• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the effects of Ginseng Radix (G), Rehmanniae Radix (R), and Fermented red-ginseng extracts (FRG) on cognitive function in scopolamine-induced memory-impaired mice. We measured the effects of G, R, and FRG on the improvement of memory and cognition via behavior analysis. In addition, we measured the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus of each group of mice. The expression of β-amyloid, Tau, and BDNF in the brain tissues were observed through immunohistochemical staining. Ginseng Radix (G) and Fermented red-ginseng (FRG) have effectively improved cognitive function in the water maze test. Ginseng Radix (G), Rehmanniae Radix (R), and Fermented red-ginseng (FRG) have improved the willingness of mice to explore the new environment, as confirmed by Y maze test. In addition, immunohistochemical staining revealed that Ginseng Radix (G) decreased the expression of β-amyloid and Tau in the hippocampus. In addition, fermented red-ginseng (FRG) increased the expression of BDNF. Ginseng Radix (G), Rehmanniae Radix (R), and Fermented red-ginseng (FRG) have decreased the concentration of acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus as compared with the control group of mice. In conclusion, Ginseng Radix (G), Rehmanniae Radix (R), and Fermented red-ginseng (FRG) are considered to have the potential for development as candidate drugs to control the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.462-470
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• 2022

Background Reactive oxygen species cause serious damage to the physiological function of tissues. Determination of total antioxidant capacity of skin tissue is one of the determinants of damaged tissue function. Mast cells (MCs) are one of the groups of cells that are invited to the site of injury. The healing process begins with the rapid release of various types of MCs' intermediate factors at the site of injury. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) production and secretion have been shown to regenerate the skin. The aim of this research was to evaluate the wound-healing and antioxidant effects of BMMSCs per MCs. Methods Fifty-four albino Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: (1) nonsurgery, (2) surgery, and (3) surgery + BMMSCs. Groups 2 and 3 were operated with a 3 × 8 cm flap and in group 3, cell injections (7 × 10⁹ cell injection at the time of surgery) were performed. After days 4, 7, and 15, percentage of the surviving tissue, histological characteristics, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the groups. For results, Graph Pad Prism 8 software was used, and data were analyzed and compared by analysis of variance and Tukey test. Results BMMSCs' application decreased the amount of MDA, increased SOD activity and survival rate of the flaps, and improved the histological characteristics. Conclusion This study revealed the protective effects BMMSCs alongside MCs against oxidative stress on the survival of the flaps. However, for clinical use, more research is needed to determine its benefits.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2023

Jukyeo (竹茹; Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam: BCT) is an herbal medicine made from the inner part of the bamboo stem of Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf ex Rendle or Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini. Although medical literature published in China and Korea decades ago introduced BCT as a remedy for reducing vomiting, fever, and hematemesis, decoctions containing BCT as a main herb (君藥) in Korea have been approved only for treating neurologic symptoms. Here, we discuss the anti-inflammatory function of BCT. Combined with the clinical usage of a BCT-containing decoction in treating inflammatory diseases in Japan, we raise the possibility of repurposing the BCT-containing decoctions for treating inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of BCT was mainly assessed by using RAW 264.7 cells. The regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2 and A20 activities was determined by western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. The list of decoctions containing BCT currently approved in Korea was obtained from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA). BCT suppressed the activity of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB elicited by LPS, activated an anti-inflammatory factor Nrf2, and induced A20 that is known to block several inflammatory pathways simultaneously, suggesting that BCT can suppress inflammation via at least 3 different pathways. KFDA approved 11 decoctions containing BCT as a major herb, including Gamiondam-tang (加味溫膽湯; GOT), for treating neurologic disorders. Interestingly, Jukyeoondam-tang (竹茹溫膽湯; JOT), whose composition is almost identical to GOT except for one herb, has been used to treat inflammatory pulmonary disorders including Covid-19 pulmonary infection in Japan Given the anti-inflammatory function of BCT evidenced by medical literature and experimental results and the clinical usage of JOT in treating inflammatory pulmonary disorders, we suggest a repurposing and extension of the BCT-containing decoctions approved in Korea to treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

The effect of day and night temperature on the seedlings growth as well as physiological responses of red pepper seedlings to temperature, such as uptake of water and nutrients, rates of photosynthesis and respiration of leaf and root were also investigated in growth cabinet. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. As the temperature dropped down to 12$^{\circ}C$, the uptake of water and nutrients, nitrate, phosphorus and potassium were decreased drastically. At 5$^{\circ}C$ there was virtually no uptake of water and nutrients. 2. Photosynthetic activity in the leaves of red pepper seedlings was increased gradually from 5$^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ and observed the highest photosynthetic activity at $25^{\circ}C$, but respiratory activity of leaf increased up to 3$0^{\circ}C$ and the same trend was observed in root respiratory activity. 3. Optimal combination of day and night temperature for shoot dry weight which is the decisive criterion of good seedlings of red pepper was found to be $25^{\circ}C$ at nighttime and 3$0^{\circ}C$ at daytime and then day/night temperature showed in the order of 25/25, 30/15, 15/25, 10/$25^{\circ}C$. No increment of shoot dry weight at 5$^{\circ}C$ in nighttime temperature observed regardless of daytime temperature.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2008

Objectives : To estimate the value of the Gyungokgo as therapeutic agent preventing against aging with an analysis of the ingredients and the bio-activating effects by enzymologic methods. Methods : A quantitative analysis of general ingredients' of the Gyungokgo's extract was done first. The effects on electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, whitening effect have been investigated in the physiological activity measurement of function experiment. Results : The contained hydrolyzed amino acid is Valine, Aspartic acid, Arginine, Isoleucine and the contained free amino acid is Arginine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Glycine. The derivative of free amino acid is Phosphoserine, Carnocine, ${\gammer}$-Aminoisobutyric acid. And the Gyungokgo contains 14 species of minerals, K>Na>Ca>Mg>Fe>Al>Mn. Then, to assure of the Gyungokgo's anti-oxidation, these following subjects -polyphenol, electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, tyrosinase inhibation- are analyzed and show high activity especially the most in chloroform extracts, (every ingredients written by the order of high amount) Conclusions : The Gyungokgo contains many materials functioning as anti-oxidation, neurotransmitter, anti-fatigue and immune agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Objectives : For the congenital feeble, the Gongjindan is useful medicine. The experiment is to estimate the value of the Gongjindan as therapeutic agent preventing against aging with an analysis of the ingredients and the bio-activating effects by enzymologic methods. Methods : General ingredients' of the Gongjindan's extract were analyzed first and the quantitative analysis of a reducing sugar, a soluble protein, an amino acid and minerals was made. The Gongjindan, which is extracted, concentrated, and freeze drying with water, ethanol and chloroform, have got applied for the experiment. The effects on electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, whitening effect have been investigated in the physiological activity measurement of function experiment. Results : The contained amino acid, in order of high amount, is Arginine, Alanine, Glutamic acid, Proline and the contained free amino acid is Glutamic acid, Leucine, Lysine, Phenylalanine. The derivative of free amino acid is ${\gamma}-Aminoisobutyric$ acid, Phosphoserine, Taurine. And the Gongjindan is containing 13 species of minerals in order of Ca>K>Na>Mg>Fe>AI>Mn. Then, to assure of the Gongjindan's capability of anti-oxidation, these following subjects-polyphenol, electronic donating ability, SOD-like activity, nitric oxide inhibition, xanthine oxidase inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition- are analyzed and show high activity especially the most in ethanol extracts. Conclusion : With this analysis of ingredients, the Gongjindan is containing many materials functioning as anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, neurotransmitter and immune agent. Moreover, In every water, ethanol, chloroform extracts, the Gongjindan's capability of anti-oxidation is confirmed so that we can apply to patients' treatment clinically.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 1987

Benzyl alcohol is known to have dual effect on the red blood cell shape change. At low concentration up to 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferent binding to the inner hemileaflet, however, at higher concentratransformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferential binding to the inner monolayer, however, at higher concentration above 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed to echinocyte by affecting both monolayers. These results suggest that the effect of benzyl alcohol on the red blood cell shape and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cardiac cell membranes to assess the effects of the drug on the structures and functions of the biological cell membranes. The results are as follows: 1) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM caused progressive stomatocytic shap change of the red blood cell but above 50 mM benzyl alcohol caused echinocytic shape change. 2) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM inhibited both osmotic hemolysis and osmotic volume change of the red blood cell in hypotonic and hypertonic NaCl solutions, respectively. 3) Benzyl alcohol inhibited both Bowditch Staircase and Wood-worth Staircase phenomena at rat left auricle. 4) Benzyl alcohol at concentration of 5 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity of red blood cell ghosts slightly but above S mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. 5) Benzyl alcohol at concentrations of 5 mM and 10 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity slightly at rat gastrocnemius muscle S.R. but above 10 mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. Above results indicate that benzyl alcohol inhibit water permeability and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cell membranes in part via effects on the fluidity and transition temperatures of the bulk lipid by preferential intercalation into cytoplasmic monolayer and in part via other effect on the conformational change of active sites of the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ molecule extended in cytoplasmic face.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2020

Cognitive impairment is symptoms of dementia, a degenerative brain disease that is drawing attention in a rapidly aging society. This study was conducted to investigate the improvement of cognitive function of Leonurus japonicus on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and the effect and mechanism of memory recovery. In vivo studies were conducted on mice orally pretreated with L. japonicus in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg (p.o.) and scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected 30 min before the behavioral task. Antioxidant activity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity evaluated by Ellman's method. In behavior studies showed that L. japonicus has an improved the memory of scopolamine-treated mice in Y-maze, passive avoidance and Morris water maze test. In addition, L. japonicus was also exerted free radical scavenging activity and inhibited acetyl cholinesterase activity. These results suggest that L. japonicus improves short-term and long-term memory in scopolamine-induced memory decline model and prevents scopolamine-induced memory impairments through in reduced oxidative stress and acetyl cholinesterase inhibition effect. Thus, L. japonicus is related to functional medicinal materials for prevention and treatment of human dementia patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.868-873
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• 2004

Renal dysfunction could be developed as the secondary disease of liver cirrhosis. Delayed or suppresed lipid peroxidation by the treatment with physiological active substances could be explained as the antioxidative and protective effect in tissue damage. In this study, we investigated an antioxidative effect and renal function improvement of Hovenia dulcis in liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) induced rats. The female Sprague-Dawley rats (180∼210 g) were divided into 3 groups (Normal, AC: CCl₄ mixture treated group, AC-HV: CCl₄ mixture+ Hovenia dulcis treated group) and renal damage was developed by CCl₄ mixture administration in 4 weeks (0.8 ㎖/rat). The tissue of kidney and liver and sera were used for quantitative measurement of enzyme activity, MDA and Hyp. The histological change and gene expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and a1(IV) mRNA were observed by Masson's trichrome staining and RT-PCR. As a result, the clinical biochemical parameters of liver function (AST and ALT) in sera of AC-HV group showed significantly 46.4% and 104.8% lower (p<0.005), and the level of ALP and BUN as the parameter of protein urine and azotemia showed 17.8 % and 25.8 % lower than in AC group. In AC-HV group, the concentration of MDA in kidney and liver was decreased significantly 15.8% and 21.3% when compared with AC group (p<0.01 -0.005). The content of Hyp in kidney of AC-HV group is merely higher than in AC group, in contrast to liver tissue. The expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and collagen α1(IV) mRNA was decreased in AC, but both of collagen mRNA in normal and AC-HV group expressed fast similar. More massive lipid droplets, thicker collagen fiber bundles in portal triads and more formation of portal central septum were observed in the liver of AC group than in AC-HV group. In conclusion, CCl₄ mixture intoxication could be developed not only liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) but also renal dysfunction by the massive lipid peroxidation and suppression of interstitial collagen and basement membrane collagen synthesis. And the water extract of Hovenia dulcis may be possessed the antioxidative and protective effect and improvement of kidney function in renal dysfunction induced rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.881-887
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• 2002

This treatise is written in order to solve the important contradiction between the two theories; in oriental medicine psychological function is responsible for heart, but in western one it is responsible for brain. So we take the methods of studying in the aspects of morphological characteristics(MC) and visceral manifestation theory(VMT, 藏象論) and others about two organs-heart and brain. Brain(頭腦) is preferred to understand as a structure which is manifesting mental activity of heart. So the brain can be named with external heart(外心) corresponding to the relation of kidney(外 and external kidney. Saying conversely, the nutritional foundation of the mental function is the blood of heart, but the enlightening and insightful features of mentality make it's own residence move to the organ in the uppermost and positive site, that is head. And the close relationships on mental functions between heart and brain were discussed in various aspects, like investigation on east and west etymological literature, or Jiu gong and Taoist theory as well as Me and VMT, These understandings can make us know about the pathology of brain by itself. It has deep relations with heart fire and heart blood and kidney essence, and gastrointestinal function and liver with lung additionally. In another point, it makes the highly complicated psychological functions to be explained free from body relatively, and so can do a role in the complement of the strict 5 viscera theory.