• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2023

Objectives : Alcohol-induced liver disease advances as to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular lipid peroxidation increase. We examined the hepatoprotective effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome extract (ZR), Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PF), and a newly developed herbal juice (HJ), which was a combination of ZR and PF extracts, against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: The study utilized the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells to validate the hepatoprotective effect of HJ (50~200 ㎍/mL) against ethanol (EtOH, 700 mM)-induced liver damage. Results: HJ effectively reduced the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, adiponectin, and AMP-activated protein kinase in EtOH-induced HepG2 cells. The levels of ROS, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are the result of various synthesis and lipogenesis processes induced by EtOH in the liver, were reduced by HJ. Furthermore, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, enzymes linked to alcohol degradation, were more effectively downregulated by HJ treatment compared to treatment with ZR and PF alone, all without causing cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: HJ protects the liver by inhibiting EtOH-induced lipogenesis, lowering ROS generation, and improving alcohol degradation, which is more effective than ZR and PF alone. Further, in vivo experiments can offer additional evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of HJ.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed to developing Korean herbalogy of the plants belonging to Aspidiaceae in Korea. Methods : The herbological books and papers published at home and abroad were researched. The total list of Aspidiaceae was made and Medicinal plants in Aspidiaceae was classified. The medicinal properties, action and applications of medicinal plants were investigated. Results : 1. There are totaled to 17 genera and 130 species in Aspidiaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 11 genera, 31 species, some 24% in total. 2. Athyrium genus is main kind enough that it has 32 species among 130 species in Aspidiaceae, and medicinal plants of Dryopteris is 4 species. 3. The rhizome is the main medicinal parts if medicinal plants in the Aspidiaceae, which is used in 24 species. 4. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Aspidiaceae, they were classified into cool 15 and cold 8 species ; bitter taste 19, and little bitter taste 15 in the order. 5. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Aspidiaceae, they were classified into liver meridian 5 species, stomach meridian 3 species. 6. According to the properties and principal curative action, they were classified into drugs for clearing away heat 25 species, drugs for detoxification 22 species, drugs for promoting diuresis 16 species in the order. 7. The number of toxic species in the Aspidiaceae was examined to be 5 species. Conclusions : There are totaled to 17 genera and 130 species in Aspidiaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 11 genera, 31 species, some 24% in total. They were classified into drugs for clearing away heat, drugs for detoxification, drugs for promoting diuresisr.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.11-11
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• 2021

Ferns have been consumed as food in many countries for centuries. As rich sources of protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, and fatty acids, ferns provide important nutrients to humans. Eastern bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex A. Heller) is the most popular edible fern in South Korea where, additionally, it has long been used as an edible wild leaf vegetable. Recently, the production of eastern brackens in South Korea (2018) has reached 14,032 tons, for an annual revenue of 83.5 billion won, and even more eastern brackens are marketed if imports are taken into account as well. Most of the common ferns can be propagated using spores. However, fern farmers cultivate seedlings through traditional propagation methods, such as root pruning or rhizome division. These propagation methods exhibit limitations in forming roots and growing-points and are labor intensive. Quality seedlings of eastern bracken can be obtained through spore propagation, but the spores are fine and difficult to handle in the field. In addition, it would require appropriate environmental control. The production of synthetic seeds using encapsulation technology is easy to establish and it can be used to achieve high productivity at low cost. Synthetic seeds contain explants embedded into a seed foam, and they overcome the limitations of micropropagation and offer the possibility of using plug seedlings. Synthetic seed matrix, such as sodium alginate, has the advantages of low cost, low toxicity, and gel stability. The present study aimed to develop and produce synthetic seeds for the commercial exploitation of eastern bracken. Furthermore, we verified spore germination and the extent of gametophyte and sporophyte development achieved with our new synthetic seeds, whose production was intended to solve current problems with the handling, storage, and transportation of eastern bracken.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.403-420
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of herbal medicine for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) based on recent clinical studies. Methods: Studies were searched through four databases. Clinical research studies on herbal medicine treatment for GAD patients were included. The studies were analyzed according to study design, diagnostic criteria, population, and intervention. A risk of bias assessment was performed to assess the quality of the included randomized controlled trials (RCT). If the intervention applied to the treatment and control groups was the same and two or more studies were reporting the same items as outcome indicators, a meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 19 studies, including 12 RCTs were selected. The most common pattern identification was 'Phlegm fire disturbing upward' (痰熱上擾), and the most used herb for therapeutic purposes was 'Rhizome of Poria cocos' (茯苓). Meta-analysis results of three studies showed that there were no significant differences in effectiveness between the herbal medicine intervention and the Western medicine intervention. Meta-analysis results of five studies showed that the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was significantly reduced in the case of herbal medicine intervention compared to Western medicine intervention. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated that herbal medicine treatment for GAD is effective in alleviating anxiety symptoms and chief symptoms of GAD. However, this study has several limitations; there was a lack of placebo-controlled RCT and an absence of objective diagnostic criteria in case reports. Therefore, further well-designed clinical studies, conducted based on the results of this study, are recommended.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are four kinds of formulas for invigorating the kidney to cure its asthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Boshintang, Boshinhwan, Boshinsan, and Boshingaeng. There are 16 kinds of Boshintang, 28 kinds of Boshinhwan, 3 kinds of Boshinsan, and one kind of Boshingaeng. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for invigorating the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Boshintang for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Boshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Boshintang is an even prescription, composed of 6 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Fructus Lycii (3don;11.25g), No.2 Radix Polygoni Multiflori (1don:3.75g), No.3 Sarcucarpium Corni (1don), No.4 Fructus Schisandrae (1don), No.5 Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (5poon: 1.875g), and No.6 Cortex Phellodendri (5poon) Results : There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : invigorating the kidney, invigorating the lung and purging the spleen. First, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the bitter taste and the cold property invigorate the kidney. In the case of taste invigoration, two herbal medicines with bitter taste, Fructus Lycii and Radix Polygoni Multiflori, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property invigoration, two herbal medicines with the cold property, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your lung which is mother in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the lung, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property invigorate the lung. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste invigoration and cool ones for property invigoration. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the spleen, which include taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste purgation means to purge the spleen with bitter taste and property purgation to purge the spleen with cool property. Therefore, it is important to use bitter herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri. were combined to purge the spleen and invigorate the kidney. In addition, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, reinforcing the kidney energy. Conclusions : First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of invigorating the kidney and the lung, and purging the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Boshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.14-29
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• 2013

Objectives: Samul-tang and Rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L. have been frequently used in gynecologic disease. The purpose of the present study is to explore the behavioral and neurobiological effects of Samul-tanggahyangbuja (SGH) on ovariectomized rats and to form a basis for clinical treatment. Methods: Ovariectomized rats were repeatedly stressed for over 2 weeks. After orally medicated with SGH (200 or 400 mg/kg/day), the anxiety response was tested using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) in rats. The serum levels of estradiol and IL-4, and immunohistochemical changes of IL-4 in the Locus coeruleus (LC) and Paraventricular Nucleus (PVN) were measured. Results: 1. In the EPM, SGH 400 mg significantly increased time spent on the open arms and decreased time spent on the closed arms, compared with the control group (p<0.05). 2. SGH tended to increase numbers of crossings in the open and closed arms in the EPM. However, it did not reach statistical significance. 3. SGH significantly increased the serum levels of estradiol compared with the control group (p<0.05). 4. SGH 400 mg significantly increased the serum levels of IL-4 compared with the control group (p<0.05). 5. IL-4 immunoreactivity was reduced in the control group compared with the normal group (p<0.05). However, SGH groups (200 and 400 mg) did not produce any significant effects on levels of IL-4 in the LC and PVN. Conclusions: These results suggest that SGH possesses the anti-depressant and immuno-modulatory effects on ovariectomized rats.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.557-563
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• 2017

Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae) is a perennial parasitic plant that has a unique lifestyle of being in a symbiotic interaction with fungi. The underground root of Gastrodia is used for medicinal treatment to cure high blood pressure, stroke, leukemia, headaches, and especially neurasthenia. This study is intended to investigate the effect of the global warming on the ecological responses of Gastrodia. We cultivated the small tuber of Gastrodia with the oak wood lot and mulberry fungus under control (ambient $CO_2$ concentration + ambient temperature, ACAT), temperature treatment (ambient $CO_2$ concentration+elevated temperature, ACET), and $CO_2$+temperature treatment (elevated $CO_2$ concentration+elevated temperature, ECET). The elevated $CO_2$ concentration was about twice in the ambient air while the elevated temperature was about $2^{\circ}C$ higher than the control group. And then we observed the growth and production of reproductive organs and the underground root. The observation showed that the number of flower stalk was highest at ACET and lowest at ECET. The flower stalk was longest at ACET and shortest at ECET. The inflorescence was longest at ACAT and shortest at ECET. The seed capsule was heaviest at ACET and lightest at ECET. The aboveground biomass was highest at ACET and lowest at ECET. The number of rhizomes was highest at ACET and lowest at ECET. The total rhizome biomass was highest at ACET and lowest at ECET. The average rhizome biomass was highest at ACET and lowest at ECET. The results showed that the growth of Gastrodia increased because of more active growth of Gastrodia elata when only the temperature increased and decreased when both $CO_2$ concentration and temperature increased, indicating the poor growth of Gastrodia elata under the global warming condition. Therefore, the Gastrodia elata plantation should be maintained at the temperature of $20-25^{\circ}C$ and not be exposed to a high $CO_2$ concentration.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the auxin(IAA, IBA, NAA) treatment and the effect of shading rate in Asarum sieboldii. The results obtained were summerized as follows: By the soaking treatment of auxins to the cutted rhizome enhanced root growth and plant weight. By the increment of shading rate, plant growth was much better compare to the control. Leaf fallen times appeared about 20 days more earlier at plain area then the alpain area. Root yield was much higher by the treatment of shading then the conventional cultivation so it seem to be the useful for large scale cultivations of A. sieboldii.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4 s.109
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• pp.436-447
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• 2004

Wetland plants have evolved specialized adaptations to survive in the low-oxygen conditions associated with prolonged flooding. The development of internal gas space by means of aerenchyma is crucial for wetland plants to transport $O_2$ from the atmosphere into the roots and rhizome. The formation of tissue with high porosity depends on the species and environmental condition, which can control the depth of root penetration and the duration of root tolerance in the flooded sediments. The oxygen in the internal gas space of plants can be delivered from the atmosphere to the root and rhizome by both passive molecular diffusion and convective throughflow. The release of $O_2$ from the roots supplies oxygen demand for root respiration, microbial respiration, and chemical oxidation processes and stimulates aerobic decomposition of organic matter. Another essential mechanism of wetland plants is downward water movement across the root zone induced by water uptake. Natural and constructed wetlands sediments have low hydraulic conductivity due to the relatively fine particle sizes in the litter layer and, therefore, negligible water movement. Under such condition, the water uptake by wetland plants creates a water potential difference in the rhizosphere which acts as a driving force to draw water and dissolved solutes into the sediments. A large number of anatomical, morphological and physiological studies have been conducted to investigate the specialized adaptations of wetland plants that enable them to tolerate water saturated environment and to support their biochemical activities. Despite this, there is little knowledge regarding how the combined effects of wetland plants influence the biogeochemistry of wetland sediments. A further investigation of how the Presence of plants and their growth cycle affects the biogeochemistry of sediments will be of particular importance to understand the role of wetland in the ecological environment.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between growth characteristics and ginsenoside contents of 7 and 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. The results of growth characteristics such as rhizome length, root length, fresh weight, cross-section area, surface area and volume were shows significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng compare to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. In the case of 11 ginsenoside contents, the contents of G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1 and Rg2 were shows significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng compare to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. In addition, in the comparative analysis of ginsenoside contents between wild-simulated ginseng and cultivated ginseng, 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng was shows significantly higher G-Rb1, Rd, Re, Rf and Rg1 ginsenoside contents compare to 4-year-old and 5-year-old cultivated ginseng. In the result of correlation analysis between growth characteristics and ginsenoside contents, the G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2 ginsenoside was shows significantly positive correlation with rhizome length, fresh weight, cross-section area, surface area, volume, while as the contents of G-Rb1, Re, Rf, Rg2 was shows significantly negative correlation with shoot diameter. The results of this study was might be help to provide useful information on the establish quality standard by the investigate correlation analysis between growth characteristics and ginsenoside content of wild-simulated ginseng.