title: Analytical Research to Determine the effects of the Components of ONGABO on the Viability of HepG2 Cancer Cells by Using the Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier Principle ().
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study used the basic principle of Oriental medicine, the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle () to investigate the effects of the component of ONGABO, which is composed of Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae tuber on the viability of HepG2 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single and mixed extracts of the component of ONGABO were prepared by lypohilizing powder of Red Ginseng (6-year root from Kanghwa), Angelica Gigantis Radix, Schisandrae Fructus, Cuscuta Semen, Curcumae Tuber (from Omniherb Co., Ltd., Korea) at the laboratory of herbal medicine in Woosuk University and were eluted after being macerated with 100% ethanol for three days. The cell viability of HepG2 was determined by using an absorptiometric analysis with PrestoBlue (Invitrogen) reagent after the plate had been incubated for 48 hours. All of the experiments were repeated three times to obtain the average value and standard deviation. The statistical analysis was done and the correlation factor was obtained by using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and Origin 6.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) and Schisandrae Fructus did not enhance the viability of HepG2 cells, they were shown to provide protection of those cells. On the other hand, Angelica Gigantis Radix decreased the viability of HepG2 cells significantly, Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber had a small or no effect on the viability of HepG2 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle (), Ginseng Radix (Red Ginseng) corresponds to the sovereign component because it provides cell protection effects, Angelica Gigantis Radix corresponds to minister medicinal because it kills cells, Schisandrae Fructus corresponds to the assistant medicinal to help red ginseng having cell protect effects. Cuscuta Semen and Curcumae Tuber correspond to the courier medicinal having no effect in cell viability in HepG2. We hope this study provides motivation for advanced research on the sovereign, minister, assistant and courier principle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-nano Chemistry, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Lyul
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Korea Bio Medical Science Institute, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Yeoun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Meridian & Acupoint, Wonkwang University College of Oriental Medicine, Iksan, Korea ; Research Center of Traditional Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
keywords: HepG2; ONGABO; assistant and courier principle; cell viability; minister; sovereign