• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.199-212
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• 2005

Objective : Airway inflammation is now regarded as a defining feature of asthma. The importance of eosinophits in the airway inflammation of asthma patients is widely recognized, and eosinophils mobilization in the respiratory epithelium is activated by chemoattractants and cytokines. This study was designed to examine the extent of the ability of Moutan Cortex Radicis to inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis of pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Moutan Cortex Radicis and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis were estimated via MTS assay, and the effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells were estimated by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Moutan Cortex Radicis. was conducted Result : In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines' mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines of eotaxin, ICAM-1, YCAM-1, IL-8, IL-16 were inhibited by Moutan Cortex Radicis in a dose dependent manner, but RANTES showed no inhibition due to Moutan Cortex Radicis. Eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentrations of Moutan Cortex Radicis. Conculusion : These findings are indicative of supression of chemokines accomplished by Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of Moutan Cortex Radicis for treating diseases such as asthma.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.183-186
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• 1994

This study was conducted to investigate desirable storage method to major chinese herbal medicine materials, Moutan Radicis Cortex in different packing materials and sealing degree. The loss in weight of Moutan Radicis Cortex as influenced by packing materials was the lowest at complete sealing treatment with transparent or black polyethylene film. The rot ratio of Moutan Radicis Cortex during the storage period was not difference between packing materials, transparent and black polyethylene film, but rot ratio of complete sealing condition was lower than punch ($\phi$J5mm) on polyethylene film.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2002

Graft cultivation of Paeonia and Moutan was attempted to improve the harvest yields of medicinal parts of the plants. When Paeonia root was grafted with Moutan stem, the harvest yields of underground roots showed 35% increase, with Paeonia radix and Moutan cortex ratio of 3 : 1 paeoniflorin and paeonol contents among grafted Paeonia radix (11.71 and 0.35 mg/g, respectively), Paeonia radix (9.91 and 0.80 mg/g, respectively), and Moutan cortex (10.81 and 2.84 mg/g, respectively) were not significantly different. Paeonia radix grafted with Moutan stem was cultivated to investigate the ecological properties and to compare index components, including minerals, fatty acids, and organic acids. The contents of 10 major minerals among the samples were very similar, whereas those of Fe were different, showing 86.06, 127.36, 75.05, and 140.63 mg/g for (Paeonia radix, Paeonia radix grafted, Moutan cortex, and Moutan cortex grafted) contents and GC profiles of 11 fatty acids including linoleic, palmitic, linolenic, and oleic acids and those of 6 organic acids including oxalic, citric, and malic acids were very similar. Results of sensory evaluations were very similar between Paeonia radix and Paeonia radix grafted or Moutan cortex and Moutan cortex grafted showed astringent taste, and stronger sensory intensity of Paeonia radix than Paeonia radix grafted showed bitter taste, and stronger sensory intensity of Moutan cortex than Moutan cortex grafted.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2010

The application of PCR analysis on the herbal medicine Moutan Cortex (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) was evaluated by the comparison of the genetic relationship based on the DNA sequence with Paeoniae Radix (Paeonia lactiflora Pallas) following development of specific primers. Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix were distinguished through the PCR analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-PCR) from nuclear ribosomal DNA region. The 294 bp PCR products both of Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix was amplified by MIF1 and MIR1. And a Moutan Cortex specific 225 bp PCR amplification product was amplified by MIF2 and MIR1 primers. The 225 bp sequence could be successfully amplified from Mortan Cortex of dried herbal preparations. PCR analysis based on ITS (ITS-PCR) may be an efficient tool for the discrimination of Moutan Cortex.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.409-415
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• 2008

Moutan cortex, the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (Paeoniaceae), has pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, analgesic and antioxidant activities. We investigated a methanol extract of Moutan cortex for neuroprotective effects on neurotoxicity induced by amyloid ${\beta}$ protein ($A{\beta}$) (25-35) in cultured rat cortical neurons. Exposure of cultured cortical neurons to $10\;{\mu}M\;A{\beta}$ (25-35) for 24 h induced neuronal apoptotic death. Moutan cortex inhibited $10\;{\mu}M\;A{\beta}$ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death at 30 and $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, which was measured by a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. Moutan cortex inhibited $10\;{\mu}M\;A{\beta}$ (25-35)-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which were measured by fluorescent dyes. Moutan cortex also inhibited glutamate release into medium induced by $10\;{\mu}M\;A{\beta}$ (25-35), which was measured by HPLC. These results suggest that Moutan cortex prevents $A{\beta}$ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell damage by interfering with the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and then inhibiting glutamate release and ROS generation. Moutan cortex may have a therapeutic role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.129-140
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• 2009

Objectives : The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of Moutan Cortex as antidepressant in forced swimming test(FST) model. Methods : The expressions of corticotropin-releasing Factor(CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) were measured with immunohistochemical method at paraventricular nucleus (PVN), locus coeruleus(LC) and ventral tegmental area(VTA). Results : The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in the Moutan Cortex 100 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.01). CRF and c-Fos expressions at PVN were decreased in the Moutan Cortex 100mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group. But only the expression of c-Fos was shown the significance(p<0.05). TH expressions at LC and VTA were significantly decreased in the Moutan Cortex 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.001). Conclusion : According to the results, Moutan Cortex has the antidepressant effect by showing the reduced immobility through the reduction of c-Fos expression at PVN and the reduction of TH expression at LC and VTA.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2003

Objective : This study was carried out for the purpose of proving the effect of anti-allergic efficacy on B cells and the mast cells of the BALB/C mouse by the abstraction from a Moutan cortex. Methods & Results : In order to know what the effect of an abstraction from Moutan cortex and about the expression of CD23 and IgE, IC-2 cell (mouse mast precursor cells that was dependent on IL-3), it was necessary to be activated. We then analyzed it from the flow of cytometry on the increase and the divorce of the B cells activated by anti-CD40. In order to know what the effect of it was on the organization of cytokine gene expression from the increase and divorce of the B cells and allergic acting by Moutan cortex, we found it necessary to examine the IC-2 cells and B cells. At the same time, as we examined the histamine release of IC-2 cells by ELISA method, we also examined the effect of Moutan cortex on the increase and divorce of the B cells by 3H-thymidine uptake method. We then analyzed the release of IL-4, IgE and histamine. Conclusions : As a results, Moutan Cortex promoted blood supply by extending the blood vessel of nasal mucous, which was contracted by the hypertrophied nasal mucous.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2011

Objectives : The goal of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamic system. Methods : We were performed the Forced Swimming Test. The expressions of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and c-Fos at paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. Results : The duration of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test was significantly decreased in A100, A400(p<0.05~p<0.01). CRF expressions at PVN was significantly decreased in A400(p<0.05).No other group showed significant difference in expression of c-Fos at PVN comparing with control group. TH expressions at VTA was significantly decreased in A100 and A400, respectively(p<0.001). TH expressions at LC was significantly decreased in A100(p<0.01). Conclusions : According to the above results, Mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Moutan Cortex has antidepressant effects via the reduction of CRF expression and the Catecholamine System activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.85-109
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• 2009

Objective & Methods : The present study was to investigate the effect of Moutan Cortex Radicis Herbal-acupuncture (MCR-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis induced by high fat diet in rats. Results : 1. Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture infusion solution (MCR-HAS) increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased serum total cholesterol level, and increased serum phospholipid/total cholesterol in rats with high fat diet. 3. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased atherogenic index in rats with high fat diet. 4. MCR-HA at GB34 increased hepatic catalase activity in rats with high fat diet. Conclusion : These results suggested that Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and related complications in rats with high fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 1998

From the 60% aqueous methanolic fraction of Moutan Cortex Radicis two hyaluronidase inhibitors were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Their structures were identified as paeoniflorin (com-pound I) and oxypaeoniflorin (compound II). Compound I and II exhibited hyaluronidase inhibitory activities with $IC_{50}$ of 1.71 and 1.73mM, respectively.