• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2012

Treatment of hydatid disease is mainly surgical, with medical treatment being reserved as a coadjuvant treatment. Use of effective scolicidal agents during surgery of cystic echinococcosis is essential to reduce the recurrence rate. The goal of this study was to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of $Satureja$ $khuzestanica$ leaves and aqueous extracts of $Olea$ $europaea$ leaves on hydatid cyst protoscolices. $Echinococcus$ $granulosus$ protoscolices were collected from the liver of sheep infected with the hydatid cyst. Various concentrations of plant extracts were used in different exposure times for viability assay of protoscolices. Among the olive leaf extracts tested, 0.1% and 0.01% concentrations had strong scolicidal effects in 120 min. $S.$ $khuzestanica$ 0.1% had very strong scolicidal effects in 30, 60, and 120 min of exposure times and the mortality rate decreased with the lower concentration. The finding have shown that the scolicidal activity of $S.$ $khuzestanica$ against cystic echinococosis protoscolices were more effective, while the $O.$ $europaea$ extract showed less effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1127-1131
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• 2004

In a bioassay-guided search for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Korean natural resources, four isoquinoline alkaloids, corynoxidine (1), protopine (2), palmatine (3), and berberine (4) have been isolated from the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Corydalis speciosa. Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. These compounds inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the $IC_50$ values of compounds 1-4 were 89.0, 16.1, 5.8, and 3.3 $\mu$ M, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.12-12
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• 2010

Nature applied flavanoids, glucosinolates and peptides for a great variety of functions. Flavanoids and glucosinolates are rich source of antioxidants, generally present in colored fruits and vegetables. Quercetin and its glucosides areone of the best examples of flavonol used in daily diet. Whereas peptides can act as antimicrobial, chemical messenger, neurotransmitter etc that regulating various life processes. Aspartame, a dipeptide is used as artificial sweetener and oxytocin for medical purposes, gained importance in everyday life. So, flavanoids, glucosinolates, peptides and their derivatives continue to hold the attention of synthetic chemists, agriculturists and biologists. Apart from a variety of naturally occurring bioactive metabolites, we are aiming to extract, separate and synthesize new analogs of promising natural drug candidates.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.645-650
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• 2020

The mechanism of anti-aging of fermented jujube (Zizyphus jujuba fruits (ZJF)) was investigated using transgenic daf-16 and mev-1 strains of C. elegans. Jujube extracts fermented for 7 days (F7-ZJF) and 14 days (F14-ZJF) with Laetiporus sulphureus were treated to a NGM agar plate with 10-15 transgenic daf-16 and mev-1 strains of the synchronized age. There was no difference of lifespan between the drug-treated group (7-day fermented ex. (F7-zjf-200 ㎍/mL), 14-day fermented ex. (F14-zjf-200 ㎍/mL)) and the non-treatment group in both daf-16 and mev-1 strains. In the thermal stress experiment, F7-zjf-200 ㎍/mL showed a significant (t = 4.017) activity in thermal stress resistance with a 12% higher survival rate than the control group. In the survival test in H2O2, F7-zjf-200 ㎍/mL and F14-zjf-100 ㎍/mL have significant activity in oxidative stress resistance compared to the control group. This study indicates that life span expand of N2 strain of the jujube extract is related to the regulation of daf-16 and inhibition of mev-1 signal in C. elegans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.437-446
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• 2018

To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pork on the market in Korea, an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tissue fluid (CAU-tf-ELISA) was developed using a soluble extract of T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. As the standard positive controls, the piglets were experimentally infected with T. gondii: Group A (1,000 cysts-containing bradyzoites), Group B (500 cysts-containing bradyzoites) and Group C ($1.0{\times}10^3$ or $1.0{\times}10^4$ tachyzoites). The CAU-tf-ELISA demonstrated infection intensity-dependent positivity toward tissue fluids with average cut-off value 0.15: 100% for Group A, 93.8% for Group B and 40.6% for Group C. When tissue-specific cut-off values 0.066-0.199 were applied, CAU-tf-ELISA showed 96.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive and 90.0% negative predictive values. When compared with the same tissue fluids, performance of CAU-tf-ELISA was better than that of a commercial ELISA kit. Of the 583 Korea domestic pork samples tested, anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected from 9.1% of whole samples and 37.9% from skirt meat highest among pork parts. In the 386 imported frozen pork samples, 1.8% (skirt meat and shoulder blade) were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies. In Korea, prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the pork on retail markets appeared high, suggesting that regulations on pig farming and facilities are necessary to supply safe pork on the tables.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.95-107
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• 2004

Objective : The inappropriate or excessive apoptosis has been known to be associated with neurodegenerative disorders including intracranial hemorrhage(ICH). Paeoniae radix, in traditional Korean medicine, has played its role as blood­nourisher and yin-astringent. In the present study, the effect of Paeoniae radix on the inhibition of neurodegeneration in the brain of rats after artificial ICH and on the resulting apoptosis was investigated. Methods : 30 rats were divided into 6 equal groups ; the sham-operation group, the hemorrhage-induction group, the hemorrhage-induction with 10, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg Paeoniae radix-treated group, respectively. Stereotactic surgery was performed and collagenase was infused to induce ICH in the region of CA1 of hippocampus of rats. The sham group took only saline infusion. For 7 days after the surgery, 4 testing groups had intraperitoneal injections of Paeoniae radix extract. The step-down inhibitory avoidance task, measurement of neurodegeneration degree in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and detection of caspase-3 and newly generated cells in the dentate gyrus were done after animal sacrifice. Results : Rats receiving Paeoniae radix extract showed increased latency time in the inhibitory avoidance task. The extension of neuron-deprived areas in the CA1 region was significantly suppressed in the Paeonia treated groups. Also expressions of caspase-3 in the CA1 region and cortex were significantly inhibited in the Paeonia treated groups. The cell proliferation was evaluated by means of BrdU methods and proved to be decreased in the Paeonia treated groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that Paeoniae radix has potential to suppress short-tenn memory loss after devastating neurologic accidents. Also it was proved that Paeoniae radix has a neuroprotective effect and alleviates central nervous complications following intracerebral hemorrhage. Furthermore, it may imply that this medicinal plant can be widely used for vascular dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.338-346
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• 1998

In order to elucidate the relationship between anti-HIV-1 enzyme activity and inhibition of HIV-1 replication by natural sources, extracts from some plants using the foods and oriental medicines were tested for inhibitory effects on the viral replication, reverse transcriptase (RT), protease and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$. In the anti-RT test, water extracts of Ficus carica (leaf), Houttuynia cordata (aerial part) and Ixeris tamagawaensis (aerial part) showed more than 79% inhitibion at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. The protease and ${\alpha}-glucosidase-inhibiting$ samples in the screening were water extract of Syringa dilatata (leaf) and methanol extract of Hibiscus syriacus (leaf and stem), which showed more than 40% inhibition at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. In the primary anti-HIV-1 test, water extracts of Equisetum arvense (aerial part), Hibiscus syriacus (leaf), Ixeris tamagawaensis (aerial part) and Pueraira thunbergiana (leaf) showed the potent inhibition against HIV-1 induced cytopathic effects.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2013

Objective: Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages. Methods: The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of $250{\mu}g/disc$ was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed. Results: A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (table 1). Conclusion: The results reveal the presence of anti-bacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN$^{(R)}$) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant anti-bacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethnopharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.508-513
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• 2011

The bark of the root and stem of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica has been used as a traditional Korean medicine to treat inflammatory disorders. This plant reportedly shows antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica ethanolic extract (UDE) on UVB irradiation-induced wrinkle in hairless mice. We evaluated for their free radical-scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the anti-elastase activities, and for their anti-matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activity in human skin fibroblast cells. In the wrinkle measurement and image analysis of skin replicas, the results showed that UDE significantly inhibited wrinkle formation caused by chronic UVB irradiation. These results suggest that UDE has anti-wrinkle activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.477-481
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• 2006

A clinical report indicates that 'Geijibokryunghwan(GBH) is very effective in treating thrombosis in those patients who have difficulties with more conventional antithrombotic drugs. The isolation and identification of various compounds from this plant and the same genus have been reported by several groups. However, the pharmaceutical effect of the GBH on superoxide generation in human neutrophils has not been studied. In the present report, we investigated the possibility of using herbal medicine as an alternative therapy. In particular, we studied tremor in antiatheroscleosis. In this report, we shows the GBH extract can be used as a potential atherosclerosis preventive agent in human. The effect of GBH on stimulus-induced superoxide generation and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of protein in human neutrophils was investigated. In a conclusion, GBH suppressed tyrosine phosphorylase in a dose-dependent manner, and may have pharmacoceutical applications. These data suggest that GBH extracts merits investigation as a potential anti-atherosclerogenic agent in humans.