• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2018

Regulation of gastrointestinal hormones have been reported in animal models for constipation undergoing laxative therapy when administered herbal products. We undertook to investigate whether the laxative activity of gallotannin-enriched extracts isolated from Galla Rhois (GEGR) affects the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones, by examining the concentration of four hormones and the activation of their receptors in the loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation model. Stool parameters, including number, weight and water content, were significantly recovered in the Lop+GEGR treated group, relative to the Lop+ vehicle treated group; however, food intake and water consumption were maintained at a constant level. Also, a similar recovery was detected for thickness of mucosa, muscle and flat luminal surface in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Furthermore, concentration of the four gastrointestinal hormones evaluated, namely, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SS) and motilin (MTL), were lower in the Lop+vehicle treated group than the No treated group, but were remarkably enhanced in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Moreover, the downstream signaling pathway of MTL and SS receptors were recovered after GEGR administration. Results of the present study therefore indicate that the laxative effects of GEGR treatment may be tightly related with the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones in the Lopinduced constipation model.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was aimed to describe a case of a patient with FOLFIRI-induced diarrhea, which was improved by treatment with Korean herbal medicine, modified Wiryeong-tang. Methods : The patient with metastatic rectal cancer recieved FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab as a palliative chemotherapy and showed repetitive diarrhea despite administration of loperamide, which was treated with modified Wiryeong-tang. To evaluate the effect of the treatment, the Bristol Stool Form Scale and bowel movement frequency were checked. Results : During the treatment, the stool form using Bristol Stool Form Scale was improved from diarrhea to normal stool, and the bowel movement frequency was decreased. Conclusions : The result suggest that modified Wiryeong-tang may be an effective treatment for FOLFIRI-induced diarrhea.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.191-196
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• 2007

The ethanol extract of leaves of the mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum Blanco (Myrsinaceae) was screened for its antinociceptive, antidiarrhoeal and cytotoxic activities. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at the oral dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (P < 0.001), which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight. When tested for its antidiarrhoeal effects on castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice, it increased mean latent period and decreased the frequency of defecation significantly at the oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight (P<0.05; P<0.01) comparable to the standard drug loperamide at the dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight. Moreover, when tested for toxicity using brine shrimp, the extract showed potent activity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina ($LC_{50}$ 10 mg/ml). The overall results tend to suggest the antinociceptive, antidiarrhoeal and cytotoxic activities of the extract.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.339-347
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• 2019

Saururus chinensis (SC) belongs to the dicotyledonous plants, and its roots, leaves and flowers are white, so it is named three hundred and seconds. It is mainly distributed in Korea, China and Japan. In Korea, it is a native plant distributed in Jejudo and Jirisan areas. It has been known to improve blood circulation, anticarcinogenic effects and purge. However, studies of the efficacy on digestive system is few. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of oral administered-SC extract in loperimide-induced constipation rats. The amount, weight and water content of the stools were measured. The number and type of stools in the large intestines were measured, and the amount of intestinal mucus was analyzed by serological analysis and histologic special staining. The severity of constipation in SC groups was significantly less than that in control group (non-SC rats). Digital Image processing also showed weaker inflammation on the large intestines of SC groups than that of control group (non-SC group). Especially, with increased dose dependent manner of SC extract, the amount and integrity of intestinal mucus increased. These results suggest that SC extract may prevent the symptoms of constipation.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.240-244
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• 2006

To develop a health-aid preparation of Chinese yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne), lactic acid fermentation was attempted using a mixed starter comprising of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidus. The anaerobic fermentation of a 5% Chinese yam flour suspension gave a uniform suspension of pH 4.35, containing $7.76{\times}10^6 CFU/mL$ lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and which was found to be acceptable to the panel from a sensory assessment. During the administration of the lactic acid fermented (LAF) Chinese yam to Sprague Dawley rats for 6 weeks, a smaller body weight gain, but greater excretion of feces were observed, implying the creation of a healthy gastrointestine on the administration of LAF Chinese yam, which was also confirmed by the gastrointestinal motility of the feed in rats fed on LAF Chinese yam. The constipation induced by loperamide was further suppressed in a rat group fed on a LAF Chinese yam diet, which was qualified from healthy gastrointestinal flora established by LAB. A serochemical analysis revealed a slight improvement in the blood glucose, neutral lipid and total cholesterol concentrations on administration of LAF Chinese yam, suggesting LAF Chinese yam could be served as a healthy-aid preparation, even for hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia patients.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.178-203
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• 2024

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2013

Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer tend to have multiple risk factors for drug related problems such as old age, comorbid conditions, self-medication, additional medications for supportive therapy, and the cancer treatment itself. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate notable polypharmacy and related problems in oncology patients during hospitalization or following clinic visit. Method: The electronic medical records of patients who were discharged from oncology division at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) from June $1^{st}$ to June $30^{th}$, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 334 discharged patients were included in this study. Among them, 221 patients had pre-admission medications. Forty percent of the patients, including 60.3% of elderly patients (over 65 years of age) were prescribed more than 5 kinds of medications. Twenty percent of the patients were prescribed to take medications more than 7 times a day. Medication duplications were observed in 2.4% of patients. In 10.5% of the reviewed patients, 47 cases of potential drug-drug interaction including 3 cases of contraindication and 17 cases of major clinical implication according to Micromedex were detected. Medication changes were made in 88% of patients during hospitalization and in 94.7% of patients at their first visit after discharge. Antidiarrheal agent (loperamide) was prescribed along with laxatives in 18.5% of the prescriptions and inadequate instructions on how to take it were observed in 63% of the prescriptions. Conclusion: This study identified the prevalence of polypharmacy and related problems in cancer patients, which presents the need for an active role of pharmacists in pharmaceutical care in oncology wards.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.648-654
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• 2014

This study investigated the effect of insoluble dietary fibers extracted from Salicornia herbacea L. (S. herbacea) on the improvement of intestinal function in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diet containing 5% and 10% S. herbacea dietary fiber (SHDF) for four weeks. Rats receiving the SHDF diet showed a significant decrease in their triglyceride levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, compared with the control group, the SHDF group showed a significant increase in the total quantity of the feces and its moisture content. The intestinal transit time of the feces was also shorter in this group. The pH of the feces decreased in all the other experimental groups. Particularly, the bile acid content of the feces and the thicknesses of the mucus layers showed significant recovery on SHDF intake. These results suggest that dietary fiber isolated from S. herbacea has a marked effect on the improvement of bowel function in rats with loperamide (2 mg/kg)-induced constipation.