• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.271-277
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• 2004

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Bu -Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang extracts, a prescription of traditional oriental medicine, on development of the B cells. In the bone marrow cell cultures, progenitors viability, expressions of particular cell- surface proteins and production of immunoglobulins were investigated in the presence of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang extracts. The administration of Bu-Zhong -Yi-Qi-Tang polysaccharide fraction increased the viable cell numbers of the precursor B cells, and elevated expression levels of CD19/CD40 specific for pre-B cells after 10 days culture were demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. The production of immunoglobulin M in the presence of polysaccharide fraction increased progressively in the culture supernatant, and preferentially induced class switching to IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3. These results indicated that Bu -Zhong -Yi-Qi -Tang strong1y correlated with the development of precursor B cells in the bone marrow cell culture. Therefore the polysaccharide fraction of Bu-Zhong-Yi -Qi-Tang might be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively non-toxic natural product. Further studies are needed to better characterize the protective nature of Bu-Zhong-Yi -Qi -Tang extract.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.859-863
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• 2010

The principal objective of this study was to compare and analyze the qualitative characteristics of mulberry leaf tea (MLT) and fermented mulberry leaf tea (FMLT). The concentrations of polyphenols were approximate in FMLT and MLT, with measurements of 4,022.82 mg/100 g and 3,932.32 mg/100 g, respectively. These polyphenol concentrations were relatively high and were approximate to the contents in green tea and yellow tea. Moreover, both MLT and FMLT contained small amount of vitamin C. The concentrations of caffeine were also relatively low for both MLT and FMLT, with values of 5.68 mg/100 g and 21.11 mg/100 g, respectively. When the quality of the MLT and FMLT was evaluated, we noted only minimal difference in color a (redness) values between each material; however, the b (yellowness) and the L (lightness) values were higher in the MLT than in the FMLT. When sensory tests were conducted, both materials were judged to have a bitter taste, and FMLT has a synthetic and pleasant taste.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2015

α-Asarone is the main component of Acorus gramineus, which is a widely used oriental traditional medicine. A. gramineus is known to have a variety of medicinal effects, such as anti-gastric ulcer, antiallergy and antioxidant activity. It is also known to inhibit the release of histamine. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. In this study, the effects of α-asarone on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its antioxidant effect in a cell-free system were examined in HT1080 cells. In an MTT assay, the effect of α-asarone on cell viability showed no cytotoxicity below 16 μM. In an antioxidant assay, α-asarone increased reducing power in a dose-dependent manner but not the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. In addition, α-asarone exhibited the protective effect against DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals produced by the Fenton reaction. Furthermore, in a gelatin disk assay, α-asarone enhanced collagenase activity. It also increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in a gelatin zymography. On the other hand, the activity of MMP-9 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) but not that of MMP-2 was increased in the presence of α-asarone. These findings suggest that α-asarone could be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of pathological diseases related to oxidative stress and MMPs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2009

To understand cytotoxic activity of Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine, the mechanism underlying cytotoxic effect of its extract on human acute Jurkat T cells was investigated. The methanol extract of roots (3 kg) of R. codifolia was evaporated, dissolved in water, and then extracted by dichloromethane. The substances in the chloroform extract showing the most cytotoxic activity were further purified by a series of preparative HPLC. The extracted active substance (65 mg) was designated as CCH1. When Jurkat T cells were treated with CCH1 at concentration ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 ${\mu}g$/ml, apoptotic phenomena of cells companying several subsequent biochemical reactions such as mitochondria cytochrome c release, activation of casapase-8, -9, and caspase- 3, degradation of PARP and DNA fragmentation occurred via mitochondria-dependent pathway. However, abrogation of apoptosis was observed in an ectopic expression of Bcl-xL, which is a suppressor for mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These results demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of CCH1 against Jurkat T cells is attributable to apoptosis mediated by mitochodria-dependent death-signaling regulated by Bcl-xL. In addition, the CCH1 is more potent to leukemia Jurkat T cell than to human peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMC).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2014

The oriental traditional medicine, Aruncus dioicus var kamtschaticus (ADK) is used for hemostasis (blood stopping) and the promotion of blood circulation. Recently, the demands of the aerial part of ADK as edible mountain herbs are rapidly increased due to its unique fragrance and bioactivity. In this study, to evaluate the anti-thrombosis activity of ADK, ethanol extract and organic solvent fractions were prepared from aerial parts of ADK, and their anticoagulation and anti-platelet aggregation activities were determined. In an anticoagulation activity assay, the ethanol extract of ADK increased the thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 1.4-2.3 times at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Among the fractions, the ethylacetate fraction showed strong inhibitory effects against blood clotting factors, as shown in an extension of the aPTT. In contrast, the butanol fraction strongly promoted blood clotting. In an anti-platelet aggregation assay, the activity of the ethanol extract was comparable to that of aspirin, a commercial anti-platelet aggregation agent, and the butanol fraction showed 2-fold higher aggregation inhibitory activity than aspirin. The aforementioned ethanol extract and active fractions have ignorable hemolytic activity against human red blood cells up to a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Considering the high content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total sugar of the ethylacetate and butanol fractions, the purified active substances have potential as safe and novel anti-thrombosis agents. This report provides the first evidence of anti-thrombosis activity of ADK.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.951-957
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• 2017

To understand the cytotoxic activity of Machilus thunbergii, which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine, the mechanism underlying the cytotoxic effect of its extract on human acute Jurkat T cells was investigated. The methanol extract of roots (3 kg) of M. thunbergii was evaporated, dissolved in, and then extracted by water. The water-extracted active substance was designated MTWE. When Jurkat T cells were treated with MTWE at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$, the apoptotic phenomenon of cells accompanying several subsequent biochemical reactions, such as mitochondrial cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-3, and ICAD degradation, was detected in the Jurkat T cells. Moverover. the expression of Bcl-xL, which is a suppressor for mitochondrial cytochrome c release pathway, was reduced in the Jurkat T cells. As DUSP6, a growth suppressor of cancer cells, ranged from 0, 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ of MTWE, the expression level was elevated in the Jurkat T cells. The apoptotic morphological change of the nuclei was observed by DAPI staining. Although the potential involvement of the other factors and DUSP6 is currently being investigated in more detail, these findings support the notion that MTWE is able to achieve the apoptosis of Jurkat T cells, and it seems that MTWE is useful as a method of evaluating a chemotherapeutic agent or tonic materials for human acute leukemia.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.374-380
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate of quality variation of Sibujeondaebotang according to storage period and temperature (5 and $25^{\circ}C$) Identificaion test, pH, specific gravity, heavy metal, microbial limit test and glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin content of Sibjeondaebotang were performed during 12 months. The significant change was not shown on identificaion test, specific gravity, microbial limit test under long term storage and the result suited a safe level standards of 'Korean National Standard of Traditional Medicinal (Herbal and Botanical) Materials - "Sibjeondaebotang"'. The test of pH showed meaningful changes between two storage temperature (5 and $25^{\circ}C$) according to increasing storage period. The contents of glycyrrhizic acid and paeoniflorin had no relation with storage temperature($5^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$) but it showed a tendency to decrease according to the length of storage period. We predicted shelf-life of glycyrrhizic acid and paeoniflorin at storgae temperature(5 and $25^{\circ}C$) as about 6 and 3 months, respecttively. Therefore considering glycyrrhizic acid and paeoniflorin, sibjeondaebotang is determined to be in good condition within 3 months, regardless of the room temperature and refrigerated temperature. We were expected to serve as a basis for the guideline of medication counseling sibjeondaebotang.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1085-1091
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• 2004

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi- Tang extracts is a traditional oriental medicine in a mixture type exhibiting strong anti-bacterial, analgesic, and chemopreventive activities. In this study, we have evaluated effects of the total and polysaccharide fraction of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi- Tang extracts on the T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and induction of IL-2 receptor and MHC class n. For this experiment, we established CD4$^{＋}$ CD8$^{[-10]}$ T cell line producing IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ when stimulated with ovalbumin antigen in the presence of antigen presenting cells. The significant effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang on antigen-induced T cell proliferation in the presence of antigen presenting cells was observed. The proliferation and IFN-${\gamma}$ production of T cells was increased in a dose dependent manner, and expression of IL-2 receptor on T cells and MHC class n molecule on antigen presenting cells was also induced in the presence of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang polysaccharide fraction. It was demonstrated that polysaccharide fraction of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang stimulates the antigen-induced T cell proliferation and the production of IFN-${\gamma}$ possibly through the increase of IL-2 receptor and MHC class n expression. Therefore Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang can be regarded as a natural and useful immunomodulator having a relatively nonotoxic property. Further studies are needed to better characterize the nature of Bu-Zhong- Yi-Qi-Tang extract.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2009

Contact dermatitis is induced by allergy response from a lot of chemical substances brought on by environmental contamination. In this study, we investigated allergy prevention effect of baicalein which is Scutellaria radix extract. Scutellaria radix is the dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Labiatae). It has been used in oriental traditional medicine for treatment of fever, diarrhea and inflammation. We have induced allergy by PCL after oral administration of 0 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg baicalein dose for 8 times during 8 days in BALB/c mice and measured ear thickness, IgE level, histamine level, mast cell number and histopathological changes. The ear thickness of the 100 mg/kg baicalein group was thinner than that of the 0 mg/kg baicalein group. IgE level and histamine level of the 100 mg/kg baicalein group were lower than those of 0 mg/kg baicalein group. The number of mast cells of 0 mg/kg baicalein group more than that of 100 mg/kg baicalein group in the ear tissue. In addition, intradermal edema with prominent inflammatory cell infiltration was observed at 0 mg/kg baicalein group more than 100 mg/kg baicalein group in the ear tissue. These results suggest that baicalein has allergy prevention effect in BALB/c mice.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.403-414
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• 2015

Lithospermum erythrorhizon has long been used as a traditional oriental medicine. In this study, the acute and 28-day subacute oral dose toxicity studies of hexane extracts of the roots of L. erythrorhizon (LEH) were performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. In the acute toxicity study, LEH was administered once orally to 5 male and 5 female rats at dose levels of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg. Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight changes were monitored for 14 days. Salivation, soft stool, soiled perineal region, compound-colored stool, chromaturia and a decrease in body weight were observed in the extract-treated groups, and no deaths occurred during the study. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of LEH in male and female rats was higher than 2,000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity study, LEH was administered orally to male and female rats for 28 days at dose levels of 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day. There was no LEH-related toxic effect in the body weight, food consumption, ophthalmology, hematology, clinical chemistry and organ weights. Compound-colored (black) stool, chromaturia and increased protein, ketone bodies, bilirubin and occult blood in urine were observed in the male and female rats treated with the test substance. In addition, the necropsy revealed dark red discoloration of the kidneys, and the histopathological examination showed presence of red brown pigment or increased hyaline droplets in the renal tubules of the renal cortex. However, there were no test substance-related toxic effects in the hematology and clinical chemistry, and no morphological changes were observed in the histopathological examination of the kidneys. Therefore, it was determined that there was no significant toxicity because the changes observed were caused by the intrinsic color of the test substance. These results suggest that the no-observed-adverse-effect Level (NOAEL) of LEH is greater than 400 mg/kg/day in both sexes.