• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2010

Palmitic acid (PA) is one of free fatty acids, which is found from Gaultheria itoana Hayata and Sarcopyramis nepalensis. Although PA has a variety of pharmacological effects including mediates hypothalamic insulin resistance, induces IP-10 expression, and promote apoptotic activities, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PA in mouse peritoneal macrophages remains unclear. In this study, we showed that PA exerted an anti-inflammatory action through suppression the production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenases-2 and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccaride-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Our study suggests an important molecular mechanism of PA, which might explain its beneficial effect in the regulation of inflammatory reactions.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2014

A5E is complex of several medicinal herb ethanol extracts. The aim of this study is investigating the anticancer effect for non-small cell lung cancer. The antitumor effects of A5E on NCI-H460 were examined by regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$), and apoptosis-related protein. Cell proliferation was measured by MTS assay. Apoptosis induced by A5E was confirmed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining, and cell cycle arrest was measured by PI staining. NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation was detected by immunofluorescence and MMP (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$) was measured by JC-1 staining. The expression of extrinsic pathway molecules such as FasL and FADD were elevated, and procaspase-8 was processed by A5E. In addition, intrinsic pathway related molecules were altered. The Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl levels decreased, Bax increased, and cytochrome C was released. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential collapsed, and caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase were processed by A5E. Moreover, A5E affected the cellular survival pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and NF-${\kappa}B$. PI3K and Akt were downregulated, also NF-${\kappa}B$ expression was decreased, and nuclear translocalization was inhibited by A5E. These results suggested that A5E delays proliferation, inhibit cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis in human lung cancer cell. We conclude that A5E is a potential anticancer agent for human lung carcinoma.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2006

Phytoestrogens have been used as a food supplement to prevent osteoporosis. The isoflavones in the phytoestrogens are daidzein, genistein and formononetin which are present in various herbs. This study examined the quantity of isoflavones in medicinal herbs, which can be used as a phytoestrogen supplement; soybean. These isoflavones were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a UV/VIS detector. The concentration of daidzein in Puerariae Radix was $10,436.16{\pm}2,143.83\;mg/kg$ of the dried herb, which was much higher than that extracted from soybeans, $341.47{\pm}18.96\;mg/kg$. The amount of genistein in Sophorae flavescentis Radix ($336.09{\pm}50.89mg/kg$) was approximately 11 times higher than that extracted from soybean ($30.03{\pm}7.17mg/kg$). The level of formononetin in Dalbergiae odoriferae Lignum, $2,189.14{\pm}136.46mg/kg$, was the highest among the herbs tested. The total isoflavone content of Puerariae Radix was approximately 30 times higher than that extracted from soybean. Therefore, plants from the family Leguminosae, particularly Puerariae Radix, can be a good source of phytoestrogens.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.59-65
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• 2011

Objective : For the purpose of developing Korean herbalogy of the plants to Aspleniaceae in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods : The examined herbalogical books and research paper which published at home and abroad. Results : 1. There are 2 genera and 21 species in Aspleniaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 2 genera and 10 species, some 48% in total. 2. Asplenium genus is a main kind in that it has 20 species among 21 species in Aspleniaceae of which medicinal plants are 9 species. 3. The Herb play medicinal parts if most plants in the Aspleniaceae have the effect of a medicine, the 10 species of which are used for medical care. 4. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Aspleniaceae, the cold medicinal plants and the bitter medicinal plants take the highest number of them 5. According to the properties and principal curative action, they were classified into drugs for hemostatic 10 species, drugs for clearing away heat 8 species, drugs for detoxification 7 species respectively. 6. None of the species of Aspleniaceae have been found to be toxic. Conclusions : There are totaled to 2 genera and 21 species in Aspleniaceae in Korea and among them medicinal plants are 2 genera and 10 species some 48% in total.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2009

In these experiments Gamiojeoksan remnant components were analyzed to recycle this medicinal herb remnant fertilizers. The basic growth of Korean mint by application of Gamiojeoksan remnants were higher than control. As the amount of fertilizers were increased, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and number of branches were increased. The growth and yield were the highest in the treatment of 30 g/pot. Weight of whole plant of Korean mint has a tendency to be heavy in application of herbs remnant than that of control.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-56
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the basis for developing the herbal decoction that may help promote healthy blood vessels in accordance with the basic principles of Korean medicinal materials. Methods: In this study, we investigated the vascular relaxation effects of fifty herbal decoctions on vascular response in isolated thoracic aorta of phenylephrine-preconracted rats. Results: The results of identify the vascular relaxation effect of fifty herbal decoctions provided by Korea Institute of Korean Medicine, twenty-one herbal decoctions showed vascular relaxation effects. Among them, four herbal decoctions, Mahwang-tang (麻黃湯), Samchulgeonbi-tang (參朮健脾湯), Cheonwangbosim-dan (天王補心丹), and Socheonglyong-tang (小靑龍湯), with showed significantly concentration-dependent vasodilation was examined. Vascular relaxation level are $84.02{\pm}4.70$, $79.39{\pm}13.9$, $51.26{\pm}12.56$, and $54.73{\pm}15.8%$, respectively (P<0.05, 0.01, and 0.001). Conclusions: Thus these results provide a basic data for the treatment of the impairment of vascular function and blood pressure in traditional Oriental medicine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.167-181
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• 1999

Rhizoma Arisaematis, Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Folium Perillae, Radix Sophorae Subprostratae, Radixi, Radix Ledeboutriellae, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Herba Ephedrae, Radix Puerariae and Radi Aconitx Bupleuri have been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for various disease. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of several herbs on norepinephrine(NE) induced blood vessel contraction in rabbits and pigs. Rabbit(2 kg, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of each rabbit was cut into equal segments and mounted in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 2-3 g loading tension. The dose of norepinephrine(NE) which evoked 50% of maximal response $(ED_{50})$ was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for NE $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-3}M)$. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly by Rhizoma Arisaematis, Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Folium Perillae, Radix Sophorae Subprostratae and Herba Ephedrae in abdominal aorta. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly be Lignum Akebiae, Rhizoma Zedoariae, Cortex Eucommiae, Herba Ephedrae, Radix Puerariae and Radix Bupleuri in femoral artery. Contractions evoked by NE $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly by Radix Sophorae Subprostratae, Radix Aconiti and Herba Ephedrae in renal artery. These results indicate that each herb can relax NE induced contraction of rabbit and pig blood vessel selectively, and that this relaxation relates to Gui-Gyung(歸經).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2010

Objectives & Methods : To compare the medicinal herbs between Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Korean medicine(TKM), we took reference of major publications related to Ayurvedic medicinal herbs such as Indian Herbal Remedies, Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs, with those of TKM. We selected most widely used 130 herbal species of Ayurvedic medicine and compared the similarities and differences with TKM. Comparative factors were the origin, habitation, synonyms, usage, medicinal parts, and precautions. Results : 1. The medicinal herbs Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Carthami Flos (紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curculiginis Rhizoma(仙茅) used in TKM did exactly correlate in their origins with those of Ayurvedic medicine. 2. Varieties of allied species were found in their origins. Benincasae Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), and Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子) derive from the same plant Benincasa hispida Cogn. for both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM. Interestingly, B. cerifera Savi. is also claimed for same uses in Ayurvedic medicine. This broadened use of allied species is found in various Ayurvedic herbal medicine such as Cannabis Semen(火麻仁) using Cannabis indica Lam., and Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) using Curcuma domestica Valeton. This suggests the possibility of their usage also in TKM. 3. Myrrha(沒藥), and Curculiginis Rhizoma concorded their usage with TKM. While Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Aquilariae Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子), Cannabis Semen(火麻仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) and Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮) revealed varied efficacies according to their part used or usage forms. Conclusion : Both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM reflect the traditional medicine of its regions where is founded. Mutual understanding improves the capability of coping of diverse ailments of present days and also replacing some plants in the days of increasing threat to our environment. Abundant external applications of various plants found in Ayurvedic medicine were particularly useful for TKM to complement its strength in herbal intake.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.91-103
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• 2002

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2015

Yijung-tang (YJT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising 4 medicinal herbs. In the present study, we performed the simultaneous analysis for three compounds of YJT and examined anti-allergic effects in vitro. The column for separation of three compounds was used Gemini C18 column and maintained at 40$^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems. To evaluate Th2 chemokines, YJT was treated into tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT cells, and performed ELISA for thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). To measure Th2 cytokines, YJT was added into primary mouse splenocytes, and performed ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, 5, 13. Calibration curves were acquired with r² >0.9999. The contents of liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and 6-gingerol in YJT were 4.50 mg/g, 11.10 mg/g, and 1.33 mg/g, respectively. YJT inhibited production of TARC and RANTES in TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. YJT also reduced production of IL-4, 5, and 13 in primary mouse splenocytes. In conclusion, our data will be a valuable information to improve quality control and anti-allergic effects of YJT.