• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.124-135
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• 2010

Background and Objective: Atherosclerosis is a diffuse, systemic disease that affects the coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arterial trees. Clopidogrel is widely used antiplatelet agent and its efficacy has been proven in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases, but it has several side effects. Therefore we investigated whether Sopunghwalhyeoltang, which is widely used for treating the blood stasis syndrome in traditional medicine, could decrease the side effect of antiplatelets and have a synergic effect. Methods & Materials: Male $ApoE^{(-/-)}$ mice were randomly divided into three different experimental groups, non-treated group (Control group), clopidogrel-treated group (CP group) and clopidogrel with Sopunghwalhyeol-tang treated group (CPS group). The control group was fed with only an atherogenic diet, the CP group an atherogenic diet plus clopidogrel 25mg/kg and the CPS group an atherogenic diet plus clopidogrel 25mg/kg with Sopunghwalhyeol-tang 100 mg/kg. We investigated plasma lipids with liver function test, and performed a histological investigation of liver and abdominal aorta. Results: 1. Photomicrographs of liver and abdominal aorta tissue showed lower histological injury and lipid accumulation in the CP and CPS groups than those in the Control group. 2. In the CPS group, plasma triglyceride level was significantly lower than in the Control and CP groups. 3. In the CPS group, the plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly lower than in the CP group. Conclusions: The above results shows that a combined treatment of Sopunghwalhyeol-tang and clopidogrel have a synergic effect through inhibiting vessel injury and decrease the side effects of clopidogrel alone.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.164-174
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• 2011

Objective: The antiplatelet agent aspirin has been widely used for treating atherosclerosis in western medicine, and its efficacy has been proven in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases. On the other hand, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang has been widely used for treating blood stasis syndrome in traditional medicine. Therefore we investigated whether Hyeolbuchukeo-tang could have a synergic effect along with aspirin. Methods & Materials: Male $ApoE^{(-/-)}$ mice were randomly divided into three different experimental groups: a non-treated group(Control group), an aspirin-treated group(AP group), and an aspirin with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang-treated group(APH group). The control group was fed only an atherogenic diet, the AP group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg, and the APH group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang 100 mg/kg. We investigated plasma lipid with liver function test, and performed the histological investigation of liver and abdominal aorta. Results: 1. We investigated photomicrographic changes of liver and abdominal aorta tissue. They showed that histological injury of aorta and lipid accumulations of the liver were lower in the AP and APH groups than in the control group. 2. In the APH group, plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower than those in the control and AP groups. 3. There were no differences in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels among the control, AP and APH groups. Conclusion: The above results show that a combined treatment of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang and aspirin has a somewhat synergic effect in terms of inhibiting vessel injury and decreasing lipid deposits on liver cells without liver toxicity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2007

Free radicals are known to play important role in pathophysiology of hepatic disorders and antioxidants are employed along with other chemotherapeutic agents in treatment of such diseases. In search of natural antioxidant, successive extracts of Hypericum (H.) hookerianum (Family: Hypericaceae) were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo methods. Extracts of aerial parts of H. hookerianum were subjected for 1,1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH assay), nitric oxide radicals scavenging assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Methanolic extract was found to be more active than other extracts in DPPH and in vitro TBARS assay with $IC_{50}$ at 5.82 ${\pm}$ 1.33 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 49.78 ${\pm}$ 3.79 ${\mu}g/ml$ respectively. While petroleum ether extract showed more potentials in scavenging the nitric oxide radicals with $IC_{50}$ 220.97 ${\pm}$ 2.69 ${\mu}g/ml$. The administration of $CCl_{4}$ to the control animals caused decrease in the level of catalase and superoxide dismutase, together with significant increase in the level of TBARS in liver and kidney. Reversal of these changes towards normal group was observed by administration of H. hookerianum methanolic extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, while other extracts were found to be less active.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.336-340
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• 2007

Plants from the genus Centaurea (C.) (Family: Asteraceae alt. Compositae), widely distributed in Asia, Europe and North America, have traditionally been used in the treatment of various ailments. As a part of our on-going studies on the plants from the genus C. for their phytochemistry and biological activities, extracts of the seeds of Turkish endemic C. species, C. bornmuelleri and C. huber-morathii, were tested for their cytotoxicity towards the CaCo2 colon cancer cell line as well as for the toxicity towards the brine shrimps, using the MTT and the brine shrimp lethality assays, respectively. Among the extracts, the MeOH extract of these plants showed significant toxicity towards the brine shrimps ($LD_{50}=55.2{\times}10^{-2}\;and\;42.4{\times}10^{-2}mg/ml$, respectively). The MeOH extract of both C. species also inhibited the growth of CaCo2 colon cancer cells in the MTT assay ($IC_{50}$=29.9 and 33.0 g/ml, respectively). As the most prominent activities in both assays were observed with the MeOH extracts, it can be assumed that the compound(s) responsible for these activities are polar in nature.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2016

Recently, increased attention has been directed toward medicinal extracts and their active ingredients as potential new drug candidates for androgenic alopecia. Resina Pini (RP), a resinous exudation obtained from Pinus sp. (Pinaceae), has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of infection, pain related to dental caries, and periodontal disease. Previously, we suggested that RP and its main constituent, abietic acid (abieta-7,13-dien-18-oic acid; AA), may play important roles against androgenic alopecia as $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitors. However, to date, there is no evidence that AA has hair growth-promoting effects in vivo. In this study, we found that 10 ~ 300 mg/kg RP and 3 ~ 30 mg/kg AA significantly promoted hair growth in a C3H/HeN mouse model of alopecia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the hair growth-promoting effects of RP and AA in vivo. From these results, RP and its main constituent AA can promote hair growth in mouse by inhibiting $5{\alpha}$-reductase activity and may be effective alternative therapies for androgenic alopecia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the psychopharmacological activities of oroxylin A using the open field, rota-rod, balanced wire and plus-maze tests in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY). Oroxylin A reduced hyperactivity in SHR (ADHD animal model) although it tended to increase locomotor activity in WKY. Methylphenidate did not reduce hyperactivity. Oroxylin A alleviated impulsive behaviors such as rearing, the percentage of moving time to the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition (open area in elevated plus-maze). Methylphenidate also reduced the percentage of staying time in the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition. Both oroxylin A and methylphenidate enhanced motor attention in SHR and WKY. Oroxylin A antagonized the muscimol ($GABA_A$ receptor agonist)-induced $Cl^-$current and its action was similar to that of bicuculline ($GABA_A$ receptor antagonist). The effects of oroxylin A may be caused by the antagonism at the $GABA_A$ receptor. Thus, oroxylin A may be a candidate of drug for treatment of ADHD.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.294-300
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• 2005

Uncaria Tomentosa and Maytenus are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoidal effects after either a single application or application over a short-term period. We applied these natural products to Wister rats every day for two weeks and investigated the effects of this long-term application on inflammation. This was done by measuring footpad edema, which was induced by a locally injected carrageenan. There was a dramatic reduction in edema in both U. Tomentosa- and Maytenus-treated rats; furthermore, the reduction lasted as long as three days for rats treated with U. Tomentosa. When the Balb/C mice underwent similar treatment for one month, the level of IgM in the blood of U. Tomentosa-treated mice decreased while the level of IgG in Maytenus-treated mice increased. This suggests that the long lasting effects of U. Tomentosa may be related to a low level of IgM and the subclass switch from IgM to IgG. Since the anti-inflammatory effects of U. Tomentosa lasts for three days, it may prove useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis when applied for an extended period of time, especially since this product is known to have minimal side effects.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2009

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various diabetic complications and small intestine is vulnerable to damage resulting in morphological and functional changes. In this study, the effects of Asystasia gangetica leaf extract (AGLE) on oxidative stress status in small intestine of diabetic rats were examined. The leaves of Asystasia gangetica was extracted with 70% ethanol. Oral administration of AGLE once daily (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days to diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05) increased antioxidant levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, GSSH, carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The increased levels of protein carbonyl content, lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase in diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal levels on treatment with AGLE. Both doses of AGLE offered significant activity (P < 0.01) against oxidative damage and were comparable with standard, glibenclamide. The results revealed the occurrence of oxidative stress in small intestine during diabetes and suggest the potential of AGLE as an antioxidant in protecting the tissue defense system against oxidative damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.35-40
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• 2015

Objectives : Zizyphus jujube (ZJ) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. However, the inhibitory effect of ZJ on intestinal inflammation has not been fully understood, yet. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-colitis activity of ZJ in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Methods : To investigate the protective effects of ZJ,the colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days. Mice were randomized into groups receiving ZJ (500 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (SFZ) (150 mg/kg) as a positive control, or water as a negative control. We assayed the effects of ZJ on DSS-induced the clinical signs, measuring weight loss, colon length and disease activity index (DAI). Additionally, to find a possible explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of ZJ, we evaluated the effects of ZJ on the production of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in colitis tissue. Results : The results showed that mice treated with DSS showed considerable clinical signs, including weight loss, and reduced colon length. However, administration of ZJ significantly reduced the weight loss, shortens colon length, and improved DAI as clinical symptoms. Moreover, ZJ inhibited the $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression levels in DSS-treated colon tissues. Conclusions : Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of ZJ as a potential molecule for use in the treatment of intestinal inflammation including ulcerative colitis.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2010

The present study investigated the effect of silymarin, a flavonoid, on streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic dyslipidaemia in rats. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Silymarin (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) was orally administered to diabetic rats for a period of 15 days. Blood glucose levels, serum lipid profile and liver glycogen levels were estimated following the established procedures. Biochemical observations were supplemented with histological examination of liver sections. Oral administration of silymarin to diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the blood glucose levels ($259.99{\pm}23.64$ vs. $99.90{\pm}2.62$ [25 mg] & $89.17{\pm}3.32$ [50 mg]). The most interesting finding was the significant (p < 0.001) increase in HDL-cholesterol levels ($26.99{\pm}0.61$ vs. $40.55{\pm}0.52$ [25 mg] & $41.12{\pm}0.37$ [50 mg]) whereas, there was a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels observed in silymarin treated diabetic rats. STZ treatment caused significant degeneration of liver parenchyma, which was normalized to near normal morphology by administration of silymarin. The findings indicate that silymarin effectively improved the overall lipid profile and restored the glycogen stores in the liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats, in a dose dependent manner. The results indicate existence of abnormalities in lipid metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats and suggest a protective effect of silymarin in this animal model.