• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the impact of Rehmannioside D (RD) on ovarian functions of rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and its underlying mechanisms of action. A single injection of cyclophosphamide was performed to establish a DOR rat model, and fourteen days after the injection, the rats were intragastrically administrated with RD for two weeks. Rat estrus cycles were tested using vaginal smears. Ovarian tissues were histologically evaluated, the number of primordial, mature, and atretic follicles was calculated, and the apoptotic rate of granulosa cells. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were determined by ELISA assays. Protein levels of Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1), KLOTHO, Bcl-2, and Bax were investigated in ovarian tissues of DOR rats. The binding between FOXO1 and KLOTHO was verified by ChIP assay. High-dose administration of RD into DOR rats improved their estrus cycles, increased ovarian index, enhanced the number of primordial and mature follicles, reduced the number of atretic follicle number, and ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in addition to inhibiting FSH and LH levels and upregulating E₂ expression. FOXO1 and KLOTHO were significantly suppressed in DOR rats. FOXO1 knockdown partially suppressed the protective effects of RD on DOR rats, and KLOTHO overexpression could restore RD-induced blockade of DOR development despite knocking down FOXO1. FOXO1 antibody enriched KLOTHO promoter, and the binding between them was reduced in DOR group compared to that in sham group. RD improved ovarian functions in DOR rats and diminished granulosa cell apoptosis via the FOXO1/KLOTHO axis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.47-61
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• 2021

Objectives : 'Steaming and drying' is a traditional processing method that has been used to produce Suk-ji-hwang (熟地黃; Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) from Ji-hwang (地黃, the fresh root of Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz ex Steudel; Rehmanniae Radix). The steaming and drying process, which is proceeded in heating and moisturizing conditions, plays a crucial role in the change of therapeutic effect of Ji-hwang, presumably due to the modification of its chemical constituents. In this article, the chemical influence of the 'Steaming and drying' process was investigated for understanding the underlying mechanism of chemical modification of Ji-hwang. Methods : The articles regarding the modifications of chemical constituents of Ji-hwang during the 'Steaming and drying' process were collected and analyzed to investigate the influence of the processing to Ji-hwang. Results : The results indicated that iridoid glycosides were degraded to their aglycones and sugars, and such degradations occurred faster at a high pressure than at an atmospheric pressure during the process. The contents of catalpol, ajugol, and acteoside were decreased, while those of rehmannioside A and D were slightly increased during the repeated processing. The contents of oligosaccharides, namely sucrose, maltose, raffinose, and stachyose (except for manninotriose), were decreased, while those of monosaccharides, glucose and fructose, were increased by the repeated processing. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that the 'Steaming and drying' process influenced the chemical constituents of Ji-hwang and provide probable basis for the therapeutic modification of Suk-ji-hwang after the processing of Ji-hwang.