Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method to Quantify Marker Compounds in var. and Its Effects in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common gastrointestinal disorder worldwide, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and disordered defecation. IBS is associated with several factors, including visceral hypersensitivity, gut motility, and gut-brain interaction disorders. Because currently available pharmacological treatments cannot adequately improve symptoms and may cause adverse effects, the use of herbal therapies for managing IBS is increasing.

Antidepressant effects of p-coumaric acid isolated from Vaccinium bracteatum leaves extract on chronic restraint stress mouse model and antagonism of serotonin 6 receptor in vitro.

Background: Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves (VBL) are used in traditional herbal medicines to treat various biological diseases. p-coumaric acid (CA), the main active component of VBL, has neuroprotective effects against corticosterone-induced damage in vitro.

leaf extract (YRA-1909) suppresses inflammation by modulating Akt/NF-κB signaling in lipopolysaccharide-activated peritoneal macrophages and rodent models of inflammation.

Background: Inflammation is emerging as a key contributor to many vascular diseases and furthermore plays a major role in autoimmune diseases, arthritis, allergic reactions, and cancer. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a component constituting the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is commonly used for an inflammatory stimuli to mimic inflammatory diseases. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor and regulates gene expression particularly related to the inflammatory process.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of (Ranunculales: Lardizabalaceae), a species endemic to Korea.

The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of , a monotypic genus native to Korea, was determined. The whole cp genome is 158,390 bp in size, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,115 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,928 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,174 bp. The cp genome encodes 117 genes, including 79 protein-coding, 38 tRNA-coding, and 8 rRNA-coding genes.

Anti-Fatigue Activity of a Mixture of (Thunb.) Decaisne and Thunb. Fruit Extract.

(Thunb.) Decaisne and Thunb. are commonly used in traditional herbal medicine and food and both exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Complete chloroplast genomes of Thunb., Thunb., Thunb., and Thunb. (Elaeagnaceae).

is a genus which consists about 70 species of flowering plants in the family Elaeagnaceae, and its edible fruit is a natural product used as food and in traditional medicine. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of four species, namely Thunb., Thunb.

Improves Spatial Learning and Memory by Regulating N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors and Tau Phosphorylation in Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Memory Impaired Mice.

Thunb. Leaves (VBL) are a component of traditional herbal medicines. However, molecular mechanisms of VBL in stress-related memory impairment are still unclear.

Antipostmenopausal effects of and fruit combination in estrogen-deficient rats.

Background: Climacterium is a series of physical and mental symptoms occurring in women and men due to decreased levels of sex hormones. Women lose the ability to become pregnant due to decreased ovarian estrogen production; the initial symptom being hot flushes. In addition, urogenital atrophy, sexual dysfunction, mood changes, and osteoporosis occur.

Hepatoprotective Effects of LM1012 in Mice Exposed to Air Pollutants.

In this study, we explored whether the use of LM1012 (TL-LM1012) as a safe probiotic exerts hepatoprotective effects by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation and alleviating aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production . In a series of safety tests, TL-LM1012 was found to have a negative response to hemolysis and biogenic amines, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics. TL-LM1012 protected cell viability and suppressed cytotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and induced heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutase activity in a dose-dependent manner in diesel exhaust particulate matter (DEPM)-treated HepG2 cells.

Laxative Activity of the Hot-Water Extract Mixture of Thunb. and Mazel in Chronic Constipation Model SD Rats.

This study examined the laxative effects of hot-water extracts of Thunb. (HD), Mazel (PM), and a 2:8 mixture of both (HP) in two chronic constipation models. For the loperamide-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group, negative control group (loperamide 4 mg/kg), positive control group (bisacodyl 4 mg/kg) group, and six treatment groups (HP 100 or 400, HD 50 or 100, and PM 100 or 400 mg/kg).

Development and Application of InDel Markers for Authentication of the Korean Herbs and .

and are the sources of the well-known traditional Korean herbal medicines "sancho" (prickly ash) and "chopi" (Korean pepper), respectively. Sancho and chopi are often indiscriminately mixed due to the similar appearance of the herbal materials when used as spices and herbal medicines. Moreover, commercial sancho and chopi products often contain adulterants, which is insufficient to ensure food efficacy and safety.

Micronized, Heat-Treated LM1004 Alleviates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immune Suppression.

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory activity and associated mechanisms of heat-treated LM1004 (HT-LM1004) in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced mouse model of immunosuppression. HT-LM1004 induced phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages and stimulated the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interferon (IFN)-, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-12p70.

Optimization of the Extraction Conditions and Biological Evaluation of H. Lev as an Anti-Hyperuricemic Source.

H. Levis a medicinal plant native to South Korea, East Asia, and South America. Among some 75 species, one species grows in Korea.

In vitro and in vivo androgen regulation of Dendropanax morbiferus leaf extract on late-onset hypogonadism.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with advancing age and is caused by a deficiency in serum testosterone levels. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a Dendropanax morbiferus H.Lév.

Aqueous Extract of var. acuta Relaxes the Ciliary Smooth Muscle by Increasing NO/cGMP Content In Vitro and In Vivo.

The leaves of var. acuta (PFA) are commonly used as a traditional medicine in Korea, Japan, and China. We previously showed that PFA attenuates eye fatigue by improving visual accommodation through a clinical study.

Molecular Discrimination of and by InDel Markers of Chloroplast DNA.

The tuber of ( Radix in Korean) is an important medicinal herb in Korea and China; however, it is difficult to differentiate from a related medicinal herb, ( Radix in Chinese) We sought to develop a molecular method that could be used to distinguish between the tubers of and . We aligned the chloroplast genome sequences (available in the NCBI database) of the two species and identified three species-specific insertion and deletion (InDel) sites in the , , and intergenic spacer (IGS) regions. To confirm the presence of these three InDels and validate their use as markers, we designed three primer pairs to amplify the , , and IGS regions.

Hot-water extract of the branches of Thunb. (Rhamnaceae) ameliorates low-fiber diet-induced constipation in rats.

Thunb. (Rhamnaceae), also known as oriental raisin tree, is used in traditional herbal medicine. Its extracts have been reported to show various pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotection, antitumor, antiatopic dermatitis, antilipid peroxidation, anti-steatotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic activities.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Stauntonia hexaphylla Fruit Extract in Lipopolysaccharide-Activated RAW-264.7 Macrophages and Rats by Carrageenan-Induced Hind Paw Swelling.

The fruit of is commonly used as a traditional anthelmintic in Korea, Japan, and China. However, its anti-inflammatory activity and the underlying mechanisms have not been studied systematically. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory activities of an aqueous extract of fruit (SHF) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.

An Efficient PCR-RFLP Method for the Rapid Identification of Korean Pyropia Species.

The present study utilizes polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis using partial plastid and mitochondrial gene sequences to distinguish the six representative species produced via mariculture in Korea. The , , and sequences of 15 species from the NCBI database were aligned to determine specific restriction enzyme sites of the six species. To confirm the presence of restriction sites of eight enzymes, PCR amplicons were digested as follows: a 556 bp fragment within the region of chloroplast DNA was confirmed in using I, whereas 111I, II, I, and AI enzymes produced fragments of 664, 271, 600, and 510 bp, respectively, from the region of mitochondrial DNA in , , , and .

Cynanchum wilfordii Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating 5α-Reductase and Androgen Receptor Activities in a Rat Model.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of the prostate gland. has been reported to improve sexual behavior in male rats. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of an aqueous extract of (CWW) against BPH development in a testosterone-induced BPH rat model.

Identification of the biologically active constituents of Camellia japonica leaf and anti-hyperuricemic effect in vitro and in vivo.

Camellia japonica L. is a plant of which the seeds are used as a folk medicine, and it is native to South Korea, Japan and China. In previous study, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins and fatty acids which have antiviral, antioxidant and anti inflammatory activity were reported from C.

Development of User-Friendly Method to Distinguish Subspecies of the Korean Medicinal Herb Perilla frutescens Using Multiplex-PCR.

Perilla () is an economically and culturally important plant in East Asia. Plant breeding between cultivars has enhanced the genetic diversity of perilla overall, but means that functionally diverse subspecies are more difficult to identify and distinguish. In this study, we developed gene-based DNA markers to distinguish between the Korean herbal medicinal perilla varieties.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on Thunb. (Fagaceae) Extract: Active Constituents, Serum Uric Acid Suppression, and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity.

Thunb. (Fagaceae) (QA) is cultivated as a dietary and ornamental plant in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. It has been widely used as the main ingredient of acorn tofu, a traditional food in China and South Korea.

Effects of Aqueous Extracts of in Rat Models for Postmenopausal Hot Flush.

Menopausal hot flushes (HFs), which manifest as a transient increase in skin temperature, occur most frequently in postmenopausal women, and sometimes negatively influence daily life. We investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of (CWW) in a rat model of menopausal HFs, where tail skin temperature (TST) is increased after the rapid estrogen decline induced by ovariectomy. Ten-week-old female rats were ovariectomized and treated with CWW for 1 week.