• 한국의사학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.43-57
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• 2020

Essence of the Hwangchil tree (黃漆樹 Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév.) has been used for various purposes, like waxing emperor's armors, covering an astrology board, or, during the Silla Dynasty, burying it to block something bad in the soil symbolically. Essence of the Hwangchil tree was known to have remarkable preservation effects such as waterproofing, damp-proofing, rust-proofing, and moth-proofing as well as not being easily peeled off from even soft surfaces like paper. There is a record in Prescriptions for Epidemic diseases of Cows, Horses, Sheep, and Pigs (牛馬羊猪染疫病治療方), published in 1541, of Hwangchil that is local to Jeju Island being used instead of benzoin (安息香), of burning Hwangchil, and of making cows inhale its smoke to prevent plague among them. Along the same lines, there are records in the Local Chronicle of Tamra (耽羅志) and the Book of Earth Geography (輿地圖書) that identify Hwangchil with benzoin. In Seonghosaseol (星湖僿說), a book written by Lee Yik in around 1760, it is acknowledged that Hwangchil could be medicinal herb. In 2000, Ahn Duk-Kyun registered the roots and branches of Hwangchil tree as 'Boncho' (本草 herbal medicine) in the Pictorial Book of Korean Medicinals (韓國本草圖鑑) and presented the method of taking it for medical purpose. Researchers have suggested that Hwangchil essence as well as diverse parts of the plant such as its roots, branches, leaves, flowers, fruits, and gum have various meaningful medicinal properties. Regarding the history and recent researches of using Hwangchil tree, it has various medicinal probabilities such as, 'dispersing miasma' (辟邪), 'opening holes' (開竅), 'waking the heart' (醒心), 'smoothing spirits' (安神), 'piercing the block' (疎泄), 'removing the old and welcoming the new' (去故生新). This paper contributes ideas about how to expand the uses of Hwangchil Tree.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.165-172
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• 2012

Raphanus sativus (Cruciferaceae), commonly known as radish is widely available throughout the world. From antiquity it has been used in folk medicine as a natural drug against many toxicants. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of radish (Raphanus sativus) enzyme extract (REE) in vitro and in vivo test. The $IC_{50}$ values of REE in human liver derived HepG2 cells was over 5,000 ${\mu}g/ml$ in tested maximum concentration. The effect of REE to protect tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. REE showed their hepatoprotective activities on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity and the $EC_{50}$ value was 1,250 ${\mu}g/ml$. Silymarin, an antihepatotoxic agent used as a positive control exhibited 59.7% hepatoprotective activity at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. Moreover, we tested the effect of REE on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver toxicity in rats. REE at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg and silymarin at dose of 50 mg/kg were orally administered to $CCl_4$-treated rats. The results showed that REE and silymarin significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum enzyme markers induced by $CCl_4$. The biochemical data were supported by evaluation with liver histopathology. These findings suggest that REE, can significantly diminish hepatic damage by toxic agent such as tacrine or $CCl_4$.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The plant Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is effective folk medicines for the treatment of several conditions, such as infectious diseases, skin diseases, and other illnesses. Although the inhibitory effects of D. morbifera on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been shown in our previous study, its effects in vivo remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the extracts from D. morbifera (EDM) on neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery and explore the underlying mechanisms. We observed that the ratio of intima to media thickness (I/M) was significantly decreased in the EDM-treated groups by ~80% compared to that of the control. The expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased by ~70% in the EDM-treated groups compared to that of the control. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 significantly reduced in the neointimal layer of the EDM-treated groups. Moreover, the decreased levels of contractile phenotypic markers of VSMCs, such as α-smooth muscle actin, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, were successfully restored by EDM treatment. Furthermore, the levels of synthetic phenotypic markers, cellular retinal binding protein 1 and connexin 43 were also restored to normal levels. These results suggest that EDM inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rats via phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, EDM may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of restenosis.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.367-371
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• 2007

Artemisia capillaris THUNB is a perennial herb that belongs to the family Compositae spp and the most common plant among the various herbal folk remedies used in treatment of abdominal pain, hepatitis, chronic liver disease, jaundice and coughing in Korea. This experiment was conducted to investigate cytotoxic effects of Artemisia capillaris extracts on the Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180 cancer cells on in vitro experimental tests. On in vitro tests using MTT assay and SRB assay, the extracts showed prominent cytotoxic effects on the two kinds of cancer cell lines, respectively. Antihumor effects appeared in the concentration of over $250{\mu}g/mL$ of both ethanol and ethyl acetate extract, over $500{\mu}g/mL$ of methanol extract, over $5000{\mu}g/mL$ in water extract and over 50% cytotoxicity on the Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180. The results suggest that Artemisia capillaris extracts have prominent cyotoxic effects on the cancer cell lines Hepa-1c1c7 and Sarcoma 180.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

Purpose: Unrefined tablets prepared from Aconitum tubers are occasionally used in Korean folk medicine. This study defines the potential sources, clinical toxicology, and treatment of aconitine poisoning. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted in 63 patients in the ED of a tertiary University Hospital with suspected toxicity from an unrefined tablet prepared from Aconitum tubers from 1999 to 2007. Results: A total of 63 cases enrolled included 26 men and 37 women, aged 30 to 86 years. Forty-eight patients ingested aconitine tablets as digestives, 26 tablets on average. After a latent period of 30 to 450 minutes, patients developed a combination of neurologic (87.3%), gastrointestinal (82.5%), cardiopulmonary (41.3%), and other (28.6%) features typical of aconitine poisoning. Initial ECG abnormalities revealed dysrhythmia (61.9%), conduction disturbance (42.9%), and abnormal waveforms (39.7%), with 28.6% of patients having normal ECGs. All patients received supportive treatment or close observation regardless of ingestion amounts. Patients with hypotension or ventricular arrhythmia were treated with inotropic agents or amiodarone. Conclusion: Toxicologic signs and symptoms can occur after the consumption of aconitine tablets, regardless of ingestion amount. The risk occurs because of inadequately processed aconitine roots. This study will provide important data for public education and distribution regulations for Aconitum sp. in Korea.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.16-27
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• 2019

Generative and vegetative parts of the cactuses have had a long-lasting position in folk medicine and their effects could partly be confirmed in scientific experiments. Nowadays, the cactus, fruits, and cladodes are the focus of many studies because of their desirable properties. Therefore, the summarized reports of valuable properties of medicinal plants may be a good way to familiarize researches with a new source of drugs with lower side effects and higher efficacy. Opuntia dillenii, a well-known member of the Cactaceae family, is used as a medicinal plant in various countries and grows in the desert, semi-desert, tropical and sub-tropical areas. It shows diverse pharmacological activities such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypotensive etc. OD fruit also possesses valuable constitutes for instance: betalains, ascorbic acid, total phenol, protein as well as essential elements which suggest the significant potential of this plant as a complementary therapy against several pathological conditions. This review describes experimental evidence about pharmacological and therapeutic potential of OD in order to give the basis of its application in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. More studies on OD can help better understanding of its pharmacological mechanism of action to explain its traditional uses and to identify its potential new therapeutic applications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.141-150
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• 2024

Background: Stingless bee propolis is a popular traditional folk medicine and has been employed since ancient times. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive activities of the chemical constituents of aqueous propolis extract (APE) collected by Trigona thoracica in a nociceptive model in mice. Methods: The identification of chemical constituents of APE was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ninety-six male Swiss mice were administered APE (400 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg, and 2,000 mg/kg) before developing nociceptive pain models. Then, the antinociceptive properties of each APE dose were evaluated in acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, hot plate test, and formalin-induced paw licking test. Administration of normal saline, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100 mg/kg, orally), and morphine (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were used for the experiments. Results: HPLC revealed that the APE from Trigona thoracica contained p-coumaric acid (R² = 0.999) and caffeic acid (R² = 0.998). Although all APE dosages showed inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, only 2,000 mg/kg was comparable to the result of ASA (68.7% vs. 73.3%, respectively). In the hot plate test, only 2,000 mg/kg of APE increased the latency time significantly compared to the control. In the formalin test, the durations of paw licking were significantly reduced at early and late phases in all APE groups with a decrease from 45.1% to 53.3%. Conclusions: APE from Trigona thoracica, containing p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid, exhibited antinociceptive effects, which supports its potential use in targeting the prevention or reversal of central and peripheral sensitization that may produce clinical pain conditions.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.11-15
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• 1981

Antler, deer horn, occupies a particular place in oriental folk medicine as so called tonic remedy. In order to study on the effects of Antler water extract on stress resistance in mice, quantitative response was measured for the change of spontaneous activity by chemical stress drugs in the control group or the Antler water extract pretreated group. Spontaneous activity in mice was measured by counting the number of interruptions of light. The results of experiment were summerized as follows; I) In case of administrating Antler water extract 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg, 50mg/kg, and 100mg/kg, no significant change was observed in spontaneous activity in comparison with the control group. II) In case of administrating Antler water extract for 5 days or 10 days, no significant change was observed in spontaneous activity by chemical stress drugs, caffein and chloropromazine, in comparison with the control group.

• 생약학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.313-319
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• 2013

A Korean folk medicine, "DangYak (當藥)" has been used as a bitter stomachic in Korea. With regard to the botanical origin of this crude drug, it has been considered to be from Swertia species (Gentianaceae), but there was no pharmacognostical confirmation on it. In this study, the morphological and anatomical characteristics of three Swertia species growing in Korea, Swertia japonica Makino, S. pseudochinensis Hara and S. tetrapetala Pall. were compared to clarify the botanical origin of "DangYak". As a result, it was determined that the commercial "DangYak" from Korean traditional market was proved to be the whole plant body mixture of Swertia japonica and Swertia pseudochinensis.

• 약학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.138-144
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• 1976

In previous communications$^{1-6)}$, the results of the preliminary phytochemical examinatioins of 261 plant samples which have been used in medicine in Korea were reported. In continuation of this program we now present in Table I the results of chemical examination of another 92 species, belonging to 80 genera nad 48 families, which were screened for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids. The list of folk medicines described by Lee$^{7)}$ was used as a guide in the selection of plants to be tested.