• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.584-587
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• 2002

It has been suggested that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the oxidative stress of streptozotocin(STZ) in the cultured mouse cerebral neurons and the preventing effect of vitamin E and and Benincasae Semen(BS) on STZ-induced neurotoxicity. Cytotoxic effect of STZ and neuroprotective effect of antioxidant and BS were performed by MTT assay. 30 μM STZ decreased cell viability in dose-and time-dependent mannner, and vitamin E and BS diminished STZ-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. From above the results, STZ has toxic effect. and antioxidants, vitamin E or herb extract of BS is very effective against STZ-induced neurotoxicity in cultured cerebral neurons of neonatal mouse.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.260-264
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• 2007

Gleditsiae Semen (GS) has been used in both Korea and China as herbal medicine for the treatment of cephalalgia, catharsis, and other diseases. However, the apoptosis of GS against human cancer cells has not previously been investigated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms inherent in GS-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis, using methanolic extract of GS (GSE) in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. We found that GSE induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect was verified via a lactate dehydrogenase release assay and a colony formation assay. In particular, HT-29 cells showed extensive cell death when treated with $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ of GSE; the calculated $IC_{50}$ value was $20\;{\mu}g/mL$. It induced characteristic apoptotic signs in HT-29 cells, including chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, occurring within 6-24 hr when the cells were treated at a concentration of $50\;{\mu}g/mL$. Interestingly, we detected the activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not caspase-8, and apoptotic bodies in GSE-treated HT-29 cells. Collectively, our results indicate that GSE induces apoptosis via a mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, and these findings may be significant with regard to the development of a new drug for the treatment of human colon carcinoma cells.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.105-117
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• 2005

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Juglandis Semen herbal acupuncture(Ja) has a protective effect against glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats. Methods : Rats were dehydrated for 24hr and then injected with 5 ml/kg of 50 % glycerol, one-half of dose in each hindlimb muscle. In experiments for Ja effect, rats received 0.1 ml of Ja extraction in both sides of corresponding $Sh\grave{e}nsh\bar{u}(BL_{23})$ of human body and non-acupuncture points(the root of tail) for 3 days after injection of glycerol. The experimental group were divided into the Normal group, the Control group, the Ja to $Sh\grave{e}nsh\bar{u}(BL_{23})$ group(Ja-AS), the Ja to non-acupuncture points group(Ja-AN). Results : There were significant decrease of urine volume, BUN, fractional glucose excretion, fractional phosphate excretion, total protein level in Ja-AS as compared with the control group. Conclusion : This suggests that Ja-AS could be used in prevention and treatment of acute renal failure. However, the precise mechanisms of Ja protection remain to be determined.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1 s.31
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• pp.9-20
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• 1996

Oxygen free radicals can generated during metabolic processes in normal cells and by exposure of cells to toxic substances. These radicals have been recogenized to playa critical role in several pathological conditions including carcinogenesis and aging, and they have been implicated in pathogenesis of various diseases such as seizure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, myocardial infarction, respiratory distress syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. This study was undertaken to determine if Juglandis semen herb-acupuncture solution (JSHAS) has a protective effect against cell injury caused by oxidants, t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) and $H_{2}O_2$. Cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and lipid perexidation was estimated by measurimg malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation. JSHAS significantly prevented LDH release induced by t-BHP or $H_{2}O_2$ in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0.5-10%. Such protective effect was observed in control tissues untreated with oxidants. JSHAS, at 5% concentration, significantly reduced LDH release even when the concentrations of t-BHP and $H_{2}O_2$ increased to 5 and 200 mM, respectively. JSHAS, at 5% concentration, significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation by t-BHP and $H_{2}O_2$. These results indicate that JSHAS prevents cell injury and lipid peroxidation induced by oxidants in rabbit kidney cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to determined.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 1978

Plantaginis seed has been applied in Chinese medicine a as well as in folk remedy. It was advocated that Plantaginis S Semeη exerts good therapeutic effects as anti-inflammatory, antitussive, obstipant and diuretic agent in some cases of alimentary, respiratory a and renal disorders. This study was carried out in order to r re-evaluate the pharmacological action, especially the hypotensive a action of Plantaginis Semen and to elucidate the mechanism of its a action, making use of Plantaginis Semen methanol extract (PME), because its basic pharmacological action, i. e., hypotensive action is n not clear. 1) PME, when administered into intravenous route, elicited the h hypotensive response dependent on the dose of PME given to the rabbit anesthetized with urethane. 2) This hypotensive response of P PME was inhibited by atropine and potentiated by physostigmine, but not influ$\varepsilon$need by vagotomization. 3) Depressor effect of PME was blocked by chlorisondamine, phentolamine, and bethanicline, while not altered by cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine and propran¬olol. 4) The secondary pressor response after blocking the depressor e effect of PME by chlorisondamine was produced, but this pressor response was deminished by atropine. 5) PME augmented the pressor e effect of norepinephrine and angiotensin, on the other hand, reduced b blood pressure elevated by carotid occlusion reflex. 6) These observa¬t tions suggest that PME may induce the hypotensive response via dual mechanisms of parasympathomimetic and sympatholytic action, that the positions of this action are cholinergic peripheral site and sympathetic ganglia respectively, and that PME may possess the pressor activity caused by stimulation of "atropine-sensitive site" which seems to existsin the sympathetic ganglia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2011

Objective : This study was performed to compare anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and anti-bacterial effects of Cuscutae Semen(CS) extracted with two kinds of solvents, ethanol and distilled water. Methods : Two kinds of CS extractions were prepared 20, 50, 100 ${\mu}l/mg$. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-inflammation effect was measured by inhibitory efficacy of NO Production in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-oxidation effect was measured by DPPH Radical scavenging ability in HaCaT cell. The anti-bacterial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Propionibacterium acnes. Results : 1. Two kinds(100 ${\mu}l/mg$) of CS extraction groups had 50% cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cell. 2. All of CS extraction groups were not showed significantly inhibitory effect on NO production. 3. All of CS extracted with ethanol only showed dose-dependently significantly scavenging effect of DPPH radicals. 4. Two kinds of CS extractions did not have a inhibitory effect on Propionibactrium acnes. Conclusion : Two kinds(100 ${\mu}l/mg$) of CS extraction groups have 50% cytotoxicity. Two kinds of CS extractions have not the inhibitory effect on NO production and Propionibactrium acnes. CS groups extracted with ethanol only have a significantly scavenging ability of DPPH radicals. This study suggests that CS extracted with ethanol was effective in anti-oxidation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of water extracts from Nelumbinis semen (NSW) in dopaminergic cells. Methods : We performed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azinobis3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation scavenging assay, and determination of total polyphenolic content to examine the antioxidant effects of NSW. We also evaluated the neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced toxicity using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay (MIT) assay, trypan blue cytotoxicity assay, and nitric oxide assay in SH-SY5Y cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry in primary rat dopaminergic neurons. Results : NSW showed $IC_{50}$ values of 184.80 and 92.90 ${\mu}$g/mL in DPPH and in ABTS assays, respectively. NSW showed 1.05% of total polyphenol contents. NSW showed protective effect against 6-0HDA-induced neurotoxicity whereas no influence on cell viability at the concentration of 1${\sim}$50 ${\mu}$g/mL. NSW reduced NO generation while 6-OHDA produced it. Moreover, it protected rat dopaminergic neurons against 6-0HDA at a dose of 1 ${\mu}$g/mL. Conclusions : These results indicated that NSW has neuroprotective effect against 6-0HDA-induced neurotoxicity through antioxidant activity in dopaminergic cell culture.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2018

It has been estimated that approximately 15% of reproductive-age couples suffer from infertility. Male factors contribute to almost half of infertility cases, and in many patients the underlying cause of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is unknown. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a role as a contributing factor to male infertility, and reactive oxygen species have been shown to impair sperm function and motility and to damage sperm membrane and DNA. Therefore, this review explored the evidence provided by studies published from 2002 to 2017 on the impact of oral antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, zinc, selenium, and pentoxifylline) on seminal fluid parameters in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Most of the studies were randomized controlled studies that investigated the effect of single or combined antioxidants and reported improvements in at least one semen parameter. The most noteworthy effect that was found was that the use of multiple antioxidants increased sperm motility and concentration. Nonetheless, there is a lack of agreement on the dose, the duration of treatment, and whether individual or combined oral antioxidants should be used. Therefore, the current review provides evidence supporting the use of oral antioxidants in the treatment of infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.3 s.126
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• pp.212-218
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• 2001

The water extracts of 82 Korean medicinal herbs were prepared and were examined for the binding affinity on the glycine binding site of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor prepared by the synaptic membranes from the forebrains of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Among the tested, the extracts of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus, Astragali Radix, Armeniacae Semen, Huttuynia cordata Herba, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Phellinus linteus, Amomi Fructus, Artemisiae capillaris Herba, Polyporus, Agastachis Herba and of Galli Stomachichum Corium were found to exhibit significant competitions with $[^3H]-MDL$ 105,519 for the glycine specific binding site of NMDA receptor in a dose dependent manner, respectively.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 1996

An ethanol administration causes hepatic triglyceride accumulation in rats. To assess whether the herbal extract containing Phaseoli radiati semen(herbal extract) inhibit s the triglyceride accumulation in the liver, we determined the hepatic triglyceiide levels in rats fed ethanol and the herbal extract. In addition, the blood ethanol concentrations and the activities of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) were measured to determine the effects of the herbal extract on alcohol metabolism in rats. The administration of the herbal extract markedly reduced the triglyceride levels elevated by ethanol in the liver as well as in the serum. The herbal extract remarkably lowered blood ethanol concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The ADH activities decreased by ethanol were recovered to the normal level by the herbal extract treatment. Moreover, the ALDH activities slightly decreased by ethanol increased beyond the normal level by the herbal extract treatment. We conclude that the herbal extract inhibits the hepatic triglyceride accumulation and stimulates alcohol metabolism by preventing ADH and ALDH from inhbition by the ethanol administration in the rat liver.