• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.16-23
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• 1978

This study was carried out for the purpose of observing the effect of Korean Acanthopanax Radicis Cortex on renal hypertension and to clarify the mechanism of this effect, making use of its ethanol extract. Adult male or female rats, weighing 180-250g, were divided into 3 groups; the first for normotensive control, the second for hypertensive control and the third for hypertensive Acantopanax-treatment. Rats in the normotensive and hypertensive control group were administered 0.9% saline subcutaneously only, whereas those in the Acanthopanax-treated hypertensive group were administered 50mg/kg Acanthopanax ethanol extract subcutanously once a day. Changes of original blood pressure, and responses of blood pressure to various 4gents(norepinephrine, angiotensin, acetylcholine, serotonin and histamine) were recorded for each group on the initial, 18th, 32nd and 46th days of the experiment. The results obtained in this experiment are as follows: 1) The initial blood pressure was $102.6{\pm}7.6mmHg$ on the average. The blood pressures of the normotensive control group were not observed to alter significantly at any period in the course of the experiment. 2) The mean blood pressures in the hypertensive control group were recorded at $120.3{\pm}10.4mmHg$ on the 18th day, at $134.5{\pm}9.2$ on the 32nd day and at $138.8{\pm}8.3$ on the 46th day, thus revealing significant elevation in comparison with the corresponding normotensive control group blood pressures. On the other hand, the mean blood pressures in Acanthopanax-treated hypertensive group on the 18th, 32nd and 46th days were $118.3{\pm}9.7,\;129.9{\pm}8.3\;and\;120.2{\pm}8.3mmHg$ respectively. The blood pressures of the hypertensive-Acanthopanax group recorded. on the 46th day revealed a significant difference as compared with those of the corresponding hypertensive control group. 3) On the 46th day of this experiment, the responses of blood pressure to acetylcholine in the hypertensive-Acanthopanax group were suppressed significantly as compared with those of the hypertensive control group, and in the latter group, angiotensin was decreased markedly as compared with the corresponding normotensive control group. In contrast, pressor action of norepinephrine and depressor action of serotonin and histamine did not differ significantly among the three groups. These results suggest that Acanthopanax ethanol extract suppresses the induction of renal hypertension by means of a cholinergic action such as that caused by acetylcholine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2008

Objectives : In order to distinguish morphological characteristics of trunk bark and root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Rehder) Nakai and the trunk bark and root bark of Hemiptelea davidii Planchon were sampled and compared in terms of their external and internal features with flour states according to their medical use, through microscopic examination. Methods : The slice of the tested material made by paraffin section technique was colored with Safranine Malachite Green contrast methods, and the flour of it was mounted by the liquid made by the same ratio of each of glycerin, acetic acid, and water, and then observed and photographed by olympus-BHT. Results : 1. Internal Features 1) A large parenchymatous cell was observed in the phloem of the slice of both trunk bark and root bark of Ulmi Cortex. However, both of the trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex did not have parenchymatous cell in the phloem; instead, stone cells including much square crystal of calcium oxalate were distributed around fiber bundle, and the parenchymatous cell included much druse crystal of calcium oxalate. 2) In both the Ulmi Cortex and Hemipteleae Cortex, rhytidome was observed in trunk bark, but not in root bark, but in the parenchymatous cell of the root bark of the Ulmi Cortex contained starch grain. 2. Flour States 1) In the flour of root bark of the Ulmi Cortex, a large parenchymatous cell was observed. However, in the flour of trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex, no parenchymatous eel was found; instead, stone cell including square crystal of calcium oxalate and druse crystal of calcium oxalate were observed. 2) There was no remarkable difference between the trunk bark and root bark of Hemipteleae Cortex. However, starch grain was contained in the parenchymatous cell of the root bark of Ulmi Cortex but not in the trunk bark of it. Conclusions : There were some morphological differences in external, internal, and flour parts of Ulmi Cortex and Hemipteleae Cortex. In particular, there was a morphological difference in flour states between the trunk bark and root bark of Ulmi Cortex, it is possible to use microscope to distinguish their flour states.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-16
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• 1978

We obtained 4 kinds of extract fraction from Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex and studied on the influence to the blood pressure of rabbit. These 4 fractions were obtained as follows; Fraction I was insoluble fraction by 99% ethanol from 80% methanol extract of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex, fraction II, precipitated fraction by ether from 99% ethanol soluble fraction of 80% methanol extract of Acanthopanaacis Radicis Cortex, fraction III, no precipitated fraction by ether from 99% ethanol soluble fraction of above 80% methanol extract and fraction IV, water extract of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex. All of fractions, when administered into ear-vein of rabbit, produced fall of blood pressure. Among these 4 fractions, although fraction III was not only the most potent but had the greatest efficacy, we observed the mechanism of hypotensive action of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex, making use of fraction II which was thought as a comparatively pure fraction. Hypotensive action of fraction II (APF II) was not affected by vagotominization but markedly inhibited by atropine. Pretreatment of bethanidine showed a tendency to weaken the depressor action of APF II, although it was not a significant result, but diphenhydramine did not influence APF II action. Phentolamine, guanethidine and chlorisondamine inhibited significantly the hypotensive action of APF II. APF II elicited the potentiation of norepinphrine pressor action dependent on the time-factor whereas it did not influence angiotesin pressor action. It is seemed that APF II exhibited hypotensive action, causing peripheral muscarinic-effect and centrally induced sympatholytic action.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.386-390
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) extract has been reported to have anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-mutagenic activity. MATERIALS/METHODS: We investigated the effects of ADA extract on two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD); intracerebroventricular injection of ${\beta}$-amyloid peptide ($A{\beta}$) and amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1)-transgenic mice. RESULTS: Intra-gastric administration of ADA stem extract (0.25 g/kg, every 12 hrs started from one day prior to injection of $A{\beta}1$-42 until evaluation) effectively blocked $A{\beta}1$-42-induced impairment in passive avoidance performance, and $A{\beta}1$-42-induced increase in immunoreactivities of glial fibrillary acidic protein and interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$ in the hippocampus. In addition, it alleviated the $A{\beta}1$-42-induced decrease in acetylcholine and increase in malondialdehyde levels in the cortex. In APP/PS1-transgenic mice, chronic oral administration of ADA stem extract (0.1 or 0.5 g/kg/day for six months from the age of six to 12 months) resulted in significantly enhanced performance of the novel-object recognition task, and reduced amyloid deposition and IL-$1{\beta}$ in the brain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that ADA stem extract may be useful for prevention and treatment of AD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1152-1157
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• 2008

Hyperlipidemia has been treated as one of the most important etiological cause factor in 21th century. The cortex and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR), a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cardiovascular diseases in Oriental countries. Recently, we reported that AR has anti-hyperlipidemic action. BS-01 was made using extract from AR. For these reasons, we investigated the effects of BS-01 as anti-hyperlipidemic drug through measurement of body weights, cholesterol levels, total lipid, phospholipid in serum. In our results, mice induced by high fat diet elevated body weight level compared to naive group. And total lipid in serum was also elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia. In BS-01 group, body weight of mice was lowered significantly compared to that of control group. Oral administration of BS-01 decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride level back to that of naive mice. HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were not affected by BS-01. In addition, total lipid level, which elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia was also lowered by oral administration of BS-01. Finally, free fatty acid level was lowered in BS-01 group. These results demonstrate that BS-01 lowered body weight and titers involved in hyperlipdemia such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid and total lipid. In these results, we demonstrate that BS-01 has anti-hyperlipidemic action.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2008

Objectives : The cortex and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR), a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. Recently, we reported that AR has an immune-potentiating action. Oga-Power(OP) was made using extract from AR. For these reasons, we hypothesized that OP can potentiate the immune system in terms of accelerating proliferation rates of immune cells such as thymocytes and splenocytes. Methods : In this experiment, proliferation rates of thymocytes and splenocytes were measured using modified 3-[4,5-dimethy -lthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). No production levels in macrophages isolated from normal mice were measured using Griess method. Results : In our results, treatment with OP accelerated proliferation rates of splenocytes, but did not affect those of thymocytes in vitro. On the other hand, proliferation rates of thymocytes was elevated in vivo. In addition, level of NO production from macrophage separated from abdominal cavity of normal mice was elevated by treatment with OP. Conclusions : In conclusion, OP has immune-potentiating action, by acceleration of splenocyte proliferation and elevation of NO production level from macrophages.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.721-727
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Aralia elata, Acanthopanacis cortex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts on blood hemoglobin, $HbA_{1c}$, levels and biomarkers in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats divided into normal and diabetic groups. The diabetic groups subdivided into the control group (DM) and Araliaceae water extracts supplemented groups: Aralia elata (AE), Acanthopanacis cortex (AC) and Ulmus davidiana (UD). The extracts were supplemented in diet base on 11.42 g of raw Araliaceae/kg diet for 7 weeks. The diabetes was induced by injecting 572 (55 mg/kg B.W., i.p.) once 2 weeks before sacrifying. Relative weights of liver were significantly lowered in the DM group compared to the normal group, whereas those of kidney and heart were significantly increased in the DM group. Supplementation of the Araliaceae water extracts improved reduced liver weights in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose level was significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal group, whereas insulin contents were significantly lowered in the DM groups. However, these parameters were normalized in the An, AC and UD supplemented groups, respectively. Blood hemoglobin and $HbA_{1c}$ levels were significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal group. When all of Araliaceae water extracts were supplemented to the diabetic rats lowered hemoglobin and $HbA_{1c}$ levels. Red blood cell, white blood cell and Lymphocyte were significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal group. The supplementation of Araliaceae family water extracts significantly lowered these parameters compared to the DM group. MCV, MCH contents were declined in the DM group, while the supplementation of Aralia elata, Acanthopanacis cortex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts elevated of these contents in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Accordingly, these results indicate that Aralia elata, Aeanthopanacis corex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts would seem to improve the blood biomarkers in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and physiological activity of five kinds of fresh vegetables produced in trees in early spring and tried to use them as basic data for wild vegetable producers and processed food manufacturers using wild vegetables. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activity were determined. Five spring wild vegetables contain high protein and phosphorus, indicating that they are useful food ingredients as sources of protein and phosphorus. Vitamin C content was high in R. venicifera and C. sinensis shoots, and in particular, R. venicifera and A. cortex shoots have high folic acid (folate) contents of 1,903.91 ug% and 1,525.35 ug%, respectively, which is considered a good food for folic acid intake in spring. The total phenol content was between 0.52% and 1.27%, and it was the highest in C. sinensis of 1.27%, followed by the order of R. venicifera, A.cortex, K.pictus, and A. elata, which tended to be consistent with the total flavonoid content. As for DPPH radical scavenging ability, C. sinensis (55.93%) showed the highest activity, and ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest activity in A. cortex (88.04%).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 1995

Inhibitory effects of 130 medicinal plants on hyaluronidase activity were analyzed. The medicinal plants are clinically used as herbal medicines for korean traditional prescriptions. Six out of the 130 herbal medicines exhibited more than 50% of inhibition on hyaluronidase activity by their total methanol extracts with 5mg/ml as a final concentration. The active total methanol extracts were prepared from cortex of Acantbopanax gracilistylus, lignum of Caesalpinia sappan, radix of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, radicis cortex of Morus alba, herba of Prunella vulgaris, and radix of Sanguisorba officinalis. These active total methanol extracts were sequentially fractionated with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and then water. Among the solvent-fractionated extracts, the butanol fractions of Acantbopanax gracilistylus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis with 1 mg/ml as the final concentration exhibited more than 50% of inhibition on hyaluronidase activity, and the other fractions with the same concentration did less than 20% of inhibition.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.518-522
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• 2007

The cortex and root of Acnthopanax sessiliflorus, a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. In the previous study, we showed that the cortex of this plant have anti-cancer activity. But its therapeutic efficacy of CORTEX ACANTHOPANAX RADICIS (CAR) is not clarified. For these reasons, we investigated immuno-potentiating and anti-cancer properties of CAR compared with CA, in terms of body and tumor weights, proliferation of thymocytes and tumor cells, and nitric oxide production from macrophages through in vitro and in vivo studies. In our results, administration of CAR reduced tumor mass and increased body weights. CAR also inhibited proliferation of tumor cells in vivo and in vitro dose-dependently. Thymocyte proliferation was accelerated by treatment with CAR and NO production was also promoted by CAR in vivo and vitro. In conclusion, we demonstrated that CAR is useful to treat for cancer as complementary or alternative medicine to Western medication, its therapeutic efficacy is involved in direct inhibition of tumor growth and immuno-potentiating activity.