• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2009

Objectives : To access the safety and efficacy of Black Ginseng (BG), a traditional herbal medicine on hypertension, we examined various parameters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods : We made deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA;25 mg/kg/3times/weeks for 3 weeks)-induced hypertension Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. And experiment group was treated with extract of black ginseng (BG;200 mg/kg/day). Results : In results, the weight of experiment group treated with BG was increased compared with normal and control group. And the heart and lung weights of experiment group were decreased compared with control group. The blood pressure and pulse rate of group treated with BG were significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, BG greatly reduced the levels of aldosterone. These results suggested that BG has suppressive effects on hypertension, and BG has potential as a safe and effective therapeutics for hypertension. Conclusions : The present data show evidences on anti-hypertension activity of BG in an experimental animal system, which can provide further insights into the development of anti-hypertension therapeutic agents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2010

Objectives：For the purpose of developing Korean herbalogy of the plants belonging to Crassulaceae in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods：The examined herbalogical books and research papers which published at home and abroad. Results： 1. There were totaled to 6 genera and 39 species in Crassulaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 5 genera, 14 species, some 36% in total. 2. Sedum genus is main kind enough that it has 20 species among 39 species in the Crassulaceae, of which medicinal plants are 9 species. 3. The herb is the main medicinal parts of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae which is used in 14 species. 4. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into neutral 12 species; sour taste 14 in the order. 5. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into liver meridian 13 species. 6. According to the properties and principal curative action in the Crassulaceae, they were classified into drugs for detoxicant 19 species, drugs for styptic 18, drugs for detumescence 14 in the order. 7. The number of toxic species in the Crassulaceae was examined to be 3 species. Conclusions：There were totaled to 6 genera and 39 species in Crassulaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 5 genera, 14 species, some 36% in total.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.103-112
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• 2004

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Naegwan-acupuncture stimulation on the relationship of change in electrocardiopgraphy(ECG). Methods : For this purpose, 11 healthy volunteers were acupunctured at Naegwan acupoint using the reinforcing or reducing by inserting the needle in the same direction as the channel runs or in the opposite direction(迎隨補瀉). Then, we measured and observed the change of standard leads Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ in ECG. Results : In lead Ⅰ, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of PR interval and PR segment compared to the control group. In lead Ⅱ, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of PR interval. In lead Ⅲ, Naegwan acupuncture treated groups were increased the activity of R wave duration, S wave amplitude, ST segment onset, ST segment midpoint, ST segment 80ms and ST segment endpoint. Conclusions : These results suggested that Naegwan acupuncture stimulation plays an important role to the activities of ECG.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.141-150
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to elucidate the antioxidant effect of solvent fractions of Angelica gigas root. Methods: The ethanol extract of Angelica gigas root was suspended in water and then partitioned with dichloromethane (MC Fr.), ethyl acetate (EA Fr.) and butanol (BuOH Fr.), sequentially. The antioxidant activities of solvent fractions of Angelica gigas root were evaluated for radical scavenging activity against stable free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radicals. In addition the antioxidant activities of solvent fractions of Angelica gigas root against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrites were determined by the total oxy-radical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay. Results: Among the solvent fractions of MC Fr., EA Fr., and BuOH Fr., BuOH Fr. was found to have stronger antioxidant activity with $IC_{50}$ values of 59.72, 14.36, 30.96 and $44.75\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ on the DPPH radical, nitrite, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, respectively, than BHA used as a positive control. Moreover, specific TOSC values(564.8, 276.4 and 405.5 TOSC/mM) of BuOH fr. against peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite were 4 times higher than GSH (136.5, 67.4 102.6 TOSC/mM) used as a positive control. Conclusions: These results suggest that the BuOH fr. of Angelica gigas root has a high antioxidant activity and can be useful to develop functional food against oxidative stress conditions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.924-934
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• 2010

Yaksung-ga is a short Chinese poem, written for easy memorizing of properties and effects of various herbal drugs. It is very useful for teaching herbalogy and for using in clinical practice. In spite of its importance, research of the Yaksung-ga is very insufficient. Thus, we investigated literary works of Tingxian Gong and Korean medical books in the late Chosun dynasty, to explain how Yaksung-ga had been received and modified in Korean medicine. Manbinghuichun(萬病回春) and Shoushibaoyuan(壽世保元), the literatures of Tingxian Gong, are the origin of Yaksung-ga. Jejungshinpyun(濟衆新編) is the first book which recorded Yaksung-ga in Korea, having influenced Juchonshinbang(舟村新方) and Euijongsonik(醫宗損益). The classification system of Yaksung-ga was remarkably changed in Euijongsonik, according to the method of Bencaogangmu(本草綱目). And the Yaksung-ga of Bangyakhappyun(方藥合編), which is generally used in Korea at present, was shortened from the form of 8 Chinese characters in each line to 7 characters, so that it can be easily recited. In the end, the authors of Korean medical books selectively cited the Yaksung-ga of Tingxian Gong, and added many novel Yaksung-ga.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the influence of black ginseng radix extracts (BG) and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induced proliferation, migration and capillary tubule-like formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods : HUVECs were cultured with BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 at different concentrations (60, 125, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/m\ell$) for 2 day In the presence of bFGF, respectively. XTT was used to detect the proliferation. Migration and tube formations were examined to detect the antiangiogenesis. Also, the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was performed to detect the antiangiogenesis. Results : BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 significantly inhibited bFGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Tube formation in bFGF-induced HUVECs were suppressed by BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5. Moreover, BG and ginsenoside Rg3, Rg5 (30-$50{\mu}g$/egg) inhibited new blood vessel formation on the growing CAM. Conclusions:Based on the present results, it can be suggested that BG has a potential chemopreventive agent via antiangiogenesis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Objectives : For the purpose of developing Korean herbalogy of the plants belonging to Pteridaceae in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods : The examined herbalogical books and research papers which published at home and abroad. Results : 1: There are totaled to 12 genera and 33 species in Pteridaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 10 genera, 19 species, some 58% in total. 2: Adiantum genus is main kind enough that it has 5 species among 33 species in Pteridaceae, of which medicinal plants are 4 species. 3: The herb is the main medicinal parts if medicinal plants in the Pteridaceae, which is used in 18 species. 4: According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Pteridaceae, they were classified into cold 15 species, and cool 11; bitter taste 12, little bitter taste 11 and sweet taste 5 in the order. 5: According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Pteridaceae, they were classified into liver meridian 15 species, lung and large intestine meridian 8 species, heart meridian 6 species. 6: According to the properties and principal curative action, they were classified into drugs for clearing away heat 24 species, drugs for detoxification 22 species, drugs for promoting diuresis 12 species in the order. 7: The number of toxic species in the Pteridaceae was examined to be 2 species. Conclusions : There are totaled to 12 genera and 33 species in Pteridaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 10 genera, 19 species, some 58% in total.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2002

A high molecular ar weight water-soluble chitosan (WSC) with an average molecular weight of 300 kD and a deacethylation level of over 90% was produced using a simple multi-step-membrane separation process. It is known that WSC prevents obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Consequently, this study investigated whether or not WSC improved the ovarian dysfunction caused by obesity in mice. The mice were fed a high density protein and lipid diet for weeks, followed by the administration of WSC at 480 mg/kg body weight per day for 4 days. Thereafter, the changes in body weight, ovulation rate, in vivo and in vitro fertilization and emboryonic development were measured . WSC markedly reduced the body weight of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet, but not in mice fed with a normal diet. WSC had siginificant effects on the ovulation rate, both the in vivo and in vitro fertilization rates and embryonic development. These results indicate an improvement in the ovarian and oviduct dysfunction caused by obesity, and suggest an adjustment in the internal secretions and metabolic functions.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.144-150
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• 2001

The cytotoxic activity of Cratalariae sessiliflorae on cultured NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human oral epithelioid carcinoma cells (KB) were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) colorimetric method These fractions of methanol extract of Cratalariae sessiliflorae showed inhibitory effect in vitro in the milligram range against KB cell lines. In general, the antitumor activities of these fractions were does-dependent over the milligram range. The comparison of IC50 values of these fractions in tumor cell lines showed that their susceptibility to these fractions decrease in the following order: Fr. 4> Fr. 6> Fr. 10> Fr. 2> Fr. 11> Fr. 3> Fr. 8> Fr. 7> Fr. 9> Fr. 1> Fr. 5 by the MTT assay. These fractions were tested for their cytotoxic effects on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts using MTT assay. They exhibited potent cytotoxic activities in vitro in the milligram range against NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In general, the cytotoxic activities of these fractions were does-dependent over the milligram range. The comparison of CD50 values of these fractions in NIH 313 fibroblasts shows that their susceptibility to these fractions in decrease the following order: Fr. 10> Fr. 9> Fr. 2 = Fr. 4> Fr. 8> Fr. 11> Fr. 1 = Fr. 7> Fr. 3> Fr. 5 = Fr. 6 by the MTT assay. These results suggests that fraction 5 has the most growth - inhibitory activity against KB cell lines.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2013

Objective : For the purpose of developing Korean herbalogy of the plants to Iridaceae in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods : The examined herbalogical books and research paper which published at home and abroad. Results : A list was made about Iridacease plant which are cultivated or grew naturally in Korea, after investigate the data on domestic and foreign Iridaceae plants. Out of those lists, serviceable plants were selected and with those available plants, their distributions were analysed and parts which can be used as medicines were divided into 3 categories such as oriental medicine name, scientific name and non-official name. Iridacease's properties flavor, channels they use and effects were also noted, not to mention their toxicity. Iridacease (grew in Korea) was divided into 6 classes with 32 species. Out of those, 5 classes with 11 species were found serviceable which indicates 34% of all. Out of all 32 specified Iridacease plants, Iris plants were found 27 species, which were shown the most. And 7 classes of Iris plants were also selected the most in serviceable Iridacease. Out of all serviceable parts in Iridaceae, root parts took first place as 6 species. Conclusion ; There were totaled to 6 genera and 32 species in Iridaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 5 genera, 11 species, some 34% in total.