• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.62 no.6
• /
• pp.111-118
• /
• 2020

This study developed a rainwater harvesting system for the irrigation of upland on sloping area. The assessment of water supply capacity was evaluated in farm field experience. This system consists of a water catchment device and a collapsible storage tank. The water catchment device was designed to collect runoff water in natural channel of 500 mm width into a pipe of 50 mm inner diameter. The device has funnel-shaped plan and cross-section of square. The storage capacity of the collapsible water tank was caculated to meet the water demand for irrigation in 30 a cultivated land for 10-year frequancy drought. The tank has a cuboid shape with a capacity of 30 ㎥, 5 m in width and length, 1.2 m in height. This system can supply 92% of the water required for drop irrigation of red pepper and 88% of the water required for drop irrigation of onions in 30 a cultivation land during the month of May and June. In the case of 16-dry days of 10-years frequency, this system is capable to irrigate 100% of required water for red pepper and onion, 76.7% of required water for Omija (Schisandra chinensis), and 51.5% of required water for autumn kimchi cabbage.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.1060-1077
• /
• 2021

Food additives are required to maintain the freshness and quality of foods, particularly meats. However, chemical additives may not be preferred by consumers, and natural materials with antimicrobial and antioxidant effects may be used as replacements for common chemical additives. Accordingly, in this study, we compared the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of natural compounds extracted with ethanol and hot water, and emulsion sausage prepared with natural ethanol extracts was analyzed for pH, color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and Clostridium perfringens growth during storage. The antimicrobial activities of 49 natural extract candidates against Listeria monocytogenes, C. perfringens, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli were analyzed, and six natural materials with excellent antibacterial activities, i.e., Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. f. nakaiana (Araki) H. Ohba, Punica granatum L., Ecklonia cava, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner, and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and Rubus coreanus Miq. were evaluated to determine their total polyphenol contents and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The total polyphenol contents of ethanol extracts were higher than those of hot water extracts, whereas DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be higher in hot water extracts. The TBARS values of emulsion sausages were significantly increased as storage time increased, and the TBARS values of emulsion sausages prepared with natural extracts were lower than those of control sausages. Natural extract-treated emulsion sausages showed a 99% reduction in bacterial contents compared with untreated sausages on day 2, with greater than 99.9% reduction after day 3. Thus, these results demonstrated that natural extracts could have applications as natural preservatives in meat products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.565-574
• /
• 2021

Background: Saengmaeksan (SMS) is a traditional Korean medicine composed of three herbs, Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, and Liriope platyphylla. SMS is used to treat respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. However, whether SMS exerts antihyperuricemic effects is unknown. Methods: Effects of the SMS extract in water (SMS-W) and 30% ethanol (SMS-E) were studied in a rat model of potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia. Uric acid concentrations and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities were evaluated in the serum, urine, and hepatic tissue. Using renal histopathology to assess kidney function and uric acid excretion, we investigated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, as well as protein levels of renal urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1). The effects of SMS on in vitro XO activity and uric acid uptake were also evaluated. The components of SMS were identified using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). Results: SMS-E reduced serum uric acid and creatinine concentrations, and elevated urine uric acid excretion. SMS-E lowered XO activities in both the serum and liver, and downregulated the expression of renal URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins. SMS-E reduced renal inflammation and IL-1b levels in both the serum and kidneys. SMS-E inhibited both in vitro XO activity and urate uptake in URAT1-expressing oocytes. Using UPLC, 25 ginsenosides were identified, all of which were present in higher levels in SMS-E than in SMS-W. Conclusion: SMS-E exhibited antihyperuricemic effects by regulating XO activity and renal urate transporters, providing the first evidence of its applicability in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2021

By-products produced from medicinal plants (MP) were evaluated as feed additives on growth performance, blood chemistry, and immune responses of the juvenile red lip mullet Liza haematocheila. A commercial diet was used as the control. Four experimental diets were prepared by combining 0.5% of MPs such as Panax ginseng (PG), Schisandra chinensis (SC), Angelica gigas (AG), and Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), via water absorption, to the control diet. Triplicate groups of fish averaging 61.8 g were fed one of experimental diets to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Dietary supplementation of MPs did not affect the growth performance, biological indices and whole body composition of fish compared to the control. The fish fed with AG diet had an increased weight gain, and specific growth rate compared to fish in SC group. Decreased level of plasma glucose was observed in fish fed diet containing MPs. Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in the fish fed AG diet compared to that of fish in PG group. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of Angelica gigas may enhance growth performance and immune responses in juvenile red lip mullet.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.160-167
• /
• 2019

Depression is a major mood disorder. Abnormal expression of glial glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) is associated with depression. Schisantherin B (STB) is one bioactive of lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill which has been commonly used as a traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years. This paper was designed to investigate the effects of STB on depressive mice induced by forced swimming test (FST). Additionally, we also assessed the impairment of FST on cognitive function in mice with different ages. FST and open field test (OFT) were used for assessing depressive symptoms, and Y-maze was used for evaluating cognition processes. Our study showed that STB acting as an antidepressant, which increased GLT-1 levels by promoting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Although the damage is reversible, short-term learning and memory impairment caused by FST test is more serious in the aged mice, and STB also exerts cognition improvement ability in the meanwhile. Our findings suggested that STB might be a promising therapeutic agent of depression by regulating the GLT-1 restoration as well as activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2018

Objective : Many patients take antihypertensive drugs as well as herbal medicines at the same time in order to treat other symptoms or to keep their well-being. In this study, interactions between herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs were analyzed. Methods : To investigate the interaction between herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs, three electronic databases, including OASIS, Mediline and Sciencedirect were searched. Experimental and clinical studies on the interaction between herbal medicines and antihypertensive drugs were independently reviewed and included. Results : Analyzing selected studies, twenty herbs were found to interact with antihypertensive drugs. Herbs found to increase the antihypertensive effect were Panax ginseng, Carthamus tinctorius, Magnolia officinalis, Silybum marianum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis, Sophora flavescens, Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, Ginkgo biloba, Juncus effuses and Hydrastis canadensis. In contrast, Commiphora myrrha, Rhodiola rosea, Hypericum perforatum, Eurycoma longifolia, and Daturae metel were found to inhibit the antihypertensive effect. Stephania tetrandra could increase or decrease the effect depending on the type of antihypertensive drug. Epedria sínica was suspected of pharmacodynamic interaction with antihypertensive drug. Glycyrrhiza uralensis has been reported to have serious side effects in combination with antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion : These results imply that when used in combination with herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs, proper doses and herbs which are to avoid need to be informed to the patients. Despite concerns about interactions between herbal medicines and synthetic drugs, related research is very limited. More systematic researches are needed to give information on patient safety as well as to guide clinical practice.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.647-654
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: Particulate matter (PM) is one of the serious environmental problems and threatens human health. Plants can clean the air by removing PM from the atmosphere. This study was carried out to investigate the PM removal efficiency of 12 species of woody plants. Methods: Actinidia arguta, Dendropanax morbiferus, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Pittosporum tobira, Rhaphiolepis indica, Rhapis, Salix integra, Salix koreensis, Schisandra chinensis, Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki, and Vitis coignetiae were used as plant material. Six 15 cm (D) pots were placed in an acrylic chamber of 800 (D) × 800 (W) × 1000 (H) mm. The LED panel was used as a light source. The reduction of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 for 300 minutes after the injection of PM was automatically measured. Results: The leaf area and the amount of PM in the chamber showed a negative correlation. 12 species of plants were compared by dividing the plants into 3 groups according to their characteristics: vines, trees, and shrubs and small trees. In the vine plant group, the averages of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 7.917%, 8.796%, and 30.275%, respectively. In the shrubs and small trees group, the average of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 10.142%, 11.133%, and 36.448%, respectively. In the trees group, the average of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 11.475%, 12.892%, and 40.421%, respectively. When the initial concentration was 100%, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 of Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki with the largest leaf area were 5.6%, 6.3%, and 21.0% after 5 hours, respectively, the best results among 12 species of plants. Conclusion: The vine plant group was more effective in removing PM than the other two groups. In the tree groups, the fact that the leaf development was relatively inactive at a plant height of 30 cm was considered to have an effect on the removal of particulate matter.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.235-241
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune activation effect of Sasamsaengmaek-san (SSSMS) consisted of a mixture of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Liriope platyphylla, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Schisandra chinensis. in Balb/c mice. Measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic acid transaminase (AST) levels in Balb/c mice was performed to analyze the cytotoxicity. Cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12) which regulate the immune activation in Balb/c mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activated T lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), spleen, lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry using percentages. All tests were compared with red ginseng 100 ㎍/mL (RG 100), which is the most used for immune activity. As a result, cytokine activity was significantly increased at SSSMS 300 group. Activated T lymphocytes in PBMC, spleen, lymph nodes were significantly increased at SSSMS 300 group. These results suggest that there is a possibility of SSSMS activating an immune system by activating the cytokines, and it is confirmed that SSSMS also effective for generation and differentiation of T, B lymphocytes which activate the immune response.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.517-523
• /
• 2018

Elevated levels of cortisol caused by chronic stress may lead to neuron damage in the hippocampus by activating the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). In cortisol-deficient animals, corticosterone is known to function as a stress hormone. In humans however, corticosterone is considered a precursor of aldosterone and a glucocorticoid with similar properties to cortisol. Recently, many studies have been conducted on the role of cortisol and other synthetic glucocorticoids like dexamethasone in humans, but the exact function of corticosterone is unknown. This study examined the viability of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells treated with various concentrations of corticosterone for 24 and 48 hr via MTT assay. The MTT-assay results showed that corticosterone had an antiproliferation effect on SH-SY5Y cells at higher concentrations (500 and $1,000{\mu}M$), while in lower concentrations ($100{\mu}M$), it showed no antiproliferation effect. Cytotoxicity analysis of extracts from three medicinal crops (Liriope muscari, Schisandra chinensis, and Wolfiporia extensa) revealed that they all possessed deleterious effects on SH-SY5Y cells depending on dosage. However, it was observed that, at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$, Liriope muscari attenuated the corticosterone-induced antiproliferation on SY-SH5Y cells and restored cell growth after 48 hours of treatment. The study examined the synergistic effect of six mixtures each containing $500{\mu}g/ml$ of Liriope and various concentrations of Schisandra (50 or $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Wolfiporia (10, 30, and $50{\mu}g/ml$). The results showed minor growth-restoration activity but less than that of Liriope muscari only, suggesting that Schisandra and Wolfiporia had no additive or synergistic effects.