaspase-3, -8, -9. Treatment of IJHT resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$), decrease in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and an increase in pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Thus, IJHT induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells via activation of caspase and mitochondria pathway. These results indicate that IJHT has potential as an anti-cancer agent.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.419-429
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• 2017

We investigated the occurrence pattern of diseases and insect pests and disease control efficacy of organic materials against watermelon powdery mildew in small type watermelon in Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, 2015. The result of this study, the small type watermelon was damaged by diseases and pests such as Didymella bryoniae, Podosphaera xanthii, Aphis gossypii, Tetranychus urticae, thrips, Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera litura. Among them, the occurrence of P. xanthii, T. urticae and thrips was high. Diseased leaf rate by P. xanthii, a casual agent of powdery mildew, was 27~99.3% in three small type watermelon cultivars in the middle of June. The number of T. urticae per leaf was high from 79.9 to 111 in three small type watermelon cultivars in the middle of June. It showed high number of thrips captured by yellow and blue sticky trap. Highest numbers of yellow sticky trap (407) and of blue sticky trap (774) were detected in the middle and first of June, respectively. The disease control efficacy of mayonnaise, oleic acid and three organic materials against powdery mildew of small type watermelon in fields was evaluated. As thre results, the symptoms of plant disease were effectively reduced by over 60% in the treatments of materials such as sodium bicarbonate 80%, mayonnaise and the extract of Rheum palmatum 1%. The highest control efficacy was 83% in the treatment of sodium bicarbonate 80%. From this study, we had a information of the occurrence pattern of diseases and insect pests in small type watermelon and the treatment of material containing sodium bicarbonate 80% was very effective for controlling against powdery mildew.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the usefulness of the natural antimicrobial substances for natural dyeing. Antimicrobial activity of natural substances, extracted by water, ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate, were shown over 20 mm by Rheum palmatum, Caesalpinia sappan, Prunus mume, Schizandra chinensis, Rhus javanica, and Coptis japonica. Especially, water and methanol extract of C. japonica were shown strong antimicrobial activity against all investigated strains. Minimum inhibition concentration of C. japonica water extract was investigated 110 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. Investigated natural substances were not only shown strong antimicrobial activity for natural dyeing but also might be used other industries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.656-662
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• 2015

Natural products and natural product structures play a general and highly significant role in drug discovery and development process because it has various merits and potentials for new drug source that have extensive clinical experience, development time contraction, excellent stability and safety. In several neurological disorders, neuronal death and excessive activation of microglia (neuro-inflammation) are observed. A number of drug discovery-related neuronal cell death and neuro-inflammation was studied from natural products, respectively. However, until now, it has not been possible to study dual-protection molecules recorded in the Natural Product library. In the present study, using the natural product-derived library of the Institute for Korea Traditional Medical Industry, we investigated dual-protective molecules against glutamate (a classical excitatory neurotransmitter)-induced oxidative stress mediated neuronal cell death and LPS-induced excessive activated microglial cells (immune cells of the brain). Chrysophanol, extracted from Rheum palmatum, had dual-protective effects against both glutamate-induced neuronal cell death and LPS-induced NO production, triggering proinflammatory cytokines and microglia activation and resulting in neuroinflammation. Flow-cytometry analysis revealed that chrysophanol had a scavenger effect, scavenging glutamate- and LPS-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by neuronal and microglial cells, respectively. Based on the present study, chrysophanol may have an important protective role against neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation in the brain. The results may be helpful for studying drug development candidates for treating central nervous system disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.197-218
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• 1998

In this study, I invastigate about oriental medical drug, dosage form and directions in external therapy of contact dermatitis. and after study on relationship oriental medical drug, dosage form and directions with cause, symptom and differentiation of symptom and sign. The results are as follows; 1. Most frequently used oriental medical drug is until qing(淸) dynasty Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne-Edwards(蟹), Salix babylonica L.(柳葉), Natrii sulfas(芒硝), Allium macrostemon Bge.(해), Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.(荷葉), nowadays in Korea and China Phellodendron amurense Rupr.(黃柏), Gypsum(石膏), Rheum palmatum L.(大黃), Baphicacanthus cusia Bremek(靑黛), Talcum(滑石). 2. In the frequency of dosage form, until qing(淸) dynasty powder 1case, liquor 49cases, liquer and solid mixture 58cases, nowadays Korea and China powder 16cases, liquor 96cases, liquer and solid mixture 59cases. 3. Most frequently used directions of dosage is thinly attaching method(薄貼法), attaching method(敷貼法), furnigating and cleansing method(熏洗法), cleansing method(洗傷法), wet dressing method(濕敷法), spreading powder method(撲粉法), plaster method(途차法), rubbing skin method(摩擦法) 4. In the external therapy of contact dermatitis, oriental medical drug's usage is based on stage of contact dermatitis In acute stage, most frequently used drug is heat and damp remove drug(淸熱燥濕藥), nature of drug(藥性) is bitter taste and cold charactor(苦寒), In chronic stage, most frequently used drug is nourishing the blood drug(養血藥), promoting blood circulation drug(活血藥). 5. The dosage form of drug is based on symptom. In acute stage, when papules and vesicles, or erosion and exudation is the main symptom of skin, liquor or powder is used, when erosion and crust is the main symptom of skin, plaster is used. In chronic stage, plaster is used. 6. In the directions of dosage is based on dosage form of drug and symptom. In acute stage, when papules and vesicles is the main symptom of skin, fumigating and cleansing method, cleansing method, plaster method is used, when erosion, vesicles and exudation the main symptom of skill, cleansing method, wet dressing method, spreading powder method, attaching method, spreading powder method is used, when crust is the main symptom of skin, plaster method is used. In chronic stage, plaster method, rubbing skin method is used.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the effect of Rhei Rhizoma (RR; 大黃) water extract on gene expression in a hypoxia model of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. RR water extract $(2.5{\mu}g/ml)$ was added to the culture media on day 10 in vitro (DIV10), and a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, 3 h) was given on DIV13. After maintaining the cultures in normoxia for 24 hr, total RNA was isolated and used for microarray analysis. The MA-plot indicated that most genes were up- or downregulated within 2-fold. There were more downregulated genes (725 ea) than upregulated ones (472 ea) when larger than Global M value 0.2 (i.e., >15% increase) or smaller than Global M value -0.2 (i.e., >15% decrease) were considered. Antiapoptosis genes such as Tegt (2.4-fold), Nfkb1 (2.4-fold) Veg (1.8-fold), Ngfr (1.6-fold) were upregulated, while pro-apoptosis genes such as Bad (-64%), Cstb (-66%) were downregulated. Genes for combating environmental stress (stress response genes) such as Defb3 (2.7-fold), Cygb (2.2-fold), Ahsg (2.18-fold), Alox5 (2-fold) were upregulated. Genes for cell proliferation (cell cycle-related genes) such as Erbb2 (1.84-fold), Mapk12 gene (1.8-fold) was upregulated. Therefore, RR water extracts upregulate many pro-survival genes while downregulating many pro-death genes. It is interpreted that these genes, in combination with other regulated genes, can promote neuronal survival in a stress such as hypoxia.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2021

It has been reported that emodin, a major pharmacologically active ingredient of herbal medicines such as Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Rheum palmatum, and Aloe vera, is effective in antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and liver protection. In this study, to investigate the potential of emodin to be used as a skin disease and functional material, the activity related to the improvement of inflammation and skin barrier function was confirmed. To observe the anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, which are human keratinocytes, cytokine inhibition was confirmed by ELISA kit and protein expression by western blot. In HaCaT cells activated with TNF-α (10 ng/mL)/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL), emodin was treated with each concentration (5, 10, 20, 40) µM. As a result, It was confirmed that the production amount of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 decreased as the concentration of emodin increased. In the experimental results on the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins iNOS and COX-2, it was confirmed that 48% of iNOS and 29% of COX-2 were inhibited compared to control at a concentration of 20 µM of emodin. As an indicator of skin barrier function improvement, the mRNA expression level of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn and the production amount of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn were confirmed. and excellent results were obtained with an emodin concentration-dependent increase. In particular, filaggrin, which was produced twice as much as the control at a concentration of 20 µM, is a protein involved in the formation of NMF, a natural moisturizing factor, and is known to play an important role in moisturizing the stratum corneum. In conclusion, it was confirmed that emodin can be used as a material for improving inflammation and improving skin barrier function, which is part of the potential for use as a skin disease and functional material. It is believed that if additional research is performed in the future, the scope of its application can be further expanded.