• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate a natural medicinal multi-plants extract (BG515), which consisted of multi extracts of Mori folium, Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz, Dioscorea japonica, Lycii fructus, and Astragalus radix, on blood glucose, insulin levels, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) induces a type 1 diabetes mellitus in rats. Type 1 is usually characterized by the presence of islet cell autoantibodies (ICA), autoantibodies to insulin (IAA), and autoantiboides to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which identify the autoimmune process that leads to $\beta-cell$ destruction. Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing $150\sim170g$ each (6 weeks old) were randomly divided into one control (Group A) and 4 STZ-induced diabetic groups, and were subjected to one of the following treatment for 12 weeks. Groups A and B were fed basal diets and Group C, D, and E received the same diets as groups A and B, but with supplements of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of BG515 orally for 12 weeks, respectively. Diabetes was induced in Groups B, C, D, and E by intravenous injection of 45 mg/kg of STZ per body weight in sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.5) via the tail vein. In the BG515 groups, we found increases in serum insulin levels, compared to the STZ-control group, but these data were not significant. In contrast, blood glucose and serum MDA concentrations decreased in the BG515 groups compare to the STZ-control group. At the 5th week, in all the BG515 administered groups, there were decreases in serum blood glucose levels compared to the STZ- control group, and this activity was very strong in the BG515-1 group at the 12th week. These results suggest that natural bio-complex compounds (BG515) may slightly suppress STZ-induced changes in serum MDA concentration via the maintenance of serum insulin levels, due to the prevention of $\beta-cell$ and glucagon destruction by STZ.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.427-434
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• 2007

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal roles in the initiation of T cell-mediated immune responses, making them an attractive in immuno vaccines. Angelica gigas and Cnidium officinale were a medicinal herb widely used in Asian countries. In this study, we examined the effects of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts on the DCs functional maturation and phono-type. Immature DCs were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, and the generated immature DCs were stimulated with OVA in the presence or absence A. gigas and C. officinale extracts, respectively, for 24 hours. The antigen-presenting capacity of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts-treated DCs as analyzed by $CD4^+$ helper T cell clone (OVA-specific) proliferation and cytokines (IL-2 and $IFN-{\gamma}$) production were significantly increased. But A. gigas and C. officinale extracts were not directly effected $CD4^+$ helper T cell clone function. Also, the expression of surface co-stimulatory molecules, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD86 and CD11c, is increased on DCs that were stimulated with A. gigas and C. officinale extracts. These results indicate the immunomodulatory properties of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts, which might be medical supplies or health foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.510-518
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• 2012

This study examined the biological activity and synergistic effects of an extract of Wa-song ($Orostachys$ $japonicus$, OE), a medicinal plant mixture (MPE) and a combination of both at different ratios (1:1, OMPE-1 and 3:1, OMPE-3). Extracts of the medicinal plants mixture were comprised of Baekbokyung, Changchul and Sa-in at the same ratio. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and their complex were tested $in$ $vitro$. The $in$ $vivo$ antioxidant activity was also analyzed by examining the lipid composition in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes rats. The nitric oxide radical scavenging activity was more than 50% in OMPE-3 at a 1,000 ${\mu}g$/mL concentration. Regarding metal ions, such as $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$, the antioxidant activity of OMPE-1 and OMPE-3 was higher than that of OE and MPE. OMPE-1 and 3 had higher activity on $Cu^{2+}$ ions than $Fe^{2+}$ ions. The ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity of the OE extract was higher than that of MPE and OMPE-1 but the relative activity of OMPE-3 was significantly higher than the others. Freeze-dried MPE, OMPE-1 and OMPE-3 were added to the diet at a level of 1% given to STZ induced diabetes rats for 4 weeks. The OMPE-1 and OMPE-3 administered groups showed significant decreases in the total lipid, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the liver and kidney. In these groups, the glycogen accumulation level of the liver was increased significantly. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver and kidney was decreased but the DPPH radical scavenging activity was increased. These results suggest that Wa-song extract exhibits antioxidant and antidiabetic activity, which are enhanced by a complex with a medical plants extract.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.253-257
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• 2004

Platelet aggregation is a complex phenomenon that probably involves several intracellular biochemical pathways. When activated, platelets change shape, aggregate and release the contents of their intracellular granules. The interactions between platelets and blood vessel walls are important in the development of thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases. When blood vessels are damaged, platelet aggregation occurs rapidly to form haemostatic Plugs or arterial thrombi at the sites of vessel injury or in regions where blood flow is disturbed. These thrombi are the source of thromboembolic complications of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Therefore, the inhibition of platelet function represents a promising approach for the prevention of thrombosis. Plants constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals such as phenolics, terpenoids and alkaloids. Plant extracts may be an alternative to currently used medicinal source because they constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals. This study was performed to investigate the antiplatelet activity of extract of Tabebuia impetiginosa Martius ex DC (Taheebo) and find out which fractions to this activity in rabbit platelet. Taheebo was methanol extracted and solvent fractionated in to five fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water). And each fractions were investigated inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by various agonists using washed rabbit platelets in vitro.