• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2017

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that are usually controlled with antiepileptic/anticonvulsive drugs. However, most antiepileptic drugs produce various side effects such as tolerance and sedation. Thus, there is a growing interest for alternative anticonvulsive drugs, preferably from natural or herbal sources. In this study, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG). The anticonvulsive effect of RG extract was evaluated using electroshock- and chemical-induced seizure tests in mice. To identify its probable mechanism of action, the effects of RG extract on $Cl^-$ influx was measured in vitro. We found that RG extract has anticonvulsive effects against electroshock-induced seizures, as indicated by an increased seizure threshold in mice. The RG extract also decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by the GABAergic antagonist, pentylenetetrazole. These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of RG extract are mediated through a GABAergic mechanism. In support of this mechanism, our in vitro test showed that RG extract increases intracellular $Cl^-$ influx. Furthermore, RG extract did not show sedative and/or muscle relaxant effects in the open-field and rota-rod tests. Altogether, these results confirm that RG extract could be a herbal anticonvulsant and a potential alternative for clinical use.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.298-305
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• 2003

Polygalae Radix (PR) from Polygala tenuifolia. (Polygalaceae) is traditionally used in China and Korea, since this herb has a sedative, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial agent. To extend pharmacological actions of PR in the CNS on the basis of its CNS inhibitory effect, the present study examined whether PR has the neuroprotective action against kainic acid (KA) -induced cell death in primarily cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. PR, over a concentration range of 0.05 to $5{\mu}g/ml$ inhibited KA $(500\;{\mu}M)$-induced neuronal cell death, which was measured by a trypan blue exclusion test and a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. PR $(0.5{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited glutamate release into medium induced by KA $(500\;{\mu}M)$, which was measured by HPLC. Pretreatment of PR $(0.5{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited KA $(500\;{\mu}M)$-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_c)$ which was measured by a fluorescent dye, Fura 2-AM, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggest that PR prevents KA-induced neuronal cell damage in vitro.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a well-known for medicinal plant and can be found in India and Europe. Chamomile is an effective sedative and various medical effects. But, the effects of acne treatment by chamomile were not investigated. Therefore, we assessed the anti-oxidant effects, anti-microbial activity and anti-inflammatory effects by chamomile extracts in HaCaT keratinocyte cells. Anti-oxidant effects of chamomile extracts were investigated by DPPH assay. Also, results of MTT assay was demonstrated that chamomile extracts did not have a cytotoxic effect in HaCaT cells. To assess the antimicrobial activity, we determined formation of inhibition zone of Propionibacterium acnes by extracts from chamomile. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) induces production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6 and IL-8 and expression of COX-2. Chamomile extracts could inhibit TNF-${\alpha}$-induced mRNA expression levels of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 gene. These results demonstrated the possibility of chamomile for prevention and treatment of skin inflammatory diseases such as acne.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.303-313
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• 2009

Traditionally, Cham dang-gui (Angelica gigas Nakai) is one of the most popular herbal medicines in Asian countries including Korea. A. gigas has been used as a functional food product for treatment anemia, women's health care, a sedative, an anodyne or a tonic agent. Decursin and decursinol angelate isolated from the roots of A. gigas are pyranocoumarin compounds. Recently, as the global herbal medication market is increasing, investigations about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate are rapidly increasing. We summarized previous studies about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate, and reviewed relation with pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate on human disorder, focused on the approach for new drug development. Pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate were classified as anti-tumor activity, anti-bacterial activity, improvements of the circulating system, inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activity, anti-inflammation activity, anti-oxidant activity and cognitive-enhancing activites. The activity of A. gigas with improvement of the circulating system may have wide therapeutic potential for circulatory diseases, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Also, anti-inflammation activity A. gigas may be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatism arthritis. This relation could potentially lead to the development of herbal new drugs. In order to development a new drug containing decursin and decursinol angelate, it is also necessary to consider the safety profile, and the information in this review would contribute to development a new drug from herbal medicine.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2011

Eugenol is an essential oil found in cloves and cinnamon that is used widely in perfumes. However, the significant anesthetic and sedative effects of this compound have led to its use also in dental procedures. Recently, it was reported that eugenol induces apoptosis in several cancer cell types but the mechanism underlying this effect has remained unknown. In our current study, we examined whether the cytotoxic effects of eugenol upon human melanoma G361 cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using a range of methods including an XTT assay, Hoechst staining, immunocyto-chemistry, western blotting and flow cytometry. Eugenol treatment was found to decrease the viability of the G361 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in eugenol-treated G361 cells was confirmed by the appearance of nuclear condensation, the release of both cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol, the cleavage of PARP and DFF45, and the downregulation of procaspase-3 and -9. With regard to cell cycle arrest, a time-dependent decrease in cyclin A, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdc2 expression was observed in the cells after eugenol treatment. Flow cytometry using a FACScan further demonstrated that eugenol induces a cell cycle arrest at S phase. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of G361 cell proliferation by eugenol is the result of an apoptotic response and an S phase arrest that is linked to the decreased expression of key cell cycle-related molecules.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2009

Anxiety disorders are one of the serious problems which need proper therapy devoid of side effects of presently available medicines. The present study evaluates the anxiolytic and sedative activity of leaf galls of Piper nigrum Linn. in Swiss Albino mice. The pet. ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of leaf galls of Piper nigrum Linn were obtained by continuous soxhlet extraction. The prepared extracts were found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg body weight of mice in the acute toxicity study. Each extract was assessed for anxiolytic activity in Swiss Albino mice by elevated plus Maze, open field test, rota rod test and phenobarbitone induced sleeping time test. In the Elevated Plus Maze test, the pet.ether extract and chloroform extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. orally, significantly (P < 0.01) increased the number of entries and time spent in open arm comparable with standard diazepam at the dose of 10 mg/kg. b.w. p.o. In the open field test, pet. ether extract (50 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) showed significant increase (P < 0.01) in ambulation and activity in the center. Chloroform extract (50 mg/kg b.w p.o.) was significant (P < 0.05) for both ambulation and center activity. Pet. ether extract (50 mg/kg b.w. p.o) also showed significant activity (P < 0.01) in rota rod test. All the results are comparable with standard diazepam at the dose of 1 mg /kg b.w, p.o. Moreover all the extracts showed significant (P < 0.01) increase in the phenobarbitone induced sleeping time among which pet.ether showed more prominent activity (36%) comparable with control. The results revealed that, the active pet.ether extract and chloroform extract of leaf galls of Piper nigrum Linn is worthwhile to develop the bioactive principle for anxiolytic activity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 1998

Management of children who show negative response to treatment was difficult. Usually the dentist used the restraintor sedatives for these children. Especially it is very difficult to management of definitely negative behavior patients who resist to ordinary sedative technics including psychosedation and various sedatives. These patients were managed with general anesthesia. Midazolam was used for sedation of non-cooperative pediatric patients and halothane for induce initial sleepness, If the patient shows negative response to management after 15 minutes of midazolam administration, used the halothane in 30 to 120 seconds for calm down the patient. After induce sleepness, cut off the halothane administration and maintain the sedation with $N_2O$ in 50-70 vol.% concentration. This technic reduce the toxity and untoward effects of major anesthetics. To compare the difference of sedation effect by dosage, dose of 0.2mg/kg and 0.3mg/kg were injected respectively. Though there's no statistical difference in duration and results between two dosage but show the increment of score with age, If the patients show positive response to management after midazolam administered. try to conscious sedation with nitrous oxide in 30 to 70 vo.% concentration. Nitrous oxide concentration was administered slowly according to their consciousness and response to treatment by increment or decrement. The success rate of conscious sedation were 21.2% in 0.2mg/kg and 30.3% in 0.3mg/kg. There's many factors in proceed of conscious sedation. The most important factors are age of patient and experience of children for dental care.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2011

Nardostachys chinensis (N. Chinensis) belonging to the family Valerianaceae have been used in traditional medicine to elicit stomachic and sedative effects. The present study investigated the effects of water extract of N. Chinensis in human lymphoma U937 cells. The proliferation of U937 cells was decreased by N. Chinensis. Anti-proliferative effect of N. Chinensis on U937 cells was associated with G0/G1 phase arrest, which was mediated by regulating the expression of p21 and p27 protein. In addition, the levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin D3, and Cyclin A were decreased, but Cyclin D1, Cyclin D2 and Cyclin E were essentially undetectable. N. Chinensis induced the differentiation of U937 as shown by increased expression of differentiation surface antigen CD11b, but not CD14. Taken together, these results demonstrated that N. Chinensis potently inhibits the proliferation of U937 cells via the G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in association with p21 and p27, and induces granulocytic differentiation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 1996

As the production of chonma became increased by the farmer's cultivation, developments of the processed food such as tea using chonma have been actively pursued. In the present study, the components of chonma and its beneficial effects on health using SD (Sprague-Dawley) rat model were analyzed. The contents of moisture, protein, ash, fat and fiber in dried-chonma were 11.8, 7.6, 3.2, 0.5, and 3.9%(w/w), respectively. The contents of calcium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium were 121, 83, 6.2, 170, 69 and 1,278 mg%. When chow diets containing 0, 0.15, 1.5 or 5.0% chonma powder were fed to SD rats for 4 weeks, no significant differences were observed in the composition of the large-intestinal flora, ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ level of the large-intestinal contents and the weight gains of rats. The level of ${\beta}-glucosidase$ was higher and the serum cholesterol level was lower in 5.0% chonma group compared with control group. The highest sedative effect was shown in 0.15% chonma group.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.66-80
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• 2003

Objectives : Recently, herbal acupuncture has been developed in the Korea since the earlier 1960' applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination the merit of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis (釣鉤藤) has been claimed to possess sedative, anti-spasmodic actions, and treat childhood epilepsy in oriental medical preparation. Also, it has been stated that Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis was antioxidatvie effect and neuroprotection against glutamateinduced neuronal death. Methods : In this study, effects of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on the $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$, named Baek-hue or Tae-chung, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group, respectively. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Especially, cFos expression was more increased at the herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}than{\;}LR_3$, but FosB expression was more decreased in $LR_3$ group than $GV_{20}$ group. Also, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus ($254.88{\pm}12{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $245.93{\pm}44.4{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$ group) and the cortex ($85.81{\pm}3.45{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $111.51{\pm}15.79{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$, group) compared to the hippocampus ($134.07{\pm}2.96{\;}pg/ml$) and the cortex ($61.16{\pm}4.11{\;}pg/ml$) in control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. Conclusion : These results suggest that pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and the herbal acupunture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ may be related to antioxidative effect and calcium channel block of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis. Also, it could be mentioned there is specificity of acupoints treating ischemic injury through the difference between the herbal acupuncture of $GV_{20}{\;}and{\;}LR_3$.