• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2009

In an attempt to find natural sources of antioxidants and whitening agents, Comparisons of the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of various ethanol extracts of Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba and Acanthopanacis Cortex were carried out. Comparison of the four ethanol extracts revealed that, Astragali Radix had the highest electron-donating ability(72.5%) and the highest SOD-like ability(26.1%). The xanthine oxidase experiment exhibited a hindrance effect of 88.5% in Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, 81.1% in Acanthopanacis Cortex, 75.8% in Astragali Radix. A tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay was conducted to evaluate the whitening effects of the extracts, The tyrosinase inhibitory activity was 42.1% in the Acanthopanacis Cortex, 37.2% in the Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, 6.0% in the Astragali Radix. Based on these results, we suggest that the ethanol extracts of Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba and Acanthopanacis Cortex can be used as food and cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.657-662
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• 2006

Immunological activities of the combined-administration of Acanthopanacis Cortex and Lycii Cortex Radicis were examined in BALB/C mice. The 40% ethyl alcohol extract of Acanthopanacis Corter (AE) or the 40% ethyl alcohol extract of Acanthopanacis Coriex and Lycii Cortex Radicis (ALE) were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. AE did not affect the viability of thymocytes, but ALE decreased the viability of thymocytes. ALE enhanced the viability of splenocytes increased by AE. Also, AE enhanced the population of cytotoxic T cell in thymocytes, and ALE enhanced the population of helper T cell compared with AE. Furthermore, AE increased the population of $Thy1^+$ cells in splenocytes, and increased the population of splenic $CD4^+$ cells. In addition, ALE enhanced the phagocytic activity which was decreased by AE ALE decreased the production of nitric oxide increased by AE in peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that ALE enhance an immune-regulative action of AE.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2002

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Acanthopanacis cortex on Cytokine-inducing and and immune response in Mice. In order to investigate the effect of Acanthopanacis cortex, the following was performed; Cytotoxicity, in vitro, the fraction of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $B220^+$ in splenic cell, gene expression of IL-12(p35), IL-12(p40), IFN-${\gamma}$, and splenic cell proliferation by Acanthopanacis cortex. Analysis of cytokine gene expression was carried out by RT-PCR amplification. Amplified PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.2% agarose gel, and the analysis (Ht) was used to 1D-density program. The results were obtained as follows. Acanthpanacis cortex showed didn't have cell toxicity under $12{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ group on mouse lung fibroblast cells. In an in vitro model using mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), extract of Acanthpanacis cortex induced multiple cytokine, including interleukin-12 (p35), interleukin-12 (p40), interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$). The extract also enhanced the percentages of the $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$ in the untreated control were $22.1{\pm}3.3$ to $38.4{\pm}2.1$, and $5.0{\pm}0.4$ to $10.7{\pm}0.3%$, respectively. From above findings, it is suggested that Acanthopanacis cortex is able to anti-cancer and activate immune response system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 2014

Objectives : This study is to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract on nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity in macrophages. Methods : Acanthopanacis Cortex(200 g) was heated at $100^{\circ}C$ with distilled water(2 L) for 4hrs. The extract was filtered and concentrated to 100 ml using a rotary evaporator and was frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$, then was freeze-dried. The RAW 264.7 macrophages were subcultured. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed. Experimental groups were divided into five(control, AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured cytotoxicity. The concentrations of NO were preprocessed by Griess assay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS and experimental groups were divided into five and we measured NO production. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS. Experimental groups were divided into five and we measured $PGE_2$ production. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH method. experimental groups were divided into four(AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results : 1. Viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages did not significantly decrease in 25, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 2. NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 3. $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 4. DPPH radical scavenging capability of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract in RAW 264.7 macrophages had the high level in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. Conclusion : According to the results, Acanthopanacis Cortexx hot aqueous extract has ability to suppress NO, $PGE_2$ production and improve DPPH free radical scavenging activity. So Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract may have an anti-inflammation effect and antioxidant activity.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

The effects of an Acanthopanacis cortex water extract on lipid levels, lipid peroxide, total antioxidant status and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated in rats fed one of the following diets for six weeks: normal diet and deionized water (ND), normal diet and Acanthopanacis cortex water extract (NDC), high fat diet and deionized water (HFD), high fat diet and Acanthopanacis cortex water extract (HFDC). The food intakes were significantly lower, but the food efficiency ratios were significantly higher in the high fat diet groups. The level of HDL-cholesterol in the plasma was significantly increased and the levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in the plasma were significantly decreased by the Acanthopanacis cortex water extract in the high fat diet groups. As a a result, the AI (atherogenic index) and CRF (cardiac risk factor) were significantly lower in the high fat diet groups that were treated with Acanthopanacis cortex water extract. The triglyceride and the total cholesterol of the liver were also significantly upregulated in the high fat diet groups, while the total cholesterol of the liver decreased in response to treatment with Acanthopanacis cortex water extract (HFDC). The plasma and liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly reduced by the addition of Acanthopanacis cortex water extract to the normal diet groups. The total antioxidant status (TAS) in the plasma was significantly upregulated by adding Acanthopanacis cortex water extract to the high fat diet groups. The activities of SOD, catalase and GST were also significantly higher in the Acanthopanacis cortex water extract groups when compared to the ionized water groups. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of GSH in the liver were significantly higher following the addition of Acanthopanacis cortex water extract to the high fat diet groups. Taken together, these results suggest that a supplementation of the diet of rats fed a high fat diet with Acanthopanacis cortex water extract improves lipid metabolism, reduces lipid peroxide and improves the activities of antioxidant enzymes, which may have favorable effects on antioxidant systems by improving the total antioxidant status (TAS).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1992

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Acanthopanacis Cortex boiling extract solutions on the fat accumulation in the obese rats induced by the oral high fat administration for six weeks. Total cholesterol, neutral fat and adipose acid of ACR groups were lower than the control group. During the feeding experiment, LDL and VLDL were increased while HDL was decreased in all groups. Insulin and cortisol were higher than the control group, due to the fat accumulation. Based on the above results, it was shown that it is possible to improve fat accumulation induced by high fat dietary through using the oral administration of Acanthopanacis Cortex boiling extract solutions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.98-104
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• 2002

Objectives: Calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine proteinase, may be one of the proteolytic enzymes that mediate cartilage degradation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The object of this study is to ascertain immunohistochemically whether calpain is present in the inflamed joints of collagen-induced arthritis of rats, and examine the effect of Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi on the expression of calpain. Methods: Male Lewis rats, around 200g of body weight, were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After 3 weeks from first immunization, rats were divided into arthritic control (n=6) group and Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi-treated (n=6) group. Non-immunized rats served as the normal (n=6) group. All animals were sacrificed at 15 days post-treatment and tibiotarsal joints were removed. Calpain immunohistochemistry was performed on the midsagittal section of the tibiotarsal joint. Results: All animals of the control and treated groups showed ankylosing osteoarthritis. However, the animals of the treated group showed alleviation in the fibrous ankylosis, destruction of articular cartilage and destruction of subchondral bony tissue compared with the animals of the control group. Calpain was expressed in the chondrocyte lacunae of growing articular cartilage, in the skeletal muscle fibers, in the peripheral nerves, and in the vessel walls around the joints of all groups. In the control and treated groups, calpain was also expressed in proliferating synovial epithelia, subsynovial stroma cells, surface of articular cartilage, and fibrous pannus around destructive subchondral bony tissue. However, the expression density of calpain in the treated group was diminished compared with the control group, especially in surface of articular cartilage and fibrous pannus. Conclusions: These observations indicated that calpain plays an important role in the destruction of cartilage and bone in collagen-induced arthritis of rats, and also indicated that Cortex Acanthopanacis Senticosi inhibits the development of arthritis by decreasing the expression of calpain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.521-527
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• 2008

Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added Yakju was manufactured and then fermentation and quality characteristics of Yakju were examined. Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added Yakju showed totally similar characteristics with the non-extract added Yakju of control groups. The pH showed almost no change to pH 4.0 after 6 days of fermentation and it was decreased only once in only fermentation time of 3 days. The acidity of Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added group showed no difference to the control group. The sugar obrix and reducing sugar content showed decrease in all two groups in the initial fermentation stage; however, it showed slow decrease as the late fermentation stage. The Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added Yakju showed less alcohol content than the control group in the initial fermentation stage. However, after 6 days of fermentation, the Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added Yakju showed more alcohol contents and constant increase till the final fermentation day. The pH, acidity, reducing sugar and alcohol content showed rapid changes between fermentation days 0 through 3. Therefore, it means that the Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added Yakju fermentation actively takes place between the days 0 through 3. Organic acids detected in Yakju were acetic, lactic, oxalic, malic and succinic acids. The acetic acid was the highest among the total acid contents. Eleutheroside E and chlorogenic acid, known as the effective components of Acanthopanacis cortex, showed stable status without changes in component content till stage two fermentation. The contents of eleutheroside E and chlorogenic acid were $7.61\pm0.39{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.63\pm0.18{\mu}g/mL$ on the final fermentation day, respectively. The fusel oil was slightly detected in both groups with values of $0.08\pm0.001{\sim}0.86\pm0.03mg%$ in n-propyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol and isoamyl alcohol content. The Acanthopanacis cortex extracts added group was similar to the control group in the overall sensory test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1457-1462
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Aralia elata, Acanthopanacis cortex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts on plasma glucose and biomarkers in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into normal and diabetic groups. The diabetic groups subdivided into the control group (DM), Aralia elata (DM-AE), Acanthopanacis cortex (DM-AC) and Ulmus davidiana (DM-UD). The extracts were supplemented in diet base on 11.42 g of raw materials/㎏ diet for 7 weeks. The diabetes was induced by injecting STZ (55 ㎎/㎏ B.W., i.p.) once 2 weeks before sacrifying. Plasma glucose level was significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal group, whereas insulin and C-peptide concentrations were significantly lowered in the DM groups compared to the normal group. These parameters were normalized in the DM-AE, DM-AC and DM-UD supplemented groups. Plasma albumin content was significantly lowered in the DM group compared to the normal group, yet it was significantly higher in the DM-AE group than in the DM group. Bilirubin and creatinine contents were elevated in the DM group, while the supplementation of Aralia elata, Acanthopanacis cortex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts ameliorate the change of these contents in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Plasma AST, ALT, ALP and LDH activities were significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal groups. The supplementation of Araliaceae family water extracts significantly lowered these parameters compared to the DM group. Accordingly, these results indicate that Aralia elata, Acanthopanacis cortex and Ulmus davidiana water extracts would seem to improve the glucose and biomarker in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.6-16
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• 1978

We obtained 4 kinds of extract fraction from Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex and studied on the influence to the blood pressure of rabbit. These 4 fractions were obtained as follows; Fraction I was insoluble fraction by 99% ethanol from 80% methanol extract of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex, fraction II, precipitated fraction by ether from 99% ethanol soluble fraction of 80% methanol extract of Acanthopanaacis Radicis Cortex, fraction III, no precipitated fraction by ether from 99% ethanol soluble fraction of above 80% methanol extract and fraction IV, water extract of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex. All of fractions, when administered into ear-vein of rabbit, produced fall of blood pressure. Among these 4 fractions, although fraction III was not only the most potent but had the greatest efficacy, we observed the mechanism of hypotensive action of Acanthopanacis Radicis Cortex, making use of fraction II which was thought as a comparatively pure fraction. Hypotensive action of fraction II (APF II) was not affected by vagotominization but markedly inhibited by atropine. Pretreatment of bethanidine showed a tendency to weaken the depressor action of APF II, although it was not a significant result, but diphenhydramine did not influence APF II action. Phentolamine, guanethidine and chlorisondamine inhibited significantly the hypotensive action of APF II. APF II elicited the potentiation of norepinphrine pressor action dependent on the time-factor whereas it did not influence angiotesin pressor action. It is seemed that APF II exhibited hypotensive action, causing peripheral muscarinic-effect and centrally induced sympatholytic action.