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Background:The aim of this systematic review was to update, complete, and critically evaluate the evidence from placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of ginseng for managing menopausal women's health.Methods:We searched the literature using 13 databases (MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, 6 Korean Medical, and 3 Chinese Databases) from their inception to July 2016 and included all double-blind RCTs that compared any type of ginseng with a placebo control in postmenopausal women. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a Cochrane risk of bias tool.Results:Ten RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Most RCTs had unclear risk of bias. One RCT did not show a significant difference in hot flash frequency between Korean red ginseng (KRG) and placebo. The second RCT reported positive effects of KRG on menopausal symptoms. The third RCT found beneficial effects of ginseng (Ginsena) on depression, well-being, and general health. Four RCTs failed to show significant differences in various hormones between KRG and placebo controls except dehydroepiandrosterone. Two other RCTs failed to show effects of KRG on endometrial thickness in menopausal women. The other RCT also failed to show the effects of American ginseng on oxidative stress markers and other antioxidant enzymes.Conclusion:Our systematic review provided positive evidence of ginseng for sexual function and KRG for sexual arousal and total hot flashes score in menopausal women. However, the results of KRG or ginseng failed to show specific effects on hot flash frequency, hormones, biomarkers, or endometrial thickness. The level of evidence for these findings was low because of unclear risk of bias.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of Danggui Liuhuang Decoction () or Dangkwiyughwang-tang (DGLHT) water extract. METHODS: Effect of DGLHT on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined by using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. To determine the underlying mechanism of the inhibitory effects of DGLHT, the expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein, as well as iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6 mRNA levels were examined by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were also examined by Western blot. RESULTS: DGLHT inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, PGE(2), and IL-6 productions and the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, DGLHT suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). CONCLUSIONS: DGLHT has inhibitory effects on the LPSinduced production of PGE(2), NO, and IL-6 and on the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in murine macrophages. These anti-inflammatory effects occur through inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation.

-This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidative activity and cytotoxicity of fermented Allium victorialis extract. The results were as follows; The total polyphenol content of A. victorialis extract was 2.63 mg/g, and that of fermented A. victorialis extract was 1.65 mg/g which decreased a little by fermentation. The total flavonoid content of A. victorialis extract was 57.77 mg/g, and that of fermented A. victorialis extract was 62.27 mg/g, and this could increase a little from fermentation. Electron donating ability of A. victorialis extract was lower than vitamin C(97.71%), but before fermentation it was 82.29% and after fermentation it became 82.40%. Nitrite scavenging ability of A. victorialis extract before and after fermentation showed lower numerical value than that of butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT) at pH 2.5 but that of A. victorialis extract expressed higher than that of BHT. Superoxide dismutase-like activity showed relatively low level, 15%. Nitrite production increased by A. victorialis extract but was inhibited after fermentation. Methyl diamphetamine (MDA) content was inhibited with increased concentration of A. victorialis extract compared with H2O2 treatment but there was not any difference before and after fermentation. Therefore, production of lipid peroxide(LPO) was inhibited by A. victorialis extract. Cell viability of fibroblast cell was tend to slightly decrease with increased concentration of A. victorialis extract, but not different with control.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is includingCrohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Sulfasalazine commonly used in IBD, possibly has various side effects after high dosage and long term intake. The present study aimed to investigate the sulfasalazine and combination with herbal medicine on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced in mice model. TNBS-induced mice were injected through a flexible catheter 4 cm in length 1.6 mg TNBS. Animals were divided into five groups (n=12): Normal group, TNBS control group, Sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg) group, Sulfasalazine (60 mg/kg) group, Sulfasalazine (30 mg/kg)+Cinnamomi cortex and Bupleuri radix mixture (30 mg/kg) (SCB) group. Administration groups were fed extract during 7 days. The inflammatory, and apoptotic protein levels were determined using western blotting. SCB treatment showed an outstanding effectiveness in counteracting the IBD, as assessed by reduction of body weight loss, down-regulation of proinflammatory proteins and cytokines, and by inhibition of proteins related to apoptosis. This is the first report that sulfasalazine and Cinnamomi cortex plus Bupleuri radix mixture improve the severity of experimental IBD through the inhibition of both inflammation and apoptosis. We confirm that the SCB treatment instead of sulfasalazine alone may be promising as an alternative therapeutic plan against IBD, without any evidence of adverse effects.