• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.659-667
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• 2004

Plantain has been used for antidiarrhea, antihemorrhage and the remedy of indigestion. Plantain was extracted with ethanol and fractionated systemically with n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate (EtOAC) and n-butanol. Antioxidant index (AI was expressed as induction period of oil containing various fractions/induction period of oil of 600 ppm) of EtOAC fraction was the highest among fractions in vitro. The protective effects of the EtOAC fraction of plantain (PE) administered 1 mL orally or intraduodenally on experimentally induced gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric secretion were evaluated in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250∼300 g were divided into 4 groups; negative control group (CON), PE 200 mg/kg treated group (PEL), PE 400 mg/kg treated group (PEH) and positive control group (cimetidine 100 mg/kg-CMT or omeprazol 100 mg/kg treated group-OMT), respectively, PE significantly suppressed HCl-ethanol induced gastric lesions and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers (administered subcutaneouly) in rats. Specially PE 400 mg/kg showed significantly inhibitory effect, which was more potent than that of 100 mg/kg of commercial drug, cimetidine, and elevated an inhibitory effect to be close to the level in inhibitory ratio of omeprazol administered group in Shay's ucler. On gastric secretion in pylorus ligated rat, PE 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg decreased the gastric volume and acid output, but did not show an apparent effect on pepsin activity. In addition, PE 400 mg/kg depressed gastric ulcers induced by water immersion stress and duodenal ulcers induced by cysteamine administered subcutaneouly. These results suggest that the ethylacetate fraction of plantain can be used in prevention and treatment of experimentally induced gastric mucosal damage and ulcers.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.674-679
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• 2002

The toxicity and bioaccumulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues to be a focus of research in human and various species. The main human exposure is via the dietary route. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of Cornu Cervi Parvum extract on clinical parameters and hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rat (SD rat) accutely exposured to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Male SD rats received single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of TCDD (40 ㎍/kg), and administered 10 or 20 mg/kg/day of the ethanol extract oral injection for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD treatment. The gain in body weight was less in group treated with TCDD than in CON group, while that of C/H+ TCDD group (Cornu Cervi Parvum extract 20 mg/kg/day) increased. The decrease in spleen and testis weight caused by TCDD was prevented by Cornu Cervi Parvum extract 20 mg/kg/day. The fluctuation in BUN content, WBC and platelet count by TCDD intoxication were significantly attenuated by the ethanol extract treatment (20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks). Treatments of rats with the extract (10 or 20 mg/kg/day) were significantly reduced AST and ALT levels compared with TCDD-treated group. Moderate swelling of hepatocytes, hyperchromatism, acidophilic cytoplasm and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observed in TCDD-treated animals (TCDD group). The administration of EtOH extract 10 or 20 mg/kg along with TCDD significantly alleviated the liver histopathological alteration induced by TCDD. These results suggest that Cornu Cervi Parvum extract can be useful as a protective agent against TCDD, an endocrine disruptor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1184-1189
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Hijikia fusiforme extracts on serum lipid and liver antioxidative enzyme activities in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats divided into 7 groups : We injected saline to a normal group (N), saline and tween 80 to control groups (CS, CT) and tot extracts to experimental groups (CSA, CTEtOH, CTE, CTH) for 7 days and then injected triton at the last day. Serum and liver free cholesterol contents were significantly lower in hexane-treated group (CTH) than control group (CT) whereas serum HDL-cholesterol content was higher in aqueous extract group (CSA) than control group (CS). Total cholesterol and phospholipid contents in serum and liver were lower in aqueous extract group (CSA) than control group (CS). Serum and liver triglyceride contents were significantly lower in ethanol (CTEtOH) and hexane treated group (CTH) than control group (CT). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of liver were lower in tot extract groups (CSA, CTEtOH, CTE, CTH) than control groups (CS, CT). Superoxide dismutase activities in liver were significantly lower in aqueous extracts group (CSA) and hexane treated group (CTH) than control groups (CS, CT). Liver catalase activity was the lowest in ethylacetate extract group. These results showed that some Hijikia fusiforme extracts have reduction effect of lipid and antioxidative effect in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.89-102
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• 2008

Purpose : The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Ojeoksan, in pregnant rats Methods : Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Ojeoksan at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. Results : Maternal body weight of Ojeoksan treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and sex ratio. But Ojeoksan administered group showed higher delivery rate, early resorption rate than the control group. Also Ojeoksan administered group showed higher implantation rate, late resorption rate than the control group. Conclusion : From these results, it can be concluded that Ojeoksan showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. We need more precise study to investigate the mechanism of early or late resoption by the herbal medicines such as Ojeoksan.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.292-296
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the potential of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) to prevent obesity and abnormalities in lipid metabolism induced by ovariectomy in a rat model without stimulatory activity on uterus. MATERIALS/METHODS: Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated for 6 weeks with 70% ethanol extracts of Hypericum perforatum [HPEs: whole plant (WHPE) and flower and leaves (FLHPE)], ${\beta}$-estradiol-3-benzoate at a dose of $50{\mu}g/kg/day$ (E2) or vehicle (distilled water). RESULTS: As expected, OVX increased body weight gain and adiposity and showed higher food efficacy ratio. OVX also increased the serum cholesterol as well as insulin resistance, while reducing uterus weight and uterine epithelial proliferation rate. HPEs (WHPE and FLHPE) showed estrogen-like effect on body weight gain, adipose tissue weight and food efficacy ratio in OVX rats. HPEs prevented hypercholesterolemia induced by OVX more effectively than E2. E2 increased uterus weight and epithelial proliferation rate in OVX rats, while HPEs maintained them at the level of the sham-operated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding demonstrates that HPEs can be considered as an effective agent to prevent OVX-induced obesity without stimulatory activity on uterus.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.347-356
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• 2006

It is reported that a fermented soybean food, Doenjang, has srong antimutagenic and cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. This study investigated the effect of Chungkookjang, another traditional popular Korean soybean fermented food, on growth of cancer cells: HL-60, SNU-638 and MCF-7, and also its in vivo antitumorigenic effect in DMBA-induced mammary tumor rat model. For the in vitro study, Chungkookjang and steamed soybeans were extracted with ethanol and sequentially fractioned with 5 kinds of solvents differing in grades of polarity such as hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, butanol and water. Almost all Chungkookjang extracts significantly inhibited the growth of HL-60 (human leukemic cancer cell), SNU-638 (human gastric cancer cell) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell) when compared to steamed soybean extracts. Butanol fraction of Chungkookjang extract especially showed a remarkable inhibitory effect in all the three kinds of cancer cells. To induce a mammary gland tumor, DMBA (50 mg/BW) was administered to 50 day-old female rats and followed by Chungkookjang or steamed soybean supplemented diets. Freezedried Chungkookjang powder (20% of diet in wet weight) was added to AIN-93G based diet for the Chungkookjang group of rats. Likewise, steamed soybean powder containing equal protein content to that of Chungkookjang powder was supplemented to soybean group of rats. At 13 weeks later, the mammary tumor incidence, average tumor number and tumor weight a rat were lower in Chungkookjang group compared to the control or soybean group. In conclusion, Chungkookjang showed a strong inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth in vitro, as well as a more preventive effect against chemically induced mammary tumorigenesis in vivo, while steamed soybeans did not. Therefore, these results suggest that Chungkookjang acquire its anticancer activity through the fermentation process.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2023

Purpose : Excessive alcohol causes damage to skeletal muscles, leading to the development of a specific disease entity called alcoholic myopathy. Chronic inflammation is related as an underlying mechanism for the loss of muscle mass induced by alcohol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) play a role in this process. The acupuncture point Feng Shi (GB 31) is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, above the transverse popliteal crease. This acupoint is used for the treatment of weakness, atrophy, numbness, and post-stroke symptoms of lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Feng Shi stimulation on muscle atrophy caused by chronic alcohol administration. Method : Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each: Normal, Control, and GB31. The rats in the Control and GB31 groups were orally given 25 % ethanol (5 ㎖/kg, body weight) daily for 4 weeks. The Normal group was similarly administered saline. The acupressure at Feng Shi was treated to rats in the GB31 group. After 4 weeks, the body weight, muscle weight and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius were assessed and the histological changes in gastrocnemius muscle fiber were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were immunohistochemistrically evaluated. Results : Acupressure stimulation at Feng Shi had a protective effect on the weight reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle caused by alcohol intake, and had an effect of suppressing anatomical change in muscle fiber and decreasing the average cross-sectional area. Also, the immunoreactivities of TNF-α and IL-6 in the GB31 group were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at Feng Shi has protective effects on chronic alcohol-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting pre-inflammatory proteins such as TNF-α and IL-6.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.435-445
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vinegar extract from seed of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and seed of tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertner) on acute ethanol-induced hangover in Sprague-Dawley rats. Vinegar extract from buckwheat is rich choline, quercetin and its glycoside, rutin known as flavonoid antioxidants. The test extract containing buckwheat was proven to alleviate hangovers through a significant reduction in the concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the context of an alcohol-induced hangover model. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were significantly higher in buckwheat vinegar-treated rats than in ethanol-treated rats. Moreover, tartary buckwheat vinegar upregulated antioxidant enzyme such as superoxide dismutase and Catalase activities in liver tissues. These results suggest that buckwheat vinegar extract could alleviate ethanol-induced hangover symptoms by elevating activities related to hepatic ethanol-metabolizing enzymes against ethanol induced metabolites, and in particular, tartary buckwheat should be further developed to be a novel anti-hangover material.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.378-383
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activities of extracts from Acer tegmentosum Maxim. (AT) and the ability of these extracts to reduce the serum alcohol concentration in rats administered alcohol. The total amount of polyphenols in hot water and ethanol extracts from AT were $71.93{\pm}2.2{\mu}g/mg$ and $152.69{\pm}1.25{\mu}g/mg$, respectively, while the total amount of flavonoids in hot water and ethanol extracts from AT were $7.51{\pm}1.34{\mu}g/mg$ and $5.01{\pm}0.83{\mu}g/mg$, respectively. FRAP values in AT extracts were $1.67{\sim}1.75{\mu}M/{\mu}g$. AT extracts were capable of directly scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals, with higher inhibitory activities for TBA. The hepatoprotective effect of hot water extracts from AT against ethanol-induced oxidative damage was investigated. Ethanol-induced damage on HepG2 liver cells were protected by hot water extracts from AT. Administration of hot water extracts from AT (200 mg/kg) had reduced serum alcohol levels in acute alcohol-treated rats. These results indicate that AT extracts can be protective against alcohol-induced toxicity, potentially through its antioxidant properties.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.543-549
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• 2004

Ixeris dentata is a typical oriental herb. It is a widely distributed perennial in Korea, Japan and China, which belongs to the Compositae Family. The whole plant of I. dentata has been used for the treatment of pneumonia, contusion, tumor and hepatitis. It has also been used for the treatment of allergic diseases as a folk therapy in Korea. I. dentata is known to have aliphatics, triterpenoids and sesquiterpene glycosides in its composition. The present study was designed to explore the protective effects of water- and ethanol- extracts from I. dentata on irradiated rodents. For oral administration (twice per day), the extractive powder of I. dentata and the positive control (ascorbic acid) were dissolved at a concentration of 0.5 and 250mg $ml^{-1}$ in saline, respectively. Thirty days after irradiation, the ratio of the weight of the testis to the body weight was lower than 50% in the radiation groups than the control group. The ALP concentrations in the group treated with the water-extracts of the leaf were $79.68\pm{1.39%}$ (p<0.05) of those of the radiation control. Both of the SGOT and SGPT in the group treated with the ethanol-extract of the root were $72.68\pm{0.95}\;and\;77.87\pm{5.74}$ (p<0.05) of those of the radiation control, respectively. The levels of DNA damage induced by gamma radiation decreased in the experimental group to which the extracts of I. dentata were administered before irradiation. In conclusion, these results indicate that the extracts of I. dentata have an excellent ability to reduce the radicals and they have a protective effect on DNA breakage caused by radiation.