Bambusae Caulis Research Articles

Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam Applicable for Medical Indications Associated with Inflammation

Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam Applicable for Medical Indications Associated with Inflammation

Development of p-Coumaric Acid Analysis in Human Plasma and Its Clinical Application to PK/PD Study.

It has been recognized that p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) has protective effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent. A sensitive and efficient Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) method for maximum determination of p-CA in human plasma has been established using Ultra-performance liquid Chromatography-tandem mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). This study provides the developed analysis of p-CA extracted from Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam (BC) to examine the improvement of the treatment p-CA, IGF-1 and Osteocalcin level in human children which are important factors on the growth of children’s height through Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) model. p-CA and internal standard in a plasma sample were detected by the Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) scan mode with positive ion detection. The sample participating in the study was made of 34 subjects (placebo = 18, treatment = 16). The subjects were enrolled to be randomized to the control group and BC group. Randomized subjects took tested treatment twice a day, three capsules with oral administration (258 mg/capsule) each time after a meal. Standard calibration curves (reproducibility) were constructed and the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for p-CA was found to be 0.2 ng/mL on injection of the sample into the UPLC-MS/MS system. Accuracy and precision were evaluated and the intra-accuracy was 99.2–103.8% with precision of 1.0–5.6% and inter-accuracy was 99.6–108.4% and precision of 1.3–6.4% for p-CA. The method has been successfully applied to PK/PD studies of p-CA in human plasma. The p-CA, BC in Taeniam extract increased the level of IGF-1 and Osteocalcin, and changed the height from baseline, which suggested that the p-CA could play an important role in longitudinal bone growth. Therefore, the p-CA extracted from BC in Taeniam might be a good alternative medicine to growth hormone (GH) therapy.

Monoolein cubosomes for enhancement of in vitro anti-oxidative efficacy of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract toward carcinogenic fine dust-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells

Monoolein cubosomes was prepared for enhancement of in vitro anti-oxidative efficacy of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract (BCT) toward carcinogenic fine dust-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Hydrophobicized alginate (HpAlg) and gelatin (HpGel) were included as potential actuators for controlled release. The loading of additives (i.e., BCT, HpAlg, and HpGel) led to a decrease in the phase transition temperature of the cubic phase, evidenced by polarized optical microscopy. The hydrodynamic diameter of cubosomes was 148 to 187 nm, and it seemed not to be affected by the additives. Cubosome promoted the in vitro skin permeation of BCT more effectively than hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a skin permeation enhancer. Cubosomal BCT was more efficacious than free BCT in scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical and the intracellular reactive oxygen species of RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by carcinogenic fine dust. The internalization of cubosomes into cells, confirmed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and super sensitive high resolution confocal laser scanning microscopy, could account for the higher radical-scavenging efficacy.

In vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract loaded in monoolein cubosomes

Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract (BCT) was loaded in monoolein cubosome including decanoyl alginate and decanoyl gelatin. The cubosome exhibited a suppressed release at an acidic condition. Carcinogenic fine dust induced-cell (RAW 264.7 cell) death was prevented more effectively by cubosomal BCT than by free BCT. When the cell stimulated with dust was treated with cubosomal BCT, the prostaglandin E2 expression was suppressed as much as when treated with dexamethasone. The internalization of cubosome into cells, confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, would account for the efficacy of cubosomal BCT to relieve the fine dust-induced inflammatory response.

Complexation-responsive monoolein cubic phase containing extract of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam

Monoolein (MO) cubic phase (CP) containing Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract (BCT), hydrophobically modified alginate (HmAlg), and hydrophobically modified gelatin (HmGel) was prepared by a melt and hydration method. On the TEM micrographs of CP, water channels and MO bilayers were found. The phase transition temperature of MO CP was about 65.3 °C and it deceased by the inclusion of the additives. The release of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde from CP was markedly suppressed at pH 4.5 but not at pH 5.5 and pH 7.4. The complex coacervate of HmGel and HmAlg was thought to suppress the release in the acidic condition.

Kamiuntanto increases prefrontal extracellular serotonin levels and ameliorates depression-like behaviors in mice

Kamiuntanto (KUT; Jia Wei Wen Dan Tang in Pinyin) is a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine that is used to treat psychological dysfunction. However, the mechanisms of action of KUT are not understood. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the ameliorative properties of KUT, the effects of KUT on abnormal behaviors of isolation-reared mice and on the prefrontal monoaminergic system were examined. KUT (1000 mg/kg) reversed encounter-induced hyperactivity and increased immobility in the forced swim test in isolation-reared mice, as also found for an antidepressant, fluoxetine (30 mg/kg). In vivo microdialysis showed that KUT (1000 mg/kg) transiently increased the level of extracellular serotonin (5-HT) in the prefrontal cortex. In contrast, an incomplete KUT formula excluding Bambusae Caulis (BC), a component herb of KUT, did not reverse abnormal behaviors of isolation-reared mice or increase prefrontal extracellular 5-HT. Furthermore, the antidepressant-like effect of KUT in the forced swim test was prevented by pretreatment with GR127935, a 5-HT1B antagonist. These findings suggest that KUT may ameliorate depressive symptoms via 5-HTergic systems, and that BC plays an important role in the antidepressant-like effects of KUT.

P-Coumaric Acid, a Major Active Compound of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam, Suppresses Cigarette Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation

[Formula: see text]-coumaric acid ([Formula: see text]-CA) is a common compound found in medicinal herbs, including Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam (BC). It has been used to treat various diseases in China and Korea. Our previous study demonstrated that BC inhibits pulmonary and intestinal inflammation. In the present study, we used cigarette smoke (CS) to induce lung inflammation in vivo, and investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of [Formula: see text]-CA on CS-induced inflammatory mice model. Mice were treated with BC and [Formula: see text]-CA via oral injection 2[Formula: see text]h before CS exposure. The body weight and the inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured. The levels of relative inflammatory factors were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lung histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Also, the protein level of nuclear factor-[Formula: see text]B (NF-[Formula: see text]B) was evaluated by Western blotting. Our results indicated that BC and [Formula: see text]-CA inhibited CS-induced lung inflammation by regulating pro-inflammatory productions such as cytokines, chemokine, protease and NF-[Formula: see text]B. Consequently, these data demonstrated that [Formula: see text]-CA inhibited pulmonary inflammation by suppressing NF-[Formula: see text]B activity, through which pro-inflammatory mediators were regulated. Therefore, [Formula: see text]-CA, which was shown to be a major component of BC, can be considered as a strong therapeutic candidate for treating pulmonary inflammatory diseases.

죽력의 in vitro에서의 angiotensin-converting enzyme 저해효과와 마우스모델에서 혈행개선효과

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Bambusae Caulis in liquamen (BCL) on blood circulation in animal models. Previous studies on BCL have shown effects on thrombolytic activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. In the mouse model, the triglyceride content were 301.5 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% group, 289.2 mg/dL in the high fat diet+BCL II 0.05% group, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The total cholesterol content was 311.9 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% and 293.7 mg/dL in high fat diet+BCL II 0.01% 0.05%, respectively, which was significantly lower than the high fat diet group. The HDL-cholesterol level was 206.0 mg/dL for the high fat diet, 196.6 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II, and 189.2 mg/dL for the high fat diet+BCL II. There was no significant difference between the 0.01% and 0.05% groups. The high-fat diet+0.05% group was significantly improved in the blood flow compare to the high fat diet and the high fat diet+0.01% group. Platelet aggregation inhibition ability was inhibited in the high fat diet+0.01% and 0.05% groups compared to the high fat diet group.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized using Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized using Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract

Original Research: Extract of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam inhibits cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary and intestinal inflammation.

The pulmonary and intestinal systems have several characteristics in common. It is believed that these similarities somehow function to cause pulmonary-intestinal crosstalk during inflammation. Many studies have shown that pulmonary disease occurs in association with inflammatory bowel disease more often than is commonly recognized. Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam, a medicinal herb originated from the inner bark of Phyllostachys nigra var. henosis (Milford) Rendle (Poaceae), has been used to cure fever, diarrhea, and chest inflammation in Korea as well as in China. Cigarette smoke is a well-known risk factor for several inflammatory disorders. In this study, we induced pulmonary and bowel inflammation in mice using cigarette smoke and investigated whether Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract modulates the inflammatory response in both the lung and the bowel. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for 90 min per day for three weeks, and Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract was administered via oral injection 2 h before cigarette smoke exposure. The bronchoalveolar lavage cells were counted and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed. Levels of inflammatory mediators in lung and large intestine were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Our results showed that Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam attenuated cigarette smoke-induced inflammatory response in both the lung and the bowel of mice by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and protease as well as NF-κB signaling factor. Therefore, we suggest that Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract might be a candidate therapeutic agent for inhibiting pulmonary and intestinal inflammation.

Effective screening for the anti-hypertensive of selected herbs used in the traditional Korean medicines

In this study, Korean medicinal herb extracts were investigated for their in vitro effect on anti-hypertensive activities, including nitric oxide (NO) production in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy529 and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Traditional remedies related to the treatment of hypertension were identified using DongUiBoGam, the most comprehensive source for Korean traditional pharmacopoeia. Herbal remedies were selected by translating the symptom terminology into westernized medicinal terms using the Korean classification of disease in Oriental medicine and Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal. Seven types of herb extracts were selected and screened for in vitro anti-hypertensive activities. Among the extracts, those of Evodiae fructus, Bambusae caulis in Taeniam, Sophorae fructus, Melonis calyx, and Schizonepeta rhizome produced significant increases in NO production, although their ability to inhibit ACE were weaker. Using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, the major flavonoids exhibiting anti-hypertensive activities were identified: quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin. Our results indicate that these medicinal herbs are potent natural anti-hypertensive agents that can be developed for clinical therapies. In addition, our systematic approach to identifying candidate herbal remedies in the traditional Korean pharmacopoeia can be used to search for additional traditional remedies, such as for hypoglycemia and obesity.

Analysis on principle of treatment of cough of Yan Zhenghua based on apriori and clustering algorithm

Based on the data mining methods of association rules and clustering algorithm, the 188 prescriptions for cough that built by Yan Zhenghua were collected and analyzed to get the frequency of drug usage and the relationship between drugs. From which we could conclude the experiences of Yan Zhenghua for the treatment of cough. The results of the analysis were that 20 core combinations were dig out, such as Bambusae Caulis in Taenias-Almond-Sactmarsh Aster. And there were 10 new prescriptions were found out, such as Sactmarsh Aster-Scutellariae Radix-Album Viscum-Bambusae Caulis in Taenian-Eriobotryae Folium. The results of the analysis were proved that Yan Zhenghua was good at curing cough by using the traditional Chinese medicine that can dispel wind and heat from the body, and remove heat from the lung to relieve cough.

Aqueous Extract of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam Inhibits PMA-Induced Tumor Cell Invasion and Pulmonary Metastasis: Suppression of NF-κB Activation through ROS Signaling

Bamboo shavings (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam, BCT) are widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine to control hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and to alleviate fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. It has been demonstrated that BCT reduces ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreases tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. However, the effects of BCT on the metastatic potential of malignant cancer cells and the detailed mechanism of its anti-metastatic activity have not been examined previously. In this study, we investigated whether an aqueous extract of BCT (AE-BCT) reduces the metastatic potential of HT1080 cells, and elucidated the underlying anti-metastatic mechanism. In addition, we examined whether AE-BCT administration inhibits pulmonary metastasis of intravenously injected B16F10 cells in C57BL/6J mice. AE-BCT (50–250 µg/ml) dose-dependently suppressed colony-forming activity under anchorage-dependent and -independent growth conditions. Pretreatment with AE-BCT efficiently inhibited cell migration, invasion, and adhesion. AE-BCT also dramatically suppressed PMA-induced MMP-9 activity and expression by blocking NF-κB activation and ERK phosphorylation. Production of intracellular ROS, a key regulator of NF-κB-induced MMP-9 activity, was almost completely blocked by pretreatment with AE-BCT. Furthermore, daily oral administration of AE-BCT at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg efficiently inhibited lung metastasis of B16F10 cells injected into the tail veins of C57BL/6J mice with no systemic toxicity. These results demonstrate that AE-BCT significantly reduced the metastatic activity of highly malignant cancer cells by suppressing MMP-9 activity via inhibition of ROS-mediated NF-κB activation. These results indicate that AE-BCT may be a safe natural product for treatment of metastatic cancer.

구속스트레스로 불안과 우울증상을 일으킨 백서에서 죽여의 개선 효과

Objectives : The Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam has been used in traditional oriental medicine to treat a variety of mental disorders including anxiety and depression. The purpose of present study is to observe the changes which take place in the body in stressful situations and to compare the anti-depressive, anxiolytic and anti-stress effect of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam in different doses. Methods : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam in the immobilization stress model in rats. Twenty-five rats were divided into 5 groups of 5: control, stress, low dose administration (75 mg/kg), medium dose administration (150 mg/kg) and high dose administration (225 mg/kg). The four groups other than the control group were placed in an immobilization stress test, and distilled water (control) or Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam extract was administration orally for 2 weeks. After treatment, the despair and anxiety behavior of rats were measured by open field test, forced swimming test, weight gain, contents of 5-HT in raphe nucleus and adrenal gland weight. Results & Conclusions : As a result of evaluation by measuring five aspects, FST, OFT, weight gain, 5-HT contents and adrenal gland weight, Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam has significant antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-stress effects.

죽력(竹瀝)의 올바른 제법 고찰

Objective : Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen has been used by East Asian doctors who approved efficient clinical effects of it since the early stage of medical history. It is commonly used for lifestyle related diseases including stroke in recent days thanks to the increasing number of manufacturers. However, products from pharmaceutical companies as well as food companies are not classified as Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen but Bamboo vinegar. This study aims to discern disparate manufacturing process. Methods : In this study, original texts were searched to corroborate the correct method to produce Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen. It is essential to inspect the original texts thoroughly in the course of modernizing traditional knowledge. Result : Discrimination between the two substances starts from manufacturing process; Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen is made under the temperature of less then <TEX>$170^{\circ}C$</TEX>, containing mild fragrance and sweet taste, and the Bamboo vinegar over <TEX>$170^{\circ}C$</TEX> upto <TEX>$400^{\circ}C$</TEX>, carrying strong smoky scent and acidness. Although some researches show conforming clinical actions of both products, still there is a possibility that closer clinical study would reveal their discrepancy. Conclusion : Current use of Bambusae vinegar needs speculation. Authenticity in proper manufacturing process can be attained through passed-on medical texts.

Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam modulates neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects in hippocampal and microglial cells via HO-1- and Nrf-2-mediated pathways

Recent evidence indicates that microglial activation and hippocampal damage may play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam has been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in China and Korea. In this study, the mechanism responsible for the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam ethyl acetate fraction (BCE) was investigated. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible enzyme expressed in response to various inflammatory stimuli. Due to its role in the anti-inflammatory signaling pathway, the expression and modulation of HO-1 are important. In this study, the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of BCE were examined using the murine microglial BV2 and hippocampal HT22 cells. We demonstrated that the administration of BCE provided neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells through the HO-1 and nuclear erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2) signaling pathways. We also reported that BCE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and that the presence of selective inhibitors of HO-1 (SnPP) resulted in the inhibition of BCE-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in BV2 microglial cells. BCE was shown to induce HO-1 expression as well as the nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 in both microglial and hippocampal cells. These findings revealed the potential therapeutic mechanisms of BCE in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that HO-1 and Nrf-2 signaling may play important roles in the mediation of its neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam through heme oxygenase-1 expression via Nrf-2 and p38 MAPK signaling in macrophages

Recently, it has been reported that several natural extracts have anti-inflammatory effects through HO-1 induction. In this study, we used the ethyl acetate fraction of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam (BCE) to investigate its anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages stimulated with LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis. BCE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. BCE also suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and AP-1. A selective inhibitor of HO-1 attenuated BCE's inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. BCE also dose-dependently increased HO-1 expression at both the mRNA and the protein levels. BCE increased nuclear translocation of Nrf-2. Finally, a specific inhibitor of p38 reduced BCE-induced HO-1 expression and BCE-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. BCE induced anti-inflammatory effects by activating Nrf-2-mediated HO-1 induction via p38 signaling in P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated macrophages. This result indicates that BCE is a promising therapeutic agent for combating periodontitis.

Screening for antihypertensive activities of traditional herbs in Donguibogam

The aim of this study is to examine the all the current science‐based evidence supporting the use of Korean medicinal plants. It was designed to search traditional Korean herbal remedies with specific functionality, antihypertension, in old literatures and systemically prove their effectiveness from a comprehensive, upto‐date literature review and in vitro tests. For a terminology matching related to hypertension symptom, we used primarily Korean Classification of Disease in Oriental Medicine (KCDOM) and Korea Traditional Knowledge Portal (KTKP) databases. Water or ethanol extracts of all the screened plants used in this study were purchased from the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB). Herbal preparations were investigated in vitro on influence on nitric oxide production and ACE inhibition activity. We used the 15T FT‐ICR MS to identify the chemical fingerprint of major active compounds contained in the selected plants. We found out seventeen kinds of symptoms relevant to hypertension using KCDOM and KTKP and seventy one plants extracts in Donguibogam. The six most potent herbs were identified as Sophorae fructus, Angelicae koreanae, Melonis calyx, Evodiae fructus, Bambusae caulis, and Nepetae spica through in vitro analysis. This study suggests the potential use of traditional plants for antihypertension.

Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening effects of phenolic compounds from Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen

Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen (BCL) is the distilled product of the condensation from the burning of Phyllostachys nigra var. henosis (Gramineae). The activity-guided isolation of BCL yielded four phenolic compounds: 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (1), 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (2), 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (3) and 1,2-dibenzenecarboxylic acid (4). We evaluated the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening effects of these compounds, via assays, of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells as well as inhibition of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that 2 and 3 exhibited significant DPPH radical scavenging activity as well as inhibitory effects on NO production, tyrosinase activity and melanin production. These results suggested that BCL and compounds 2 and 3 can be developed as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and whitening ingredients.

Reduction of interleukin-1β induced matrix metalloproteinase-3 release by extracts of six plants: inhibitory screening of 35 traditional medicinal plants

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease associated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, leading to destruction of the cartilage. The objective of this study was to investigate and discuss the suitability of the 35 medicinal plants as therapeutic candidates to treat RA. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), derived from patients with RA, were adjusted to 2 × 106 cells/mL in a 24-well plate and pretreated with the distilled water extracts of the 35 plants (1, 10, and 100 µg/mL) for 1 h followed by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (1 ng/mL) for 24 h. The concentration of MMP-3 was then determined using a Duoset ELISA Kit. The six plants (Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, AC; Bambusae Caulis In Taeniam, BC; Cassiae Semen, CS; Corni Fructus, CF; Leonuri Herba, LH; Schizonepetae Spica, SS) showed no toxicity, including MMP-3. The MMP-3 level was increased by 3.38-fold (212.23 μg/mL) in IL-1β-stimulated FLSs. The IL-1β-induced MMP-3 level was significantly and dose-dependently reduced by >50% by the six plants (P < 0.01: at 100 μg/ mL of CS and LH, P < 0.001: at 10 μg/mL of all plants, and at 100 μg/mL of AC, BC, CF, and SS). This is the first study on the MMP-3 inhibitory effect of the examined plants in FLSs isolated from RA patients. From our original research, the six candidate plants were identified.