• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2010

Lycii fructus is the fruit of Lycium chinense Miller and is part of the Solanaceae family. Lycii fructus produces various effects such as hypotensive, hypoglycemic, anti-pyretic, and anti-stress activities. Lycii fructus is known to contain betaine, carotene, nicotinic acid, zeaxanthin, and cerebroside. In the present study, the effects of Lycii fructus aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. In this study we utilized the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) mRNA and iNOS protein in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Also, Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in the nucleus. These results demonstrated that Lycii fructus aqueous extract causes an anti-inflammatory effect that was likely produced by the suppression of iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-$\hat{e}B$ binding activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2021

Objectives This study was conducted to confirm the possibility of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treatment through natural herbal medicines. Methods After screening a total of 77 herbal medicines through the paper disc agar diffusion method, we selected the herbal medicines that showed a effectiveness compared to the positive control vancomycin. Afterwards, drugs that showed inhibitory effects compared to C. difficile without inhibition of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus plantarum, known as beneficial bacteria, were selected and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was confirmed by applying the Broth microdilution method. Results The Coptidis Rhizoma, well known for its antimicrobial effect, was found to have antimicrobial effects on C. difficile, but also had inhibitory effects on the beneficial bacterium B. bifidum. 30% ethanol extraction Crataegi fructus, Corni fructus and Mume fructus had antimicrobial effects on C. difficile without inhibiting the beneficial bacteria B. bifidum and L. plantarum. The MIC values of 30% ethanol extraction Crataegi fructus, Corni fructus and Mume fructus were found to be 10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusions Crataegi fructus, Corni fructus and Mume fructus were identified as candidate medicines for C. difficile. Further researchs will need to be done in vivo, and to find an optimal extraction method accompanied by economic evaluation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2015

Objectives : In this study, we demonstrated the antioxidant activities and the inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage of ethyl acetate fractions extracted from Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus. Methods : Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus were extracted with methanol(MeOH) and divided to Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate(EtOAC) and Water fraction. The antioxidant activities were conducted by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) radical, 2, 2'-Azine-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid) diammonium salt(ABTS) radical scavenging assay, $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay and Reducing power assay. The inhibitory effect of DNA damage were characterized on ${\varphi}$ X-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. In addition, we analyzed the Total phenol contents and the Vitamin C contents of Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus. Results : The results of DPPH were 92.71% and 94.72%, ABTS were 87.16% and 62.44%, and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating were 95.81% and 85.11% at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus respectively. The Sophorae Flos showed stronger effect than Sophorae fructus in Reducing Power assay. Total phenol content was 111.77 mg/g and 122.54 mg/g, and Vitamin C content was 2.59 mg/g and 3.03 mg/g. Also both Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus have inhibitory antioxidant effect on ${\varphi}$ X-174 RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. Conclusions : Over all, this study suggests that Sophorae Flos and Sophorae fructus can be used as not only effective antioxidant but also natural medicine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2017

Objectives : Gardeniae Fructus is a ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, which has been used as traditional medicines for anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antipyretic, and antibacterial activity. The aim of this study was to compare of Gardeniae Fructus in South Korea collected during three years according to the standards in monographs of the Korean Pharmacopoeia Eleventh edition (KP11). Methods : 30 items of Gardeniae Fructus from two cultivation regions were classified into dried(n=15) & steamed (n=15) and tested according to the standards in monographs of the KP11. Gardeniae Fructus was carried out identification(comparison of colors, thin layer chromatography), heavy metals, residual pesticides, total ash, and assay registered at KP11. Add to we tested loss on dry, contents of ethanol-soluble extracts, and HPLC profiling. Results : In TLC chromatogram of identification test, the spot of gardenoside and geniposide were observed at $R_f$ value of about 0.3 and 0.5. Heavy metals and residual pesticides met the requirements of the standards for all samples. The results of total ash of each samples are measured maximum 4.87 %. According to HPLC for assay, the samples contain 4.80~6.10 % of geniposide and 0.45~1.83 % of gardenoside. Conclusion : We have verified the current specification standard of Gardeniae Fructus and standard that is not set. By the results, it is proposed a new draft of loss on drying and confirmed the content of gardenoside revised. HPLC standard chromatogram of Gardeniae Fructus is proposed. We hope that it will help the standardization of Gardeniae Fructus.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.472-477
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• 2011

The Forsythiae Fructus is an oriental medicine containing various lignans. In this study, the Forsythiae Fructus were extracted by hot water (Sample 1), hot water after bio-conversion using Lactobacillus strain (Sample 2-LP2, 2-LA, 2-LC, 2-LL, 2-BL and 2-LM) and 70% ethanol (Sample 3). Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were improved by bio-conversion process using Lactobacillus strain, compared to water extract. Especially, sample 2-LL and 2-LA which had shown the high total polyphenol and flavonoid content in antioxidant activity. Also, sample 2-LL and 2-LA showed higher melanin generation inhibitory activity as of 55%, 53% in maximum extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. In the anti-inflammation test of the Forsythiae Fructus extracts, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was inhibited. Specially, both 70% Forsythiae Fructus ethanol extract and sample 2-BL which have shown the relatively higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase (SOD) like activities. In conclusion, the Forsythiae Fructus extracts with bio-conversion process has effect of skin whitening and anti-inflammation activity than other extracts. It could be used as a valuable materials for functional cosmetics.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) extract on blood glucose and insulin resistance in db/db mice. Seven weeks old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC), diabetic control group (DC) and Corni Fructus treated diabetic group (DCF). Over an 8-week experimental period, Corni Fructus extract was administered orally at 500 mg/kg BW/day. Corni Fructus inhibited increase in blood glucose level during the OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test). At 8 weeks after beginning of the experiment, blood glucose level in the DCF group was significantly lower (p<0.01) than the DC group. Final fasting serum glucose and triglyceride in the DCF group were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the DC group by 32% and 41% respectively. Serum insulin did not differ among the NC, DC and DCF groups. The mRNA expression of adiponectin, GLUT 4 and PPAR-$\gamma$ in adipose tissue in the DC group were significantly lower than the NC group and they were higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 76%, 130% (p<0.05) and 43%, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that Corni Fructus would have antidiabetic effects via improving insulin resistance in favor of higher glucose utilization and reducing blood glucose level in db/db mice.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.478-485
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• 2012

The dying properties of fabrics with Chaenomelis Fructus extract were studied through an investigation of the characteristic of Chaenomelis Fructus colorants, the effect of dyeing conditions (dye temperature, dyeing concentration, and times on dye uptakes), effect of mordant, effect of UV irradiation, and color change in addition, antimicrobial ability and deodorant ability were estimated. In the UV-Visible spectrum, the wavelength of maximum absorption of Chaenomelis Fructus extract was 280 nm and showed that tannin is the major pigment component. From the increase of absorbance by UV irradiation, it was assumed that catechol tannin color was developed through UV irradiation. An increased dyeing concentration resulted in a larger dye uptake. Dye uptake increased as the dyeing time and temperature increased. Chaenomelis Fructus extract showed relatively good affinity to silk than cotton. Mordant, Fe and Cu were effective to increase the dye uptake of cotton fabric in addition, the dye uptake of silk fabric mordanted with Fe and K improved. UV irradiation let the color of dyed fabrics develop regardless of the UV irradiation stage however, UV irradiation on the dyed fabric was more effective than on the extract for the color development. Dyed silk fabric showed very good antimicrobial abilities of 99.9% in addition, deodorant ability improved in the fabric dyed with Chaenomelis Fructus extract.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1299-1304
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• 2003

This study is to determine the effect of Fructus Rubi to the phenylehrine (PE) induced contraction of isolated rat aorta. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducer under 1.5g loading tension. Contractions evoked by PE 0.1 μM and KCI 65.4 mM were decreased significantly by Fructus Rubi. L-NNA, ODQ, indomethacin and atropine significantly altered the effect of Fructus Rubi, but propranolol did not change the relaxation of Fructus Rubi. These results indicate that Fructus Rubi can relax EP and KCI induced contraction of isolated rat aorta and that this decreasing contraction related to epithelium, nitric oxide, and parasympathetics.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of Kugija-Injeulmi by varying the ingredient ratio of Lycii fructus powder (4, 6 and 8%). According to sensory evaluation of Kugija-Injeulmi, as the ratio of Lycii fructus powder was increased, the bitterness, hardness and chewiness all increased. It was found that Kugija-Injeulmi made of glutinous rice was moistened and softened with the addition of more Lycii fructus powder, but it was rougher than Kugija-Injeulmi made of glutinous rice flour. As a result of textural analysis of Kugija-Injeulmi, the hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess and chewiness increased as the amount of Lycii fructus powder increased, whereas the cohesiveness decreased. Kugija-Injeulmi made of glutinous rice was moister than Kugija-Injeulmi made of glutinous rice flour. The overall-acceptability was negatively correlated with coarseness. The overall-acceptability of Kugija-Injeulmi made of glutinous rice was much higher than that made of glutinous rice flour. From the above results, the most advisable mixture ratio of Kugija-Injeulmi is as follows Kugija-Injeulmi add 282g (94%) glutinous rice flour, Lycii fructus powder 18g (6%) and salt 3g. The moisture content was 42.22%.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.371-376
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• 2008

In this study, we have investigated the hypo-pigmentary mechanism of methanol extract of Forsythiae Fructus in human melanocyte cell line, HM3KO. Treatment of HM3KO cells with Forsythiae Fructus extract markedly inhibited melanin biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased melanin contents occurred through the decrease of tyrosinase protein and activity. The mRNA levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) were also reduced by Forsythiae Fructus extract. Moreover, the level of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) was significantly decreased by treatment of Forsythiae Fructus extract. These results suggest that Forsythiae Fructus reduces melanin synthesis by down regulation of tyrosinase mRNA transcription, and this is closely related to the cAMP-dependent pathway.