• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical data of atopic dermatitis patients and to report the therapeutic effect of Jageum-Jung. Methods We conducted a retrospective study on the effects of treatment on atopic dermatitis patients who took Jageum-Jung from August 1, 2017 to December 20, 2017. The patients visited three times during the treatment period. The SCORAD Index score was measured and analyzed. Results Atopic dermatitis patients were 2 adults and 5 children. Both 2 adults were male (100%). Among the children, 1 child was a male (20%) and 4 children were females (80%). For adults, average age was 29.5 years, average weight was 72.75 kg, average height was 1.76 m and average BMI was $23.49kg/m^2$. For children, average age was 6.2 years, average weight was 23.92 kg, average height was 1.2 m and average BMI was $16.08kg/m^2$. The atopic dermatitis patients' average SCORAD Index score was 18.04 at first visit, 11.46 at second visit, and 7.64 at third visit. The scores lowered significantly after every visit. Conclusions The SCORAD Index in atopic dermatitis patients who took Jageum-Jung significantly decreased and it is expected that Jageum-Jung will be clinically effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.429-435
• /
• 2018

Background: Recent studies have shown that Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) successfully protects against dopaminergic neuronal death in the nigrostriatal pathway of a Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration; however, the mechanism has yet to be identified. Therefore, in this study we used two-dimensional electrophoresis to investigate the effects of KRG on the changes in protein expression in the substantia nigra (SN) of MPTP-treated mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (9 wk old) were intraperitoneally administered MPTP (20 mg/kg) four times at 2-h intervals, after which KRG (100 mg/kg) was orally administered once a day for 5 d. Two hours after the fifth KRG administration, a pole test was conducted to evaluate motor function, after which the brains were immediately collected. Survival of dopaminergic neurons was measured by immunohistochemistry, and protein expression was measured by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western blotting. Results: KRG alleviated MPTP-induced behavioral dysfunction and neuronal toxicity in the SN. Additionally, the expression of eight proteins related to neuronal formation and energy metabolism for survival were shown to have changed significantly in response to MPTP treatment or KRG administration. KRG alleviated the downregulated protein expression following MPTP administration, indicating that it may enhance neuronal development and survival in the SN of MPTP-treated mice. Conclusion: These findings indicate that KRG may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of patients with PD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.171-177
• /
• 2003

Previously we have reported that administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) plays both preventive and therapeutic roles in testicular toxicity of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Further study was carried out to verify the beneficial role of Korean red ginseng in TCDD-induced testicular toxicity with different animal species by different route of administration. Korean red ginseng crude saponin (KRG-CS) was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. One hundred twenty rats (Sprauge Dawley, 200${\pm}$10 g) were divided into 6 groups. The normal control group (NC) received vehicle (i.p.) and saline (p.o.). Predetermined dosage of TCDD (40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg b.w., i.p.) was administered to single TCDD-treated (TT) and test (CS) groups. KRG-CS was admin-istered (p.o.) at daily doses of 5 (CS5), 10 (CS10),20 (CS2O) and/or 40 mg/kg b.w. (CS40) for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the TCDD-exposure. Body weight gain, organ weights, and sperm quality were investigated. Decrease in body weight gain induced by TCDD was greatly attenuated by KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. Testicular weight, sperm head counts and ratio of sperm with progressive movement in TT group decreased significantly but those parameters were improved by the treatment of KRG-CS in a dose-dependent manner. This result led us to conclude that crude saponin might be the active ingredient of Korean red ginseng that attenuates the testicular toxicity induced by TCDD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.96-102
• /
• 2017

Background: Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer, has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and promote health for several thousand years. Ginsenosides are the main constituents for the pharmacological effects of P. ginseng. Since several ginsenosides, including ginsenoside (G)-Rg3 and G-Rp1, have reported antiplatelet activity, here we investigate the ability of G-Rp4 to modulate adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. The ginsenoside Rp4, a similar chemical structure of G-Rp1, was prepared from G-Rg1 by chemical modification. Methods: To examine the effects of G-Rp4 on platelet activation, we performed several experiments, including antiplatelet ability, the modulation of intracellular calcium concentration, and P-selectin expression. In addition, we examined the activation of integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ and the phosphorylation of signaling molecules using fibrinogen binding assay and immunoblotting in rat washed platelets. Results: G-Rp4 inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. We found that G-Rp4 decreased calcium mobilization and P-selectin expression in ADP-activated platelets. Moreover, fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ by ADP was attenuated in G-Rp4-treated platelets. G-Rp4 significantly attenuated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, as well as protein kinase B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}$ phosphorylations. Conclusion: G-Rp4 significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and this is mediated via modulating the intracellular signaling molecules. These results indicate that G-Rp4 could be a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent against platelet-related cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.1266-1273
• /
• 2011

Saponin is a main component of ginseng widely known as an oriental traditional medicinal ingredient. A variety of biological effects of saponin has been reported, but its action related to skin regeneration has remained unclear so far. In this study, the effect of saponin on matrix metalloproteinase as well as its antioxidant effect in cell free system was examined in human dermal fibroblasts. First of all, as a result of investigating the effect of saponin on cell viability using MTT assay, it was shown to increase cell viability below 10 ${\mu}g$/ml, but it also showed cytotoxicity above 25 ${\mu}g$/ml. The antioxidant effect of saponin was exerted by inhibition of $H_2O_2$ in addition to reducing power above 1 ${\mu}g$/ml. In particular, saponin showed a protective effect on DNA oxidation. Furthermore, it was observed that saponin activates MMP-2 and increases MMP-1 activity in gelatin and casein zymography analyses, respectively, indicating that saponin could have potential a therapeutic agent for anti-aging and skin regeneration.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.257-262
• /
• 2013

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture deteriorates, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone are altered. $It^{\circ}{\emptyset}s$ caused by the imbalance between born resorption and born formation. Recently natural products from plants have been extensively studied as therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent various diseases. Wheat bran is the hard outer layers of wheat grain and produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. In oriental medicines, Bu So Maek (Tritici Immaturi Semen) with wheat bran has been used as bronchitis, sedatives and anti-sweating effects. However effects of wheat bran butanol fraction (WBB, 50 ${\mu}g/ml$) in osteoclast differentiation remains unknown yet. Thus we investigated the effects of WBB on RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation. WBB inhibited osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the RANKL-induced activations of MAP kinases. Moreover mRNA expression of osteoclast-mediating molecules such as c-Fos, NFATc1 and DC-STAMP were attenuated by WBB during osteoclast differentiation. The finding of this study show that WBB and its components might prevent osteoclast-related bone loss.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2017

Arctigenin is the main active ingredient of Fructus Arctii, which has been reported with a variety of therapeutic activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-virus, and anti-obesity effects. In this study, a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of arctigenin in rat plasma. The assay utilized a simple protein precipitation with methanol and the mobile phase consisted of 100% methanol and water containing 0.1% formic acid (65:35 v/v). Arctigenin and the internal standard (psoralen) were monitored using a positive electrospray turbo ionspray mode with multiple reaction monitoring transitions of m/z $373.2{\rightarrow}136.9$ and m/z $187.2{\rightarrow}130.9$, respectively, and total chromatographic run time was within 5 min. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of arctigenin was 5 ng/mL in the rat plasma. The intra- and inter-day accuracy of arctigenin at LLOQ and matrix-matched quality control samples ranged 97.4 - 104.8% and 97.2 - 102.0%, respectively. The intra-day precision was within 4.80% and the inter-day precision was within 5.92%. Application of the present method was demonstrated through a pharmacokinetic study after intravenous and oral administration of arctigenin in male Sprague Dawley rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to prepare and find the optimum active preparation or fraction from Korea Red Ginseng inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression, because MMP-13 is a pivotal enzyme to degrade the collagen matrix of the joint cartilage. Methods: From total red ginseng ethanol extract, n-BuOH fraction (total ginsenoside-enriched fraction), ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction (GDF), and ginsenoside triol-type-enriched fraction (GTF) were prepared, and ginsenoside diol type-/F4-enriched fraction (GDF/F4) was obtained from Panax ginseng leaf extract. Results: The n-BuOH fraction, GDF, and GDF/F4 clearly inhibited MMP-13 expression compared to interleukin-$1{\beta}$-treated SW1353 cells (human chondrosarcoma), whereas the total extract and ginsenoside diol-type-enriched fraction did not. In particular, GDF/F4, the most effective inhibitor, blocked the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun-activated protein kinase (JNK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1/2 (STAT-1/2) among the signal transcription pathways involved. Further, GDF/F4 also inhibited the glycosaminoglycan release from interleukin-$1{\alpha}$-treated rabbit cartilage culture (30.6% inhibition at $30{\mu}g/mL$). Conclusion: Some preparations from Korean Red Ginseng and ginseng leaves, particularly GDF/F4, may possess the protective activity against cartilage degradation in joint disorders, and may have potential as new therapeutic agents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.14-29
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The extract of Sagunja-tang has been traditionally used for restorative treatment of constitutional weakness, vascular and immune disorder, and nervous disease in Oriental country. This study investigated the regulatory effects of Sagunja-tang on the expression, production, and activity of immune mediators.Methods : In this study, the extract of Sagunja-tang was prepared by extracting with distilled water at 100$^{\circ}C$ for 2.5h. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter. The extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered again through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter before use. The level of nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide(NO) was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), Th1 cytokines (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2) and Th2 cytokines(IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Also examined the effects of the extract on T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells.Results : In this investigation, Production levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by treatment with the extract. I also found that the extract increased T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in a dose-dependent manner.Conculsions : These results suggest that the water extract of Sagunja-tang may be useful for a therapeutic drug against a sickly constitution and immune diseases, probably by regulating the production of immune mediators.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.141-155
• /
• 2021

Objective The purpose of this study is to gather information from clinical studies conducted in China and analyze the effects of herbal medicine treatment for childhood vitiligo. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment for childhood vitiligo from the Chinese Academic Journal (CAJ) from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched. Then, each study was analyzed by demographics, disease durations, interventions, treatment periods, outcomes, adverse events, and compositions of the herbal medicine used. Result A total of 6 RCTs were included. All the trials except for one used a combination of Chinese herbal medicine with Western medicine as their treatment groups. The total efficacy rate was used to measure the effectiveness, and the treatment groups reported a significantly higher total efficacy rate compared to the control groups in all studies. In one study, a control group treated with compound glycyrrhizin capsule and topical compound kaliziran tincture combination treatment was compared with a treatment group which used the same treatment that the control group received in addition to oral herbal medicine. This study also showed higher total effectiveness in the treatment group than the control group. Conclusions In pediatric vitiligo, a combination of herbal medicine treatment rather than Western medical treatment alone can improve symptoms. In addition, it was suggested that the therapeutic effect can be enhanced when oral herbal medicine is used in combination with other herbal medicine treatments.