• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Objectives: Herbal medicine is a worldwide health topic. Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) is a popular plant used for gynecologic problems due to its hormonal effects. The aim of this study is to reveal VAC extract effect on fetus when this herb is used started from antenatal period or during pregnancy. Methods: Performed from starting day of January 2019 till February 2019, 48 rats were assigned in randomly divided eight-member six groups: control (C1), treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T1) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T2), control that underwent caesarean section on 15^th day of gestational age (C2) and treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T3) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T4) that underwent caesarean section. Weight, sex and number of fetuses, abortion and still birth rate and estradiol level were evaluated using t-test by SPSS software. Results: We showed increased weight among T1 group considering totally and sex-dependent which is significant (all p-value < 0.05). We also detected significantly decreased weight in T2 in total (p-value < 0.0001) and when considering female fetuses (0.043) but not males (0.17). Although the results showed slightly non-significant increased weight among fetuses of T3 (totally or based on the fetus sex) compared to the control group (C2), T4 group had statistically decreased weight compared to control group. Pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome were affected by VAC usage. The time of VAC initiation also affected live birth and abortion rates. Conclusion: VAC extract may affect pregnancy rate, live birth rate, abortion and stillbirth rates. Its effect on the weight and the sex showed dual pattern depends on the time of initiation and pregnancy trimester of evaluation. Prescribing this medicinal plant for patients being prone to pregnancy should be with caution. Further study is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Plebeiae Herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) on the proliferation of AGS cell lines and the activation of splenocytes. In an anti-cancer test using AGS cells, water and ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba inhibited the growth of AGS cell lines and morphological changes were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Water extract of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of 43.3% at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 69.7% at $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. Ethanol extracts of Plebeiae Herba showed growth-inhibitory effect of approximately 37.3% for $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ and 75.8% for $3,000{\mu}g/mL$. The Plebeiae Herba induced the proliferation of spleen cells and increased interleukin (IL)-2, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Plebeiae Herba seems to have antiproliferationg effect against the AGS cell and acts as a potent immunomodulator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition and biological function of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves. The antioxidant activities of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves were determined by measuring their electron-donating ability based on their DPPH and nitrite-scavenging ability. The electron-donating abilities of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves (500 and 1,000 ppm) as determined by DPPH assay were 45.6 and 85.1%, respectively. The nitrite scavenging ability of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves (500 and 1,000 ppm) at pH 6.0 were 32.8 and 51.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the nitrite scavenging activity increased in a dose-dependent manner at all pH values. The effects of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves on Male Sprague-Dawley rats were also evaluated. To accomplish this, the rats were divided into three groups (A: normal diet group, B: high fat diet group and C: high fat diet supplemented with tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves group). The anti-obesity effects of tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves were then evaluated. The serum total lipid, total cholesterol and triglyceride contents in C group were lower than those of B group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. The HDL-cholesterol content was significantly higher in the C group than in the other groups. Taken together the results of this study suggest that tea made from mountain-cultivated ginseng leaves possesses antioxidant activity and improves lipid metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2008

This study examined the chemical composition of lotus root and functionally evaluated a fermented lotus root drink. Electron-donating ability using DPPH along with nitrite-scavenging ability were used to compare the antioxidative activities of unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks. The electron-donating abilities of the unfermented lotus root drink (1%) and fermented lotusroot drink (1%) were 22.55% and 23.88%, respectively. At pH 6.0, the nitrite-scavenging abilities of the unfermented lotus root drink and the fermented lotus root drink (100%) were 27.64% and 40.3%, respectively, and their scavenging ability increased in a dose-dependent manner at all pH values. In order to study the anti-obesity effects of the two drinks, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (A: basal diet, B: high fat diet, C: high fat diet+unfermented lotus root drink, D: high fat diet+fermented lotus root drink). Net weight gains were not significantly different among the four groups. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased in the groups receiving the unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks. Also, plasma total lipid and triglyceride contents were lower in the groups receiving the unfermented and fermented lotus root drinks as compared to the high fat diet group; however, the differences among the three groups were not significant.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2012

In this study, we configured a system which ranks hazardous chemicals to determine their management priorities based on experts' opinions and the existing CRS (chemical ranking and scoring). Aggregate exposure of food, health functional food, oriental/herbal medicine and cosmetics have been taken into account to determine management priority. In this study, 25 hazardous chemicals were selected, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, etc. These 25 materials were ranked according to their 1) risk (exposure or hazard) indexes, 2) exposure source-based weight, and 3) public interests, which were also formed based on the existing priority ranking system. Cadmium was scored the highest (178.5) and bisphenol A the lowest (56.8). Ten materials -- cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, tar, acrylamide, benzopyrene, aluminium, benzene, and PAHs -- scored higher than 100. Eight materials -- aflatoxin, manganese, phthalate, chromium, nitrate/nitrite, ethylcarbamate, formaldehyde, and copper -- recorded scores in the range from 70 to 100. Also evaluated as potential risks were 7 materials; sulfur dioxide, ochratoxin, dioxins, PCBs, fumonisin, methyl mercury, and bisphenol A, and these materials were scored above 50. Then we compared risk index and correlation coefficient of total scores to confirm the validity of the total scores; we analyzed correlation coefficient of parameter and indicator. We discovered that the total score and weight, which has incorporated public interests, were high and statistically significant. In conclusion, the result of this study contributes to strengthening risk assessment and risk management of hazardous chemicals.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2008

The subcronic toxicity of WK-38, a herbal preparation for the atherosclerosis, was examined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. WK-38 is composed of Rhei Rhizoma, Magonoliae Cortx, Moutan Cortex Radicis. Rats were treated with the test substance at a dose of 5 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg intragastrically for 13 weeks. Control rats were treated with vehicle only. No death and abnormal clinical signs were observed throughout the administration period. Also there was no difference in net body weight gain, food and water consumption, organ weight, gross pathological findings, and urine analysis among the groups of rats treated with different doses of the WK-38. Hematological findings and biochemical examination revealed no evidence of specific toxicity related to WK-38. The results suggested that under the condition employed in this study no observation effect level (NOEL) of WK-38 would be 500 mg/kg/day.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.572-576
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• 2010

Biological products, such as live varicella vaccine, are composed of biological substances derived from biological organisms. It is very difficult to identify these biologics' characteristics by analysis of simple physical and chemical methods alone. So the reference material is essential in order to evaluate the quality of bilogics. The 1'st national standard for varicella live vaccine was manufactured, established in 2002 and 2003, and have been used for the manufacturer's quality control and national lot release since then. As the lack of its availability and the decrease of its stability, this study was initiated by National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NiFDS) in 2008 to manufacture and establish the 2nd national standard for varicella live vaccine. The candidate material was manufactured from one of domestic manufacterers and the joint research of the NiFDS and manufacturers of varicella live vaccine was conducted to estimate of the reliable virus content. In the collaborative study, 3 laboratories including NiFDS performed the virus content test more than 7 times and all assay results were statistically analyzed. The mean coefficient of variation (CV) was 1.24%, and the geometric mean titre (GMT) variation range of each laboratory was low. On the basis of the results of this study, the candidate material of 2nd national standard for varicella live vaccine was assigned a potency of 4.26 log10 pfu/0.5 mL, when reconstituted in 0.7 mL.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-400
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• 2007

Apricot Kernel, consumed as herbal medicine, contains amygdalin which generate HCN upon hydrolysis. Dyspnea was reported by ingesting large amount of apricot kernel, and neurological disorders such as tropic ataxic neuropathy or konzo were known as chronic toxicity of amygdalin. Other cyanogen containing plants, including flaxseed and almond, are consumed as food around the world. Moreover, some of them are promoted as functional food, leading to higher consumption, and posing health risk by cyanogenic components. The objective of this study was to find a method for the reduction of the cyanogenic compound, using apricot kernel as a model food. The most effective reduction was obtained by boiling the slices of the kernel for one hour in pH 1 HCl solution, showing 90% removal. However, the common process known to reduce the cyanogen contents, i.e., long incubation at the low temperature, did not show significant change in cyan concentration. Our data contribute to the safety of the plants containing cyanogenic compounds if they were to be developed as foodstuff.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 2005

From the tuberous root of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.(Ranunculaceae), the main root is called as common monkhood mother root and the later root is called as the prepared aconite root. From the prepared aconite root. Looking at the processing method of the prepared aconite root, it is divided into Yeombuja (prepared aconite root processed in salt) and heuksoonpyeon (baekbupyeon) following the processing method after removing the soil and this is a way of processing the prepared aconite root without damage it. The recently produced raw prepared aconite root is easily damaged, thus it shall be preserved in salt to have the crystal shape on the surface of the prepared aconite root and store and transport in firmly solidified yeombuja condition. Therefore, yeombuja shall remove the salt before use and requires processing for use but heuksoonpyeon or baekbupyeon may use immediately. For the succession of the unique processing techniques of our ancestors, there has to be studies on the techniques. Prepared aconite root is generally used as holy medicines to cure the yang depletion syndrome, kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, and obstruction of qi in the chest syndrome. However, they are the substances with toxicity. It is contemplated that the contents of processing are broadly understood through the document on the processing method, and based on such foundation, the systematic set and proof on the documents are made along with the addition of the contemporary scientific theory and technology to develop the traditional processing technology to maximize the treatment effect and safety of prepared aconite root. In this study, the historic data and records on the processing method of latteral root of aconitum carmichaeli Debx will be rearranged to contribute to the standardization of medicinal herbs, maximization of efficacy and minimization of the side effects.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.529-538
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• 2015

This study was carried out to evaluate the acute oral toxicity of Corydalis turtschaninovii BESS. in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. Male and female rats were administered orally with Corydalis turtschaninovii BESS water extract. We measured the number of death by clinical signs and gross findings for 7 days. After 7 days, we measured the whole body and individual organs' weight. We also analyzed hematological changes. The result, no dead SD rats and no clinical signs were found during the experiment period. Also other specific changes were not found between control and treated groups in hematology and serum biochemistry. The results indicated that there were no significant changes of gross body and individual organs weight in SD rats. These results suggest that water soluble extract of Corydalis turtschaninovii BESS. has not acute oral toxicity in SD rats.