• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2010

Objectives : The root and rhizome of "Gangwhal" have been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cold, fever, headache, swelling, arthritis, rhinitis, and cardiovascular diseases in Korea and china. In china, Gangwhal is well known as a useful oriental medicinal plant that treats cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, headache and hypertension, but little research exists about the effect of O. koreanum on cardiovascular disease. Therefore we investigated the vasorelaxant effects of O. koreanum and compared the vasorelaxant effects of four species of Gangwhal. Methods : The vasorelaxant effects of the ethanol extracts of Ostericum koreanum (NK and BK), Notopterygium incisium (NI), and N. forbesii (NF) on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. The vasorelaxant effects of the water extract and ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. And the vasorelaxant effects of chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK on phenyleprine ($1{\mu}M$) or KCl (60mM) pre-contracted rat thoracic aorta rings were compared. Results : Ethanol extracts of NK, BK, NI and NF relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings with a concentration-dependent manner, and NK showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect. And ethanol extract of NK was much more effective than water extract of NK. Finally, chloroform, ethylacetate and water fraction of ethanol extract of NK also relaxed rat thoracic aorta rings, and chloroform fraction showed the greatest vasorelaxant effect.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Objectives : A root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai (D. asperoides) has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource in several Asian countries, including Korean and traditional Chinese medicine that has been traditionally used for treating several medical conditions including pain, arthritis, and bone fractures in Korea. In the present study, we investigated potential subacute toxicities of D. asperoides extract. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (male, 7weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 mice. Except for the control group, the mice were orally administrated D. asperoides extract at doses of 50, 150, or 450 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, all mice were euthanized, and the following parameters were examined: mortality, body weight, clinical signs, gross findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathology. Results : There were no abnormalities in mortality, clinical signs, body weight, gross findings, or organ weight after repeated administration of D. asperoides extract for 2 weeks, compared with the control group. In addition, there were no significant changes in hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters between the control group and D. asperoides extract administrated groups with doses of up to 450 mg/kg/day. Conclusion : In this study, D. asperoides extract showed no significant toxicities at a dose of up to 450 mg/kg/day in mice. Although we could not confirm the toxic dose of D. asperoides extract, it can be considered safe for further pharmacological use.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2007

The roots of Liriope platyphylla (Liliaceae) are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol (70%) extract of the roots of Liriope platyphylla (ELP70) on learning and memory using behavioral and immunohistochemical methods in mice. Control animals were treated with vehicle (10% Tween 80). With sub-chronic treatments of ELP70 (p.o.) for 14 days, the latency time was significantly increased compared with that of the vehicle-treated control group (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). Moreover, immunopositive cells for brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus and CA1 regions after ELP70 treatments for 14 days (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P < 0.05). In addition, those cells for nerve growth factor (NGF) were also increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus region (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). These results suggest that the sub-chronic administration of ELP70 improves learning and memory, and that their beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by the enhancement of BDNF or NGF expression.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2005

Numerous natural herbal compounds have been reported to inhibit adhesion and migration of leukocytes to the site of inflammation Licorice extracts, which have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, possess various pharmacological effects. Isoliquiritigenin, a biogenetic precursor of flavonoids with various pharmacological effects, is a natural pigment present in licorice. We attempted to explore whether licorice extracts and isoliquiritigenin mitigate monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In addition, it was tested whether the inhibition of monocyte adhesion to the activated HUVEC accompanied a reduction in vascular cell adhesion molecule-l expression(VCAM-l). Dry-roasted licorice extracts in methylene chloride but not in ethanol markedly interfered with THP-l monocyte adhesion to INF-$\alpha$-activated endothelial cells. licochalcone A compound isolated from licorice extract in methylene chloride appeared to modestly inhibit the interaction of THP-l monocytes and activated endothelium. In addition, isoliquiritigenin abolished the monocyte adhesion with attenuating VCAM-l protein expression on HUVEC induced by INF-$\alpha$. These results demonstrated that non-polar components from dry-roasted licorice extracts containing licochalcone A as well as isoliquiritigenin were active in blocking monocyte adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelimn, which appeared to be mediated most likely through the inhibition of VCAM-l expression on HUVEC. Therefore, licorice may hamper initial inflammatory events on the vascular endothelium involving induction of endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2007

In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBB) (total terpene trilactones, 13 ${\pm}$ 3%; biflavone, 4.5 ${\pm}$ 1.5%; flavonol glycoside, < 8%; proanthocyanidine, under detection limit) on ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury in the rats. Ischemia was induced by the intraluminal occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 2 h and reperfusion was continued for 22 h. GBB was orally administered, promptly prior to reperfusion and 2 h after. Total infarction volume in the ipsilateral hemispheres of ischemia-reperfusion rats were significantly reduced by treatment with GBB in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The therapeutic time window of GBB was 3 h in this ischemia-reperfusion rat model. Furthermore, GBB also significantly inhibited increased neutrophil infiltration of ischemic brain tissue, as estimated by myeloperoxidase activity. These findings suggest that GBB plays a crucial protective role in ischemia-induced brain injury, in part, via inhibition of neutrophil infiltration, and suggest that this GBB could serve as a neuroprotective agent following transient focal ischemic brain injury.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.48-60
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study is to optimize the extraction of beneficial substance from Cudrania tricuspidata leaves grown at Jirisan Mountain in South Korea by three different solvents depending on extraction time and at different temperature. Methods: The total phenolic contents were determined by the method reported by $S{\acute{a}}nchez$-Moreno et al. The total flavonoid contents were analyzed by Slinkard and Singleton. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was determined according to the method reported by Blois Results: The extraction yield for each solvent is 9.05-14.1%, 2.17-5.67%, and 2.3-3.9% for D.W., ethanol, and hexane, respectively. The overall results were maximized for the extract obtained with D.W. for 5 min at $100^{\circ}C$. The average phenol contents were 77.11, 45.64, and 0.343 mg/g at $100^{\circ}C$ in water, $78^{\circ}C$ in ethanol, and $68^{\circ}C$ in hexane, respectively. The flavonoid contents were the highest in the materials extracted with D.W., and were increased with increasing temperature, regardless of the extraction solvents, whether water (green), polar organic ethanol, or nonpolar organic hexane. In the ethanol extract, the flavonoid contents are increased gradually from 5.66 mg/g to 7.73 mg/g. The total flavonoid contents were proportional to the concentrations of the water extracts, ranging from 4.14 mg/g to 48.89 mg/g. The antioxidative activities of the water-extracted compounds are generally increased with increasing temperature from 42.5% to 85.5%. Those of the hexane extracts are increased slowly from 3.79% to 8.8%, while those of ethanol extracts are increased from 29.8% to 47.4%. Conclusion: The extraction yields were dependent upon solvents for extraction as well as extraction time and the temperature. The optimal extraction time was 5 min and the extraction yields were increased with increasing temperature excepted hexane. Of the three tested extraction solvents, the greenest solvent of water shows excellent results, suggesting that water is among the most effective solvents for natural sample extractions for general medicinal, pharmaceutical, and food applications.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 2021

Dangguisu-san (DGSS) is widely known traditional herbal medicinal formula in Korea for treatment of traumatic injury by traffic accident, ecchymosis, abdominal distension and anti-thrombosis of blood. This study was conducted to develop the simultaneous analyze method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and examine the effect of anti-inflammatory activity of DGSS-dry extract (DGSS-DE) and DGSS-mix extract powder (DGSS-MEP). Physicochemical characteristics of DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP showed that there is no significant difference in pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solid content and browning degree except for color value (L, a, b). 15 functional constituents of DGSS were identified and the correlation coefficient values of DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP were conformed 0.950. Also, DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP significantly decreased the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) through inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. From these result, DGSS-MEP showed similar chemical composition and anti-inflammatory effect to DGSS-DE. Therefore, DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP may be useful as potential source of drug to prevent inflammation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2020

The Hippo-YAP signaling pathway is critical for cell proliferation, survival, and self-renewal in both Drosophila and mammals. Disorder of Hippo-YAP pathway leads to tumor development, progression and poor prognosis in various cancers. YAP/TAZ are the key downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway and they can be inhibited through LATS1/2, core kinases in the Hippo pathway, mediated phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AGNE) on Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway. First, ANGE induced YAP/TAZ phosphorylation and dissociation of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD transcription complex. By qRT-PCR, we found that ANGE inhibits the expression of YAP/TAZ-TEAD target gene, CTGF and CYR61. In addition, the transcriptional activity of YAP/TAZ was not suppressed significantly in LATS1/2 double-knockout (DKO) cells by ANGE compared to LATS1/2 wild-type (WT) cells, which means AGNE inhibits YAP/TAZ signaling through direct action on LATS1/2. Further, it was confirmed that AGNE-induced activation of LATS1/2 inhibited the migration potential of the vector-expressing cells by suppressing YAP/TAZ activity. The reduced migration potential was restored in active YAP-TEAD expressing cells. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that ANGE downregulates YAP/TAZ signaling in cells through the activation of LATS1/2.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.65-66
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• 2021

Glycyrrhiza species (Licorice) are one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Asian countries such as China, India and Korea. It has been traditionally used to treat many disease including cough, cold, asthma, fatigue, gastritis and respiratory tract infections. Glycyrrhiza new variety, Wongam (WG), have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration and revealed several pharmacological effects. However, limited data are available on the potential adverse effects of the WG. Here, we evaluated the general toxicity of the WG extract through single oral dose toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats. After single oral dose administration, there was no mortality up to 5000 mg/kg during experiment period. In addition, there was no clinical signs including body weight change, gross findings and necropsy findings up to 5000 mg/kg during experiment period. To conclude, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of WG was higher than 5000 mg/kg and no target organs were identified in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2024

Background: The Korean name for Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is Cham-dang-gui, which grows naturally or is cultivated, and its dried roots are used in traditional herbal medicines. The AGN root exert various pharmacological effects. Despite the various pharmacological effects of the AGN root, there are no reports on its anti-oral microbial effects. The purpose of this study was to reveal the anti-oral microbial effect and the microbial and biochemical changes in oral microorganisms according to the concentration of the ethanol extract of AGN (EAGN) root, and to confirm the possibility of using EAGN as a plant-derived functional substance for controlling oral infectious microorganisms. Methods: Disk diffusion test, growth measurement, biofilm formation assay, and measurements of acid production and buffering capacity were performed to confirm the antibacterial effect of EAGN. Results: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at all concentrations, with S. mutans showing a more susceptible effect at concentrations above 5.0 mg/ml and A. actinomycetemcomitans at 3.75 mg/ml. EAGN treatment significantly reduced A. actinomycetemcomitans growth at all concentrations tested. Biofilm formation was significantly reduced at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml for S. mutans and 2.5 mg/ml for A. actinomycetemcomitans. Acid production in S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly increased by treatment with EAGN, and the buffering capacities of S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans increased from an EAGN concentration of 3.75 mg/ml and above. Conclusion: EAGN showed anti-oral bacterial effects against both S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans at concentrations above 3.75 mg/ml, which were thought to be related to the inhibition of their growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, EAGN can be used as a safe functional substance derived from medicinal plants owing to its antibacterial effects against S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans.