• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.880-888
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• 2015

Foeniculum vulgare (FV) has long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In addition, it is usually known as an important medicinal and aromatic plant widely used as a carminative, digestive, lactogogue, and diuretic, and for treating respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. The skin barrier protects against the invasion of pathogens, fends off chemical and physical assaults, and protects against extensive water loss. In this study, the effects of solvent-fractionated FV fruits on strengthening the skin barrier and maintaining moisture, as well as their antifungal activity, were investigated in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The expression of involucrin, loricrin, filaggrin, hyaluronic acid synthase, human β defensin, and cathelicidin genes and proteins was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The production of hyaluronic acid was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The butanol fraction increased the expression of involucrin and filaggrin. Both the ethyl acetate and the butanol fractions increased hyaluronic acid production by promoting the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1. Although the antimicrobial peptides were increased by FV crude extract and its fractions, the samples did not show a significant effect compared to the normal group. These results suggest that the butanol fraction of FV could be very useful in cosmetics for the treatment of dermatological diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1422-1427
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• 2011

This study was performed to develop effective antithrombotic agents from traditional herb extracts. Prunella vulgaris L. has been used traditionally as a medical resource in cancer therapy, as well as treatment of hypertension and inflammation, and as a diuretic. However, the effects of Prunella vulgaris on thrombosis and platelet activation have not been clearly understood. Antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of oriental medicinal herbs were investigated by evaluating the effect of the aqueous extract from Prunella vulgaris on the blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis. Prunella vulgaris extracts showed effective anticoagulant activity in coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Prunella vulgaris also inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, evaluation of fibrinolytic activity showed that the Prunella vulgaris extracts have high solubility. From these results, it is suggested that Prunella vulgaris can be a potential candidate for anticoagulants and antiplatelets, as well as fibrinolytic agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.351-356
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• 2011

Citrus unshiu (C. unshiu) Markovich were dried peel of mandarin orange, of which fresh fruit was one of the famous foods in Korea and Eastern Asia. In the oriental medicine, C. unshiu peel was known to have a diuretic effect and to strengthen spleen function. Recently, natural flavonoids of C. unshiu peel have been investigated. In this study, C. unshiu peel extract containing flavonoid-glycosides was cultured with Schizophyllum commune (S. commune) mycelia producing ${\beta}$-glu- cosidase and its biological activities were investigated. ${\beta}$-glucosidase of S. commune mycelia converted the flavonoid-glycosides (rutin and hesperidin) into aglycones (naringenin and hesperetin). Fermented C. unshiu peel extract compounds were analyzed by HPLC system. The photoprotective potential of fermented C. unshiu peel extract was tested in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) exposed to UVA. Fermented C. unshiu peel extract extract also showed notable in vitro anti-inflammatory effect on cellular systems generating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) metabolites. Also, UVB-induced production of interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ in human HaCaT cells was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with fermented C. unshiu peel extract. These results suggest that fermented C. unshiu peel extract may mitigate the effects of photoaging in skin by reducing UV-induced adverse skin reaction.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1990

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was reported to elicit natriuresis and diuresis when given intracerebroventricularly (icv) and these effects were shown to be abolished by icv methysergide, $5-HT{_1}$ antagonist, thus suggesting that central tryptaminergic system may also participate in the regulation of renal function. We tried in this study to elucidate the role of $5-HT_2$ receptors in the central tryptaminergic regulation of renal function, observing the effects of icv ketanserin, a specific $5-HT_2$ antagonist. Ketanserin (KET) icv in doses of $120{\mu}g$ $(=0.3\;{\mu}moles)/kg$ produced significant natriuresis without affecting renal hemodynamics, indicating that it resulted from decreased tubular Na reabsorption. Systemic blood pressure decreased slightly but significantly. When given iv, no significant effect was observed. 5-HT, $200{\mu}g/kg$ icv, produced mild but significant natriuresis and diuresis. However, after KET, $40{\mu}\;g/kg$ icv, a dose which minimally affects renal function, the natriuresis and diuresis by 5-HT was greatly augmented, with the fractional excretion of filtered sodium reaching 9.3%. The renal effects of other biogenic amines administered icv, such as norepinephrine, dopamine and histamine, were not significantly affected by the KET pretreatment. These observations suggest that central tryptaminergic system influences renal function in dual ways, i.e., natriuretic and diuretic influence via $5-HT_1$ receptors, whereas $5-HT_2$ subtypes mediate the antinatriuretic and antidiuretic effects, and that the central tryptaminergic system plays a role in the regulation of rabbit renal function.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 1974

The cactus family Cactaceae, numbering about 1,500 species, is a fleshy-stemmed perennial plant which is principally distributed in the south and north America. On the other hand, the cactus plant is presumed to be introduced into Korea in 1912-1945, thereafter it has been cultivated merely in favor of ornamentation with the exception of being occasionally used as medication among laymen. Opuntia elata which belongs to Opuntia genus, the Cactaceae family is one of the cacti being cultivated a great deal in Korea. Cho et. al. reported in 1974 that Opuntia dilenii manifested the cardiac inhibitory effect and oxytocic effect, and its mechanism might be partially due to the direct action. Besides this, there are few reports on the pharmacological research concerning Opuntia genus to be demonstrated in Korea. However, some other cacti have the remarkable pharmacological effects; the active ingredients, mescaline, anhalamine, anhalanine, etc. from Peyote cactus (Lophophora williamsii) belonging to Lophophora genus have the psychotomimetic and sympathomimetic effects, and the cardioactive glycosides from Cactus Grandifolius (Selenicereus grandiflorus) belonging to Cereus genus have the cardioactive and diuretic effects. The authors hereby inquired into this study to find out the propriety of the pharmacological properties of the ethanol extract of Opuntia elata (EX) on the heart, blood pressure, respiration, intestine and uterus in the experimental animals. The results of the experiment were as follows: 1. Administration of EX manifested the cardiac inhibitory effect caused by the negative inotropic action in the isolated heart of frog, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the inhibitory effect produced by EX. 2. Administration of EX manifested the transient hypotensive effect in the intact rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the hypotensive effect produced by EX. 3. Administration of the small dose of EX manifested no significant effect, but moderate dose or more the stimulating effect, and the large dose the asphyxia on the respiratory motility in the intact rabbit. 4. Administration of EX manifested the sustained augmentation of contractility in the excised duodenum of rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine did not affect the stimulating effect produced by EX. 5. Administration of EX manifested the sustained augmentation of contractility in the excised pregnant uterus of rabbit, and the pretreatment of atropine and oxytocin did not affect the oxytocic effect produced by EX, but that of barium chloride more or less stimulated the oxytocic effect produced by EX.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) roots and leaves are widely used in herbal preparations, which have beneficial effects on the stimulation of digestion and metabolism of food ingredients, gastric juice excretion, diuretic action, and bile excretion. Notably, chicory root is well known as a source of polyphenols, compounds with recognized value in health improvement. In this study, we examined the physicochemical characteristics (TA, pH, and sensory evaluation) of bioactive yoghurt containing different concentrations of chicory. With increasing incubation time (5 h), the TA of the yoghurt increased whereas the pH decreased, regardless of the amount of chicory. As the amount of chicory increased, the scores for color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability generally decreased. Among the tested groups, yoghurt with the addition of 1% chicory attained the highest scores. Further studies on the production of bioactive yogurt with optimum chicory concentration are needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1330-1335
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• 2016

Sasa species leaves have been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and diuretic properties. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a small bamboo grass that grows only on Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. This small bamboo grass has recently been the focus of much attention due to its potential biomass as well as its beneficial health effects. In this study, to promote the efficient utilization of the S. quelpaertensis leaf, we established a simple preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) by comparing phytochemical contents and biological activities according to extraction methods. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the contents of two major phytochemicals such as, tricin (5.35 mg/g) and p-coumaric acid (44.10 mg/g) contained in PRE were higher than those in fresh hot water extract (SQH, p-coumaric 23.39 mg/g, tricin 0.18 mg/g) and ethanol extract (SQE, p-coumaric 10.8 mg/g, tricin 0.38 mg/g). The antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity] of PRE were higher than those of SQH and SQE. PRE effectively inhibited NO production in LSP- stimulation RAW 264.7 cells, and the growth of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. These results suggest that PRE has a potential as a promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.243-243
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• 1994

Although active systemic anaphylaxis and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis have been empolyed to study anaphylactic hypersensitivity, it is difficult and time-consuming to induce these reactions in experimental animals. In recent, Jun et al have found a simple method to induced anaphylactic hypersensitivity such as anaphylactic shock(AS) and cutaneous reaction(CR) using compound48/80. Cortex mori (Morus alba L.), the root bark of mulberry tree has been used as an antiphlogistic, diuretic, and expectorant in herbal medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the methanol extract of Cortex mori could inhibit the compound 48/80-induced AS and CR. To induce AS, various doses of compound 48/80 (5, 7.5, 10, 15$\mu\textrm{g}$/gm B.W.) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into ICR mice. The animals were pretreated by three injection(i.p.) of Cortex mori before compound 48/80 administration. Peripheral blood was collected from the right ventricle to estimate the level of serum histamine at 15 minutes after the injctin(i.p.) of various concentration of compound48/80. Mortility rate, mean death time and mesenteric mast cell degranulation rate were evaluated over a 72 hour period. To estimate the effect of Cortex mori on compound 48/80-induced cutaneous reaction, various doses of compound 48/80 with or without Cortex mori were injected intradermally(i.d.) into the shaved flank of Sprague-Dawley rats, and the blue cutaneous patchs induced by Evans'blue injection at the compound 48/80 alone and Cortex mori plus compound 48/80 injection sites were observed. As a Parameter of these reactions, the levels of histamine in the supernatant, calcium uptake and intracellular CAMP of RPMC were measured. supernatant, 1)compound 48/80-induced mortility rate, mean death time, mesenteric mast cell degranulation rate, and serum histamine level in ICR mice were significantly inhibited by pretreatment of Cortex mori, 2) cutaneous reaction inducd by compound48/80 was well developed in Sprague-Dawley rat, but Cortex mori inhibited the compound 48/80-induced blue patch formation remarkably, 3) the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release and calcium uptake of RPMC pretreated with Cortex mori were significantly inhibited, compared to those of control without Cortex mori pretreatment, and 4)the level of cAMP of RPMC was reduced bythe increased concentration of compound 48/80, pretreatment of Cortex mori not only inhibited the compound 48/80-induced reduction of CAMP but also significantly increased the level of cAMP naturally, from the above results, it is suggested that Cortex mori has an some substances with an ability to inhibits the compound 48/80-induced AS,CR, and mast cell activation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1982

In an attempt to delineate the role of beta-adrenoceptors found to be existing in the brain tissue in the central regulation of renal function, isoproterenol, a ${\beta}-adrenergic$ agonist, was administered directly into a lateral ventricle of the rabbit brain and the changes of renal function were observed. Also, the effects of propranolol, a specific ${\beta}-adrenergic$ blocking agent, and its influence upon the isoproterenol action were studied. Isoproterenol, in doses ranging from 5 to $50\;{\mu}g/kg\;i.c.v.$, elicited antidiuresis which seemed to be related to the decreased renal hemodynamics brought about by the systemic hypotension. With moderate doaes of $15\;{\mu}g/kg$ the antidiuresis was less prominent and there was a tendency toward natriuresis, but with higher doses the natriuretic effect became less evident, overrun by the systemic hypotension. Propranolol, $500\;{\mu}g/kg\;i.c.v.$, produced little effect on the renal function, but it eliminated the antidiuretic action of $50\;{\mu}g/kg$ isoproterenol i.c.v. and reversed it to a diuretic and natriuretic one, along with increases in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. The systemic hypotension also was markedly attenuated by propranolol pretreatment. Thus, it was evident that the renal action of i.c.v. isoproterenol was not blocked by propranolol and became explicit only when the hypotensive action of isoproterenol which seems to he propranolol-sensitive is removed. Various possibilities to account for this disparity in sensitivity were discussed. It is suggested from these observations that the central ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$ might also be involved in the regulation of renal function along with ${\alpha}-adrenoceptors$, though less significant than the latter.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2007

The chemical formula of indapamide is 3-(aminosulfonyl)-4-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-indol-l-yl)-benzamide, Indapamide is an oral antipertensive diuretic agent indicated for the treatment of hypertensive and edema. Indapamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme. Transdermal drug delivery systems, as compared to their corresponding classical oral or injectable dosage form counterparts, offer many advantages. The most important advantages are improved systemic bioavailability of the pharmaceutical active ingredients (PAI), because the first-pass metabolism by the liver and digestive system are avoided; and the controlled, constant drug delivery profile (that is, controlled zero-order absorption). Also of importance is the reduced dose frequency compared to the conventional oral dosage forms (that is, once-a-day, twice-a-week or once-a-week). Other benefits include longer duration of therapeutic action from a single application, and reversible action. For example, patches can be removed to reverse any adverse effects that may be caused by overdosing. In order to evaluate the effects of vehicles and penetration enhancers on skin permeation of Indapamide, the skin permeation rates of Indapamide from vehicles of different composition were determined using Franz cells fitted with excised hairless skins. Solubility of Indapamide in various solvents was investigated to select a vehicle suitable for the percutaneous absorption of Indapamide, The solvents used were Tween80, Tween20, Labrasol, Lauroglycol90 (LG90) and Peceol. Lauroglycol90 increase the permeability of indapamide approximately 3.75-fold compared with the control. Tween80, Tween20, Labrasol, Lauroglycol90 (LG90) and Peceol showed flux of $0.06ug/cm^2/hr,\;0.4ug/cm^2/hr,\;0.21ug/cm^2/hr,\;0.72ug/cm^2/hr,\;0.29ug/cm^2/hr$, respectively.