• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.476-483
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• 2010

The present study was performed to investigate the putative anxiolytic-like effects of the aqueous extract of the roots of Scrophularia buergeriana (SB-W) using elevated plus-maze (EPM) and hole-board apparatus in mice. SB-W was orally administered at doses of 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg to ICR mice, 1 h before the behavioral evaluation. Control group were administered with an equal volume of saline, and positive control group with buspirone (2 mg/kg, i.p.). The administration of SB-W significantly increased the percentage of time spent in open arms and entries into the open arms of the EPM compared with saline-treated control group (P < 0.05). Futhermore, those anxiolytic-like activities of SB-W were antagonized by flumazenil (a $GABA_A$ antagonist, 10 mg/kg), but not by WAY-100635 (a 5-$HT_{1A}$ antagonist, 0.3 mg/kg). Moreover, there were no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effects in any group compared with saline-treated control group. In the hole-board test, the administration of SB-W (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of head-dipping compared with saline-treated control group (P < 0.05). Therefore, these findings suggest that Scrophularia buergeriana promotes the anxiolytic-like activity mediated by GABAergic nervous system in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.296-301
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine to observe single and four weeks repeated toxicity in mice of Bangpung-galgeun-tang (BGT). We investigated to ascertain safety and toxicity of BGT, we divided into single and four weeks repeated administration test. In single test, three groups were administrated different dosages and routes (2 g/kg/i.p., 4 g/kg/i.p. and 15 g/kg/p.o.) of BGT, and in four weeks repeated test, 0.8 g/kg BGT was administrated. Control groups were administrated with only saline according to on Korean Food and Drug Administration, respectively. We observed attentively motality, abnormal clinical sign, body weight change, organ weight, AST and ALT of mice after BGT administration. During toxicity experiment period, there was no difference in body weight change, organ weight, AST and ALT among different dose groups. Death were found 3 mice from day 2 to day 3 in single test i.p. group. (2 g/kg, 4 g/kg). Several individuals of single test i.p. group were observed that decreased locomotor activity, exophthalmos, bloodshot eyes, loss of eyesight and so on in early period after administration. But there was no difference in clinical signs among p.o. group. These results indicate that BGT have inhibition effects on allergy and suggest that no observable effect level of the test orally administration was considered to be more than 2 g/kg in mice under the conditions employed in this study.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 1997

General pharmacological effects of SB-31$^{R}$, the extracts of Pulsatilla koreana, were investigated in mice, rats and guinea-pigs. Intravenous injection of SB-31 (3 and 6 ml/kg) produced almost no effect on central nervous system no effects on the general symptom and behaviors of mice, spontaneous locomotor activity, pentobarbital- induced sleeping time , rotared performance , electroshock and pentylenetertrazole -induced seizures, acetic acid-induced writhing and normal body temperature in mice. SB-31 showed little effects on the spontaneous movement of the isolated ileum and contraction induced by agonists in isolated ileum, suggesting no influence on autonomic nervous system. Administration of SB-31 also did not show any effect on blood pressure in conscious rats. However, a slight decrease in heart rate was observed at high doses (6 and 10 ml/kg) of SB-31 in conscious rats. Similarly, a slight increase in respiratory rate was observed at 6 m1/kg of SB-31 in anesthetized rats. SB-31 did not produce any effect at the dose of 3 ml/kg, but showed a tendency to increase the urinary volume at 6 ml/kg, and produced a decrease in urinary excretions of N $a_{+}$and $K_{+}$at 6 ml/kg. However, transport capacity within the gastrointestinal tract and the secretion of the gastric juice were not influenced by 6 ml/kg of SB-31. In conclusion, these results suggest that SB-31 did not pro-duce any acute effects on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, respiratory and circulatory systems, digestive system and kidney function at the dose of below 3 ml/kg.ml/kg.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the psychopharmacological activities of oroxylin A using the open field, rota-rod, balanced wire and plus-maze tests in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY). Oroxylin A reduced hyperactivity in SHR (ADHD animal model) although it tended to increase locomotor activity in WKY. Methylphenidate did not reduce hyperactivity. Oroxylin A alleviated impulsive behaviors such as rearing, the percentage of moving time to the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition (open area in elevated plus-maze). Methylphenidate also reduced the percentage of staying time in the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition. Both oroxylin A and methylphenidate enhanced motor attention in SHR and WKY. Oroxylin A antagonized the muscimol ($GABA_A$ receptor agonist)-induced $Cl^-$current and its action was similar to that of bicuculline ($GABA_A$ receptor antagonist). The effects of oroxylin A may be caused by the antagonism at the $GABA_A$ receptor. Thus, oroxylin A may be a candidate of drug for treatment of ADHD.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.119-142
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• 2008

Zizyphi Spinosi Semen (ZSS) has been widely used for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia in Korea and China. This experiment was performed to know whether sanjoinine A, one of major alkaloid compounds of ZSS has anxiolytic and hypnotic effects through the GABAergic systems. Our results showed that administration of sanjoinine A increased open arm entries and spent time in open arm in the elevated plus-maze and increased head dips in hole board test. Different from traditional anxiolytic, diazepam, sanjoinine A itself did not decrease locomotor activity and strength level in mice. Furthermore, Sanjoinine A (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) prolonged sleeping time and reduced sleeping latency induced by pentobarbital in a dose-dependent manner similar to muscimol, a $GABA_A$ receptor agonist. Sanjoinine A (0.25-1.0 mg/kg) also increased sleeping rate and sleeping time in the combined administration at the sub-hypnotic dose of pentobarbital and showed synergic effects with muscimol in potentiating sleeping onset and enhancing sleeping time induced by pentobarbital. However, sanjoinine A itself did not induce sleeping at the higher dose. In addition, both of sanjoinine A and pentobarbital increased chloride influx in primary cultured cerebellar granule cells. Sanjoinine A decreased the $GABA_A$ receptor ${\alpha}$-subunit expression and increased ${\gamma}$-subunit expression, and had no effects on abundance of ${\beta}$-subunit in primary cultured cerebellar granule cells, showing different expression of subunits from pentobarbital. In conclusion, sanjoinine A shows anxiolytic-like effects and augments pentabarbital-induced sleeping behaviors through the modification of GABAergic systems. [This work was supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD) (The Regional Research Universities Program/Center for Healthcare Technology Development)].

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

Background: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. or Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is a recently discovered ginseng species. Studies on its chemical constituents have shown that VG is remarkably rich in ginseng saponins, particularly ocotillol saponins. However, the psychopharmacological effects of VG have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study we screened the psychopharmacological activities of VG in mice. Methods: VG extract (VGE) was orally administered to mice at various dosages to evaluate its psychomotor (open-field and rota-rod tests), sedative-hypnotic (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test), anti-stress (cold swimming test), anxiolytic (elevated plus-maze test), and cognitive (Y-maze and passive-avoidance tests) effects. Results: VGE treatment increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced the endurance to stress, reduced the anxiety-like behavior, and ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In addition, VGE treatment did not alter the motor balance and coordination of mice and did not potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep, indicating that VGE has no sedative-hypnotic effects. The effects of VGE were comparable to those of the Korean Red Ginseng extract. Conclusion: VG, like other ginseng products, has significant and potentially useful psychopharmacological effects. This includes, but is not limited to, psychomotor stimulation, anxiolytic, antistress, and memory enhancing effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an irreversible neurological disorder with related locomotor dysfunction and is characterized by the selective loss of nigral neurons. PD can be experimentally induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). It has been reported that reactive oxygen species, which deplete endogenous glutathione (GSH) levels, may play important roles in the dopaminergic cell death characteristic of PD. Fucoidan, a sulfated algal polysaccharide, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions. In this study, we investigated whether fucoidan can protect against 6-OHDA-mediated cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using MTT and LDH assays. Fucoidan alleviated cell damage evoked by 6-OHDA dose-dependently. Fucoidan reduced the number of apoptotic nuclei and the extent of annexin-V-associated apoptosis, as revealed by DAPI staining and flow cytometry. Elevation of lipid peroxidation and caspase-3/7 activities induced by 6-OHDA was attenuated by fucoidan, which also protected against cytotoxicity evoked by buthionine-sulfoximine-mediated GSH depletion. Reduction in the glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio induced by 6-OHDA was reversed by fucoidan, which also inhibited 6-OHDA-induced disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. The results indicate that fucoidan may have protective action against 6-OHDA-mediated neurotoxicity by modulating oxidative injury and apoptosis through GSH depletion.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-114
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was aimed to find out the anti-stress and protective-memory effect of Quibitanggagam(QBT) on stress of rats Methods : This experimental study was conducted with elevated plus maze test, passive avoidance test, morris water maze test, and consequently density of AchE reactivity in the CA1 of hippocampus to research the learning and memory of rats affected by restraint stress, Results: Passive avoidance test revealed that time latency of retention test for QBT+Stress group significantly decreased on 2, 3rd day. Morris water maze revealed that acqusitive ability of QBT+Stress group significantly improved on 2, 3rd day and retentive ability of QBT+Stress group was significantly improved on 7th day. Elevated plus maze test revealed that latency in open arm of QBT+Stress group significantly decreased and locomotor activity(number of entered arm) of QBT+Stress group was significantly increased. The values of density of AchE stained nuclei in the CA1 of hippocampus QBT+Stress group was significantly increased compared with SAL+Stress group. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is concluded that QBT will be useful as a remedy against stress disease and improving memory.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2005

The present study was carried out to investigate the skin irritation potential of oregano oil in rabbits. A volume of 0.5 ml of test article was applied to intact and abraded skins, respectively, for 24 h in 6 healthy male New Zealand White rabbits. Parameters measured during 72 h observation period were mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and local irritation. Treatment-related toxic symptoms, as evidenced by anorexia and decreased locomotor activity, were observed in all rabbits tested. Two rabbits out of the 6 total died on day 2 after the application of test article due to treatment-related toxicity. The mean body weight of test animals decreased progressively during the 72 h observation period. All animals showed very slight edema at 24 h and then recovered at 72 h. These animals also showed very slight to severe erythema and/or slight eschar formation at both 24 h and 72 h. The eschar formation induced by oregano oil was not recovered at the end of additional 11-day recovery period. Based on these results, it was concluded that a single dermal application of the undiluted oregano oil caused an increased incidence of clinical signs and death and a decrease in the body weight and showed a primary irritation index score of 2.79 indicating moderate irritation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2011

After stroke, many people have problems with balance during movement. Balance is essential for the optimal functioning of the locomotor system and the performance of many activities of daily living. The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a clinical tool for evaluating balance ability during walking. The test consists of ten tasks, seven tasks of the Dynamic Gait Index and three additional tasks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and internal consistency of data obtained with the Korean version of the FGA when used with people after suffering a stroke. One-hundred participants, at least three months poststroke and able to walk at least six meters with or without a walking aid, participated in the study (age range=30~83 years; $mean{\pm}SD=58.8{\pm}10.9$). Two physical therapists and two physical therapy students rated the FGA. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the FGA were assessed using kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1). The internal consistency of the FGA was assessed using the Cronbach alpha. The Cronbach alpha was good (${\alpha}$=.86~.93). The intrarater (intraclass correlation coefficient=.92~.95) and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=.91, .95) of the total scores administered by the therapists and students were good, whereas the reliability for single item scores when administered by the physical therapists was moderate to good (kapa value=.42~.97). This study found that intrarater and interrater reliability for total FGA scores and internal consistency were good. Therefore, the Korean version of the FGA can be used as a reliable tool to assess the functional gait performance of patients after stroke.