• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.11
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• pp.41-51
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• 2008

Dietary supplements are used by more than one-half of the adult US population. By contrast, herbal products in Germany are carefully regulated by the same standards as drugs, and efforts are under way to standardize their regulation in the entire European Union. Most herbal users do not inform their physicians that they are taking these supplements, and most physicians do not inquire. Although some herbal products have clinically proven benefits, it is increasingly apparent that many contain potentially toxic substances, particularly in relation to interactions with drugs. Hence, it is essential that practicing physicians develop a working knowledge of herbals-specifically, about claims for their usage and potential or proven efficacies and toxicities-and that they incorporate such knowledge into the evaluation and management of their patients. By contrast, functional foods-integral components of the diet that are understood to contribute added health benefits-are the subject of intense and widespread research in food and nutritional science. Examples include many polyphenolic substances, carotenoids, soy isoflavones, fish oils, and components of nuts that possess antioxidant and other properties that decrease the risk of vascular diseases and cancer. Practicing physicians are advised to stay abreast of these emerging findings in order to best advise their patients on the value of health-promoting diets in disease prevention.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.604-608
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• 2010

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) mediates proinflammatory responses in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and it upregulates the expression of secretory group IIA phospholipase $A_2$ ($sPLA_2$-IIA). $sPLA_2$-IIA plays a pivotal role in inflammation, and antithrombin (AT) possesses properties that are beneficial to endothelial cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT on the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated HUVECs. TNF-$\alpha$ potently upregulated the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA, and prior treatment of cells with AT inhibited the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in HUVECs. Also, antibodies or siRNA for syndecan-4 blocked the protective effect of AT. Furthermore, PI3-kinase and the AKT pathway are significantly involved in the AT-mediated inhibition of the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA. These results show that AT effectively suppresses the upregulated $sPLA_2$-IIA expression, which might contribute to the cytoprotective effects of AT in the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.294-302
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• 2016

Background: Crop rotation plays an important role in improving soil chemical properties, minimizing the presence of disease pathogens, and assists in neutralizing autotoxic effects associated with allelochemicals. Methods and Results: Five rotation crops of sudan grass, soybean, peanut, sweet potato, and perilla were cultivated for one year with an aim to reduce yield losses caused by repeated cropping of ginseng. In 2-year-old ginseng grown in the same soil as a previous ginseng crop, stem length and leaf area were reduced by 30%, and root weight per plant was reduced by 56%. Crop rotation resulted in a significant decrease in electrical conductivity, $NO_3$, and $P_2O_5$ content of the soil, whereas organic matter, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn content remained-unchanged. Soil K content was increased following crop rotation with sudan grass and peanut only. Rotation with all alternate crops increased subsequent ginseng aerial plant biomass, whereas root weight per plant significantly increased following crop rotation with perilla only. A significant positive correlation was observed between root rot ration and soil K content, and a significant negative correlation was observed between ginseng root yield and the abundance of actinomycetes. Crop rotation affected the soil microbial community by increasing gram negative microbes, the ratio of aerobic microbes, and total microbial biomass whereas decreases were observed in actinomycetes and the ration of saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: In soil exhibiting crop failure following replanting, crop rotation for one year promoted both soil microbial activity and subsequent ginseng aerial plant biomass, but did not ameliorate the occurrence of root rot disease.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2012

To develop the practical cultivation for paddy field, we investigated the properties of paddy soil, growth characteristics and ginsenoside content of 6-year-old ginseng, Cheonpung variety between poor drainage class (PDC) and imperfect drainage class (IDC). Groundwater level in PDC showed monthly small changes of 20~30 cm, while IDC showed monthly great changes of 28~71 cm depending on rainfall. Soil moisture content in PDC and IDC was 17.2%, 22.5%, respectively. Air temperature in IDC was lower than $0.3^{\circ}C$, while soil temperature was higher than $0.8^{\circ}C$ compare to PDC, respectively. Main soil color of PDC was grayish olive, while IDC was brownish olive. PDC showed yellowish mottles only at underground of 20~40 cm, while IDC showed that at underground of 30~90 cm. IDC showed lower pH, EC, potassium, calcium and magnesium content, but higher organic matter, phosphate, and iron content than that of PDC, respectively. All of EC, organic matter, potassium, calcium, and magnesium content were decreased, but iron content was increased at the subsoil layers of PDC. All of EC, organic matter, phosphorus, and potassium content were decreased, but calcium and magnesium content were increased at the subsoil layers of IDC. Root yield in IDC was more increased by 33% than that of PDC. The moisture content and rusty ratio of ginseng root in IDC were lower than that of PDC. Ginsenoside content in IDC was higher than that of PDC because the ratio of lateral and fine root showing relatively high content of ginsenoside was higher in IDC than that of PDC.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.10
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• 2013

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in single herb or formula prescription has been used for thousands of years. Many of them possess antioxidant activity and the activity may contribute the therapeutic effect. This paper would review the relationship of traditional herbal medicine and antioxidant with particular reference to ginseng. This medicinal herb has been used worldwide with extensive tonic effect. The comet assay, a technique for DNA protecting and damaging investigation would be introduced and the application of comet assay on TCM would be discussed.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.421-422
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• 2008

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.342-348
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• 2019

Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng; Korean ginseng) is well known for its medicinal properties. It can alleviate pathological symptoms, promote health, and prevent potential diseases via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, homeostatic, and other positive effects on biological metabolism. Although many studies have determined effects of P. ginseng on various diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurological, and immunological diseases, little is known about the effect of P. ginseng on autoimmune diseases. Here, we review a few reports about effects of P. ginseng on autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis) and suggest the possibility of P. ginseng as a candidate herbal medicine to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases as well as the need to study it.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2006

Objectives : Radix Bupleuri is from the dried root of the herb of the Perennial herbaceous plant, Bulpleurum falcatum L. or Bulpleurum chinense DC. or Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd., family Umbelliferae. Medicinal Properties are bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributed to the liver and gallbladder meridians. Actions in modern Materia Medica are regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking. The ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy, out of three efficacies (regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking), has been disputed in the medical profession for a long period. Hereupon, this study ascertained the reason why it has been disputed. Methods : With respect to this medicinal herb, the efficacies of regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking were described as to what was written in ‘Shen Nong's Herbal’ from Chin and Han dynasties until Jin and Yuan dynasties. Results : The beginning of Jin and Yuan dynasties, it began to deal with the ‘uplift yang-qi to raise sinking’ efficacy and so it has been carried on modern textbooks and medical books. The reason why it was added is that it was influenced by the theory of ‘Raise Sinking’ advocated by Zhang jieku who lived in the period of Jin and Yuan dynasties. Since then, the properties of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ have been wrongly known to the public. Additionally, ‘Radix Stellariae Seu Gypsophilae’, which was begun to be introduced from the Four Cities since the Five Dynasties, has been combined with the best stuffs of ‘Radix Bupleuri’ produced from Yin Zhou. Consequently, its original properties were remarkably disordered. Likewise, respective medical schools’ theories were changed by the influence of ‘Bulpleurum. scorzonerifolium Willd’ begun to be used since Tang dynasty. Conclusion : it is considered that the current ‘Raise Sinking’ efficacy of Radix Bupleuri is unreasonable to be applied to the efficacy of the whole Radix Bupleuri because it is limited to certain species.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.233-237
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• 2009

Astragalus membranaceus has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese herbal medicine. It has been shown to have immunostimulant, tonic, antioxidant, antiperspirant, diuretic, anti-diabetic, expectorant properties, and a supplementary medicine during cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the effect of anti-oxidation of Astragalus membranaceus root extract. The anti-oxidative activities of water, 80% methanol, and 100% methanol extracts from Astragalus membranaceus were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Superoxide dismutase-like activity, reducing power, and crude ash. The water extract demonstrated to be more effective than methanol extract for a DPPH radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. Superoxide dismutase-like activity showed higher efficiency in 80% methanol extract. Our results indicate that Astragalus membranaceus extracts could be used as a source of antioxidant ingredients in the food industry.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2013

Objectives : "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)" is a medical book of the Joseon Dynasty compiled by Heo Jun and was first published in 1613. It recorded a great deal of prescriptions which contained pork and gave detailed explanations of parts of pork's natural properties and effects. Pork is widely used as a food ingredient in the world but the traditional medicine community has a contraindication of pork and traditional herbal medicines taken together. The aim of this study was to find the supports to develop pork functional foods for the treatment of diseases in "Donguibogam". Methods : Therefore we investigated the documents recorded in "Donguibogam" about usefulness of pork which were used for not only a food ingredient but also a medicine. Results : "Donguibogam" introduced 25 parts of pork including liver, kidney, stomach, bladder, heart etc, and a variety of taking ways i.e. common usages which are internal, external, common use, and aid use which cure a variety of diseases not a simple food but a therapies food. Conclusions : We confirmed that pork has been used to treat many diseases, so we propose to develop pork functional foods available for prevention and cure of certain diseases.