• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.359-364
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• 2012

This study were carried out to find bolting response of cultivation in different regions and to isolate FLC (FLOWERING LOCUS C) homologs in Angelica gigas Nakai. The mean temperature of different regions, ordering in altitude, were as follows: 100 m > 350 m > 530 m > 700 m. The largest amount of rainfall was occurred in the region of 350 m while the longest time of sunshine was occurred in the region of 100 m. The content of soil chemical properties in regions showed pH 6.2 ~ 7.4, T-N 0.17 ~ 26, organic mater $1{\sim}32gkg^{-1}$, $P_2O_5$ ${151{\sim}664_{mgkg}}^{-1}$, exchangeable potassium and calcium and magnesium were 0.78 ~ 1.15, 3.9 ~ 10.0, ${0.7{\sim}3.2_{cmol}}^{+kg-1}$. L5 line of A. gigas was occurred in bolting at all regions, but the bolting ratio was 60.0% in 700 m region with non-mulching treatment. Manchu of A. gigas was not occurred in bolting at all regions. The accumulation bolting ratio of L5 line by non-mulching was higher than that of mulching as 90.4% and 72.8% in 100 m region. The MADS-box transcription factor FLC is one of the well-known examples as a strong floral repressor. We decided to isolate FLC homologs from A. gigas as a starting point of flowering mechanism research of this plant. We have isolated two RT-PCR products which showed very high amino acid sequence homology to Arabidopsis FLC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2015

Transcription factor, Nrf2 was well known to protect cell from oxidative stress by up-regulating it's dependent anti-oxidative genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. Cheongjogupye-tang (CJGPT), a traditional herbal formula was originally recorded in 『EuiMunBeopRyul』, still having been used to treat pulmonary disease such as asthma and pulmonary inflammation, in Eastern Asian countries. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain elusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT on the RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT, MTT assay, immunoblotting, RT-PCR and reporter gene assays were performed. Although CJGPT slightly suppressed the nuclear NF-κB expression, it did not decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it did not increased the transcriptional activity of NF-κB in reporter gene assay. However, CJGPT upregulated the nuclear expression of Nrf2, as well as increased the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. In addition, CJGPT incresed the transcriptional activity of Nrf2. Taken together, our results showed that CJGPT exerts functions as an anti-oxidant mainly by activating Nrf2.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2007

Objective : Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae) (SM), an eminent herbal plant, has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of vascular diseases such as hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether SM inhibits production of nitrite, an index of NO, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. And this study investigated whether or not SM could reduce tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced inflammatory response in human vascular aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Methods : Cytotoxic activity of SM on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxy phenyJ)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. We measured the NO production using Griess Reagent System. Production of Proliflammatory cytokines was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results : Our results indicated that SM significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production accompanied by an attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 formation in macrophages. SM decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IL-8, IL-6 production, and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression. Conclusion : These results indicate that SM has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Objectives : The focus of the analysis was laid on changes in research pertaining to pharmacopuncture in regards to time progression. Methods : Type analysis was done on pharmacopuncture related papers published in the Journal of Korean Institute of Pharmacopuncture from the inaugural issue to June 2006 issue. 196 papers are analyzed to the sort of type. Results : For type analysis of the type of studies, experiment papers outnumbered other types with 94 cases, followed by 67 for clinical trials, and 35 for literary studies. Type analysis on the type of illnesses listed in the Methods section, 31 papers concentrated on arthritis or HIVD of spine, 6 for Pharmacopuncture response in human, 5 for anti-cancer and immune disorders, etc. Conclusion : Since its inaugural issue in 1997 to August 2006 issue ranging 10 years, type analysis revealed that the number of journals pertaining to pharmacopuncture has risen steadily over the years and nearly half of papers published recently are dealing with pharmacopuncture. Pharmacopuncture is a treatment method based on the unique theory of Korean traditional medicine. Its superior efficacy is proven through numerous research works, and effort and academical approach on pharmacopuncture are expected to receive positive evaluation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1170-1175
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• 2007

We have examined the effect of water extract of Phellinus linteus, a raw material of Korean traditional herbal medicine, on the induction of HL-60 cell differentiation. The proliferation of HL-60 cell was inhibited dose-dependently by treatment with various doses of P. linteus extract. It also caused a significant change in NBT reduction (7.5 times). The expression of CD11b and CD14 was increased in the cells treated with the extract, especially in those arrested at G0/G1 stage, which suggested that some components in P. Linteus extract induced HL-60 cell differentiation to granulocytic and monocyte lineages. Moreover, the expression levels of $p21^{WAF1/CIP}$ and $p27^{KIP}$ were up-regulated during HL-60 cell differentiation induced by P. Linteus extract. These results together suggest that P. Linteus extract contains potential HL-60 cell differentiation agents.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1999

Chronic asthma is considered as an incurable disease in modern society. This study focused on development of an animal model for the chronic asthma to investigate new drugs from traditional herbal medicine. And we tested the animal model with a typical prescription, Chungsangboha-tang and tried to find biochemical markers such as catecholamines and cAMP in serum, and as densities of beta-receptor in lung tissues. SD rats were actively sensitized by exposure to ovalbumine (OA). Ten days after sensitization, rats were challenged with OA aerosol by nebulizer six times every three days. Mucin was increased in bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) after antigen (OA) challenge. Serum concentration of epinephrine was decreased significantly although there were not changed much in serum concentration of cAMP and the densities of beta-receptor in lung tissues. Chungsangboha-tang (5 g/kg/day) was given orally to ovalbumin-sensitized rats (n=8) for 15 days. Mucin in bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) was increased significantly after treatment of Chungsangboha-tang although concentrations of epinephrine and cAMP were not changed significantly. The densities of beta-receptor in lung tissues were not different from those of controls. These results suggest that the ovalbumin-sensitized rats can be a good animal model of chronic asthma and Chungsangboha-tang is a possible drug in the treatment of chronic asthma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.88-99
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• 2008

Objectives: In order to identify the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam), widely used in Korean traditional medicine, an in vitro screening system was designed using pGL3, a luciferase reporter vector, and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 as target genes. Methods: The promoter regions of each gene were generated by PCR using the human chromosome as template DNA, and inserted into pGL3 vector with Kpn I and Hind III. The final construct was transfected into human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937) that could be differentiated and activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using this system, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of several herbal extracts regarded to have the medicinal effects of diminishing body heat and complementing Qi were tested. The chemicals PD98059 and berberine chloride were used as controls of the transcriptional inhibitors of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2, respectively. Results: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) demonstrated significant decrease of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in the in vitro assay system. In MTT assay, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937). Conclusions: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) was found to exhibit the significant medicinal properties of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2016

Objectives: Gyejibokryeong-hwan (GBH), a traditional Korean herbal medicine, has been widely used for the treatment of the blood stasis syndrome. This study is purposed to analyze the experimental research trend of GBH in Korea for developing further research plan. Methods: A search of Korean research database-Oasis, RISS and KISS- and Pubmed was carried out for publications until 2015, for the words, 'Guizhifulingwan', ‘Gyejibokryeonghwan’, or ‘Keishibukuryogan’. Then study selection is conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, studies not related or using modified formula or administered for human are excluded, 48 studies are included in this review, finally. We analyzed studies by research method, subject, outcome measure, and result of the study. Results: There were 31 in vivo studies about the effect of GBH on platelet aggregation, anti-oxidant, blood viscosity, and hypercholesterolemia, etc. 12 in vitro studies were about the effect of GBH on the cervical carcinoma, chronic kidney disease, uterine myoma, hepatocarcinoma, atherosclerosis, cancer chemo-prevent. 9 ex vivo studies were about the effect of GBH on the platelet aggregation, chronic kidney disease, ovaulatory disorder, and rheumarthritis.Conclusions: We proposed the translational research of GBH involving scientific discoveries and developing practical applications by investigating the concept of blood stasis syndrome in terms of current physiopathological mechanism.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.121-134
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• 2008

Objectives: Melia toosendan(MT) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine, and today it is used as a medication for colic, side aches, heartache and other disorders of liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether fractionated extracts of MT inhibit free radical generation such as DPPH radical, superoxide radical and nitric oxide, production of nitrite, an index of NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: MT extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of MT onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt(MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide(NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 expression were confirmed by western blot. And pro inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results: Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the LPS-induced $H_2O_2$, NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of MT have potential as an agent of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.388-396
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• 2000

The effect of the traditional herbal medicine Yukmijihwangtang-Jahage(YJ) on the improvement of insulin resistance and lipid profile was studied using a model for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, lean (Fa/-) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats. Yukmijihwangtang-Jahage feeding for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of plasma triglyceride in both lean and obese Zucker rats. Furthermore, Yukmijihwangtang-Jahage markedly decreased both plasma cholesterol and fasting plasma insulin, and significantly decreased the postprandial glucose level at 30 min during oral glucose tolerance test in obese Zucker rats. Although there was no statistical significance, the crude glucose transporter 4 protein level of Yukmijihwangtang-Jahage dieted obese rats tended to increase when compared to that of obese control rats. Therefore, the present results suggested that Yukmijihwangtang-Jahage may be useful in prevention and improvement of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperinsulinemia states such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, syndrome X and coronary artery disease.