• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.23 no.2 s.54
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• pp.115-121
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• 1999

Effects of single and repeated administration of various nootropic candidates were examined on impaired acquisition by single oral administration of 3 g/kg ethanol (EtOH) in step through test. The inhibitory effect of EtOH on acquisition was significantly reduced by single picrotoxin, but not affected by diazepam, acetyl-L-carnitine and apomorphine. Single or repeated red ginseng total saponin and deprenyl, single piracetam, repeated N-methyl-D-glucamine, but not single or repeated protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol and centrophenoxine significantly ameliorated the impairment of acquisition by EtOH. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of repeated red ginseng total saponin but not that of repeated N-methyl-D-Glucamine, was significantly blocked by pretreatment of $\alpha$-methyl-$\rho$-tyrosine, a inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis. Whereas, the inhibitory effect of repeated deprenyl on EtOH amnesia was exaggerated by $\alpha$-methyl-$\rho$-tyrosine. These results suggest that the amelioration processes of drugs on ethanol amnesia involve complex mechanism between the central GABAergic and dopaminergic neuronal activity in memory and learning, although the effects of repeated drugs administration are not yet clear.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2018

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to attain and sustain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Frequent ED may be a symptom of health problems including heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, stress, smoking, and depression, that need treatment. This study aimed to effect of complex extract (CPL) including Cornus officinalis on sexual function factor in the erectile dysfunction rat model. The erectile dysfuction rat model was induced by cimetidine (500 mg/kg in 5% ethanol, oral injection 2 weeks). Rats were oral administered with different concentration of CPL in rat erectile dysfunction model. As a results, sexual function factors (NO, cGMP) significantly improved in CPL treated groups (CPL-300, 600, 900 mg/kg) compared to CON group. Serum testosterone was increased in a dose-dependent manner after CPL treatment. Furthermore, administrations of CPL restored lumen areas of the prostate in the erectile dysfunction rat model. These results indicated that CPL alleviated erectile dysfunction by increasing sexual function factor and testosterone in rat model. CPL could be used to natural treatement for erectile dysfunction. However, further study is required to identify active ingredient and its mechanism of erectile dysfunction.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.354-360
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• 1999

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disorder with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. DA-6034,$ 7-carboxymethyloxy-3^{l}, 4^{l},$ 5-trimethoxy flavone, is a synthetic flavonoid known to possess anti-inflammatory activity. This study was performed to evaluate the oral therapeutic effect of DA-6034 in three experimental animal models of IBD : two chemical-induced IBD models of rats and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 transgenic rat model known to develop spontaneous colitis without the use of exogenous agents. Acute chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 1.2 ml of 4% acetic acid solution. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) and DA-6034 (0.3~3 mg/kg) were orally administered twice daily for 6 days in these rats. In addition, chronic chemical colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) 30 mg in 50% ethanol and agents were orally administered for 6 or 20 days. In chemical-induced IBD models, all of these agents reduced the severity of colitis and specially, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) showed more potent effect than other drugs in macroscopic lesion score. In HLA-B27 transgenic rats, DA-6034 (3 mg/kg) and prednisolone (0.5 gm/kg) were treated orally twice daily for 6 weeks. The HLA-B27 transgenic rats showed only mild colitis, compared with the chemical-induced colitis models. DA-6034 ameliorated the loose stool and decreased microscopic damage, which is the important indicator of this model. In conclusion, oral therapy of DA-6034 attenuated the macroscopic and histologic damages of the colon in all three experimental models of IBD, which suggest that DA-6034 could be a promising drug in the treatment of IBD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1095-1101
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (G. Rhizoma) on blood pressure-lowering in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed high-fat diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) of lard during the experimental period of 8 weeks. Forty of male SHR weighing approximately 100 g were randomly divided into eight groups; A: negative control (lard 10%), B: positive control (lard 10% ＋ basal diet ＋ 5 brix water extract), C: lard 10% ＋ 1% G. Rhizoma powder, D: lard 10%＋5% G. Rhizoma powder, E: lard 10%＋2 brix 50% ethanol extract, F: lard 10%＋10 brix 50% ethanol extract, G: lard 10%＋2 brix water extract, H: lard 10% ＋ 10 brix water extract. A gain in weight did not differ significantly among dietary groups, but a little higher in control groups than in G. Rhizoma dietary groups. Except for spleen, weights of liver, kidney and testis are significantly different among dietary groups. Serum total cholesterol concentration was markedly higher in control groups than in G. Rhizoma groups (p<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in serum triglyceride. Except for negative control (A) and group D, serum HDL concentration was significantly higher in G. Rhizoma groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, serum LDL concentration was significantly higher in two control groups (A, B) and markedly lower in E and G groups of hot water extract of G. Rhizoma (p<0.05). Reference systolic blood pressure (BP) showed average 185.7$\pm$5.8 mmHg for 4 weeks after feeding high-fat diet, and the pressure was measured on every 7 days intervals after feeding of G. Rhizoma diet. Comparing with reference BP before feeding of G. Rhizoma diet, the groups of 50% ethanol (E, F) and water (G) extracts on BP level after 28 days were shown to be reduced at 16.8, 20.2 and 11.7 mmHg, respectively. When the pressure (187 mmHg) of group A was considered as 100%, the reduction rate of BP in group F was 11% (20.5 mmHg). These results indicated that the groups treated with ethanol extracts of G. Rhizoma showed to have lower blood pressure level compacred to the groups treated with whole powder or water extracts of G.Rhizoma in SHR fed with high-fat diet.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium (Citrus unshiu peel) has been used in Korean medicine to treat indigestion, vomiting, coughing and phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) in cadmium (CdCl2)-treated mouse model. Methods : CEE was dissolved in water and administered orally to mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The mice were then exposed to a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (4 mg/kg body weight) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver tissue samples were collected, analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and histopathological evaluation. Liver damage was assessed as the percentage of degenerative areas of the hepatic parenchyma, the number of degenerative hepatocytes, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. Results : In cadmium-treated rats, pretreatment with CEE significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels associated with liver damage. Histopathologically, CEE prevented degenerative changes on the hepatic tissues including confluent necrosis, congestions and infiltration of inflammatory cells. CEE also reduced the elevation of oxidative stress markers (nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) positive cells. PARP protein expression in liver tissue was also restored by CEE. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects against cadmium-induced liver injury. Thus, it can be concluded that CEE can be used to prevent liver damage caused by cadmium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.1271-1278
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• 2007

In this study, the ability of Styela clava or Styela plicata to reduce ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was evaluated. Twenty four male SD rats were given 25% ethanol containing water (ad lib, p.o.) and divided into 3 groups; ethanol treated control group (EtOH), ethano1+3% S. clava (EtOH+SC), and ethano1+3% S. plicata (EtOH+SP). After 6 weeks, the supplementation of S. clava reduced the plasma ALT, ALP and LDH activities significantly (p<0.05), while S. plicata induced significant decrease in the plasma LDH activity only. The comet assay was employed to quantify the alcohol-induced DNA damage in rat hepatocytes and leucocytes. A significant protective effect on hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was observed in S. clava or S. plicata supplemented groups compared to the EtOH control group. The hepatic DNA damage was correlated positively with plasma ALP and LDH activities. These results demonstrated that S. clava or S. plicata supplementation protected alcohol-induced hepatic and leucocytic DNA damage.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.472-477
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• 2004

Hypoglycemie effect of Moutan Radicis Cortex (MRC) extract contained in Yukmijihuang-hwan was determined by investigating insulin-sensitizing and ${\alpha}-glucoamylase-suppressing$ actions. MRC was extracted with 70% ethanol, fractionated by XAD-4 column chromatography with mixture solvent of methanol and water, and utilized for hypoglycemic effect assay. Significant insulin sensitizing activities of MRC extracts were observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, giving MRC extracts with 1 ng/mL insulin reach glucose uptake level increased by 50 ng/mL of insulin alone. MRC methanol extracts of 20, 40, 60, and 80% suppressed ${\alpha}-glucoamylase$ activity in vitro. Peak serum glucose levels and area under curve were lower in Sprague Dawley male rats treated with MRC ethanol extract than those treated with cellulose in oral glucose tolerance test using 2 g dextrin/kg body weight. These data suggest MRC extracts contain effective insulin -sensitizing and ${\alpha}-glucoamylase-suppressing$ compounds for hypoglycemic activity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.604-612
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of Ixeris dentata ethanol extract in lipopolysaccharide-exposed rats and Raw 264.7 cells. Plasma concentrations of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were lower in Ixeris dentata-treated groups than in control group. Concentration of plasma IL-10 was higher in Ixeris dentata-treated groups than in control group. Concentrations of liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were lower in the Ixeris dentata-treated groups than in control group. However, concentrations of liver TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-10 were not significantly different among all treatment groups. In the study using lipopolysaccharide-exposed Raw 264.7 cells, concentrations of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ tended to be decreased, but concentration of IL-10 tended to be increased in Ixeris dentata-treated groups. Plasm concentrations of total protein and albumin appeared to be increased in Ixeris dentata-treated groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.483-490
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 50% ethanol extracts of ripe black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis, RBR) on hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The final systolic blood pressure of the group treated with RBR for 12 weeks was significantly lower than that of the SHR group. The mRNA expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was significantly decreased in SHR. However, treatment with RBR and captopril increased the level of eNOS mRNA in SHR. Moreover, plasma levels of homocysteine and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were significantly reduced by RBR. Plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in SHR than Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). However, there was no significant difference in plasma triglyceride level between WKY and SHR. The number of eosinophilic cardiac muscle cells was reduced in heart muscles after treatment with captopril and RBR. Therefore, this study suggests that RBR extracts may be useful for improvement of hypertension.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2010

Objectives: Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by colonic mucosal inflammation and chronic relapsing events represents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of pharmacopuncture of anti-inflammatory herbal compound (AiC) applied to the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague - Dawley rats, weighing 250~400g, TNBS (5 mg/kg) was infused intrarectally through a silicon rubber catheter into the anus under isoflurane anaesthesia. Acupoints of LI4 (Hapkok), ST25 (Cheonchu), ST36 (Joksamni), and BL25 (Daejangsu) were intramuscularly injected by AiC, respectively (injection volume & times: 0.2 ml / acupoint, twice times on the 2nd & 3rd day). Expressions of cFos protein in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and the 6th lumbar spinal cord (L6 s.c.) were observed at 24 hr after TNBS induced colitis by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of c-Fos protein in the L6 s.c., Sol, LC and PAG increased 24 hr after TNBS injection into colorectum as compared to normal and 50% ethanol treated group. AiC to LI4 inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in Sol and PAG but not L6 s.c. and LC. AiC to ST36 showed significant inhibition the c-Fos expression in L6 s.c., Sol and PAG. AiC to ST25 only showed the effects in L6 s.c. and PAG. AiC to BL25 inhibited significantly the expression of c-Fos protein all over the areas. To investigate whether or not endogenous opioids are involved, intrathecal injection of naltrexone (30ug/30ul) was applied before the 2nd pharmacopuncture treatment 24 hr after TNBS-induced colitis in rat. Naltrexone reversed the inhibition of c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord and brainstem. Conclusions: These data show that pharmacopuncture of Aic potently inhibits signal pathways ascending hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and depends on the endogenous opioids according to acupoints.