• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.1 s.132
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• pp.91-99
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• 2003

Ras proteins play an important role in intracellular signal transduction pathways involved in cell growth and the mutated twas genes have been found in thirty percent of human cancers. Ras proteins (H-, K- and N-Ras) are small guanine nucleotide binding proteins that undergo a series of posttranslational modifications including the farnesylation onto cysteine 186 at C-terminal of Ras by farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase). This is a mandatory process for retention of transforming ability. Therefore, inhibitors of FPTase have a promising to be effective antitumor agents. In our screening program for FPTase inhibitors, the methanol extracts of 193 plants were screened for the inhibitory activity against FPTase partially purified from the rat brain. Extracts of 7species plants including Areca catechu, Saururus chinensis, Curcuma longa, Artemisa princeps, Paeonia suffruticosa, Spatholobus suberectus, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum japonicum inhibited more than 60% of FPTase activity at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.4 s.131
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• pp.343-351
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• 2002

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in the arteries. Monocyter/macrophages are involved in many aspects of the development of atherosclerotic plaques. It is known that the intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) expressed preferentially on endothelial cells of atherosclerotic plaque, promotes local adhesion and transendothelial migration of monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Using the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell line, we investigated the inhibitory effects of methanol extracts of 175 natural plants on ICAM-1/LFA-1 mediated cell adhesion. Eight kinds of methanol extracts of tested plants inhibited PMA-induces homotypic aggregationof HL-60 cells without cytotoxicity at the concentration of $6.25\;{\mu}g/ml$. They were divided two fractions of $CHCI_3$ and $H_2O$ to use solvent partition. Among them, $CHCI_3$ extract $(1.0\;{\mu}g/ml)$ of Saururus chinensis and Chloranthus japonicus singificantly inhibited aggregation of HL-60 cells without cytotoxicity, respectively.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2014

Background: The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3)is constitutively activated in many human cancers. It promotes tumor cell proliferation,inhibits apoptosis, induces angiogenesis and metastasis, and suppresses antitumor hostimmune responses. Therefore, Stat3 has emerged as a promising molecular target for cancertherapies. In this study, we evaluated the Stat3-suppressive activity of 38 herbal medicinestraditionally used in Korea.Methods: Medicinal herb extracts in 70% ethanol were screened for their ability to suppressStat3 in the A549 human lung cancer cell line. A Stat3-responsive reporter assay system wasused to detect intracellular Stat3 activity in extract-treated cells, and Western blot analyseswere performed to measure the expression profiles of Stat3-regulated proteins.Results: Fifty percent of the 38 extracts possessed at least mild Stat3-suppressive activities(i.e., activity less than 75% of the vehicle control). Ethanol extracts of Bupleurum falcatumL., Taraxacum officinale Weber, Solanum nigrum L., Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, Euonymus alatusSieb., Artemisia capillaris Thunb., and Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill inhibited up to 75% of thevehicle control Stat3 activity level. A549 cells treated with these extracts also had reducedBcl-xL, Survivin, c-Myc, and Mcl-1 expression.Conclusion: Many medicinal herbs traditionally used in Korea contain Stat3 activity-suppressing substances. Because of the therapeutic impact of Stat3 inhibition, these resultscould be useful when developing novel cancer therapeutics from medicinal herbs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.341-350
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• 2005

To assess the antioxidative activity of 12 medicinal plants on lipid peroxidation, twelves traditional medicinal plants extracted with 95% methanol were investigated the antioxidative activity using DPPH, thiocyanate acid method, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. Out of 12 medicinal plants extracted with methanol, the extraction yields of Sedum kamtschaticum was the highest values (49.46%) among them and Geranicum sibiricum, Saururus chinensis root (R), Agrimonia pilosa leaf (L), Agrimonia pilosa root was the lowest value (9.97%). Radical scavenging effect of the selected traditional medicinal plants extracted from different extract solution were examined by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method. Antioxidative activity of methanolic extracts was higher than those of ethanol and n-hexane extracts. Scavenging effects in Sedum kamtaschaticum (R) determined by DPPH radical showed the highest among the 12 plants. The antioxidative effects of the first four medicinal plants were similar to those of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), but higher than that of tocopherol, which was used as a handled control. Antioxidative effects of each indicated concentration of the methanolic extracts on linoleic acid by thiocyanate method was the highest in Sedum kamtschaticum and followed by Geum japonicum and Agrimonia pilosa and their antioxidative effect were similar to those of BHA, and BHT, but higher than that of tocopherol. Antioxidative effects of the selected medicinal methanolic extract on linoleic acid by thiocyanate acid method were examined for 15 days. Peroxidation of control and tocopherol group occurred on days 5 and 9, respectively, but BHA, BHT, selected medicinal methanolic extract group did not occur until on day 15. Antioxidative effects of the selected medicinal methanolic extract on linoleic acid by TBA method were examined for 15 days. Antioxidative activity was similar to those obtained by thiocyanate acid method.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.109-117
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• 2017

The purpose of the study aimed to explore the possibility for natural preservative convergence materials by examining the antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effect of 19 wild plants in Jiri Mountain. Total polyphenols were higher in the order of CS(Camellia sinensis L., 87.9 mg GAE/ g), MP(Mentha piperascens Holmes., 85.1 mg), NN(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., 65.0 mg) and PD(Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., 52.8 mg). Total flavonoids were high in NN(25.7 mg QUE / g) and MP (25.4 mg QUE / g). CS(58.1%), NN(47.9%), and MP(40.6%) showed high ABTS radical scavenging ability and the result was similar in DPPH radical scavenging ability. The extracts of HC(Hemerocallis coreana Nakai.), PD, and CO(Cornus officinalis Siebold et Zucc.) showed the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of E. coli. The extracts of PK(Pulsatilla koreana Nakai ex Nakai.), SC(Saururus chinensis Baill.), and MC(Smilax china L.) completely inhibited the proliferation of S. aureus, showing the possibility to be developed as natural preservatives and disinfectants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects and detoxification of oriental herb extracts mixture (Saururus chinensis, Taraxacum platycarpum, Ulmus macrocarpa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rhynchosia nulubilis) on TCDD-induced oxidative stress. Thirty five male rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control group received saline; vehicle control group received DMSO and acetone; only TCDD-treated group received multiple intraperitoneal injection of TCDD ($100{\mu}g/kg$) and saline; post-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 5 weeks after TCDD treatment; and pre-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 6 weeks from 1 week before TCDD treatment. The elevated serum activities of alanine transaminase (AST), aspartate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and atherorganic index due to TCDD were significantly decreased by the treatment of OHEM (p<0.05); the pre-treatment of OHEM was especially effective. Hydropic lesions and cytoplasmic vacuolizations in the liver of TCDD-treated rats were inhibited by the treatment of OHEM. Also, OHEM treatment reduced edemas in small intestine villus of TCDD-treated rats. These results suggest that OHEM from various oriental herb extracts might be a useful protective and detoxification agent against TCDD.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.1 s.132
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• pp.109-117
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• 2003

Arachidonic acid(AA), which is stored in membrane glycerophospholipids, is liberated by phospholipase $A_2(PLA_2)$ enzymes and is sequentially converted to cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) then to various bioactive prostaglandins (PGs,) and leukotrienes (LTs). In order to find the specific inhibitors of AA metabolism enzymes such as $PLA_2$, COX-2, 5-LO and lyso PAF acetyltransferase. 195 Korean indigenous plant extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory activity on $PGD_2,\;LTC_4$ production from cytokine-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) and arachidonic acid released from phospholipid and PAF production from lyso PAF. From this screening procedure, methanol extract of eight plants such as Saururus chinensis, Aster tataricus, Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Reynoutria japonica, Disocorea nipponica, Epimedium koreanum, impatiens textori, Veronica rotunda var. subintegra were found to inhibit production of inflammatory mediators in vitro assay system.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.275-282
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• 2016

STAR of STAR (SS 01-04) is a series of drinks that consist of various extracts obtained from Coriolus versicolor, Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Hovenia dulcis, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Lycium chinense, Citrus reticulata, Saururus chinensis, Pueraria lobata, Pyrus pyrifolia, and Oenanthe javanica. A purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of SS 01-04. Antioxidant activity of the drinks was evaluated by conducting a hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay. Cytotoxicity and hepatoprotective potential were determined using HepG2 cells in vitro, while protective effects against acute hepatotoxicity was evaluated in vivo. The antioxidant activity of the SS 01-04 at concentration of 100 and 250 mg/mL was similar to that of $50{\mu}M$ vitamin C. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was blocked by SS 01, 03 and 04 in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with SS 04 significantly lowered the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in an animal model of carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)-induced$ hepatotoxicity (p<0.05). In addition, SS04 increased glutathione level while decreased malondialdehyde level in the liver considerably (p<0.05). It also inhibited the $CCl_4-induced$ increase in the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in serum and the liver. These findings indicated that SS 01-04 possessed antioxidant activity and protect against ROS. In particular, SS 04 is potentially highly beneficial in treating liver damage as it scavenges reactive free radicals and boosts the endogenous antioxidant system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.550-555
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• 2013

Extrinsic skin aging is characterized by the loss of skin tone and resilience, irregular pigmentation, and deep wrinkles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ehwa Makgeolli containing oriental herbs (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Lycium chinense MILL., Morus alba L., and Saururus chinensis Baill) on skin whitening and wrinkling in human skin cells. We prepared Makgeolli extracts (HEE) with 70% ethanol. HEE significantly inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity and reduced the cellular and secreted melanin content of mouse melanoma melanocytes (B16F1 cells). HEE down-regulated the protein expression of tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1/-2, a key player in melanogenesis. Treatment with HEE in human keratinoctyes (HaCaT cells) inhibited the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/-9 in a dose-dependent manner and dramatically reduced the expression of MMP-2/-9. In addition, HEE attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). These results indicate that HEE may be a great cosmeceutical ingredient for its whitening, anti-wrinkle, and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.337-342
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate total polyphenols, total flavonoid, and DPPH radical scavenging activity in 26 species of Korean natural plants and 14 species of medicinal plant extracts. The plant containing the highest total polyphenols and total flavonoids were Plantago asiatica, and Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, respectively. The content of polyphenols and flavonoids in natural plants was the highest in Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, which also demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity. In medicinal plant extract, Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill and Artemisiae Asiaticae Herba had the highest level of total polyphenols (194.60 and 203.92 mg/g extract, respectively) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Diospyros kaki Thunb and Dryopteris crassirhizoma did not contain high levels of total polyphenols (112.98, 121.46 mg/g extract, respectively) and flavonoids (46.10, 58.69 mg/g extract respectively), but DPPH radical scavenging activity was relatively high. Further study regarding plants that exhibit higher total polyphenols, total flavonoid, and DPPH radical scavenging activity is needed.