• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2012

This paper studied the premodern Chinese Medical Herb Market and commercial culture by analysing the structure and management of Qizhou(祁州) Medical Herb Market, the most representative herb market of the Qing(淸) Dynasty. The merchant of Qizhou(祁州) Medical Herb Market developed 'guild halls(會館)' or 'regional merchant groups(地域商帮)' and form a strong regional bond. These local merchants brought medical herbs from their hometown to Qizhou(祁州) to sell, and bought herbs that were not produced in their hometown or valuable medical herbs from Qizhou(祁州) Medical Herb Market. Qizhou(祁州) Medical Herb Market was a space of various types of business managements. The major business of Qizhou(祁州) Medical Herb Market was herb trade but merchants of other related industries were also active. The thtive of 'Wu Da Hui(五大會)' reflects this.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2007

Genetic polymorphism and molecular authentication were investigated with the commercial medicinal herb, Peony (Paeonia spp.), using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. To identify the polymorphism of the RAPD patterns among plant origins, 20 different random primers were applied to the genomic DNA extracted from Paeonia spp. plants such as Paeonia (P.) lactiflora, P. officinale and P. japonica. Ten primers out of 20 primers could be used to discriminate the plant species in the same genus and 72 out of 81 scored DNA fragments (88.9%) generated with these primers were polymorphic. Especially, four primers, such as OPA1, OPA3, OP9, and OPA13, were useful to discriminate the plant origins among the species of Peony. In the results of cluster analysis using RAPD data obtained from the 10 primers, Peony (Paeonia spp.) plants used in this study were grouped into the two distinctive clusters, genetically. Herb medicine, especially P. lactiflora, were easily identified, when species-specific primers were applied to the investigation for discriminating herb medicine currently traded in domestic herb market, Kyungdongmart. Consequently, RAPD analysis was useful method to discriminate plant origins and the commercial medicinal herbs, Paeonia spp..

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

Most of the herb residue producing from oriental medical clinics(OMC) and hospitals(OMH) is wasted in Korea. To develop of adsorbent for removing heavy metal from wastewater, the various pre-treatment methods of the herb residue were evaluated by potentiometric titration, Freundlich isotherm adsorption test and the kinetic adsorption test. The herb residue was pre-treated for increasing the adsorption capacity by cleaning with distilled water, 0.1 N HCl and 0.1 N NaOH and by heating at $370^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. It showed a typical weak acid-weak base titration curve and a short pH break like commercial activated carbon during photentiometric titration of pre-treated herb residue. The log-log plots in the Freundlich isotherm test were linear on the herb residue pre-treated with NaOH or HCl like commercial activated carbon. The adsorption capacity(qe) in the Freundlich isotherm test for $Cr^{6+}$ was 1.5 times higher in the pre-treated herb residue with HCl than in activated carbon. On the other hand the herb residue pre-treated with NaOH showed the good adsorption capacities for $Pb^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ even though those adsorption capacities were lower than that of activated carbon. In kinetic test, most of heavy metals removed within the first 10 min of contact and then approached to equilibrium with increasing contact time. The removal rate of heavy metals increased with an increase of the amount of adsorbent. Likewise, the removal rates of heavy metals were higher in the herb residue pre-treated with NaOH than in that pre-treated with HCl. The adsorption preference of herb residues pre-treated with NaOH or HCl was $Pb^{2+}>Cu^{2+}$ or $Cd^{2+}>Cr^{6+}$ in the order. Conclusively, the herb residue can be used as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals depending on pr-treatment methods.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2004

Finding a means to discriminate the commercial herb medicines when they were dried and sliced is a very important and imminent project in Korea. To differentiate plant origins and the commercial herb medicines of Atractylodes japonica and A. macrocephala, two discriminative methods using anatomical characteristics and SCAR marker were applied. It was possible to discriminate plant origins and the commercial herb medicines between A. japonica and A. macrocephala by anatomical characteristics: development of periderm, layer of stone cell, distribution of laticiferous vessels, development of xylem fiber in xylem ray, contained quantity of clustered crystals and others. While, two SCAR markers were developed from RAPD clones: SAjR2 (600 bp) from AjR2 and SAmR1 (1,200 bp) from AmR1. These two markers were enough for discrimination plant origins and the commercial herb medicines between A. japonica and A. macrocephala. The result of application of anatomical characteristics and SCAR markers to investigate current status in domestic herb market, Daegu and Kumsan herb market, it was identified to be current herb medicines of A japonica.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contents in commercial herbal medicines in Korea. Methods: Monitoring of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury was carried out on 116 samples of eleven types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 71 samples were domestic and 45 were imported. The samples were digested using the microwave method. The heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and a mercury analyzer. ICP-AES was used to analyze lead, arsenic cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Results: The mean values of the heavy metal contents in the herbal medicines were Pb 0.64mg/kg, As 0.26mg/kg, Cd 0.07mg/kg and Hg 0.004mg/kg. Of the total samples, one violated the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) regulatory guidance on heavy metals in herbal medicines. Lead was detected at more than 5mg/kg in one sample. The measured values of arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the herbal medicines showed levels lower than the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic sample surpassed the maximum residue limits for lead. Conclusion: These results will be used to establish the regulation and control of heavy metal contents in herbal medicines. In addition, continuous monitoring is needed to ensure confidence in and the safety of these herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2017

Background: The study was conducted to investigate the distributions of faecal bacteria in commercial oriental medicine herb products. Methods and Results: A survey was conducted on the microbial contamination levels and antimicrobial specificity of Bacillus cereus and other microbes using 106 oriental medicine herb products on sale in Seoul. Pouring and isolation methods such as standard plate counts were used to identify the bacteria. The isolated bacterias included coliforms, Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Listeria spp.were identified by using gram staining and an API (analytical profile index) kit. Antimicrobial drugs discs were determined by CLSI (clinical and laboratory standards institute). Conclusions: The bacterial isolates present in the herbal medicines included 98 coliforms, 45 Bacillus spp., 29 Enterococcus spp., and 2 Listeria spp. Among these, there were nine Bacillus cereus strains, one Enterococcus faecium strain, and one Enterococcus faecalis strain present. The 9 Bacillus cereus strains were tested for susceptibility to 36 types of antibiotics products by the disc diffusion method. The strains showed resistance to 13 of these antibiotic products and semi-resistance to 5 antibiotic products. On the basis of these results, any oriental medicine herb product can be assumed to be contain resistant or semi-resistant bacterial strains. Therefore, we suggest prescribing guidelines and special management for the use of antibiotics in farms producing oriental medicine herb products.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2002

Ginseng is a perennial herb widely used in China, Japan, and Korea. It is also one of the most commonly used herbal medicines in the U.S. Although it is generally considered safe to use, adverse effects associated with ginseng use have been reported. Inappropriate ginseng use, such as high dose administration, may cause insomnia, headaches, diarrhea, as well as cardiovascular and endocrine disorders. Other factors that may contribute to adverse effects of ginseng include the variety of ginseng species, variability in commercial ginseng preparations, and potential ginseng-drug interactions. To minimize adverse effects of ginseng, consumers should be advised to use it appropriately, and the herbal industry should try to provide standardized ginseng preparations.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2017

In this study, to investigate of safety for Benzo(a)pyrene in medicinal herb, 8 kinds of selected commercial herbal medicines (Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Amomi Tsao-Ko Fructus, Cimicifugae Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Magnoliae Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Scrophulariae Radix) were analysed using the high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector and assessed the health risk. The levels of benzo(a)pyrene were from non-detection to $28.1{\mu}g/kg$, and the average was $3.6{\mu}g/kg$. Based on a nationwide survey of the consumption of medicinal herb by the Korean population, we estimated the potential risk from the ingestion of benzo(a)pyrene. The estimated daily intake of benzo(a)pyrene was 1.6 ng/kg b.w./day for group only know the daily average intake of medicinal herb. The MOE (margin of exposure) of benzo(a)pyrene for estimate of health risk was $1.93{\times}10^5$. Therefore, health risk from benzo(a)pyrene through intake of herbal medicine was considered negligible.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2007

Objectives : Effects of Fructus Foeniculi extract on liver function were investigated in carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) intoxicated rats. Methods : Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats with mean weight of $227.28{\pm}7.92g$ were used in these experiments and housed with food and water ad libitum. Fructus Foeniculi extract was administerd at dose 100mg/kg/day and 200mg/kg/day p.o. for 2 weeks after that CCl4 was treated 3 times at dose of 2.5ml/kg, p.o. in alternate day basis. Then serum AFP(${\alpha}$-Fetoprotein), Total protein, Albumin, Triglyceride, Total cholesterol concentrations and ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), AST(Aspartate Aminotransferase), ALT(Alanine Aminotransferase), ${\gamma}$-GT( ${\gamma}$-Glutamyl transferase), LDH(Lactate Dehydrogenase) activities were determined with commercial kit by autoanalyzer. Results : Plasma ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein and total protein concentration showed a tendency to decrease in Fructus Foeniculi extract-treated groups. However, plasma albumin concentration showed no significant differences in all treatment groups. Activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in Fructus Foeniculi extract-treated groups showed a lower value than that of control group. Alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase activities showed a tendency to decrease in Fructus Foeniculi treated groups. However, ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase activity showed no significant difference in all treated groups. Concentration of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol showed a high level in CCl4 intoxicated rats but not in Fructus Foeniculi treated groups. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimental results, it appears that Fructus Foeniculi extract have recovering effect against liver injury.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drugs, extracts or tinctures. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry (study of plants) has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. According to Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Medicinal herb contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene, lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activity. R. cordifolia is an important medicinal plant commonly used in the traditional and Ayurvedic system of medicine for treatment of different ailments. This review illustrates its major constituents, pharmacological actions substantiating the claims made about this plant in the traditional system of medicine and its clinical applications.