• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.150-160
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• 2001

Objectives ; This study was undertaken to determine whether Carthami-Flos aquacapuncture (CFA) exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity in cerebral synaptosomes. Methods and Results ; The enzyme activity was dependent on incubation time and enzyme protein concentrations. An oxidant t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) at 1 mM concentration caused a significant inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, which was prevented by addition of 0.01% CFA. tBHP inhibition and CFA protection were independent on incubation time or enzyme protein concentrations. The enzyme activity was increased by ATP in a dose dependent manner. Effects of tBHP and CFA were not affected by ATP cocentrations. tBHP (1 mM) produced a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in cerebral synaptosomes, which was prevented by 0.01% CFA. CFA decreased oxygen free radicals generated induced by the phorbol-ester in a dose-dependent manner in human neutrophil. Conclusions ; These results suggest that CFA exerts protective effect against tBHP-induced inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, which is due to by an antioxidant action resulting from a direct scavenging effect of oxygen free radicals in the cerebral synaptosomes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidative and fibrinolytic activity of the water and ethanol extracts from medicinal plants. Methods : Five kinds of medicinal plants(Carthami Flos, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Atractylodes Rhizoma, Shiitake mushiroom) were extracted with distilled water and 70% ethanol, and the extracts were tested for their antioxidative and fibrilytic activities. Results : The highest polyphenol contents of the water and ethanol extracts from medicinal plants were 812.52 mg and 685.44 mg per 100 g of Carthamus tinctorius and Schizandra chinensis, respectively. The electron donating abilities (EDA) of the water extracts from all medicinal plants except Lentinus edodes were about 90% at 1,000 ppm and ethanol extracts were higher than those of water extracts. The highest SOD-like activity and nitrite scavenging abilities (NSA) were both of water and ethanol extracts from Schizandra chinensis. Five kinds of medicinal plants had fibrinolytoc activity and the highest activities were water and ethanol extracts from Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Conclusion : These results suggest that the medicinal plants can be used as natural antioxidant to prevent oxidative damage in normal cells probably because of their antioxidative and fibrinolytic activities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.92-111
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• 2002

Objective : Carthami Flos has been used as a herb to promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis in oriental medicine for many centuries, and Amun(GV15) has been used as a meridian point to treat apoplexy etc. To investigate treatment of cerevral vascular disease(CVA) by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(活血化瘀法), we observed the experimental effects and mechanism of auqa-acupunture of Carthami Flos(ACF) injected into GV15 on cerevral hemodynamics and cardiovascular system of rats. Method : Aqua-acupuncture of Carthami Flos(ACF) was injected into GV15, and then we investigated experimental effects and mechanism of ACF on the cerebral hemodynamics[regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD), meal arterial blood pressure(MABP)] and cardiovascular system[cardiac muscle contractile force(CMF), heart rate(HR)I by pretreatment with methylene blue(MTB) and indomethacin(IDN). The changes in rCBF, MABP, CMF and HR were tested by Laser Doppler Flowmetry(LDF), and the changes in PAD was determinated by video microscopy methods and video analyzer. Results :The results were as follows in normal rats ; The changes of rCBF and PAD were significantly increased by ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in a injected time-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by ACF. The changes of cardiovascular system were increased by ACF in a injected time-dependent manner. And pretreatment with MTB was significantly inhibited ACE induced increase of rCBF and PAD, and was decreased ACF induced increase of HR. And pretreatment with IDN was increased ACF induced MABP and CMF. And the results were as follows in cerebral ischemic rats ; The changes of rCBF was increased stabilizly by treatment with ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in during the period of cerebral reperfusion, but pretreatment with MTB was increased ACF induced increase of rCBF during the period of cerebral reperfusion. The results were as follows in normal rats ; The changes of rCBF and PAD were significantly increased by ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in a injected time-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by ACF. The changes of cardiovascular system were increased by ACF in a injected time-dependent manner. And pretreatment with MTB was significantly inhibited ACF induced increase of rCBF and PAD, and was decreased ACF induced increase of HR. And pretreatment with IDN was increased ACF induced MABP and CMF. And the results were as follows in cerebral ischemic rats ; The changes of rCBF was increased stabilizly by treatment with ACF($120{\mu}{\ell}/kg$) in during the period of cerebral reperfusion, but pretreatment with MTB was increased ACF induced increase of rCBF during the period of cerebral reperfusion Conclusions : In conclusion, ACF causes a diverse response of rCBF, PAD an HR, and action of ACF is mediated by cyclic GMP. I suggested that ACF has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of crebral hemodynamics in a transient cerebral ischemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.45-61
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Carthami Flos herbal-acupuncture (CF-HA) at Joksamni($ST_{36}$) on arthritis in mice induced by Collagen II. Methods : The author performed several experimental items, including arthritis evaluation, change in weight, spleen size and stenosis rate, change in cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II, change of immunocyte count and histological change of the CIA mouse joint. Conclusions are as follows: Results : 1. In the CF-HA, the arthritis index and rate and the incidence of arthritis were decreased as the experiment proceeded. 2. In the CF-HA, spleen swell and stenosis, joint edema and change were decreased. 3. In the CF-HA, the level of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ in blood serum were significantly decreased. 4. In the CF-HA, the level of IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II were decreased. 5. In the CF- HA, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $IFN-{\gamma}/IL-4$, IL-10 of the culture fluid was decreased. 6. In the CF-HA, the cell rate of $CD3e^+$ and $CD45R^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$ in spleen was similar to the cell rate of the normal group. 7. In the CF-HA, the cell rate of $CD4^+/CD25^+$, $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ in a lymph node was decreased as in the normal group. 8. In the CF-HA, the cell rate of $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ in joints was decreased as in the normal group. 9. In the CF-HA, the cartilage destruction and the inflammation cell growth in the H&E stain were decreased. The collagen fiber in the M&T stain were less destructed, therefore the result was similar to the normal group. Conclusions : These results suggest that CH-HA at $ST_{36}$ has an effect in controlling immune reaction and suppressing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis therefore, the continuous flow of the following study is expected.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.31-39
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the toxicity and to find the lethal dose of the test substance Water-soluble Carthami-flos pharmacopuncture (WCF) when used as a single intravenous-dose in 6-week-old, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Biotoxtech according to Good Laboratory Practices. 20 female and 20 male Spague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 female and 5 male animals per group. The rats in the three experimental groups received single intravenous injections with 0.125-mL, 0.25-mL and 0.5-mL/animal doses of WCF, Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and the control group, Group 1, received a single intravenous injection with a 0.5-mL dose of normal saline. Clinical signs were observed and body weight measurements were carried out for 14 days following the injections. At the end of the observation period, hematology, clinical chemistry, histopathological tests and necropsy were performed on the injected parts. Results: No deaths occurred in any of the groups. Also, no significant changes in body weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry test results between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. Visual inspection after necropsy showed no abnormalities. Histopathological tests on the injected parts showed no significant differences, except for Group 1 females; however, the result was spontaneous generation and had no toxicological meaning because it was not dose-dependent. Therefore, this study showed that WCF had no effect on the injected parts in terms of clinical signs, body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and necropsy. Conclusion: As a result of single intravenous-dose tests of the test substance WCF in 4 groups of rats, the lethal dose for both males and females exceeded 0.5 mL/animal. Therefore, WCF is a relatively safe pharmacopuncture that can be used for treatment, but further studies should be performed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1419-1426
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of herbal extracts on the skin inflammatory reactions which use the makeup preparations. In experiment 1, among the herbal ingredients of herbal extracts, ethanol extracts and 1,3-BG(Butylene Glycol) extracts of Galla Rhois showed potent radical scavenging activity, more than 91% at all concentrations, tested by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hyrazyl) method. In experiment 2, ethanol extracts of Chrysanthemi Flos, Gardenias Flos, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory activity of the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide(NO) production, more than 87% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, by the macrophage RAW 246.7 cells. And 1,3-BG extracts of Taraxaci Herbs, Corm Fructus, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production, more than 89% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. In experiment 3, ethanol extracts of Chrysanthemi Flos, Gardeniae Flos, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory effects of cyclooxygenase-II activity, more than 78% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, by using ELISA kit. And 1,3-BG extracts of Galla Rhois, Carthami Flos, Chrysanthemi Flos, Taraxaci Herba, Corm Fructus showed potent inhibitory effects of cyclooxygenase-II(COX-II) activity, more than 80% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Therefore, 1 expect that herbal extracts, especially Galla Rhois may be used as a drug for treatment on skin inflammation and a material of the makeup preparations.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1512-1515
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• 2004

In this study, we investigated in vitro nitric oxide (NO) scavenging effect on nine herbal extracts using an NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) compared with vitamin C. All herbal extracts effectively reduced the generation of NO radicals in a dose-dependant manner and over 65% in 10h. Especially, Ephedrae herba, Carthami flos and Lonicerae flos declined over 75% of NO scavenging effect, suggested that the herbal extracts are the powerful free radical scavengers and may be effective in clinical applications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.767-775
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the preventive effect of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Rhei Rhizoma and Carthami Flos combined with Samgijiwhang-Tang(SJTSRC) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy. Rats were divided into a control group of rats with STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy, a sample group of those given SJTSRC, and a normal group. In the experiment diabetic nephropathy was induced by giving STZ(60mg/kg) to rats via the peritoneum, and effects were assessed with measures of serum creatinine, serum BUN, secretion content of albumin and glucose content of urine, malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) content in cortex of kidney. When STZ was injected into sample rat, the value of creatinine and BUN increased validly and STZ did damage to the kidney. When applying SJTSRC to sample rats, the value of serum creatinine decreased validly but the value of serum BUN decreased invalidity. It was confirmed that SJTSRC had an effect on recovery after kidney damage and secretion content of albumin increasedafter administration of SJTSRC but there was no change in glucose content of urine compared with the control group. The decrease of secretion of albumin after injection of STZ was taken to mean progressive diabetic nephropathy, and that reversal of that trend after SJTSRC administration showed that kidney function had improved, not through decreasing blood sugar, but through other factors. Results suggest that diabetic nephropathy was induced by STZ, and SJTSRC was effective in restricting the extent of damage to the kidney and halting the progression of diabetic nephropathy with improvement in levels of serum creatinine and albumin secretion. More study is needed, particularity pertaining to anti-oxidative effects in the kidney cortex.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.159-171
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• 2003

This study was done to investigate effects of SR, CF and AR to angiogenesis of cerebral tissues, protecting damage of cerebral neurons and activating them in cerebral contusion-induced rats. I observed these conclusions as follows ; 1. Observation of VEGF-immunoreactive cells : Groups of administered AR were not meaningful in increasing VEGF-immunoreactive cells for 3 days and 7 days, groups of administered SR meaningfully increased them to control groups in all groups, and groups of administered CF meaningfully increased them to control groups in all groups, too, interestingly, increased double to control group for 7 days. 2. Observation on cerebral neurons by Cresyl violet stain : Dendrites and axons of groups of administered SR, AR for 3 days were clearly observed to control group. Cerebral neurons of groups of administered CF for 3days and 7 days were increased a little, but were not meaningful. In conclusion, AR will be careful of being used in cerebral contusion. CF and SR were effective to activating cerebral hemokinesis by inducing angiogenesis in trauma of tissue, but weakly to protecting trauma of cerebral neurons and activating them. I think more studies will be done in these facts.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.241-251
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• 2008

In this study, isolation of antioxidative compounds was performed for development of anti-oxidizing agent. $CHCl_{3}$, $H_{2}O$, 30%, 60% MeOH, MeOH fractions were examined antioxidative activity by DPPH method, TBARS assay, and SOD like activity. It was revealed that 30%, 60% MeOH fractions had significant antioxidative activity. From 30%, 60% MeOH fraction, nine compounds were isolated and elucidated kaempferol $3-O-{\alpha}-L-rhamnopyranosyl$ $(1{\rightarrow}6)-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (1), quercetin $7-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (II), quercetin $3-O-{\alpha}-L-rhamnopyranosyl$ $(1{\rightarrow}6)$ ${\beta}-D-glucopyranoside(rutin)$ (III), 6-hydroxykaempferol $3-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (lV), kaempferol $3-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl$ $(1{\rightarrow}2)$ ${\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (V), kaempferol $3-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (VI), luteolin (VII), quercetin $3-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (VIII), apigenin $7-O-{\beta}-D-glucuronopyranoside$ (IX) through physicochemical data and spectroscopic methods (Negative FAB-MS, $^1H-NMR$, $^{13}C-NMR$). Entirely, all compounds had similar antioxidative activity, but more OH group had more antioxidative activity.