• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of five single(Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix) aqueous herbal extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, PatrinaeRadix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at Minimal Incubation Concentration(MIC) and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using murine macrophage(Raw 264.7) and human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7). Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix against Staphylococcus aureus were detected as $0.215{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.273{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.469{\pm}0.297$ mg/ml, $11.850{\pm}8.406$ mg/ml, and $0.664{\pm}0.546$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, all five single aqueous herbal extracts were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. The effects of intracellular killing with Raw 264.7 and inhibition of bacterial invasion with MCF-7 cells were detected, in the order of Sophorae Flos, Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Radix aqueous extracts in the present study. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that all five single aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. They showed the significant intracellular killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion effects. It means, all five single aqueous herbal extracts may show potent anti-infectious effects against Staphylococcus aureus for mastitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2002

To investigate the antiinflammatory and analgesic effects of Sophorae radix extracts administered to the arthritic rat model, immunohistochemical stains for CGRP in the L4, L5 and L6 spinal cord and ganglia were done, and paw swelling thickness were measured. Complete Freund,s Adjuvant(CFA) were injected to subcutaneous tissue of left foot paw of rats to induce arthritis. Sophorae radix extracts was administered immediately after CFA injection for 10 days. The spinal cord and ganglia were frozen sectioned(30㎛). These sections were stained by CGRP immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope. The results were as follows : 1. The change of paw swelling thickness of experimental group decreased from 4 day to 10day after CFA injection compared to control group. 2. The change of differential leukocytes counts of experimental group increased the ratio of lymphocytes. and decreased the ratio of neutrophils compared to control group. 3. The change of CGRP immunoreactive nerve fiber of dorsal horn of experimental group was dense stained compared to control group. 4. The number of CGRP immunoreactive neurons of L4 and L5 spinal cord of experimental group was less than in those control group. These results suggested that Sophorae radix extracts reduces the number of CGRP immunoreactive neurons and nerve fibers of spinal cord and ganglia, and decrease paw swelling thickness in arthritic rat model, which may be closely related to analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of Sophorae radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2010

Objectives : Sophorae Radix (SR), the dried root of Sophorae Flavescens Aiton, has been used to treat atherosclerosis, arrhythma and skin diseases including scabies and eczema. The present study was examined to evaluate antimicrobial activities of SR extracts against oral microorganism. Methods : Antimicrobial properties of SR extracts were determined by agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Actinomyces viscosus. Analysis of kurarinone from SR extracts was conducted using UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography). Results : The ethanolic extracts of SR showed stronger antimicrobial effect than methanolic extracts, while the aqueous extracts of SR had no activity. In addition, the higher content of kurarinone was found in ethanolic extracts than methanolic extracts. The purified kurarinone from ethanolic extracts showed potent antimicrobial activity with the MIC value of $3.9{\sim}7.8{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion : An ethanolic extract of SR showed antimicrobial properties against several oral microorganisms, and kuranrinone contributed to antimicrobial action of SR. Thus, ethanolic extracts of SR or purified kurarinone should be beneficial for the preparation of the useful agent for treating oral disease including anticaries.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the effects herbal extracts on the skin inflammatory reactions. Among the herbal ingredients of herbal extracts, ethanol extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix showed potent radical scavenging activity, more than 86$\%$ at a concentration of 0.01$\%$, tested by DPPH(I,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hyrazyl) method. And ethanol extract of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced release of nitric oxide(NO), 99$\%$ at 50㎍／㎖, by the macrophage RAW 246.7 cells. In addition, the ethanol extracts of Sophorae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix showed antibacterial activities on Propionibacterium acnes that causes acne, Sophorae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Aurantii Immaturus Fructus on Corynebacterium xerosis that cause osmidrosis axillae, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Aurantii Immaturus Fructus on Staphylococcus aureus that was reported to cause impetigo and atopic disease. Taken together, I expect that herbal extracts may be used as a drug for treatment on skin inflammation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.869-885
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• 2000

Fibroblasts are major cellular components of gingiva and periodontal ligament. They regulate the healing process after surgery or injury. Recently, many natural medicines, whose advantages are less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity, their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Sophorae radix have been traditionally used as an anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory drug in oriental medicine. The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of Sophorae radix extract on cell cycle progression and its molecular mechanism in human gingival fibroblasts. Sophorae radix extracts($100{\mu}g/ml$) notably increased cell proliferation and cell activity in the human gingival fibroblasts as compared to non-supplemented controls. There was an increase in the S phase and a decrease in the G1 phase in $100{\mu}g/ml$ of Sophorae radix extracts group as compared to non-supplemented controls. The level of cyclin E and cdk 2 protein in test group was higher than that of control groups. But that of cyclin D, cdk 4, and cdk 6 was not distinguished from controls. The level of p53 protein in test group was lower than that of controls, whereas that of p21 was not different. The level of pRB protein in test group was higher than that of controls, whereas that of p16 was lower. These results indicate that the increase of cell proliferation by Sophorae radix extracts may be due to the increased expression of cyclin E and cdk 2, and the decreased expression of p53 and p16 in human gingival fibroblasts.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.191-195
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• 2005

Eighteen aqueous and two ethanol extracts of herb-medicine used for trichomoniasis therapies in Korea were assessed for their antitrichomonas activities. Two extracts(Sophorae radix, Phellodendri cortex) showed evident antitrichomonas activity at $8mg/m{\ell}$. Two mixture of Sophorae radix and Phellodendri cortex showed low antitrichomonas activity at 15mg/ml. Ethylacetate fraction of Sophorae radix showed the antitrichomonas activity of 400 mg/ml. This indicated that Sophorae radix is potent for a new effective and safe antitrichomonas agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.754-758
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• 2004

To test the cytoprotective effect of sophorae radix (SR) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cytotoxicity, we investigated the cell viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in the presence of methylene chloride, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and water soluble fraction of SR water extracts in H9c2 cells. These results were obtained as followed; H₂O₂ decreased the cell viability of H9c2 cells in a dose dependent manner. Cells pretreated with SR water extracts were protected the H₂O₂-induced decrease of viability in H9c2 cells. Among organic solvents fractions of SR water extracts, ethyl acetate soluble fractions of SR protected the decrease of viability induced by H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells. These results suggest that ethyl acetate soluble fractions of SR water extracts is effective in the prevention of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.893-899
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• 2004

To test the cytoprotective effect of sophorae radix (SR) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cytotoxicity, we investigated the cell viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in the presence of ethyl acetate subfractions of SR water extracts In H9c2 cells. And to clarify the cytoprotective mechanism of SR extracts, we evaluated the cellular glutathione (GSH) contents in the presence of subfraction 1, 2, 3, and 4 of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions. Among 1 -12 subfractions of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions, 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfractions have an efficacy inhibiting the cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells. Also, the protective effects of 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfractions of SR ethyl acetate soluble fractions resulted from the anti-oxidant effects. These results suggest that ethyl acetate soluble fractions of SR water extracts is effective in the prevention of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and 1, 2, 3 and 4 subfraction of ethyl acetate soluble fractions possess the anti-oxidant component.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

Chinese herbs have been used for a long period of time and less side effects than synthesized chemical drugs. Therefore, using Chinese herbs as natural additives in cosmetics becomes popular in recent years. The methanol extracts of Scutellariae Radix, Lithospermi Radix, Lonicerae Flos, Andrographitis. Herba, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, Hedyotis Diffusae Herba, Isatidis Folium, Magnoliae Liliflorae Flos, Forsythiae Fructus, Anmarrhenae Rhizoma, Spirodelae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Prunellae Spica, Equiseti Hiemalis Herba, Gentianae Radix, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Fraxini Cortex, Lycii Radicis Cortex, Violae Herba, Lophatheri Herba, Matricariae chamomillae Flos, Taraxaci Herba and Scutellariae Barbatae Herba are used to test the efficiency of inhibiting acne pathogens. Twenty-six Chinese herbs are extracted by methanol, and then condensed to dried powder. These extracts are divided into water-soluble part and DMSO soluble part. These two type solutions are tested for the effect on acne pathogens by paper disc diffusion method. The results show that the substances of water soluble part which are Coptidis Rhizoma, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba have medium to high activity of inhibiting acne pathogents, and the substances of DMSO soluble part which are Coptidis Rhizoma, Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba also have medium to high activity of inhibiting acne pathogens. Using Chinese herbs as natural additives in cosmetics is convenience and valuable application in cosmetceutical research and development. Therefore, it is worth that re-investigation and find out the potential of Chinese herbs being use in cosmetics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.549-552
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• 2003

To investigate the protective effect of Sophorae Radix (SR) on the damage by pulmonary vascular endothelial cells by xanthine oxidase (XO)/hypoxanthine (HX)-induced oxygen tree radical, Neutral Red (NR) and c-fos immunopositive cell assay were used. The results were obtained as follows ; The viability of vascular endothelial cells treated with XO/HX was decreased. And c-fos immunopositive cells represented a maximal increase in group treated with XO/HX for 2 hour in pulmonary vasvular endothelial cells. But pretreated groups with SR extracts were not inhibited the increase of c-fos immunopositive cells by XO/HX in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that XO/HX elicits toxic effects in cultured pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, and suggest that SR extract is very effective in the prevention of XO/HX-induced increase of c-fos immunopositive cells.