• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 2020

Objectives: Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang which contains Ephedra sinica are used to treat obesity in Korean medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze the quantities of ephedrine alkaloids by high-performance liquid chromatography. Methods: The analysis was performed using a YMC-Triat C18 column with operating at 25℃, and UV detection at 210 nm. The mobile phase used a gradient flow with 0.1% H3PO4 in water and acetonitrile. Specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification were measured for validation anaylsis. This method was applied to analyze the quantities of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang. Results: The concentration per Ephedra sinica (gram) of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in Ephedra sinica decoction are 4.74±0.22 mg and 2.19±0.10 mg, respectively and in Wolbigachul-tang decoction are 6.39±0.34 mg and 2.97±0.21 mg, respectively. The retention time of ephedrine was 23.6 min and that of pseudoephedrine was 25.8 min, and norephedrine and methylephedrine were not detected. Conclusions: In conclusion, analyzed the concentration of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang by the developed validation method.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Objectives This study was conducted to find out the antioxidant and inflammatory improvement effects of Wolbigachul-tang. Methods To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of wolbigachul-tang, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. And radical scavenging function was measured. In addition reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines productions were measured by treating wolbigachul-tang in the lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. We also measured the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, cytokines too. Results Radical scavenging experiments showed significant concentration-dependent scavenging capacity increase. The amount of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines production in the cell all showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. The gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and cytokines also showed a significant concentration-dependent decrease compared to the control group. Conclusions In conclusion, it is believed that wolbigachul-tang can be applied to various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.466-474
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• 2005

Four kinds of decoctions (Wolbi-tang, Wolbigachul-tang, Wolbigabanha-tang and Wolbi-tang with Psyllium Husk diet)was prescribed to examined the therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia. Four decoctions prepared from the prescriptions were respectively administrated to the corpulent rats induced by a high cholesterol diet. Wolbi-tang mollified the increasing rate of the body weight, and decreased the amount of food eaten. It slightly increased the concentrations of blood Tc, blood TG, blood FFA, and lipids in feces, and decreased the contents of blood HDL-c. Wolbigachul-tang mollified the increasing rate of the body weight, and decreased the amount of food eaten. It decreased the amount of FFA and HDL-c lipids in the blood. Wolbigabanha-tang mollified the increasing rate of the body weight, and decreased the amount of food eaten. Also, it decreased the concentrations of blood glucose. However, it increased the content of blood HDL-c. Wolbi-tang with Psyllium Husk diet mollified the increasing rate of body weight, and decreased the amount of food eaten. Also, it slightly decreased the concentrations of blood TG and blood FFA, but increased the concentrations of blood Tc. Considering the above results, four kinds of decoctions(Wolbi-tang, Wolbigachul-tang, Wolbigabanha-tang and Wolbi-tang with Psyllium Husk diet) could be applied for the treatment of obesity, and Wolbigabanha-tang would be the most recommendable among them.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.