Identifying Herbal Candidates and Active Ingredients Against Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Using Biased Random Walk on a Multiscale Network.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major global health concern, particularly affecting aging women, and necessitates innovative treatment options. Herbal medicine, with its multi-compound, multi-target characteristics, offers a promising approach for complex diseases. In this study, we applied multiscale network and random walk-based analyses to identify candidate herbs and their active ingredients for postmenopausal osteoporosis, focusing on their underlying mechanisms.

Baicalin and baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviate aberrant neuronal suppression mediated by GABA from reactive astrocytes.

Aims: γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from reactive astrocytes is critical for the dysregulation of neuronal activity in various neuroinflammatory conditions. While Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (S. baicalensis) is known for its efficacy in addressing neurological symptoms, its potential to reduce GABA synthesis in reactive astrocytes and the associated neuronal suppression remains unclear.

Efficacy of Crataegus Extract Mixture on Body Fat and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Adults: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

A Crataegus Extract Mixture (CEM) is a combination of extracts from leaves and peels, well-known herbs used for treating obesity and dyslipidemia. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a CEM on the body fat and lipid profiles in overweight adults. A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted on 105 subjects aged 20-60 years with body mass indexes between 25 and 30 kg/m.

and Mixture Improves Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats by Regulating Androgen Receptor Signaling and Apoptosis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common condition in elderly men that is characterized by an increase in the size of the prostate gland. and have been reported to treat the symptoms associated with BPH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HT080, an herbal extract of and , on a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model.

Methyl Caffeate Isolated from the Flowers of (L.) Batsch Enhances Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion.

Phenolic compounds from natural products are considered effective enhancers of insulin secretion to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The flowers of (L.) Batsch also contain many phenolic compounds.

Gastroprotective Effects of Inulae Flos on HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats.

Inulae Flos, the flower of L., is used as a dietary supplement, beverage, and medicine in East Asia. In this study, we evaluated the gastroprotective effects of Inulae Flos extract (IFE) against gastric mucosal lesions induced by hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol in rats and explored its potential mechanisms by measuring antioxidant enzyme activity, mucus secretion, and prostaglandin E (PGE) levels.

Anti-Obesity Effects of a and Mixture in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

and are major crops cultivated worldwide. In East Asia, both flowers and leaves are traditionally used for therapeutic purposes and consumed as teas for weight loss. Herein, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of an herbal extract mixture of and (HT077) and the underlying mechanism using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model.

Gastroprotective and Healing Effects of Root on Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats.

is widely used as food and medicine in Korea, China, and Japan. Its major bioactive components, resveratrol and emodin, reportedly protect against gastric lesions. We therefore aimed to investigate: (1) the gastroprotective effects of roots in hydrochloric acid/ethanol (HCl/EtOH)- and indomethacin-induced acute gastric ulcer rat models; (2) the healing effects in an acetic acid-induced ulcer model; and (3) potential mechanisms by measuring gastric acid secretion-related parameters in a pyloric ligation-induced ulcer model, and by measuring antioxidant enzyme and prostaglandin E levels in the gastric tissue of HCl/EtOH-treated rats.

Safety evaluation of root extract of Pueraria lobata and Scutellaria baicalensis in rats.

Background: The roots of Pueraria lobata and Scutellaria baicalensis, herbal medicines with a long history of widespread use, have been traditionally prescribed in combination to treat stroke, diabetes, and acute infectious diarrhea in East Asia. Nevertheless, toxicological data on these herbs and their combination are limited. This study investigated the acute and 13-week subchronic toxicity of root extract of P.

Efficacy and safety of HT048 and HT077 for body fat and weight loss in overweight adults: A study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The prevalence of excessive body weight has rapidly increased worldwide over the past decades; however, medications are intended for moderately and severely obese patients and are associated with side effects. As an alternative approach, the use of traditional herbal medicines has gained increasing popularity among overweight individuals in recent years in East Asia. HT048 is an herbal extract of Citrus unshiu and Crataegus pinnatifida, and HT077 is an herbal extract of Nelumbo nucifera and Prunus persica.

Efficacy and safety of HT080 for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) are one of the most common conditions seen in middle-aged and elderly men and threaten their quality of life. Since conventional pharmacotherapy for LUTS/BPH can lead to sexual side effects, herbal therapies are widely used as complementary and alternative treatments worldwide. HT080 is an herbal extract of Cinnamomum cassia and Rosa Laevigata, both of which have been used to treat symptoms typically associated with BPH in traditional Asian medicine.

Rationale and design to assess the efficacy and safety of HT047 in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase II trial.

Background: Though several neuroprotective agents have been evaluated as potential treatments for acute ischemic stroke, none have demonstrated a definitive treatment efficacy, which remains elusive. HT047 is an herbal extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Pueraria lobata, both of which have been widely used to treat ischemic stroke in traditional Korean medicine. The aims of this trial are to investigate whether HT047 can improve neurologic status, particularly motor function, in acute ischemic stroke patients, and to determine the safety of HT047.

Anti-Obesity Effects of the Flower of in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

(L.) Batsch is a deciduous fruit tree cultivated worldwide. The flower of (PPF), commonly called the peach blossom, is currently consumed as a tea for weight loss in East Asia; however, its anti-obesity effects have yet to be demonstrated in vitro or in vivo.

Neuroprotective Effects of Musk of Muskrat on Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats.

Musk of musk deer has been one of the most precious traditional medicinal materials for treatment of stroke, but trading is prohibited. Musk of muskrat, , is an accessible substitute for musk of musk deer. However, neuroprotective effects of the musk of muskrat on stroke model are so far unclear.

Neuroprotective effects of oleic acid in rodent models of cerebral ischaemia.

Oleic acid (OA) is released from brain phospholipids after cerebral ischaemia; however, its role in ischaemic injury remains unknown. We hypothesised that OA has neuroprotective effects after cerebral ischaemia, which may be exerted through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) activation, since OA is an endogenous ligand of PPAR-γ. The effects of OA administration were evaluated in rodent models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), photothrombosis, and four-vessel occlusion (4-VO).

Scutellaria Radix Promotes Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via Induction of AMPK-Dependent Autophagy.

Scutellaria Radix (SR) is an herb traditionally used in Asian countries to treat inflammatory diseases. Recent studies report that SR exhibits anticancer activities in various types of tumors. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic and autophagic effect of SR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer-associated death.

Gastroprotective Effects of Paeonia Extract Mixture HT074 against Experimental Gastric Ulcers in Rats.

Background: Paeonia extract mixture HT074 is a standardized multiherbal mixture comprising extracts from flowers and roots, which are used to treat digestive disorders in traditional Korean medicine. This study was focused on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the gastroprotective effects of HT074 in different gastric ulcer models.

Methods: Gastric lesions were induced in rats by an HCl/EtOH solution, water immersion-restraint stress (WIRS), and indomethacin.

Effects of Eleutherococcus Extract Mixture on Endochondral Bone Formation in Rats.

Eleutherococcus extract mixture (EEM) is an herbal mixture of dried stem of and germinated barley, which has been highly effective, in previous screening and among the traditional medicines to tonify innate and acquired , respectively. In this study, we investigate the effects of EEM on endochondral bone formation. Female adolescent rats were given EEM, growth hormone or vehicle for 10 days.

Effects of Siwu decoction on chondrocyte proliferation of growth plate in adolescent rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to traditional Korean medicine theory in which children's growth retardation is attributed to blood deficiency, Siwu decoction (SWD), a representative treatment for blood deficiency, was chosen as a sample.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the effects of SWD on chondrocyte proliferation of growth plate in adolescent female rats.

Materials And Methods: Female adolescent rats were allocated to one of the following four groups; SWD 100 and 300 mg/kg, recombinant human growth hormone, and vehicle for 4 days.

A Herbal Formula HT051, a Combination of and , Prevents Postmenopausal Obesity in Ovariectomized Rats.

Menopause is strongly associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunctions due to the decline in estrogen. Here, we hypothesized that dietary HT051, containing the roots of and , has beneficial effects on ovariectomized (OVX) rats by regulating lipid metabolism. Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated (Sham), OVX, OVX with low-dose HT051 supplementation, and OVX with high-dose HT051 supplementation.

Effects of Astragalus Extract Mixture HT042 on Height Growth in Children with Mild Short Stature: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

HT042 is a standardized functional food ingredient approved by Korean Food and Drug Administration with a claim 'HT042 can help height growth of children'. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HT042 on height growth in children with mild short stature. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study was performed on children aged 6-8 years with height ranked below the 25th percentile.

Safety evaluation of Astragalus extract mixture HT042 and its constituent herbs in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Astragalus extract mixture HT042 is a combination of three standardized extracts from Astragalus membranaceus root, Eleutherococcus senticosus stem, and Phlomis umbrosa root, which has proven to stimulate children's height growth.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety of HT042 and its three constituent herbs when administered orally.

Methods: Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity studies were conducted using male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Astragalus Extract Mixture HT042 Increases Longitudinal Bone Growth Rate by Upregulating Circulatory IGF-1 in Rats.

Astragalus extract mixture HT042 is a standardized ingredient of health functional food approved by Korean FDA with a claim of "height growth of children." HT042 stimulates bone growth rate and increases local IGF-1 expression in growth plate of rats which can be considered as direct stimulation of GH and its paracrine/autocrine actions. However, it remains unclear whether HT042 stimulates circulatory IGF-1 which also plays a major role to stimulate bone growth.