• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.605-614
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• 2018

Bee pollen has an outer wall which is resistant to both acidic and basic solutions and even the digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the oral bioavailability of bee pollen is only 10-15%. A previous study reported on wet-grinding technology which increased the extraction of active ingredients from bee pollen by 11 times. This study was designed to investigate the safety of wet-ground bee pollen. First, a single dose of wet-ground bee pollen was tested in both rats and beagle dogs at dosages of 5, 10, and 20 g/kg and 1.5, 3, and 6 g/kg, respectively. In rats, compound-colored stools were found in those administered 10 g/kg or more of wet-ground bee pollen. In beagle dogs, 6 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen induced diarrhea in one male for four hours. However, no obvious clinical signs were found through the end of the experiment in rats and beagle dogs. In addition, no histological abnormality was found in all animals. The data indicates that a single dose of up to 20 g/kg of wet-ground bee pollen is safe. Next, the genetic toxicity of nano-sized bee pollen was tested. This study employed a bacterial reverse mutation test, a micronucleus assay, and a chromosomal aberration assay. In the micronucleus assay, there was no genetic toxicity up to the dosage of 2 g/kg. There was also no genetic toxicity in the bacterial reverse mutation test and chromosomal aberration assay. This data provides important information in developing nano-sized bee pollen into more advanced functional foods and herbal medicines.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.42-62
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• 2003

Subjects : We tried to analysis dermatosurgical prescriptions including 477 WonBang(元方) prescriptions for SangJungHaTong(上中下統) introduced by HwangDoYeon(黃道淵). Methods : Prescriptions in BangYakHapPyun(方藥合編) is generally categorized into SangTong(上統), JungTong(中統), HaTong(下統) which are called PoJe(補劑), HwaJe(和劑), KongJe(功劑) respectively. This study classified and analyzed major diseases and symptoms appeared in dermatosurgical prescription and composition of medicine, as well as in BangYakHapPyun(方藥合編). Results and conclusions : The results of examining dermatosurgical prescriptions in WonBang(元方) of SangJungHaTong(上中下統) in BangYakHapPyun(方藥合編) are as follows; 1. The proportion of dematosurgical prescriptions was SangTong(上統) $\frac{10}{126}$(7.9$\%$). JungTong(中統) $\frac{22}{181}$(12.1$\%$), and HaTong(下統) $\frac{16}{163}$(9.8$\%$), which means that JungTong(中統)(HwaJe 和劑) takes up relatively the largest portion. 2. As for SangTong(上統), upper level herbs used in medicine are Glycyrrhiza uralensis(甘草), Paeonia japonica(白芍藥), Angelica gigas(當歸). Astragalus membranaceus(황기). Ginseng(人蔘), Poria cocos(복령), Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma(白朮). Cinnamon(肉桂), Rehmaniniae radix preparat(熱地黃). And these herbs are the components of Sipjundaebo-tang(十全大補湯), one of the most well-known medicine for weak energy and blood(補氣血). 3. As for JungTong(中統), in addition to medicine for weak energy and blood. Ledebouriella seseloides(防風) that removes ill elements on skin surface and Pung(風) called "wind". Limonium tetragonum(桔梗) that eliminates discharges and sputum, Angelica dahurica(白芷) that removes discharge and suppress tumor are applied. Other herbs are Ostericum koreanum(羌活). Skullcap(황령),Schizonepeta tenuifolia(荊芥), Aurantii fructus(地殼), Cimicifuga heracleifolia(升麻), Bupleurum falcatum(柴胡), Lonicerae flos(金銀花). These herbs are more effective for wind-calming treatment. cooling down fever, clearing skin irritation, detoxication. removal of tumor and discharge than replenishing energy and blood. 4. As for HaTong(下統), Angelica gigas(當歸) and Ledebouriella seseloides(防風), the two major herbs for SangTong(上統) and JungTong(中統), are mostly used. In addition, Skullcap(黃芩), Gardenia jasminoides(梔子), Eisenia bicyclis(大黃) are other major components and their key efficacy is to lower fever and KongHa(功下). 5. Herbs applied for SangTong(上統), JungTong(中統), and HaTong(下統) in large quantity are Glycyrrhiza uralensis(甘草) that harmoniously combine different herbal elements and Poria cocos(복령) that discharges humidity and watery elements out of body, removes humid and hot elements, and strengthen gastrointestinal system. Based on this, it is inferred that prescriptions for this study focus largely on treatment of humid and hot elements. In the composition of this prescription, Angelica gigas(當歸), Paeonia japonica(白芍藥), and Cnidium officinale(川芎) are taking up relatively large proportion, which are basic herbs for Samul-tang(四物湯). Therefore, it is incurred here that the concept of "replenishing blood" bears importance in dermatosurgical treatment. 6. As for herb medicines used for more than two types of prescriptions of SangTong(上統), JungTong(中統), and HaTong(下統), most of them are simultaneously used for SangTong(上統) and JungTong(中統), or for JungTong(中統), and HaTong(下統) except for Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma(白朮) and Gleditsia sinensis(조각자). This finding implies that prescription or treatment that are simultaneously applied are replenishing and harmonizing, or harmonizing and attacking while replenishing and attacking never go together.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2021

It has been reported that emodin, a major pharmacologically active ingredient of herbal medicines such as Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Rheum palmatum, and Aloe vera, is effective in antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and liver protection. In this study, to investigate the potential of emodin to be used as a skin disease and functional material, the activity related to the improvement of inflammation and skin barrier function was confirmed. To observe the anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, which are human keratinocytes, cytokine inhibition was confirmed by ELISA kit and protein expression by western blot. In HaCaT cells activated with TNF-α (10 ng/mL)/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL), emodin was treated with each concentration (5, 10, 20, 40) µM. As a result, It was confirmed that the production amount of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 decreased as the concentration of emodin increased. In the experimental results on the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins iNOS and COX-2, it was confirmed that 48% of iNOS and 29% of COX-2 were inhibited compared to control at a concentration of 20 µM of emodin. As an indicator of skin barrier function improvement, the mRNA expression level of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn and the production amount of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn were confirmed. and excellent results were obtained with an emodin concentration-dependent increase. In particular, filaggrin, which was produced twice as much as the control at a concentration of 20 µM, is a protein involved in the formation of NMF, a natural moisturizing factor, and is known to play an important role in moisturizing the stratum corneum. In conclusion, it was confirmed that emodin can be used as a material for improving inflammation and improving skin barrier function, which is part of the potential for use as a skin disease and functional material. It is believed that if additional research is performed in the future, the scope of its application can be further expanded.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2019

Herbal medicines are widely used as therapeutic products in many countries. Corni fructus (CF), the dried ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae), has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine and has been reported to be effective for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as kidney diseases and diabetes. Recent research on CF has documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, there is no information on its safety. Therefore, in this study, the toxicity of water extract of CF to ICR mice was investigated. The mice received a single dose of water extract of CF (1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 mg/kg of body weight) via the oral route. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings, and weights of the principal organs after 14 d were then assessed. The results revealed no adverse effects of CF as determined by clinical signs, body weights, or organ weights and no gross pathological findings in any of the treatment groups. These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximated lethal dose of CF extract is over 5,000 mg/kg. The findings provide scientific evidence for the safety of CFs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1273-1280
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• 2019

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly population, and damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells due to oxidative stress contributes to the development of AMD. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer is one of the most widely used herbal medicines for the treatment of various diseases in Asian countries. Although recent studies indicated that treatment with G. uralensis can protect cells from oxidative stress, its mechanisms in RPE cells remain unknown. We evaluated the effect of a G. uralensis ethanol extract (GU) on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury in ARPE-19 RPE cells. The GU pretreatment attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by $H_2O_2$, which was associated with induced expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived-2-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). GU also suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The inhibitory effect of GU on $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis was associated with the protection of caspase-3 activation. Overall, GU appeared to protect RPE cells from oxidative injury by inhibiting DNA damage and reducing apoptosis. Further studies are needed to determine the regulation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression, but our results suggest the possibility of using GU to reduce the risk of AMD.