• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.40-59
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos in vitro, which has been frequently used in inflammatory diseases. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos were evaluated by checking the following substances of LPS-activated Raw264.7 cell: Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), Nitric oxide (NO), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Interlukine-1β (IL-1β), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Inhibitor of kappa B-α (IκBα), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). And additionally measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals to check the antioxidant effect of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos which affect inflammatory responses. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, PGE2, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α production amounts were reduced in the ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos groups compared with the control group, and decreased the amount of COX-2 mRNA, iNOS mRNA gene expression. Expression of MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) pathway was decreased. Expression of IκBα was increased and NF-κB was decreased. It is demonstrated that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos, by reducing NF-κB, regulate the expression of the inflammatory genes and reduce the inflammatory mediators. Ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos also decreased ROS production and free radicals, which shown to have antioxidant efficacy and influence anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: These data suggest that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos can be used to treat various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.353-356
• /
• 2005

This study was performed to examine the antibacterial efecacy of topical agent extracted from Phellodendri cortex, Forsythia fructus and Glycyrrhizae radix as an alternative dermatological agent. Also, the most efficacious concentration of this agent and the skin-contact time inhibiting the vegetation of bacterial cells in various dilutions were determined. Five strains of Staphylococcus intermedius were exposed to various dilutions of this agent. The efficacy was assessed after exposure for time periods varying between 0 and 30 min. The antibacterial efficacy was shown to be the strongest at dilution of 1: 2. The number of viable organisms decreased significantly after 8 minutes of exposure time and was the smallest after 30 minutes of exposure time. This alternative dermatological agent is considered to be effective against Staphylococcus intermedius and has a potential to be a new topical agents far the treatment of pyoderma in dogs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.17-36
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of external preparation containing herbal extract(Sophorae Radix, Aurantii Immaturus Fructus, Schizonepetae Spica, Forsythia fructus and Portulacea Herba) on atopic dermatitis patients. Methods : A total of 33 patients who visited the Dept. of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology & Dermatology of Korean Medicine of Korean Medical hospital of Daejeon university from February 2012 to February 2013 were engaged in this study. Patients who corresponded the requirements were enrolled in the study. This study shows symptom comparisons before and after the use of this product. Effectiveness was evaluated through SCORAD(SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) Index, and the quality of life scale was conducted through Skindex-29. Results : 1. Comparison of the general changes through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed more statistically significant declines than the placebo group after the two-week use. 2. Comparison of changes in intensity criteria(Erythema, Edema, Oozing, Excoriation) through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed more statistically significant declines than the placebo group after the two-week use. 3. Comparison of changes in subjective symptoms through SCORAD Index indicated that the experimental group showed no statistically remarkable changes. 4. Comparison of changes in the body parts(Upperlimb) through SCORAD Index indicated the experimental group showed statistically significant changes after the two-week use. 5. Comparison of the general changes in quality of life through Skindex-29 indicated that the total score from experimental group showed statistically significant changes after the four-week use. Conclusions: This study, evaluated through SCORAD Index, indicated that the treatment with the external preparation containing herbal extract has a statistically marginal significance of efficacy on atopic dermatitis patients in the short term.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.277-285
• /
• 2009

Forsythia fructus has been shown to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, antipyretic and anti-aging activities. This work was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Korean traditional medicinal prescriptions containing Forsythia viridissima extract. The prescriptions containing Forsythia fructus were evaluated for antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on lipoxygenase activity and on LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production. In human irritation test, they did not show any adverse effect. Based on these results, we suggest that the se prescriptions hold great promise for application as an anti-inflammatory agent for trouble skins such as atopic dermatitis and acne.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.85-96
• /
• 2015

Forsythia fructus has been shown to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-aging and whitening effects. This work was carried out to investigate the anti-aging effects of Forsythia viridissima-prescription extracts (Yeongyoseungma-tang, Gamiyeongyoseungma-tang, Hoechunyangkyeok-san) on skin. Skin anti-aging effect of Forsythia viridissima-prescription extracts (Yeongyoseungma-tang, Gamiyeongyoseungma-tang, Hoechunyangkyeok-san) was evaluated by using antioxidant assay, anti-glycation activity, inhibitory effect of tyrosinase activity, expression of type I procollagen and UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 on HS68 cells, and reduction of ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin on B16F1 cells. Forsythia viridissima-prescription extracts showed anti-oxidative and anti-glycation activity. The pectinex hydrolysed extract from Yeongyoseungma-tang 75% EtOH extract and Gamiyeongyoseungma-tang 75% EtOH extract increased the type I procollagen synthesis, and decreased the UVA-induced MMP-1 expression on HS68 cells. The pectinex hydrolysed extracts of Hoechunyangkyeok-san 75% EtOH extract had the inhibitory effect of melanin synthesis on B16F1 cells. Based on these results, we suggest that Forsythia viridissima-prescription extracts may be useful as a potential source of functional anti-aging cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2011

The fruit body of Forsythiae Fructus (Oleaceae), a common Korean medical herb, is widely used in the treatment of cold and inflammation. In order to elucidate the action mechanism and the active principles from the plant against anti-influenza virus, the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene RT-PCR and Viral Screening & Identification (VSI) assay were conducted, and the activity against viral replication was also investigated. Consequently, one active constituent, namely pinoresinol showed the in vitro antiviral principle using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method, indicating pinoresinol possessed anti-influenza viral activity. Furthermore, combination of pinoresinol and Tamiflu exhibited higher activities than Tamiflu alone against influenza virus (H3N2) infection. The results suggested that combination of pinoresinol with Tamiflu could be a better candidate for an ant-H3N2 viral agent in the treatment of the influenza.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.310-318
• /
• 2020

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve among the peripheral nerves, and the damage to the sciatic nerve is caused by mechanical and physical pressure. This is an important disease that consumes a lot of time and money in the treatment process. Among them, research on relieving nerve pain caused by damage to the peripheral sciatic nerve has been made efforts to prevent and treat this disease through various methods such as drugs, natural products, electrical stimulation, exercise therapy, and massage. Existing treatments are not very effective in neurological pain, and countermeasures are needed. Forsythia Fructus, used in this study, has been used as a therapeutic agent for infectious diseases and a pain reliever for cancer from the past, and in past studies, it has been known to properly control the inflammatory response. In this study, rengyolone, a physiologically active substance of Forsythiae Fructus, was administered to rats that caused chronic left nerve pain to verify the pain relief effect. As a result of the experiment, it was found that mechanical pain and cold stimulation pain were significantly reduced in the rengyolone-treated group compared to the non-administered group. In addition, it was found that nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA expression was significantly reduced and Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdc2) expression was increased in the rengyolone administration group. This increase in NGF expression is thought to be related to rengyolone's anti-inflammatory regulatory mechanism. It is expected that the reduced NGF was directly involved in pain relief.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2008

Objectives : Forsythiae Fructus (Forsythia koreana Nakai) has been used anti-inflammatory, diuretics, antidote, and antibacterials in traditional herbal medicine. The present study is focused on the inhibitory effect of Forsythiae Fructus ethanol extract (FF-E) on the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, a mouse microglial cell line, and investigated the scavenging activity of FF-E. Methods : BV-2 cells were pre-incubated with FF-E for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS (1 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) at indicated times. Cell toxicity of GCF was determined by MTT assay. The levels of NO, PGE2 and cytokines were measured by Griess assay and ELISA. The mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS and cytokines were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Free radical scavenging activity of GCF was determined by DPPH assay in tube test. Results : FF-E significantly inhibited the excessive production of NO, $PGE_2$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. In addition, FF-E attenuated the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS, and proinflammatory cytokines. FF-E also significantly scavenged the DPPH free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results indicate that FF-E exhibits anti-inflammatory property by suppressing the transcription of inflammatory mediator genes, suggesting the anti-inflammatory property of FF-E may make it useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of human neurodegenerative diseases.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.125-136
• /
• 2004

The pharmacological mechanisms of most Oriental medicines have not been clearly defined in spite of their effective use in treating many diseases throughout the world. Many Oriental medicines have been used against various allergic diseases for generations, and still occupy an important place in traditional medicine in far eastern countries including Korea. It is also still unclear how Oriental drugs prevent allergic disease in vivo or in vitro models. Some Korean folk medicine inhibited the mast cell-mediated allergic reaction. This review summarizes the effective folk medicine in experimental effect on systemic or local anaphylaxis reaction. Potential anti-anaphylactic folk medicines include: Poncirus trifoliata; Siegesbeckia glabrescence; Solanum lyratum; Aquilaria agallocha; Ulmi radicis; Polygonum tinctorium; Hwanglyun-Haedok-Tang; Rehmannia glutinosa; Kum-Hwag-San; Syzygium aromaticm; Spirulina platensis; Sosiho-Tang; Sinomenium acutum; Schizonepta tenuifolia; Shini-San; Magnoliae flos; Sochungryong-Tang; Oryza sativa; Cryptotympana atrata; Salviae radix; Rosa davurica; Asiasari radix; Chung-Dae-San; Cichorium intybus; Perilla frutescens; Vitex rotundifolia; Terminalia chebula; Siberian Ginseng; Solanum melongena; Gahmi-Shini-San; Alpinia oxyphylla; Acanthopanax senticosus root; Prunella vulgaris; Allergina; Ixeris dentate; Acanthopanax senticosus stem; Tongkyutang; Salvia plebeia; Rubus coreanus; Sinpo- Tang; Dodutang; Forsythia fructus; Xanthii fructus; and Purple bamboo slat. Ensuring the effects and understanding the mechanisms of action for these Oriental medicines can permit drug development and laying of the ground-work for evaluating potential synergistic effects by addition and subtraction of prescriptions.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.147-159
• /
• 2011

A high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric method was developed to determine simultaneously eight marker constituents of Forsythiae fructus, and subsequently applied it to classify its two botanical origins. The marker compounds of Forsythia suspensa were phillyrin, pinoresinol, phillygenin, lariciresinol and forsythiaside; those of F.viridissima were arctiin, arctigenin and matairesinol. Separation of the eight analytes was achieved on a phenyl-hexyl column (150${\times}$2.0 mm i.d., 3 ${\mu}M$) using gradient elution with the mobile phase: (A) 10% acetonitrile in 0.5% acetic acid, (B) 40% aqueous acetonitrile. A few fragment ions specific to the types of lignans, among the product ions generated by collisonally induced dissociation (CID) of molecular ion clusters, such as [M-H]$^-$ or [M+OAc]$^-$ were used not only for fingerprinting analysis but for the quantification of each epimer by using multiple-reaction monitoring mode. It was shown good linearity ($r^2{\geq}$ 0.9998) over the wide range of all analytes; intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD, %) were within 9.14% and the accuracy ranged from 84.3 to 115.1%. The analytical results of 40 drug samples, combined with multivariate statistical analyses - principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) - clearly demonstrated the classification of the test samples according to their botanical origins. This method would provide a practical strategy for assessing the authenticity or quality of the herbal drug.