Chemical Composition of a Novel Distillate from Fermented Mixture of Nine Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Its UVB-Protective Efficacy in Mouse Dorsal Skin via Attenuating Collagen Disruption and Inflammation.

Since ancient times, various herbs have been used in Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan, for wound healing and antiaging of the skin. In this study, we manufactured and chemically analyzed a novel distillate obtained from a fermented mixture of nine anti-inflammatory herbs (, , , , , , ., , and ).

Effects of Decursin and Nakai Root Extract on Hair Growth in Mouse Dorsal Skin via Regulating Inflammatory Cytokines.

This current study investigates the facilitative effects and mechanisms of decursin, a major component of Nakai (AGN), and AGN root extract on hair growth in mice. We perform high-performance liquid chromatography on AGN extract to show it contains 7.3% decursin.

Laminarin Attenuates Ultraviolet-Induced Skin Damage by Reducing Superoxide Anion Levels and Increasing Endogenous Antioxidants in the Dorsal Skin of Mice.

A number of studies have demonstrated that marine carbohydrates display anti-oxidant, anti-melanogenic, and anti-aging activities in the skin. Laminarin (LA), a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide, is found in brown algae. The benefits of LA in ultraviolet B (UVB) induced photodamage of the skin have not been reported.

Pretreated extract increases anti-inflammatory cytokines, attenuates gliosis, and protects hippocampal neurons following transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

Recently, we have reported that Oenanthe javanica extract (OJE) displays strong neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage after transient global cerebral ischemia. However, neuroprotective mechanisms of OJE have not been fully identified. Thus, this study investigated the neuroprotection of OJE in the hippocampal CA1 area and its anti-inflammatory activity in gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia.

Angelicae Gigantis Radix regulates mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

Angelicae Gigantis (AG) Radix, commonly used medicinal food, has been reported as a promising candidate for inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-allergic effects of AG and its molecular mechanisms have yet to be clarified. The present study investigated the anti-allergy effects of ethanol extracts of AG on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro.

Protective effects of Cinnamomum cassia Blume in the fibrogenesis of activated HSC-T6 cells and dimethylnitrosamine-induced acute liver injury in SD rats.

Cinnamomum cassia Blume (CC) is one of the world's oldest natural spices, and is commonly used in traditional oriental medicine. We investigated the protective effect of ethanol extract from Cinnamomum cassia Blume (CCE) on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In addition, we examined the effects of CC powder in Sprague-Dawley rats with acute liver injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

Lithospermi radix extract inhibits histamine release and production of inflammatory cytokine in mast cells.

Lithospermi radix (LR, Borraginaceae, the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold. et Zuccarinii) is used in herbal medicine to treat such conditions as eczema, skin burns and frostbite. This study investigates the effects of LR on the anti-allergy mechanism.

Protective effects of Cuscutae semen against dimethylnitrosamine-induced acute liver injury in Sprague-Dawley rats.

We investigated the protective effect of Cuscutae semen (CS) on acute liver injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in Sprague-Dawley rats. CS is an important traditional herbal medicine widely used as a tonic and aphrodisiac to nourish the liver and kidney and to treat impotence and seminal emission. Rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of DMN (40 mg/kg), and were then treated with CS daily by oral gavage for 4 d.