• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Pt-WE). Methods : Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells, we examined inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Also, the inhibitory effect of Pt-WE on the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and upstream signaling molecules was evaluated. To assess the protective effect of Pt-WE on hydrochloride/ethanol (HCl/EtOH)-induced gastric ulcer in mice, we compared Pt-WE (200 mg/kg) with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) treated mice's gastric mucosa, based on gross observations. Results : Pt-WE inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$ in a dose-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. Pt-WE suppressed AP-1 activation by reducing generations of both c-Jun and c-Fos. In addition, Pt-WE inhibited the p-MKK 4/7 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4/7) and p-JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) 1 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer lesions were inhibited by pre-treatment of Pt-WE based on gross observations. In addition, Pt-WE decreased the phosphorylation level of JNK. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Pt-WE has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects. Thus, Pt-WE may be used widely in treatment of not only neurodegenerative diseases but also inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1998

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of sulfate ion concentration in nutrient solution on the growth and qualify of Mongolian wormwood (Artemisia mongolica var. tenuifolia). Sulfate ion concentration was treated 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3mM using the modified nutrient solution composition for herb plants developed by European Vegetable R & D Center in Belgium. The growth of Mongolian wormwood was good at 3mM treatment and dry weight was best at 3mM treatment, Chlorophyll content increased with sulfate ion concentration. Mineral content did not show any significant difference among treatments. But Ca content in tissue markedly decreased at 3mM treatment. Sulfate ion uptake increased in proportion to sulfate ion concentration in nutreint solution, the higher sulfate ion concentration, the more uptake of sulfate ion by plant. At 1mM sulfate ion treatment, essential oil content was best, but the higher sulfate ion concentration resulted in decrease of essential oil content.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.378-383
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• 2000

Pinus sylvestris plantations in the Eifel mountains, Germany, were studied and classified phytosociologically. Ecological characteristics(soil, natural regeneration & succession) of the plant communities classified were analyzed and described with emphasis on the forest management. According to soil and topographic characteristics, this plantations were divided into four categories ; Vaccinium myrtillus-Pinus sylvestris community of the adequate moisture area, Pteridium aquilium-Pinus sylvestris community of the moisture area, Molinia caerulea-Pinus sylvestris community of the hardened soil layer B and Festuca tenuifolia-Pinus sylvestris of the dry area. Tree species growing below the shrub layer was analyzed. The results were considered as Vaccinium mytillus-Pinus sylvestris, Pteridium aquline-Pinus sylvestris and Molinia caerulea-Pinus sylvestris will be changed into Fagus sylvatica forest following Quercus forest, and Festuca tenuifilia-Pinus sylvestris will be changed into Pinus sylvestris-dominated climax forest.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2010

The chemical structures of eight compounds purified from two plants (Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow and Dioscorea batatas Decene) were determined and their anti-microbial activity against three microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans) was tested. The three micro organisms were cultured in 96-well plates or Petri dishes without (control) or with the eight compounds added at concentrations of 100 to 0.01 ${\mu}M$ (wt/vol). The growth of the microorganisms in the medium was examined after a 24-h incubation. The inhibitory effect of each compound on the growth of the microorganisms was calculated from the optical density measured at 595 nm, turbidity, and size of the inhibition zone around the treated paper disc. The minimum inhiitory concentration (MIC) of compounds 4 to 7 against S. aureus was 0.08, 0.05, 1.3 and 0.02 ${\mu}M$, respectively, and 0.09, 0.1, 0.2 and 100 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. The $IC_{50}$ (50% inhibition) values of compounds 5 and 6 were 3.1 and 6.4 ${\mu}M$ against S. aureus, respectively, and 10 and 2.4 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. Therefore, compounds 4 to 6 were the most potent anti-microbial agents among the eight compounds tested.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 1993

Essential oil components and contents were investigated at different growth stages and organs of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet. The content of essential oil different by growth stages and organs and the amount of essential oil at leaf was higher than any other organ. The content of essential oil at leaf and spica were increased by long growth period. The d-menthone and l-pulegone were maj or components of essential oil and contain 51-76% of total essential oil at leaf and spica. In the early stage leaf. l-pulegone was major component of essential oil but d-menthone was major components in the late stage leaf.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2002

In vitro bioassays of aqueous extracts of 25 herbal species were performed by ovicidal activity against Strongvloides venuelensis. 500 mg of feces from Mongorian gerbil infected with S. venuelensis were placed into polyvinyl culture with extracts of herb and anthelmintic drugs in triplicates. Larval activity inside the polyvinyl bag was recorded microscopically at 12 hours, and every 24 hours thereafter for up to 72 hrs incubation. Eggs were not hatched within 72 hrs and degeneration was evident in the presence of extracts. The ovicidal activity characterized by the absence of L$_3$ in fecal cultures inside the polyvinyl bag. 1. Among 25 herbs, 12 herbs had ovicidal effects and caused degeneration of larvae in egg. S. angustifolia, I. helenium, A. korenum, P. tenuifolia, F. virridissima, A. asiatica, S. chinensis, A. tataricus, S. baicalensis, M. rimosa, S. glabra and Z. piperitum were the most ovicidal effect. However, P. thunbergiana, T. chinensis, C. flos, G. uralensis, C. obutusifolia, C. fortunei, A. koreana, P. grandiflorum, P. tenuifolia (Radix), P. mume and A. asphodelodes showed no ovicidal effects in vinyl bag culture. 2. Of 25 hrebs, 4 herbs had ovicidal and wormicidal effects, P. thunbergiana, C. flos, B. Striata and T. chinensis were characterized by degeneration of larvae.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 1995

Twentyfive plant crude drugs with traditional reputation were selected for the antithrombotic screening. MeOH (80%) extract of each plant was given (500 mg/Kg, p.o.) to mice 1 hr prior to the thrombotic challenge (1.8 mg collagen plus 180 ug epinephrine/Kg, i.v.). Seven extracts (1, 2, 8, 10, 18, 22 and 23) showed either comparable or better recovery than aspirin (50 mg/Kg, p.o.) from paralysis caused by the pulmonary thrombosis. 1, 2, 8, 10, 18, 22 and 23 were fractionated to $CH_2Cl_2$ soluble (fr I) and $H_2O$ soluble (fr II) fractions and each fraction (100 mg/Kg, p.o.) was also tested. Mice treated with fr I of 2 (Angelica koreana), 10 (Corydalis spp.) or 23 (Schizonepeta tenuifolia) showed higher recovery and lower mortality rates than aspirin (50 mg/Kg, p.o.) treated mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.178-192
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• 1983

Polygalae Radix was used as diuretics, analgesics and expertorants in oriental medicine. The root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Polygalaceae) is comprised saponin (Onjisaponin A,B,C,D,E,F and G) polygalitol, onsitin and sugars. The pharmacological action of crude Polygala-saponin (PS) obtained from the roots are studied. The following results were obtained; 1) The median lethal dose $(LD_{50})$ of PS in mice is presented 71.1mg/kg s.c. and 694. 5mg/kg p.o.. 2) PS demonstrated diuretic action of relatively long acting duration in mice. 3) The diuretic mechanism of PS was found due to inhibitory effect of renal tubular reabsorption of electrolytes and glomerular vascular dilatation. 4) The group, administered simultaneously PS and cefadroxil monobydrate was significantly increased with PS alone group on diuretic action. Synergistic effect cefadroxil monohydrate on the diuretic action of PS seems due to competitive inhibition of plasma protein binding with PS. 5) PS demonstrated analgesic action by the acetic acid stimulating method and Randall-Selitto test in mice. 6) PS presented antipyretic action against febrile treated with the typhoid vaccine. 7) PS was significantly prolonged against the hypnotic duration of pentobarbital in mice. 8) Onset time convulsion and death induced by picrotoxin and strychnine in mice were not delayed. According to the above results, the PS was identified as a pharmacological active component obtained from roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.185-199
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• 2011

In the present study, we assessed the effect of the PPA (Polygala japonica Houtt., Polygala tenuifolia WILLD. and Acorus gramineus SOLAND. mixed preparation), a traditional herbal prescription, on the learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine. The cognition-enhancing effect of PPA was investigated using a passive avoidance test, Y-maze test and the Morris water maze test in mice. Drug-induced amnesia was induced by treating animals with scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). A single PPA (400 and 800 (mg/kg)) administration significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the passive avoidance test (P<0.05). On the Y-maze test, PPA (400 and 800 (mg/kg)) also significantly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice (P<0.05). PPA also improved escape latencies in training trials and increased swimming times and distances within the target zone of the Morris water maze (P<0.05). These results suggest that PPA attenuates amnesic state induced by scopolamine and that these Effect are mediated by enhancing the cholinergic dysfunction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.507-516
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• 2004

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. In the near future AD will be the commom disease in public health service. Although a variety of oriental presciptions in study POD(Polygala tenuifolia extracted from dichlorometan) have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms have not yet fully elucidated. It has been widely believed that AP peptide divided from APP causes apoptotic neurotoxicity in AD brain. However, recent evidence suggests that CT105, carboxy terminal 105 aminoacids peptide fragment of APP, may be an important factor causing neurotoxicity in AD. SK-N-SH cells expressed with CT105 exhibited remarkable apoptotic cell damage. Based on morphological observations by phase contrast microscope and NO formation in the culture media, the CT105-induced cell death was significantly inhibited by POD. In addition, AD is one of brain degeneration disease. So We studied on herbal medicine that have a relation of brain degeneration. From old times, In Oriental Medicine, PO water extract has been used for disease in relation to brain degeneration. We were examined by ROS formation, neurite outgrowth assay and DPPH scravage assay. Additionally, we investigated the association between the CT105 and neurite degeneration caused by CT105-induced apoptotic response in neurone cells. We studied on the regeneratory and inhibitory effects of anti-Alzheimer disease in pCT105-induced neuroblastoma cell lines by POD. Findings from our experiments have shown that POD inhibits the synthesis or activities of CT105, which has neurotoxityies and apoptotic activities in cell line. In addition, treatment of POD(>50 ㎍/㎖ for 12 hours) partially prevented CT(105)-induced cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cell lines, and were inhibited by the treatment with its. POD(>50 ㎍/㎖ for 12 hours) repaired CT105-induced neurite outgrowth when SK-N-SH cell lines was transfected with CT105. As the result of this study, In POD group, the apoptosis in the nervous system is inhibited, the repair against the degerneration of Neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression is promoted. Decrease of memory induced by injection of scopolamin into rat was also attenuted by POD, based on passive avoidance test. Taken together, POD exhibited inhibition of CT105-induced apoptotic cell death. POD was found to reduce the activity of AchE and induced about the CA1 in rat hippocampus. Base on these findings, POD may be beneficial for the treatment of AD.