• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.173-185
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• 2019

Background: Galgeun-tang used in traditional Korean medicine, is a mixture of the medicinal plants Cinnamomi Ramulus, Ephedrae Herba and Puerariae Radix, and has been prescribed for the treatment of various ailments, including fever. Although the use of traditional medicinal herbs to treat diseases has recently increased, their safety and toxicity profiles incompletely elucidated. Thus, we evaluated Galgeun-tang's toxicity in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods and Results: Galgeun-tang (1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats for 13 weeks, and then, they were maintained for 4 weeks without administration (recovery period). Their clinical signs, and hematological and urinary properties, were monitored. The results showed that Galgeun-tang administeration slightly increased serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and, aspartate aminotransferase levels. Additionally, 2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg Galgeun-tang significantly increased urinary bilirubn and protein levels of male and female rats, which were restored during the recovery period. Conclusions: The no-observed-adverse-effect level of orally administered Galgeun-tang was 4,000 mg/kg in both female and male rats, and no target organs were identified. In addition, 400 mg/kg was found to be the no-observed-effect level for toxicity under the study conditions.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.453-459
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• 2018

This study was performed to investigate the contamination levels of heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) and aflatoxin (such as $B_1$, $B_2$, $G_1$ and $G_2$) in commercial herbs for food and medicine. The concentrations of the heavy metals were measured by the ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer. The aflatoxins were analyzed by a HPLC-florescence coupled with photochemical derivatization. The detection ranges of the lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were found to be 0.006~4.088 mg/kg, 0.002~2.150 mg/kg, ND~0.610 mg/kg and ND~0.0139 mg/kg respectively. Among the total samples, the 3 samples (2.6%) were not suitable for the specification of cadmium by the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). The 13 samples of the total 117 samples were aflatoxin positive (11.1%). The amount of aflatoxin $G_1$ was $0.7834{\mu}g/kg$ in the Puerariae Radix and aflatoxin $G_2$ were $0.3517{\mu}g/kg$, $0.4881{\mu}g/kg$ in two samples of the Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, respectively. The aflatoxins $B_2$ and $G_1$ were simultaneously detected in the 10 Angelicae Gigantis Radix. The detection ranges of aflatoxins $B_2$ and $G_1$ were $0.2324{\sim}1.0358{\mu}g/kg$ and $0.7552{\sim}1.6545{\mu}g/kg$ respectively in Angelicae Gigantis Radix. The results of the current study suggest that continuous monitoring is needed for the proactive management of commercial herbs for food and medicine safety.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.270-281
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• 2002

The growth of Enterobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum was promoted by natural products themselves bearing antioxidative capacity and combined two, three and four kinds of them.1. acidophilus was promoted by Paeonia japonica, Acori graminei rhizoma, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, alone, and two mixed combinations were composed of Acori graminei rhizoma and Cinnamomi cortex, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium and Puerariae radix, and three mixed combinations were formed with Cimicifugae rhi- zoma, Cinnamomi cortex and Glycyrrhizae radix, and four mixed combinations were made up Glycyrrhizae radix, Theae folium, Scutellaria baicalensis george and Cinnamomi cortex. There four combination promoted growth of 1. acidophilus with 1.3 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that off times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 70% in dilution rate of 100 times. In the case of 1. plantarum was premoted by Corm fructus, Nelumbo nuclfera gaertner Sophorae flos, alone, and two mixed combinations were organized with Schizandrae Iructus and Theae folium, Paeonia japonica and Epimedii herba, and three mixed combinations were combined with Corni fructus and Theae folium and Paeonia japonica, Corni fructus and Coptidis rhizoma and Schieandrae fructus, and four mixed combinations were composed of Corm fructus, Theae folium, Coptidis rhizoma, Scutellaria baicalensis george, and Corm fructus, Schizandrae fructus, Paeonia japonica, Theae folium. These four combinations assisted growth of 1. plantarum with 1.5 times than that of control, and their antioxidative capacity also higher than that of 4-5 times, the ratio of elimination of hydroxyl radical was more than 75% in dilution rate of 100 times. As these combinations of natural products could activate some parts of body, they might be applied pharmaceuitcal sources, functional foods, and expected to fermentative beverages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Objective : Myeongganbo (MGB) composited with Hovenia Semen, Puerariae Radix and Dioscoreae Rhizoma is the prescription for protection of liver function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of MGB extract against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Methods : MGB extract was prepared by extracting with hot distilled water. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through vacuum distillation system. Mice fasted for overnight were orally administrated with or without MGB extract of different doses (25-200 mg/kg/day). After 30 min, APAP was orally applied with a single dose (400 mg/kg). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in plasmas of mice. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase GSH-px), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level were investigated in liver homogenates. Liver sections were stained with haematoxylin & eosin, anti-TNF-${\alpha}$ and anti-mouse COX-2 antibodies. Results : APAP treatment remarkably increased AST and ALT activities in plasma but inhibited GSH and GSH-px levels in liver homogenates. Also, liver injury was significantly accelerated by APAP treatment. Furthermore, APAP remarkably elevated COX-2 activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in liver homogenates. However, administration of MGB extract was able to counteract these effects. Histological studies provided supportive evidence for biochemical and molecular analysis Conclusions : These results suggest that MGB extract has potent hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced liver injury, these properties may contribute to liver disease care.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.655-662
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• 2016

Ginsenosides are major constituents of ginseng and are known to be responsible for its pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the detoxification effect of a mixture containing black red ginseng powder, red ginseng extract, Puerariae radix extract, and Hovenia dulcis extract, on SD (Sprague Dawley) rats treated with 30% ethanol. Thirty minutes before treatment, the animals were orally administered different concentrations of the mixture or water. Results revealed that the concentration of ethanol in blood serum was significantly decreased in the black red ginseng mixture treated group in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with that of the control group. The blood level of acetaldehyde increased until 1 hr after alcohol administration, but the levels rapidly decreased later. Furthermore, ADH and ALDH activities in the hepatic tissue were also increased in the black red ginseng mixture administered group, than in the control group. These results indicate that the black red ginseng mixture has the ability of decomposing alcohol by increasing the ADH and ALDH activities responsible for alcohol metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.891-896
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• 1995

In order to screen natural inhibitor of tyrosinase which catalyzes an enzymatic browning of some foods and in vivo synthesis of melanin, inhibitory effect of 129 edible plants and 15 chemical compounds on the in vivo melanin synthesis by mushroom tyrosinase was analyzed. Among leafy vegetables tested, radish bud, red chicory, Shepherd's purse and small green onion were found to have more than 50% tyrosinase inhibition effect in the descending order. Chinese radish and garlic in root vegetables, and nameko, shiitake and oyster mushroom in mushrooms, and teas showed also more than 50% inhibition effect. Among fruit vegetables tested, red pepper, Chinese quince and avocado were found to have more than 50% tyrosinase inhibition effect, while fruits generally showed low inhibitory effect. Medicinal plants which inhibit tyrosinase more than 50% were mume fructus>cinamomi ramulus>rubi fructus>mori cortex>biotae orientalis folium>puerariae radix, and herbs with more than 50% inhibitory effect were allspice>clove>mustard. In some chemical compounds tested, 4-hexylresorcinol, L-cysteine, glutathione, sodium bisulfite and kojic acid showed powerful inhibition effect on mushroom tyrosinase.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.71-76
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Pueraria lobata extract on focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Methods : Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery using the intraluminal filament model. ICR male mice underwent 90 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Mice were administered Pueraria lobata extract orally at the dose of 300mg/kg just prior to reperfusion. Rotarod test and balance beam test were practiced to assess sensory-motor function 23 hours after MCAo. In rotarod test, the latency to fall on the accelerating rotarod was recorded for 5 min. In balance beam test, the score was graded according to number of slips and latency to cross. The infarct volume was measured 24 hours after MCAo using 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Results : Pueraria lobata extract treated group showed significant reduction in infarct volume by 27.3% compared to control group (p<0.05). In rotatod test, it also showed significant extension of latency time compared to control group ($67.82{\pm}15.08$ vs. $5.62{\pm}1.06$, p<0.001). In contrast to performance in rotarod test, that in balance beam test did not improve with Pueraria lobata extract treatment. Conclusions : We conclude that Pueraria lobata extract has a significant neuroprotective effect and reduces damage of sensory-motor function in MCAo model. These findings suggest that Pueraria lobata could be a potent neuroprotective agent.