• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2009

Foods of plant origin, especially fruits and vegetables, have attracted attention because of their potential benefits to human health. In this report, Rubi Fructus (RF), the dried unripe fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq (Rosaceae) and ellagic acid (EA) purified from RF were used to test their potential hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. RF extract (RFext) and EA reduced the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and the content of lipid peroxide in liver by AAP administration, while the increment of the cellular glutathione (GSH) content and the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) which were decreased by AAP administration. RFext and EA from RFext did not affect the two major form of cytochrome P450s, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), but downregulated the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) related to the conversion of AAP to N-acetyl-P-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). These results suggest that RFext and EA from RF exhibit a hepatoprotective effect not only by increasing antioxidant activities but also by down-regulating CYP3A4 in the AAP-intoxicated rat.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.561-570
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• 2004

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts were tested. As a result we found that the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts have the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of each test materials to the back of CS7BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. In the experiments of 5α-reductase type II inhibition assay, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Semen Cuscutae showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5α-reductase type II. And hair growth index of the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts ranked as 1.2, especially the hair growth index of Fructus Rubi is highest as 1.8. But there were no plant extracts which have effect on the DNA proliferation of hair dermal papilla cell measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation, the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF estimated by RT-PCR and protein synthesis of vibrissae hair follicle measured by [/sup 35/S] cysteine incorporation. Cortex Cinnamomi showed anti-bacterial effect on P. ovale, Radix Paeoniae Alba has the highest radical scavening activity and Radix Glycyrrhizae has the highest effects of NO synthesis. These results suggest that Gamissanghwa-tang can be used as a potent treatment agent for helping hair growth stimulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1543-1551
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• 2020

Panax ginseng has a wide range of activities including a neuroprotective effect, skin protective effects, enhanced DNA repairing, anti-diabetic activity, and protective effects against vascular inflammation. In the present study, we sought to discover the inhibitory effects of a mixture of natural products containing Panax ginseng, Ziziphus jujube, Rubi fructus, Artemisiae asiaticae and Scutellaria baicalensis (PZRAS) on osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling, as neither the effects of a mixture containing Panax ginseng extract, nor its molecular mechanism on bone inflammation, have been clarified yet. PZRAS upregulated the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with PZRAS decreased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. PZRAS also inhibited osteoclast differentiation through inhibiting osteoclastspecific genes like MMP-2, 9, cathepsin K, and TRAP in RANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PZRAS has inhibitory functions on the RANKL-stimulated activation of ERK and JNK, which lead to a decrease in the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. In an in vivo study, bone resorption induced by LPS was recovered by treatment with PZRAS in bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) compared to control. Furthermore, the ratio of eroded bone surface of femurs was significantly increased in LPS-treated mice compared to vehicle group, but this ratio was significantly reversed in PZRAS-treated mice. These results suggest that PZRAS could prevent or treat disorders with abnormal bone loss.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.122-132
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• 1999

Purpose : Hepatitis B virus DNA transfected cell line(HepG2.2.15) was cultured to evaluate the effect of herbs on the expression of HBeAg and the replication of HBV. HepG2.2.15 produces HBV particles as well as viral proteins into cell culture media. Methods : Extracts of herbs were adminitered to the cells on the proper concentration. Culture media was collected 48 hours after the herbal administration and HBeAg level in the media was examined by ELISA method. To confirm that the anti-viral effect was not due to direct cytotocixity of the extracts, normal cell proliferation was shown by cell counting. And as of the interference in protein synthesis of HepG2.2.15 by herb-extracts, we used the result of study that we performed before by ${\alpha}FP$ assay using EIA method. Results& Conclusion : Herb medicines like 地楡(Sanguisorbae Radix) and 覆盆子(Rubi Frusctus) showed significant inhibitory effect on HBeAg expression at p<0.01 and 五味子(Acanthopanacis Cortex) at p<0.05. Whereas, though some herbs such as ?草根(Rubiae Radix), 山査(Crataegii Fructus), 白芍藥(Paeoniae Radix Alba), and 大黃(Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) showed the tendecy to suppress HBeAg. most of them were not significant statistically. From the above, we could conclude that those herb medicines can be applied to patients effectively and further studies on effective fraction of some herbs are thought to be needed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.563-572
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• 2006

The plant Rubus species (Rosaceae) mainly contains $19{\alpha}-hydroxyurane-type$ triterpenoids $(19{\alpha}-HUT)$ as bioactive components. Available functional food includes blackberry (the fruit of thornless Rubus sp.), red raspberry (R. idaeus) and black raspberry (R. occidentalis). However, the fruit of R. coreanus, which is used in Korea as a functional food, substitutes black raspberry. Rubi Fructus, which has been traditionally used as an oriental medicinal drug, designates only unripe fruit of R. coreanus but not its ripe fruit which indicates that it needs high content of $19{\alpha}-HUT$ as a crude drug. Throughout our experiment, we found that ripe fruits contain very little amount of $19{\alpha}-HUT$ when compared to unripe fruits. In addition, various and rich $19{\alpha}-HUT$ has been reported from Rubus species. The most common structure of $19{\alpha}-HUT$ of Rubus species, euscaphic acid or tormentic acid with $3{\alpha}-OH$ or $3{\beta}-OH$, respectively, can be glycosylated or oxidized to produce a number of $19{\alpha}-HUTs $as euscaphic acid and tormentic acid derivatives and even esterified to form dimeric triterpenoids. In this review, the bioactivity and biosynthetic pathway and chemical characterization of $19{\alpha}-HUTs$ found in Rubus species are discussed.

• 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 Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.209-218
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• 2010

There experiment were carried out to analyze for pesticide residues in 4 kinds of dried fruits collected in northern area of Seoul in 2007~2009. Total of 213 samples were analyzed. According to the results, 20 kinds of residual pesticides were detected. Residual pesticides were detected in 66 samples (31.0%) and 8 samples (3.8%) exceeded maximum residue limits (MRL). Cypermethrin, fenvalerate, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, bifenthrin were detected frequently. The Pesticide types which were detected in dried furits were revealed in order of pyrethroid > organophosphate > organochloride > dicarboximide. Detection rates of dried fruits were dried chinese matrimony vein (53.0%), dried jujube (34.9%), dried rubi fructus (7.6%) and dried maximowiczia chinensis (4.6%). Based on these results, we investigated the risk assessment from amount of residual pesticide in dried jujube. Range of %ADI were 0.0001~0.0081%, but the value has not effected on human health.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Objective : Although management of asthma has become increasingly effective, its cure remains elusive, necessitating a new modality to prevent or eliminate causes triggering clinical progress. Based in the clinical experiences, a novel decoration Cheongsangbiyeum (CSB), has been developed to treat asthma, which consists of Polyporus, Semen Myristicae, Pericarpium citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Cortex Albizziae, Fructus Rubi, Rhizoma Zedoariae, and Rhizoma Rhei. In the current study, its anti-asthmatic efficacy was evaluated using a mouse model of asthma. Methods : Experimental allergic asthma was induced by repeated intraperitioneal sensitization and intranasal challenge of ovalbumin (OVA). Water extract of CSB (1 mg/mouse/day) was administrated orally whereas control mice on given with identical volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5 days during the course of antigen challenge. When airway hyperreactivity(AHR) measured by ${\bata}-methacoline-induced$ airflow obstruction was compared, AHR of CSB-treated mice was significantly lower than those of control mice, indicating that CM extract can attenuate an asthmatic symptom. Airway recruitment of leukocytes and eosinophils was also markedly reduced by CSB treatment suggesting that oral treatment of CSB can alleviate the airway inflammation. For a better understanding of possible mechanisms underlying anti-asthmatic effet of CSB, cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and $IFN{\gamma}$ levels in bronchoalveola lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were determined. Results : The results showed that cytokine levels were significantly lowered by CSB treatment. Additionally, number of draining lymph node cells was significantly lower than those of control mice. These data indicate that CSB suppress in vivo allergen-specific response. However, notably, levels of type 2 cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13 were more profoundly influenced. Moreover, in vitro OVA-specific proliferative response and type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production lymph node cells was markedly decreased in CSB-treated mice, whereas their $IFN{\gamma}$ production was not significantly altered Thrse data clearly showed a preferential inhibition of type 2 T cell (Th2) response by CSB treatment. This finding was also supported by serum antibody data showing that levels of OVA-specific type 2 antibodies, IgE and IgG1, in CSB-treated mice were significantly lower than in control mice, while type 1 antibody, IgG2a level m rather higher than controls, although the difference was in significant. Conclusions : In conclusion, oral administration of CSB attenuates asthmatic manifestations including AHR ad airway recruitment of eosinophils in a mouse model which possibly results from selective inhibition of Th2 cell response to allergen. Our data suggest a potential clinical application of CSB for control of allergic asthma.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2007

Eleven polyhydroxyursane triterpenoids (PHUTs) were tested to determine their cytoprotective, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. To compare the bioactivities of $19{\alpha}$-hydroxyursane-type triterpenoids {23-hydroxytormentic acid (6), its methyl ester (7), tormentic acid (8), niga-ichigoside $F_1$ (9),euscaphic acid (10) and kaji-ichigoside $F_1$ (11)} of the Rosaceae crude drugs (Rubi Fructus and Rosa rugosae Radix) with PHUTs possessing no $19{\alpha}-hydroxyl$ of Centella asiatica (Umbelliferae), the four PHUTs, asiaticoside (1), madecassoside (2), asiatic acid (3), and madecassic acid (4) were isolated from C. asiatica and 23-hydroxyursolic acid (5) from Cussonia bancoensis. Cytoprotective effects were assessed by measuring cell viabilities against cisplatin-induced cytotoxocity in $LLC-PK_1$, cells (proximal tubule, pig kidney) to determine whether these agents have protective effects against nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin. The inhibitory effect of 11 PHUTS on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ were evaluated by measuring nitrite accumulation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, and their anti-inflammatory effects were tested in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model. Six MHUTs (compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 11) exhibited higher cell viabilities during cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity testing even at a concentration of $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ than cisplatin only-treated group, suggesting that ese compounds have the potentcytoprotective efffcts. Compounds 1 and 3 of the C. asiatica and niga-ichigoside $F_1$ exhibited no inhibitory effect on NO and/or $PGE_2$ production whereas other PHUTs produced mild to significant NO and/or $PGE_2$ production.The four compounds (2, 5, 9, and 10) potently inhibited mouse ear edema induced by TPA whereas two compounds (1 and 3) had no activity in this test. These results suggest that many PHUTs are potentchemopreventives. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also discussed in each assay with regard to the significant role of OHs at the position of 2, 3, 6, 19, and 23 and to the glycoside linkage at the 28-carboxyl.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.312-316
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to establish an analytical method to detect zearalenone (ZEA) in herbal medicines and their decoctions and investigate the ZEA transfer rate from raw materials of herbal medicines to their decoctions. Herbal medicines (Trichosanthis Semenm, Eucommiae Cortex, Rubi Fructus) spiked with a known concentration of ZEA were presoaked or unsoaked (as a pretreatment) and boiled for 3 h at $100^{\circ}C$ or autoclaved for 1 h at $121^{\circ}C$. The decoction and the remnants were separated, cleaned up with an immunoaffinity column, and analyzed using HPLC. Recoveries for decoctions and remnants were 68.39-83.68% and 72.91-80.25%, respectively. ZEA was not detected in the decoction, whereas it was found in the remnants. Although ZEA in the raw material of herbal medicines was not transferred into the decoction during heating and autoclaving, the continuous monitoring for ZEA in raw herbal medicines should be carried out for the safe ingestion and utilization of herbal medicines.