• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 2008

In this study we investigated the biological activities of Crataegi Fructus, including antioxidative, fibrinolytic, $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory, and thrombin inhibitory activities. Crataegi Fructus, hot water extract was fractionated into hexane, $CHCLl_3$, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions, and each of these was assayed individually. The water fraction showed the highest extraction yield at 4.08% (w/w). The antioxidative activities of the water, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions were 31.07%, 45.87%, 50.28%, and 91.74%, respectively. Assays for fibrinolytic activity indicated that only the butanol fraction has significant efficacy at 1.93 plasmin units/ml. Thrombin inhibitory assays indicated that the 10-fold dilutions of the $CHCLl_3$, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions had inhibitory activities of 34.97%, 41.43%, and 58.10%, respectively. The 10-fold dilutions of the only ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 75.07%. From the above results, we propose that extracts of Crataegi Fructus can be used as a material for the development of biofunctional foods.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1382-1386
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• 2004

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Samhwangsasim-tang(SST), herbal remedy. SST relaxed vascular strips precontracted with phenylephrine or KCI(51 mM), but the magnitude of relaxation was greater in phenylephrine(PE) induced contraction. The relaxation effects of SST was endothelium-independent. L-NAME, iNOS inhibitor, and methyl en blue(MB), cGMP inhibitor, did not attenuate the relaxation responses of SST. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with SST significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the SST includes inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores (SR). In addition, the cell death was induced by SST in human aortic smooth muscle cells but not that of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We conclude that in rat thoracic aorta, SST may induce in part vasodilation through inhibition of Ca/sup 2+/ influx and release of Ca/sup 2+/ from intracellular stores.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1543-1546
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• 2003

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease of the skin marked by excessive scaling associated with inflammation, affecting 1-2% of the population. Although their etiologies remain unknown, the finding of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes at sites of psoriasis has led many reports to hypothesize that psoriasis is a T lymphocyte-mediated disease directed against unknown autoantigens. The oriental medicine understands the cause of psoriasis as low humidity of skin tissues and functional deteriorations of the liver and lung. Gami-Yunbueum (GY) is a mixture of two previous prescription, which were used to the protection of liver and lung. We had prescribed the GY to the three psoriasis patients for 11 weeks and examined the effectiveness of the GY by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score. In our experiment, GY improved the symptoms of psoriasis in all cases. These results indicated that GY can apply to the treatment of psoriasis. Furthermore, the process for treatment of psoriasis is possible to provide humidity to skin and control the functions of liver and lung.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.957-964
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• 2004

Herbal medicines are increasingly used to treat various diseases and lots of studies have been reported that they had benefits in treating and preventing of diseases. But organic toxicity is increasingly recognized as herbal medicines become more popular in industrialized countries. Some herbal products potentially benefit people with lots of diseases, however these benefits remain generally unproved in humans, and a greater awareness for potential adverse effects is required. A herb containing a wide variety of, mostly unknown, substances may well include some with unwanted effects. This review focuses on emerging organic toxicities that have been observed associated with various herbal preparations involving the liver, kidney, and heart, and patterns of organ injury, potential risk factors for organic toxicities. In addition to the potential for organic toxicities, drug drug interactions between herbal medicines and conventional agents may affect the efficacy and safety of concurrent medical therapy. Appropriate reporting and regulatory system to monitor herbal toxicity are required, in conjunction with ongoing scientific evaluation of the potential benefits of phytotherapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.270-278
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• 2005

Alopecia is an increasing disease recently. Alopecia has social and psychological influence on the alopecia patients. But there is no perfect treatment of alopecia. Authors performed clinical study to evaluate the therapeutic effects of herbal soap Sangmogen in patients with alopecia. Twenty patients with alopecia were included in this study. The patients shampooed with herbal soap Sangmogen everyday. Efficacy was determined by investigating counts of hair, terminal hair, vellus hair, hair follicle, hair pull test, erythema, scale and fissure. After a experiment, self-assessment was checked. As the result of the study, we found that a significant effect was observed. So we concluded that herbal soap Sangmogen has a clinical effect on the alopecia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2005

We observed the efficacy of natural herbs and mixture in treating atopic dermatitis using anti-human IgE treated Human HMC-I cell and NCNga mice model. First, we selected three herbs, Cynonchum witfordii, Diospyros kaki, Ilite which were used to treat skin disease in Traditional Korea Medicine. Using Human HMC-I cell treated with anti-human IgE, we investigate in vitro whether each herb effects on IL-4, IL-13, $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression and $TNF-{\alpha}$, Histamine secretion value. Finally, we conducted study whether the mixture of the selected herbs is more effective than each herb which consist the mixture and control group. The results show that the mixture is better in improving atopic dermatitis condition.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.204-211
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• 2005

We hypothesize that bear's gall may have a certain role in anti-inflammation through a preventive effect of pro-inflammatory potentials. Secondly, we tried to connect the experimental results to Alzheimer's disease (AD), which chronic inflammation is a main cause of the disease. For this theme, we designed to elucidate the efficacy of bear's gall in suppressing the pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and $interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ in rat microglia. From the study, we concluded that bear's gall plays a positive role in suppressing such pro-inflammatory repertoire from rat microglia comparing to normal and positive control, such as culture media and cyclosporine. Interestingly, bear's gall showed a prolonged effect of anti-inflammation comparing with cyclosporine when time goes by up to 48h with a significant suppression at $1.2\;mg/m{\ell}$. Therefore, we can consider that bear's gall in part can be applied to AD therapy in that it suppresses the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators as well as its continued effect.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.748-752
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• 2010

There are many hypothesis about mechanism of acupuncture, and the relationship between acupuncture stimulation and autonomic nervous system(ANS) is one of the powerful hypothesis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between acupuncture stimulation and ANS. We searched the literature and reports related with acupuncture stimulation(meridian system, meridian points) and autonomic nervous system. And we concluded acupuncture stimulation can control autonomic nervous system. We reviewed studies that contributed to an understanding of the autonomic mechanisms of acupuncture with the hope that this review will be of benefit to the acupuncture treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.497-508
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• 2013

In addition to our previous study on the diseases and symptoms described in Juan Wooden Slips(居延漢簡), here we focused on therapeutics of Juan Wooden Slips, including herbal medicines, acupuncture, and moxibution. In Juan Wooden Slips, there are 36 species of medicinal herbs and 17 herbal prescriptions. Among the medicinal herbs, 75% of herbs were also used in Shanghanzabing-lun(傷寒雜病論). In terms of efficacy and therapeutic range of the medicinal herbs and prescriptions, Juan Wooden Slips is very similar to Shanghanzabing-lun. In addition, acupuncture were used as a combined with moxibution or herbal remedies similarly to Shanghanzabing-lun. Thus, we suggest that the medical thoughts and technologies shown in Juan Wooden Slips might influence on the establishment of Shanghanzabing-lun.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 2005

Soy is an important food in Asia and many studies have suggested that the low incidences of chronic diseases in Asian countries are associated with diets that are rich in soy. Soy contains many kinds of phytochemicals, and soy isoflavones and soyasaponins have received considerable attention. Twelve isoflavone components have been isolated from soy: three aglycones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein), and their respective nine glucosidic conjugates. Soy isoflavones are similar in structure to estrogen and exhibit both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities. Soy isoflavones exhibit anticancer activity, can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and are beneficial to brain and bone health. Soyasaponins are divided into three groups (A, B, and E saponins), and they exhibit hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidative, and anti-human-immunodeficiency-virus effects. Despite the abundant literature suggesting that soy isoflavones and soyasaponins have potential applications in preventive medicine, further research is needed to standardize dosages and ensure their efficacy.