Kwangdong Pharmaceutical identifies how 'Jangwonhwan' improves memory

[Financial News] Kwangdong Pharmaceutical has scientifically identified the memory-enhancing effects and mechanism of action of Jangwonhwan, a traditional Korean herbal prescription.
Kwangdong Pharmaceutical announced on the 5th that a research paper on Jangwonhwan, conducted jointly with the College of Pharmacy at Kyung Hee University, was published in Pharmaceuticals, an international journal indexed in SCIE.
The study was conducted to use modern science to verify the memory-enhancing effects and pharmacological mechanism of action of Jangwonhwan, which is recorded in Donguibogam. In describing Jangwonhwan's efficacy, Donguibogam says that one can “memorize a thousand words a day and keep ten thousand books in one's heart.”
The researchers conducted experiments on normal mice and mice in which memory impairment had been induced by administering scopolamine. They administered Jangwonhwan for 28 days to the normal mice and for 14 days to the mice with memory impairment, then analyzed memory-related behavioral performance and changes in brain neuronal activity.
The experiments showed improved memory-related behavioral performance in both the normal mice and the mice with memory impairment that received Jangwonhwan.
Changes related to brain function were also observed. Expression of proteins associated with synaptic plasticity, which is involved in learning and memory formation, increased. The researchers also observed enhanced neuronal activation and cholinergic signaling in the hippocampus, which plays an important role in memory formation.
Pharmaceuticals, which published the study's findings, is an international journal covering the pharmacological effects of medicines and the development of new drugs. As of 2025, its impact factor (IF) is 5.7, and it is rated a Q1 journal, placing it in the top 25% in the fields of pharmacology and pharmacy.
A Kwangdong Pharmaceutical representative said, “It is significant that we have verified the pharmacological properties of a traditional herbal prescription using modern science,” adding, “We will continue to build scientific evidence for traditional medicines, drawing on our research capabilities in natural products and herbal medicines.”
Meanwhile, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical launched the over-the-counter drug Gear Care tablets last April, developed based on the Jangwonhwan prescription recorded in Donguibogam. The product contains 11 types of herbal medicine ingredients, including Wonji, Seokchangpo and Boksin, which are known as key ingredients in Chongmyeongtang. It is indicated for improving memory loss and forgetfulness and for calming the nerves.
The study is significant in that it confirmed the potential of a traditional herbal prescription to improve memory through animal experiments and presented a related mechanism of action. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical plans to strengthen its research and development capabilities in natural products and herbal medicines based on this study.
[email protected] Jung Sang-hee Reporter