• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1475-1481
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• 2008

This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Mori Fructus on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}O_2{^-}$) in the endothelial cells of rat vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activitives of Mori Fructus. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS antibodies, respectively. Mori Fructus prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell death in YPEN cells. Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$ in the LPS-treated cells. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of COX-2 and iNOS genes by means of decreasing the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. These results suggest Mori Fructus is effective on inhibiting the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}O_2{^-}$, and that therefore it might have a potential role as a treatment for the inflammatory process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.51-62
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• 2009

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus extact(RLF-HA) at KI10(Umgok) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized( OVX) ddy mice. We carried out several experimental items to analyze the changes in body weight, uterine weight, uterus index, tibial length, the ash bone weight, tibial BMD, serum ALP, serum osteocalcin, serum Ca, and the levels of Ca, P, Ca/P ratio in tibia, and we performed histological and histomorphological analysis as well. Results : 1. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) and saline injection at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the reduction of tibial calcium level in ovariectomized mice. 2. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the increase of tibial osteoclast cells in ovariectomized mice. 3. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the reduction of tibial trabecular bone thickness(TBT) in ovariectomized mice. 4. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibial growth plate length(GPL) in ovariectomized mice. Conclusion : These results suggested that herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) has a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis, and to be put to practical use in the future osteoporosis clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.146-160
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• 2008

Objectives: The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of Fructus Liquidambaris on suppression of eosinophil activity and on suppression of chemokines such as eotaxin, IL-8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, in vitro. Methods: A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-$\alpha$ (100 ng/ml), IL-4 (100 ng/ml) or IL-$1{\beta}$(10 ng/ml) to induce chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in eosinophil chemotaxis. Then after treatment of Fructus Liquidambaris, inhibition effect assay such as ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and chemotaxis assay was performed. Results: Eotaxin level was suppressed in both protein secretion and mRNA expression. Eosinophil recruitment to lung epithelial cells was also reduced by Fructus Liquidambaris, implying the role of eotaxin in eosinophil recruitment. In addition, expression of IL-8 was also suppressed by Fructus Liquidambaris (p<0.05). However, expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) related to eosinophil was not affected. The eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentration of Fructus Liquidambaris (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that Fructus Liquidambaris may regulate a common signaling pathway of eotaxin and IL-8. FS might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.124-138
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effects of the interior warming herbs on vaginal microbes. Methods: Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were used for vaginitis-induced microbes. Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli HB101 were used for normal vaginal florae. And herbs for warming the interior (Zingiberis Rhizoma, Alpiniae Officinari Rhizoma, Aconiti Tuber, Anethi Fructus, Evodiae Fructus, Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus, Caryophylli Flos, Aconiti Tube, Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, Piperis Longi Fructus, Piperis Nigri Fructus) were used in this study. Antimicrobial activities were tested by the change of optical densities (OD) and colony test in vitro. Results: In the results of vaginitis-induced microbes, Anethi Fructus was decreased the OD values on MRSA and Gardnerella vaginalis and Aconiti Tuber was decreased on MRSA. There were no viable MRSA and Gardnerella vaginalis colony forming against Evodiae Fructus, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA colony forming against Piperis Longi Fructus, Staphylococcus aureus colony forming against Piperis Nigri Fructus and MRSA colony forming against Zanthoxyli Pericarpium. In the results of normal vaginal florae, Zingiberis Rhizoma was decreased the OD values on Streptococcus spp. and all normal vaginal florae were showed viable colony forming against all experimental herbs. Conclusion: According to these results, we can suggest that some kinds of interior warming herbs have antimicrobial effects on vaginal microbes. So there might be needed to make furthermore studies to seek the herbs which have selective antimicrobial effect on pathologic vaginal microbes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

This study investigated the antioxidative action of Corni Fructus aqueous extract on kidneys of diabetic mice. The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract and its antioxidant activities (XO, SOD, CAT, GST, eNOS) in kidneys of C57BL/6 or db/db mice were evaluated. For in vivo study, seven week-old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC, C57BL/6 mice), diabetic control group (DC, db/db mice) and Corni Fructus (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) treated diabetic group (DCF, db/db mice). The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract exhibited 7%, 24.4%, and 42.7% at concentrations of 100, 500, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The activity of XO in the DCF group was significantly lower than the DC group by 35% (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT and GST were lowered in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05) and 7.6%, respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS in kidneys was lower in the DCF group than the DC group by 24%. These results indicate that Corni Fructus reduced oxidation stress as evidenced by the restoration of the enzymatic antioxidative defense system in renal tissues of db/db mice. It is suggested that these antioxidative actions of Corni Fructus on renal tissues in db/db mice could contribute to its renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Lycii fructus extract on the serum lipids in hyperlipemia rats. The rats were divided five groups including negative control, positive control and treated L. fructus extract at dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg. To induce the hyperlipemia, 4 groups of rats, not including the negative control group, were fed experimental diets consisting of cholesterol, lard, corn oil, and normal diet for experiment period. As a result, the L. fructus extract decreased total cholesterol(T. Cho), trigryceride(TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and free fatty acid(FFA) significantly compared with positive control. However, no significant difference was found in high density lipoprotein(HDL-C) and phospholipid(PPL) level. Otherwise, in serum lipid level including, T-Cho, TG, LDL-C, FFA and PPL was decreased dose dependently by treatment of L. fructus extract. But HDL-C was increased by L. fructus extract too. Thereby having beneficial effect on hyperlipermia by influencing the serum lipid change, it is expected that Lycii fructus extract can suppress arteriosclerosis and obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2015

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cannabis Fructus on exercise capacity and cognitive function in chronic hypoperfusion induced vascular dementia rat model. Methods Vascular dementia rat models were induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO). All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group; control group; CF I group (feeding Cannabis Fructus 100 mg/kg); CF II group (feeding Cannabis Fructus 300 mg/kg). In order to study the effects of oral administration of Cannabis Fructus on vascular dementia rat models, corner turn test, hole board test, radial arm maze test, passive avoidance test were taken and Acetylcholine (ACh) activity, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, serum of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level were measured. Also histological findings of the liver, kidney, brain and the change of Tau immunoreactive neurons in hippocampus were observed. Results CF I and CF II showed significant improvement in corner turn test, hole board test, radial arm maze test, passive avoidance test, Acetylcholine (ACh) activity, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, the serum of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level and the change of Tau immunoreactive neurons in hippocampus. CF I showed more significant effect than CF II in these tests. However in histological observations of the liver and kidney both CF I and CF II showed glomerular injury and hepatotoxicity. Conclusions These results suggest that Cannabis Fructus was helpful in improving exercise capacity and cognitive function on Chronic hypoperfusion induced Vascular Dementia rats. However Cannabis Fructus affects the liver and kidney, therefore suggest that this is an area for further study.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.369-374
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effects of tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition and nitrite-scavenging effects of gamma-irradiated Schizandrae Fructus extracts from different solvents. Schizandrae Fructus was extracted by hot water, ethanol, acetone and methanol, and the extracts were irradiated 10, 20 and 30 kGy with gamma rays. All extracts from Schizandrae Fructus showed inhibition effect against tyrosinase. Tyrosinase inhibition effect of Schizandrae Fructus were higher in solvent extracts than hot water extracts by irradiation. The Schizandrae Fructus extracts had a higher inhibitory effect against xanthine oxidase, and the effect was not changed by irradiation. Nitrite scavenging activity, which was measured at various pH conditions (1.2, 3.0, 6.0), was the highest in Schizandrae Fructus extracts at pH 1.2 and 3.0. Hot water extracts provided higher nitrite scavenging effect than those of the methanol, ethanol and acetone extracts. Gamma-Irradiation may not influence on biological activites of the extracts when irradiated up to 30 kGy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.95-100
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate antiaging and antioxidant effects on cultured human skin fibroblast with supercritical fluid extracts of Dendropanax morbifera, Corni fructus and Lycii Fructus. Methods : Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique was applied to extract from three medicinal plants including stem of Dendropanax morbifera, Corni fructus and Lycii Fructus. Antioxidant activity of extract was evaluated by two different assays as 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and super oxide dismutase (SOD) like activities. These extracts were tested for cell viability on HS68 skin fibroblast by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. We investigated the effects of Ultraviolet-B irradiation on cytotoxicity, type 1 collagen, elastin level and oxidative damage in cultured human skin fibroblast (HS68). Recently, many studies have reported that elastin is also involved in inhibiting or repairing wrinkle formation, although collagen is a major factor in the skin wrinkle formation. Results : The extracts obtained dose-dependently increased the scavenging activity on DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD like activity. The supercritical fluid extracts of complex herbal medicine showed low cytotoxicity as more than 100% cell viability in 100ppm/ml concentration. HS68 fibroblasts were survived 70% at $120mJ/cm^2$ UVB irradiation and treated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The levels of aging factors and cytotoxicity were decreased by supercritical fluid extract of complex herbal medicine. Conclusions : These results suggest that supercritical fluid extracts may have value as the potential antioxidant and antiaging medicinal plant.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.95-100
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• 2018

Objectives : Ligustri Fructus has been used since ancient times as a medicinal usages in folk medicines against antitumor purpose. Many biological active constituents have been identified from this biomass such as several terpenoids and lignans. In current study, the properties of antioxidant and anti-diabetic complications using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)($ABTS^+$) radicals scavenging, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibition assays were evaluated by different extraction methods of Ligustri Fructus. Methods : In present continuing research for development of bioactive natural ingredients, antioxidant and AGEs formation inhibitory capacities of Ligustri Fructus extracts using different organic solvents were prepared and the biological potentials were investigated using in vitro bioassays. Antioxidant properties were evaluated employing radical scavenging assays using DPPH and $ABTS^+$ radicals. In addition, the anti-diabetic complications effects of Ligustri Fructus extracts were tested via AGEs formation inhibitory assay. The total phenolic contents were determined using a spectrophotometric method. Results : All the tested extracts exhibited dose-dependent radical scavenging and AGEs formation inhibitory activities. Among the tested samples, hot water extract of Ligustri Fructus was showed the most potent activity with $IC_{50}$ value of $494.8{\pm}6.7{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against DPPH radical scavenging assay. Also, $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity of hot water extract was higher than those of other extracts. In addition, AGEs formation inhibitory effects of each extacts and total phenolic contents were evaluated. Conclusions : These results suggested that Ligustri Fructus can be considered as a new effective source of natural antioxidant and anti-diabetic complications resources.