• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2015

Yijung-tang (YJT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising 4 medicinal herbs. In the present study, we performed the simultaneous analysis for three compounds of YJT and examined anti-allergic effects in vitro. The column for separation of three compounds was used Gemini C18 column and maintained at 40$^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase for gradient elution consisted of two solvent systems. To evaluate Th2 chemokines, YJT was treated into tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT cells, and performed ELISA for thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). To measure Th2 cytokines, YJT was added into primary mouse splenocytes, and performed ELISA for interleukin (IL)-4, 5, 13. Calibration curves were acquired with r² >0.9999. The contents of liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and 6-gingerol in YJT were 4.50 mg/g, 11.10 mg/g, and 1.33 mg/g, respectively. YJT inhibited production of TARC and RANTES in TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. YJT also reduced production of IL-4, 5, and 13 in primary mouse splenocytes. In conclusion, our data will be a valuable information to improve quality control and anti-allergic effects of YJT.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze clinical reports of treatment of menopausal depression in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods: This study included randomized controlled trials (RCT) in treating menopausal depression. Literature studies of Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database(CNKI) were performed. Clinical reports on menopausal depression treatment were searched using the following key words in the CNKI: 'menopausal depression' and 'postmenopausal depression'. Results and Conclusions: A total of 24 RCT articles on menopausal depression were selected. The most widely used diagnostic tool for menopausal depression was CCMD-3. Effective rate and HAMD were the most commonly used assessment tools. Bosinhaeultang-gagam (Bushenjieyu-tang jiajian) and Gami-gammaegdaejotang(Jiawei ganmaidazao-tang) were used much more than other prescriptions, while Bupleuri Radix was the most used single medicine herb. Additionally, the Chinese medicine treatment group showed less adverse reactions than the control group. As a result, we could know frequently used herbal prescription and single medicinal herbs and this can be helpful in developing more advanced studies in future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.210-217
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• 1996

Farfarae Flos, a traditional herb medicine, has been used in Korea and China for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Farfarae Flos on histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats. Guinea pigs(500g, female) were killed by CO2 exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine which evoked 50% of maximal response (ED50) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine (10-7-10-4M). Contractions evoked by histamine(ED50) were inhibited significantly by Farfarae Flos. The mean percent inhibition was 8.7% after 1.5mg/ml Farfarae Flos, and 33.5% (p<0.05) after 5.0mg/ml Farfarae Flos. Propranolol (10-7M) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Farfarae Flos. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by 5.0mg/ml Farfarae Flos. Indomethacin and methylene blue (10-7M) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Farfarae Flos. These results indicate that Farfarae Flos can relax histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves, in part, symphathetic nerve system.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1977

In an attempt to deduce which plants might have been used for their anticancer activities in traditional oriental herb medicine, 127 prescriptions were selected from 'Dong-Eui-Bo-Gam', the Classic Handbook of Korean Traditional Medicine, written by $H_{UH}$ Jun and published in 1613. These are the prescriptions indicated for the systemic treatment of various tumors and some conditions resembling tumors, e.g. inflammatory masses and indurations, and they include 150 natural products of plant origin. The frequency of appearance of each medicinal plant in these selected prescriptions was compared with the frequency of its appearance in all prescriptions listed in 'Bang-Yak-Hap-Pyon', another popular Oriental Medicine Formulary in Korea, written by $H_{WANG}\;Pil-Su$ in 1885. From the latter book, $H_{ONG}$ has recently enumerated frequencies of 235 medicinal plants included in a total of 467 prescriptions. Chi-square tests revealed that 11 plant remedies appear with significantly higher frequency in the prescriptions for "tumors", and 10 for "inflammations". The plants with potential antitumor activities, in decreasing order of statistical significance, are Scirpus maritimus, Curcuma zedoaria, Prunus persica, Rheum coreanum, Foeniculum vulgare, Rhus vernifera, Daphne pseudogenkwa, Galarhaeus sieboldiana, Croton tiglium, Raphanus sativus and Galarhaeus pekinensis. The drugs for potential antibacterial or anti-inflammatory activities are Olibanum(Frankincense), Forsythia coreana, Lonicera japonica, Gleditchia officinalis, $M_{YRRH}$, Trichosanhes kirilowii, Astragalus membranaceus, Rheum coreanum, Platycodon grandiflorum and Fritillaria verticillata. Despite the uncertainties involved in the terminology of various diseases used in pre-modern medicine, and the reservations about the efficacy of remedies used for those diseases, it would be worthwhile to investigate these few selected plants for anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or antifungal effects, employing modern scientific methodology.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.161-169
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• 2010

Objectives & Methods : To compare the medicinal herbs between Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Korean medicine(TKM), we took reference of major publications related to Ayurvedic medicinal herbs such as Indian Herbal Remedies, Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs, with those of TKM. We selected most widely used 130 herbal species of Ayurvedic medicine and compared the similarities and differences with TKM. Comparative factors were the origin, habitation, synonyms, usage, medicinal parts, and precautions. Results : 1. The medicinal herbs Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Carthami Flos (紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curculiginis Rhizoma(仙茅) used in TKM did exactly correlate in their origins with those of Ayurvedic medicine. 2. Varieties of allied species were found in their origins. Benincasae Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), and Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子) derive from the same plant Benincasa hispida Cogn. for both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM. Interestingly, B. cerifera Savi. is also claimed for same uses in Ayurvedic medicine. This broadened use of allied species is found in various Ayurvedic herbal medicine such as Cannabis Semen(火麻仁) using Cannabis indica Lam., and Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) using Curcuma domestica Valeton. This suggests the possibility of their usage also in TKM. 3. Myrrha(沒藥), and Curculiginis Rhizoma concorded their usage with TKM. While Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Arecae Semen(檳榔), Aquilariae Resinatum Lignum(沈香), Pericarpium(冬瓜皮), Benincasae Semen(冬瓜子), Cannabis Semen(火麻仁), Carthami Flos(紅花), Camphorum(樟腦), Crotonis Semen(巴豆), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Curcuma Longae Rhizoma(薑黃) and Zedoariae Rhizoma(莪朮) revealed varied efficacies according to their part used or usage forms. Conclusion : Both Ayurvedic medicine and TKM reflect the traditional medicine of its regions where is founded. Mutual understanding improves the capability of coping of diverse ailments of present days and also replacing some plants in the days of increasing threat to our environment. Abundant external applications of various plants found in Ayurvedic medicine were particularly useful for TKM to complement its strength in herbal intake.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.185-199
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to review the effects and treatment of Korean, Oriental, Chinese medicine for premenstrual syndrome(PMS) as preceding research in order to further research the effective Korean Medicine treatment for PMS. Methods: Databases from Jan., 2002 through Feb., 2012 were searched through Pubmed for international journals; Korean studies information service system(KISS), National Discovery for Science Leaders(NDSL), Journal of Korean Acumoxa, J of Oriental Obstetrics and Gynecology, J of Meridian and Acupoint, and J of Korean Oriental Medicine for Korean journals were searched for national journals. The following search terms were used: acupuncture premenstrual syndrome, alternative medicine premenstrual syndrome, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), premenstrual syndrome for Pubmed, premenstrual syndrome(in Korean and English) for the remaining search. Results: Twenty four studies were included in this review. Conclusions: Alternative medicinal intervention such as acupuncture and herb medicine may be effective treatment method in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.1 s.144
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• pp.21-27
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• 2006

Yeast based estrogenicity assay is the simplest and useful for the assay and the discovery of novel estrogenic substances in natural specimens, The estrogen receptor(ER) modulation activity of 50% EtOH extracts of 101 traditional medicinal herbs was assessed using a recombinant yeast assay system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a receptor plasmid. Among them, 14 species proved to be active. Pureariae Flos (flower of Puerraria thunbergiana BENTH.) had the highest estrogenic relative potency$(7.75{\times}10^{-3})$ $(EC_{50}=9.39\;{\mu}g/ml)$. The $EC_{50}$ value of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ used as the positive control was $0.073\;{\mu}g/ml)$ (Relative Potency=1.00). There results demonstrated that some of the traditional medical herb may be useful in the therapy of estrogen replacement.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to investigate the current situation of domestic patents in Korea on natural products and to provide directions for developing and applying herbal medicinal products by in-depth analyses. Methods : Combinations of words, such as "A61K" or "A61P", "herb" or "Korean medicinal herb" or "Korean medicine" or "traditional" or "natural" or "$botanic^*$" or "China", and "medicine" or "treatment" or "prevention" or "improvement", were used to search patents in the World Intellectual Property Service (WIPS) database. Three methods were applied to analyze natural products patents. First, the number of patent registrations was sorted by year. Second, the assignees were analyzed by count and country of origin. Finally, cluster map analysis was conducted to explore frequently emerging words in natural products and the relationship amongst those words to treat corresponding diseases/technologies. Results : Results showed that, first, the total number of patents had been increasing. Among the patents, 76.4% were registered by domestic institutes/companies, and 23.6% by foreign institutes/companies. Second, USA, Japan, and China possess a considerable number of Korean patents and, therefore, domestic institutes/companies can seek joint technological development opportunities with their counterparts from those countries in the future. Finally, a total of four clusters were identified by cluster map analysis. Each of the clusters includes natural products related to diseases involving skin, aging, and blood sugar, as well as adult diseases. Conclusions : In this study, natural products patents registered in the Korean Intellectual Property Office were analyzed. The analyses results showed the kinds of natural products that had been employed for the treatment of certain diseases. However, natural products included in existing patents were minimal given that 4,174 species of indigenous plants are found in Korea. Thus, Korean institutes/companies should utilize unexplored plants to develop more value-added drugs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.15-23
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• 2016

Objectives : Araliae Continentalis Radix and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix have been used as the same medicinal name Korean and Chinese traditional medicines, respectively. The authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix is described only the root of Aralia continentalis in the Korean Pharmarcopoeia. However, the dried root of Angelica biserrata, Levisticum officinale, or Heracleum moellendorffii also has been distributed adulterants of Araliae Continentalis Radix. To develop a reliable method for identifying Araliae Continentalis Radix from adulterants, we carried out the analyses of universal DNA barcode sequences.Methods : Four plants species were collected from different habitate and nucleotide sequences of matK and rbcL were analyzed. The species-specific sequences and phylogenetic relationship were estimated using entire sequences of two DNA barcodes, respectively.Results : In comparative analysis of matK sequences, we were identified 104 positions of marker nucleotide for Ar. continentalis, 3 for An. biserrata, 4 for L. officinale and 8 for H. moellendorffii enough to distinguish individual species, respectively. Furthermore, we obtained marker nucleotides in rbcL at 42 positions for Ar. continentalis, 5 for An. biserrata and 2 for H. moellendorffii, but not for L. officinale. The phylogenetic tree of matK and rbcL were showed that all samples were clustered into four groups constituting homogeneous clades within the species.Conclusions : We confirmed that species-specific marker nucleotides of matK sequence provides distinct genetic information enough to identify four species. Therefore, we suggest that matK gene is useful DNA barcode for discriminating authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix from inauthentic adulterants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1072-1079
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• 2015

The lees of Korean traditional wine called as Jubak or Sul-jigemi in Korea is byproduct from alcohol fermentation industry, which is remnant of fermentation broth after filtration, centrifugation, distillation, or sedimentation during aging. Since, Korean traditional wines are produced from edible plant sources such as rice, foxtail millet, fruits and medicinal herbs with nuruk (a traditional fermentation starter and starch degrader), the Jubak from rice wine (takju), medicinal herb wine (yakju) and fruits wine are considered as safe byproduct and have various useful bioactivity. Considering the recent rapid increased production of Jubak from takju industry, and the reinforcement of dispose of Jubak as waste material in worldwide, the development of efficient reuse process for Jubak is necessary in traditional wine industry. In this review, the status of current industry, research and patent trends in relation with Jubak production, treatment, utilization and renewal was analyzed and different bioactive compounds including phenolic acids from Jubak were provided. Jubak is not any more waste material, and is the source of bioactive functional materials for food, cosmetics and medicinal industry. To develop the efficient and economic renewal technology including recovery process for bioactive substances from Jubak, systematic collaboration and research among the industry, academy and government is necessary.