Background: The current regulations regarding the storage of medicinal herbs do not define the storage temperature; instead, but the only requirement is that the plastic bags used for storing the medicinal herbs should be tightly sealed during storage. The practice of storing medicinal herbs at room temperature (28℃), causes many problems, including growth of insect pests on the stored medicinal herbs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the effect of insect pests on the quality of medicinal herbs stored at room temperature (28℃) for the improving the relevant regulations. Methods and Results: Cnidium rhizome and Angelica radix were infested with Lasioderma serricorne F. adults and incubated at 28℃ for 2.5 and 5 months. The population of L. serricorne was established rapidly, and left many holes, cadavers, and feces on the stored medicinal herbs, thereby greatly damaging the product appearance and hygiene. In addition, active ingredients of the medicinal herbs were significantly decreased, probably reducing their medicinal quality as well. Conclusions: These results indicate that the current regulations are not sufficient to prevent the establishment of storage insect pests and guarantee the quality and hygiene of stored medicinal herbs. Therefore, it is necessary to devise proper storage protocols and upgrade the current relevant regulations to maintain the quality of medicinal herbs during storage.

Background : The practice of keeping the medicinal herbs at room temperature causes many problems, but due to lack of sufficient field research and study, it is difficult to improve related regulations and safety management. Methods and Results : The Cnidium Rhizome and Angelica gigas Root were inoculated with Lasioderma serricorne F. and incubated at 28℃ for 2.5 months and 5 months. After five months, the number of Lasioderma serricorne F. in Cnidium Rhizome increased from 30 to 1,429 (about 47 times). In the same period, the number of insects in Angelica gigas Root increased from 30 to 663 (about 22 times). Due to the rapid increase in pest population, hygiene deteriorated, changes in the active ingredient and appearance quality of the herbal medicines, which greatly damaged the value of the herbal medicine. Conclusions : These results show that current regulation requiring only sealing and not specifying the storage temperature do not guarantee quality safety. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate preservation standards and improve management regulations in order to preserve safety.

Background : Cordyceps militaris is a non-toxic, medicinal mushroom, which is known to possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities. And also, Glycyrrhiza uralensis is widely used as a crude drug in oriental medicine. However, the effects and mechanism of action of C. militaris and G. uralensis on Herpes simplex virsu (HSV), which is a serious skin disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. militaris and G. uralensis on Herpes simplex virus. Methods and Results : The results showed that the extracts and major compounds C. militaris and G. uralensis increased the TNF-α product on RAW 264.7. And also, these extracts and major compounds inhibited TNF-α product in RAW 264.7 induced by LPS. Querceitn, which was identified from G. uralensis, was showed Anti-virrus effect of Herpes simplex virus (HSV). Conclusion : Taken together, these results indicate that the anti-stomach cancer effect of C. militaris and G. uralensis in xenograft model implantated Epstein-Barr virus positive-stomach cancer cell line.

Background : Arctii Radix (the dried roots of Arctium lappa L., AR) is used in traditional medicine to treat oxidative stress related diseases including cancer. Therefore, this study focuses on the antioxidant potential of AR as extraction solvents. Methods and Results : To increase the extraction amount of active ingredient, the AR were extracted by ethanol (ARE) and water (ARW). In order to determine active ingredient content of AR, we were carried out total polyphenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) analyses. As a result, TPC (47.74 ± 1.02 g․GAE/㎏ extract) and TFC (19.34 ± 0.30 g․CTE/㎏ extract) of ARE were found significantly higer as compared to ARW. The IC50 values based on the DPPH (59.00 ± 3.25 ㎍/㎖), ABTS (93.20 ± 1.30 ㎍/㎖), ROS (57.78 ± 3.44 ㎍/㎖) and ONOO- (14.56 ± 1.24 ㎍/㎖) for ARE were generally stronger showing potential antioxidant properties compared to ARW. Conclusion : Data from results revealed Arctii Radix ethanol extracts act as an antioxidant agent due to its free radical scavenging activity.

Background : Cellular oxidative stress as reactive oxygen species (ROS), whether produced endogenously as a consequence of normal cell functions or derived from external sources, pose a constant threat to cells living in an aerobic environment as they can result in severe damage to DNA, protein, and lipids. The effects of Valeriana fauriei extract and fractions on hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell damage are studied. Methods and Results : Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases. Valeriana fauriei extract (VFE) and EA fractions (VFEA) was investigated total phenolic contents using method. VFE of total phenolic contents had 2.54 ± 0.01 mg/g, also, VFEA had a 18.78 ± 0.03 mg/g. High phenolic content of the VFEA is expected to better the inhibition of oxidative stress. VFE and VFEA were experimented to inhibit ROS induced 200 μM 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). VFE of inhibit SIN-1 induced-ROS dose dependently and signficantly. In addition, VFEA inhibition was also dose dependant and significant. Moreover, The treatment of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells with VFEA significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of intercellular ROS. Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that VFEA might have useful as a material for functional food and pharmaceutics for the pathological process of neurodegenerative diseases.

Backgoound : This study was conducted to evaluate the quality variation of Ixeris dentata on the antioxidant contents and antioxidant activities according to the different producing area. Methods and Results : The samples were extracted with 70 % EtOH and then analyzed for total flavonoid contents, polypenol contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Luteinol 7-O-β-D-glucoside, an index component of the Ixeris dentata, was analyzed by HPLC. The leafs of Ixeris dentata in Jinan had the highest concentration of polyphenols (23.91 ㎎/g), followed by Jinbu (22.63 ㎎/g) and Eumseong (21.36 ㎎/g). Flavonoid content was highest in Jinan (15.27 ㎎/g), but there was no significant difference between Jinbu (14.05 ㎎/g) and Eumseong (13.99 ㎎/g). The contents of luteinol 7-O-β-D-glucoside were confirmed in Jinan (0.68%), Jinbu (0.49%) and Eumseong (0.36%), respectively. Conclusion : The comparison of antioxidant contents and antioxidant activities of Ixeris dentata according to the different producing area, Jinan was had the highest concentration, followed by Jinbu and Eumseong. Our results showed that the content of luteoline-7-D-glucoside varied among the different producing area.

Background : We have previously reported that Oligonol, a low-molecular polyphenol derived from lychee fruit, has protective effect on the liver and kidney of diabetic animal model. In this study, we examined whether Oligonol has any beneficial effects on pancreas of diabetic rats. Methods and Results : Oligonol was orally administered at a dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 10 days to STZ-induced diabetic rats, and the effects were compared with those of vehicle-treated diabetic control and non-diabetic control rats. The administration of Oligonol reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic rats through an improvement of serum and pancreatic insulin levels. The increased reactive oxygen species levels in pancreas of diabetic control rats was attenuated by the Oligonol administration through inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase-related proteins. The enhanced expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in pancreas of diabetic control rats was significantly reduced by Oligonol administration through down-regulation of phosphor-c-Jun N-terminal kinases protein in pancreas. Furthermore, the expressions of cell proliferation-related protein were also augmented in Oligonol treated-diabetic rats. However, Oligonol treatment led to improved histological changes in the pancreas. Conclusion : These pancreatoprotective effects of Oligonol were achieved through attenuation of oxidative stress and its sensitive protein expression associated with apoptosis and cell proliferation in diabetic rats.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of Saururus chinensis ethanol extract (SCE) against styrene toxicity in mouse spermatocyte cells [GC-2spd (ts) cell line]. Methods and Results: Cytotoxicity in mouse spermatocyte cells was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to quantify the mRNA and protein expression levels, resepectiviely, of stress or apoptosis-related genes including p21, p53, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3. The results of the MTT assay showed that 50 ㎍/㎖ SCE did not affect cell viability. ROS generation in mouse spermatocyte cells increased by treatment with 100 μM styrene, and decreased by co-treatment with SCE. SCE repressed the mRNA expression of stress-related genes, which increased by styrene treatment. In addition, SCE inhibited the apoptosis of mouse spermatocyte cells by ameliorating mRNA and protein levels of apoptotic genes that were altered by styrene treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that SCE may alleviate styrene toxicity in mouse spermatocyte cells by reducing ROS stress and regulating genes related to styrene toxicity.

Background: Prenatal exposure to infectious and/or inflammatory insults can increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia later in life. We investigated whether Valeriana fauriei (VF) treatment alleviates prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits and social interaction impairment induced by maternal immune activation (MIA).Methods and Results: Pregnant mice were exposed to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (5㎎/㎏, viral infection mimic) on gestational day 9. The adolescent offspring received daily oral treatment with VF (100㎎/㎏) and injections of clozapine (5㎎/㎏) for 30 days starting on the postnatal day 35. The effects of VF extract treatment on behavioral activity impairment and protein expression were investigated using the PPI analysis, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), social interaction test (SIT), and immunohistochemistry. The MIA-induced offspring showed deficits in the PPI, FST, OFT, and SIT compared to their non MIAinduced counterparts. Treatment with the VF extract significantly recovered the sensorimotor gating deficits and partially recovered the aggressive behavior observed in the SIT. The VF extract also reversed the downregulation of protein expression induced by MIA in the medial prefrontal cortex.Conclusions: Our results provide initial evidence of the fact that the VF extract could reverse MIA-induced behavioral impairment and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Background : Recently, with the growth of traditional medicine industry, management of the quality of herbal medications as a raw material for functional food and medicine becomes more important. One of the most difficult problems of quality control of medicinal plants is management in storage insects. The problem of storage insects is a matter that must be resolved in order to safely obtain raw materials in herbal sector. But the basic prevention measures as well as grasp of the exact situation in the field are not yet. In this study, we investigated to see the problems and solutions through a review of storage pest management system of medicinal plants and the relevant provisions in herbal sector. Methods and Results : For this study, we examined the Status of domestic distribution, storage pest control techniques, news, domestic and import regulations. Storage pests that occur in herbal medications have dropped commercial value and it leads to consumer mistrust. A report said that consumers who had found at least once a pest and microbial contamination when they buy a herbal medications is more than 50% (2004, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). In the past, those who want to solve these problems had tried through the sulfur fumigation. However, due to concerns about the risk to humans nowadays it was banned in many countries. According to the latest editions of Korean Pharmacopoeia (KP), it is allowed to use a suitable fumigant. but the domestic and imported medicinal plants during distribution can not be used it. Because currently registered fumigant (aluminium phosphide) is allowed only imported medicinal plants in the quarantine process. Chemical fumigation is inappropriate for use in foods and pharmaceuticals so the introduction of eco-friendly control methods is urgent. Eco-friendly methods of pest control that is currently being developed include a cold storage, packaging, high temperature and frozen method etc. Conclusion : These methods should be considered potential cost and Feasibility and it should meet the condition that stated “"Do not change the therapeutic effects of the herbal medications.” in the KP. Also supporting policy for expanding low temperature storage facilities in distribution area will raise possibility of success.

Background : Most of cases in korea, distributed herbal medications are storaged in room temperature and it causes many insect pests during storage. Despite the fact, there is little research about storage conditions. Temperature and humidity in storehouse are highly related with pests’ overwintering, generation length and the number of occurrence in summer. Consequently, in this research, major pests’ overwintering was studied by reviewing facility condition, temperature and humidity in major regional storehouses. The results of this would help to develop how to manage pest occurrence in distributed herbal medications. Methods and Results : For this study, storage facilities was investigated at different regions including Gyeongdong Market in Seoul, the pharmaceutical company in Daegu and farmhouse in Youngcheon by monitering temperature, humidity, ventilator, air conditioning and heating on ground and underground places from June 2014 to July 2016. including Upon investigation, most of building using for storage had simple ventilators. Whereas in case of farmhouse, it is vulnerable to maintaining quality. Because most farmhouse had temporary buildings which are difficult to control temperature and humidity. In addition, among the other surveyed warehouses, Basement in the Gyeongdong Market had most favorable condition for pest overwintering. The lowest temperature of it was seldom below zero maintaining level of about 1.5℃ and average temperature was about 10℃ in underground warehouse during winter. And the ground warehouse of Daegu had similar patterns in temperature and humidity with that of Seoul in that being over 0℃ even in the winter. In Youngcheon, the temperature of farmhouse was below zero degree and the daily range of temperature and humidity was wide. It caused difficulty of overwintering of insect pests but possible to inhabit. Conclusion : According to a study by Han-Mo, Koo(1997), it was impossible to overwinter for Lasioderma serricorne F. which is dominant medicinal plants’ pest in north of the Chungcheong region’s warehouse due to low temperature. But in case of investigated warehouses, it was possible to overwinter because of the high temperature in office building or basement storage area. In order to make prediction of pest occurrence and comprehensive measures, it is urgent to take more investigation by regional groups and types of storage.

Background : Ixeris genus has been used in traditional medicines as stomachics, sedatives, and diuretics. Ixeris dentata var albiflora is a kind of perennial herbaceous plant and one of the plants of the genus Ixeris (Asteraceae). It is well-known for edible wild vegetable in Korea, China, Japan, and Mongolia. Specially, Korean has its root and young leaf with appetizing vegetable due to bitter taste. Methods and Results : We isolated 8 genes that are involved in carotenoid biosynthesis using the Illumina/Solexa HiSeq2000 platform. In this study, a full-length cDNA clone encoding phytoene synthase (IdPSY), phytoene desaturase (IdPDS), ξ-carotene desaturase (IdZDS), lycopene β-cyclase (IdLCYB), and zeaxanthin epoxidase (IdZEP) and partial-length cDNA clones encoding lycopene ε-cyclase (IdLCYE), ε-ring carotene hydroxylase (IdCHXE), and β-ring carotene hydroxylase (IdCHXB2) were identified in I. dentata. The theoretical molecular weight (MW) and isoelectric point values of 8 genes were investigated. Sequence analyses revealed that these proteins shared high identity and conserved domains with their orthologous genes. IdPSY, IdPDS, IdZDS, IdLCYB, IdCHXB2, and IdZEP were constitutively expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of I. dentata. Conclusion : Our study on the biosynthesis of carotenoids in I. dentata will provide basic data for elucidating the contribution of carotenoids to the considerable medicinal properties of I. dentata.

Background : Ixeris dentata is the perennial herbaceous plant in the Ixeris genera within the Compositae family. The whole plant has been used traditionally as herbal medicine. It is widely distributed in South Korea and the genetic difference among the plants harvested from different regions may differ due to the disparity in cultivation climate. Therefore, this research was performed to discriminate the I. dentata that are collected from four locations in South Korea based on sequence analysis of nrDNA-ITS region. Methods and Results : Genomic DNA was extracted from I. dentata obtained from Goesan, Dangjin, Yangpyeong, and Chuncheon. I. stonolifera was included for a comparison of genetic distance with I. dentata. PCR amplification was performed by using an universal barcode nrDNA-ITS primer for DNA barcoding. After sequencing, the data was aligned using ClustalW multiple alignment tool in BioEdit version 7.2.5 software. SNP and phylogenetic analysis were conducted with the MEGA7 program. Phylogenetic analysis was presented with Neighbor-joining method using the K2P model. Statistical significance are evaluated using bootstrap (1,000 replicates). PCR products were amplified with about 800bp length for the ITS1-4 sequences of all samples. Nineteen SNPs were detected within a 578bp fragment of the aligned sequences. The mean GC content was 51.88% for ITS1-4 sequences of them. The interspecific genetic distance between I. dentata and I. stonolifera was 0.029%. The highest region-specific distance was confirmed to 0.010% between the plants from Dangjin with Goesan and Chuncheon group. Meanwhile, the mean intraspecific distance among the plants from Yangpyeong was 0.002%. Conclusion : In the phylogenetic analysis, the plants from Goesan and Chuncheon were placed within the same clade, while the plants from Dangjin formed independent clade. On the other hand, the plants from Yangpyeong were not grouped into one clade followed by the intraspecies variation. In conclusion, the data from the research will be useful for the regional identification of Dangjin, even if it is required to perform some additional researches.

Background : Invitro antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid aglycone contents in black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves were investigated to provide valuable information for the further development and utilization of resources of Platycodon grandiflorum. Methods and Results : Flavonoid aglycone contents were investigated using HPLC (SHIMADZU, Japan) with a hypersil ODS column (125 mm × 4 mm, 5-μm particle, HP). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were measured by method of Lee & Lee (2004) with slight modification. Antioxidant activity, polyphenol and flavonoid contents in green tea were significantly higher than these in black tea. PC analysis indicated that first principal components explained 79.9% of the total variability for five traits investigated. PC2 explained 19.7% of the variation. Conclusion : It can be concluded from these results that these characteristics can reveal the active compound variation of black and green tea products of balloon flower leaves. These results provide scientific evidence for the utilization of balloon flower leaves.

Background : Tooth vitality is reflected by the health of dental pulp. Schisandrin C is a natural compound extracted from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The role of Schisandrin C on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) has not been studied yet. This study examined the properties of Schisandrin C as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compound, and whether its characteristics promote mitochondrial biogenesis in HDPCs. Methods and Results : HDPCs were extracted from fresh third molars and cultured. Reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) formation were analyzed by a Muse cell analyzer. Western blotting and gelatin zymography were used to identify the presence of anti-oxidants, as well as inflammatory and mitochondrial biogenesis. Confocal microscopy was used for the detection of mitochondrial activity. Schisandrin C inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory molecules; intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9), NO production, ROS formation and the mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) pathway through minimizing the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) translocation. Schisandrin C increased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes as well as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) through the phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-AKT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathways. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Schisandrin C promoted mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusions : These results suggest that Schisandrin C may be used as an anti-inflammatory compound to reduce oral inflammation such as pulpitis.