• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

Background: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. or Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is a recently discovered ginseng species. Studies on its chemical constituents have shown that VG is remarkably rich in ginseng saponins, particularly ocotillol saponins. However, the psychopharmacological effects of VG have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study we screened the psychopharmacological activities of VG in mice. Methods: VG extract (VGE) was orally administered to mice at various dosages to evaluate its psychomotor (open-field and rota-rod tests), sedative-hypnotic (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test), anti-stress (cold swimming test), anxiolytic (elevated plus-maze test), and cognitive (Y-maze and passive-avoidance tests) effects. Results: VGE treatment increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced the endurance to stress, reduced the anxiety-like behavior, and ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In addition, VGE treatment did not alter the motor balance and coordination of mice and did not potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep, indicating that VGE has no sedative-hypnotic effects. The effects of VGE were comparable to those of the Korean Red Ginseng extract. Conclusion: VG, like other ginseng products, has significant and potentially useful psychopharmacological effects. This includes, but is not limited to, psychomotor stimulation, anxiolytic, antistress, and memory enhancing effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

The psychopharmacological profile of ginsenosides has not yet been confirmed systematically although various neuropharmacological activities associated with them have been investigated. In the present study, the psychological activities of Rb1 were investigated to evaluate whether it can be used in treatment or prevention of psychological disorders. Rb1 was intravenously injected at doses of O.2,2,5 and 10 mg/kg. The effects of Rb1 on the $Cl^-$ ion influx were investigated using IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, locomotor activity, forced swimming activity, activity on rotating rod and activity in elevated plus-maze were tested in mice. Rb1 increased the $Cl^-$ influx into the intracell region in a dose-dependent manner. Rb1 did not cause change in behavior in total open field when locomotor activity was tested, however it increased activities, especially, such as rearing frequency in center area. Administration of Rb1 at 0.2 mg/kg significantly reduced activities on rotating rod however administration at high dosages had no effect on them. Rb1 administration decreased animal immobile time in a water chamber in a dose dependent manner, and increased the strong mobile time of animals. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that Rb1 contributes to the psychopharmacological effects of ginseng and may be used in treatment or prevention of psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression.

• 약학회지
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.401-406
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• 2012

Previously, we identified that Cirsium japonicum (CJ) extract posses antidepressant properties. In order to look for the optimal hebal preparation, CJ extracts collected from Koheung, Yesan, Cheju, Pyungchang and Pocheon were compared. The psychopharmacological activities of each extract were investigated using the open field test, the rota-rod test and the forced swimming test. Effect of each extract on $Cl^-$ influx in neuroblastoma cells were also identified. All of the extracts were orally administered at dosages of 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of body weight. Supplementation of CJ did not significantly alter psychomotor behaviors such as movement, rearing frequency and total turn angle on the open field. Supplementation of CJ's extract from Pyungchang (100 mg/kg, p.o.), Cheju (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) and Yesan (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly decreased immobile duration and increased mobile duration in the forced swimming test. All of extracts have no influence on NE uptake in HEK-293 cells, but increased $Cl^-$ influx in neuroblastoma cell. The extract from Yesan demonstrated the most potent effect on $Cl^-$ influx. These results indicate that CJ's extracts from Pyungchang, Cheju and Yesan may alleviate depression, and the extract from Yesan may be the most effective preparation.

• 생약학회지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.139-148
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• 1977

It is the purpose of this article to present a brief and systematical behavioral methods in recent developed behavioral pharmacology. Specifically, the present review has been organized around three major topics reflecting both current research emphasis in behavioral pharmacology and methodological applications to the study of psychopharmacological actions of crude drug or herb medicine. The first major topic focuses upon the appropriate experimental design especially in the study of psychopharmacology. A large number of factors should be controlled to have a bearing on design of studies reflecting to psychological effects of drugs. The second section presents several recent methodological developments in behavioral pharmacology involving Turner's screening methods and several types of conditioning techniques. The last section calls specific attention to the observation of behavioral development processes in relation to the activity of pharmacological agents and emphasizes critical period of drug treatment.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.63-71
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• 2003

The psycho-pharmacological effect of BRHAT VATACHINTAMANI RASA (BVC) an Ayurvedic preparation was investigated, both in animal and clinical models. It was observed that BVC possess a sedative or quitening effect in that it significantly decreased the spontaneous motor activity, and also lowered the exploratory behavior of the amphetamine treated animals. This was further evident by increase in climbing out time and taming effect on animal in isolation induced aggression test. Apart from very high dose it seems have little effect on pentobarbital sleeping time and narcotic analgesic test. The drug BVC increases performance of the animal in forced locomotor test. The effect of VATACHINTAMANI RASA on clinical study was not significant.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.118-125
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• 2008

Gardenia jasminoides (G. jasminoides) is traditionally used to treat insomnia, jaundice, emotional disorders, hepatic disease, and inflammatory disease. Previously, we found that geniposide and the water extract of G. jasminoides increased $Cl^-$ influx in neuroblastoma. Here we examined the sychopharmacological activities of G. jasminoides and its constituents. G. jasminoides extract was orally administered at 100 and 200 mg/kg, and genipin and geniposide were intraperitoneally injected at 2, 10, and 20 mg/kg. G. jasminoides extract (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased total open field activity but increased rearing activity in the center of the open field, suggesting an increase in exploratory activity. Genipin and geniposide did not change open field activity, but geniposide (20 mg/kg) increased rearing activity in the central area. The extract (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased rotarod and wire-balancing activity, but genipin and geniposide did not. No compounds influenced thiopental-induced sleeping or electroshock-induced seizures. The extract (200 mg/kg) significantly increased staying time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the entry ratio into the open arms, and geniposide (20 mg/kg) also increased open arm entry. Electroshock stress decreased open arm activity, but the extract and geniposide (20 mg/kg) significantly reversed that effect. This results indicate that G. jasminoides extract and geniposide alleviated anxiety with greater efficacy in stressed animals than normal animals.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.83-89
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• 2006

The main aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacological profile of flavonoids utilizing behavioral tests and to investigate how the psychopharmacological activities of wogonin, baicalein and oroxylin A are different. Wogonin, baicalein and oroxylin A were intraperitoneally injected as dosages of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. In the locomotor activity, Rota-rod test, and elevated plus-maze tests, the behavioral parameters were analyzed by automatic systems. Thiopental induced sleeping time was measured. Water extract of S. baicalensis didn't exhibit sedative effect. Wogonin and bacalein exhibited anxiolytic activity although it was less potent than buspirone. Wogonin and baicalein decreased locomotor activity at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Wogonin also shortened significantly running time on the rota-rod at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. Wogonin and baicalein enhanced sleeping at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. These results indicate that wogonin produce anxiolysis with sedation and so did bacalein with mild sedation. On the contrary, oroxylin A enhanced running activity on the rotarod and did't depress locomotor activity. Oroxylin A significantly hindered sleeping rather than helped it at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. Oroxylin A didn't produce anxiolysis and instead, produce awakening effect. This study demonstrates that wogonin and bacalein exhibited anxiolytic activity with mild sedation, but oroxylin A didn't produce anxiolysis and instead, produce awakening effect. This result indicates that anxiolytic effect without sedation induced by Scutellaria baicalensis is produced by combination of flavonoids.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권4호
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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.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.590-596
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• 2015

The emergence and use of synthetic cannabinoids have greatly increased in recent years. These substances are easily dispensed over the internet and on the streets. Some synthetic cannabinoids were shown to have abuse liability and were subsequently regulated by authorities. However, there are compounds that are still not regulated probably due to the lack of abuse liability studies. In the present study, we assessed the abuse liability of three synthetic cannabinoids, namely JWH-030, JWH-175, and JWH-176. The abuse liability of these drugs was evaluated in two of the most widely used animal models for assessing the abuse potential of drugs, the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) test. In addition, the open-field test was utilized to assess the effects of repeated (7 days) treatment and abrupt cessation of these drugs on the psychomotor activity of animals. Results showed that JWH-175 (0.5 mg/kg), but not JWH-030 or JWH-176 at any dose, significantly decreased the locomotor activity of mice. This alteration in locomotor activity was only evident during acute exposure to the drug and was not observed during repeated treatment and abstinence. Similarly, only JWH-175 (0.1 mg/kg) produced significant CPP in rats. On the other hand, none of the drugs tested was self-administered by rats. Taken together, the present results indicate that JWH-175, but not JWH-030 and JWH-176, may have abuse potential. More importantly, our findings indicate the complex psychopharmacological effects of synthetic cannabinoids and the need to closely monitor the production, dispensation, and use of these substances.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.33-50
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• 1976

인삼이 중추신경계에 대한 작용을 검토하기 위한 일련의 연구로 본 연구에서는 전하 와 마우스를 사용하여 다음과 같은 몇 가지 행동연구를 행하였다. 1) 수면과 일반행동 분석 흰쥐를 사용하여 음식물이 충분한 정상상태와 96∼120시간 굶주린 절식상태에서 나타내는 일반행동을 분석하였다. 정상상태에서 100mg/kg 인삼투여 군은 대조 군에 비해 음식 먹는 회수가 유의성 있게 증가하였고, 반면 몸치장활동이 유의성 있게 감소 되었다, 96∼120시간의 절식상황에서는 두 인삼투여를 모두 대조 군에 비해 이동행동, 탐색행동과 같은 활동성이 유의성 있게 많고 장자기와 같은 무 활동성은 유의성 있게 감소되었다. 2) 조건 회피 반응 흰쥐를 사용하여 왕복 회피형 shuttle box에서 전기충격(VS)을 받지 않고 불빛(CS)에 의해 회피한 조건반응(CR)의 수를 학습의 지표로 삼아, 인삼 사포닌 2.5, 5.0, 50, 및 100mg/kg 투여 군과 식염수 군간에 성적을 비교하였다. 모든 인삼 사포닌투여 군의 성적이 식염수 대조 군에 비해 앞서는 경향이 뚜렷하지만 통계적으로 유의성 있는 경우는 2.5mg/kg경우 뿐이었다. 3) 공격적 정서반응 전기충격을 마우스의 발바닥에 가해 일어난 싸움에 인삼 사포닌이 어떠한 영향을 미치는가를 알아 보았다. 인삼 사포닌을 400 mg/kg로 투여 하면 chlorpromazine 2 mg/kg로 투여한 동물처럼 공격적 행동이 유의성 있게 감소되었다. 그러나 100mg/kg의 경우에는 이렇다 할 변화를 초래하지 못하였다.