목 적: 본 연구의 목적은 유방암 세포(MCF-7) 이식 누드 마우스 모델을 이용하여 육종용 열수 추출물의 면역활성 효과를 통한 항암 활성을 체계적으로 평가하는 것이다. 육종용 열수 추출물은 유방암 치료제로 자주 사용되는 대표적인 경구용 항암제인 tamoxifen 경구 투여군과 비교하여 분석 연구하였다. 방 법: 총 110마리의 6주령 암컷 누드 마우스를 준비하여, 7일간 적응 후 체중이 일정한 마우스를 선정하여 우측 둔부 피하부위에 MCF-7 세포를 이식하였다. 종양세포 이식을 한 지 20일 후, 종양 크기 및 체중을 기준으로 그룹 당 8마리씩 본 실험에 사용하였다. MCF-7 이종 이식 21일 후부터 매일 1회씩 35일간 육종용 열수 추출물을 10 ml/kg의 용량(400, 200 및 100 mg/kg)으로 경구 투여하였으며, tamoxifen 역시 10 ml/kg의 용량(20 mg/kg)으로 경구 투여하였고, 정상 및 종양 이식 매체 대조군에서는 멸균증류수만 종양 이식 21일 후부터 동일한 방법으로 35일간 경구 투여 하였다. 결 과: 본 실험의 결과, MCF-7 세포 이식을 함으로써 현저한 비장 및 하악하 림프절 무게, 혈중 IFN-γ의 함량, IL-1β 및 IL-10의 함량, 비장내 TNF-α, 비장세포 및 복강 대식구의 활성의 감소가 관찰되었고, 비장 및 하악하 림프절의 림프구 감소에 의한 조직병리학적 위축 또한 관찰되었다. 그리고 체중 및 증체량의 감소 역시 관찰되었으며, 혈중 IL-6 함량의 증가, 난소 주위의 지방 무게의 감소 및 조직병리학적으로 난소 주위의 축적 지방 조직 위축 현상이 인정되어, 종양 이식 후에 전형적인 종양과 관련된 면역억제와 악액질 현상이 유발된 것으로 판단되었다. 한편 육종용 열수 추출물 400, 200 및 100 mg/kg 경구 투여군에서는 종양 이식 대조군에 비해 유의성 있는 현저한 항암활성이 투여 용량 의존적으로 관찰되었다. 또한 tamoxifen 20 mg/kg 경구 투여군에서는 종양 관련 악액질 소견이 오히려 악화되는 반면, 육종용 열수 추출물 경구 투여군에서는 면역활성 및 악액질 억제 효과가 관찰되었다. 결 론: 본 연구 결과, 육종용 열수 추출물의 적절한 경구 투여는 심각한 부작용 없이, 종양 관련 악액질 소견을 포함하여, 효과적인 유방암 치료 수단을 제공할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is defined as abdominal pain during menstruation period in the absence of an identifiable pathological lesion. Corydalis tuber (CT) is an herbal medicine that has an excellent effect in relieving pain and convulsions. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of Corydalis tuber aqueous extracts (CTe) on primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: The rats were injected with estradiol benzoate subcutaneously for 10 days (2.5 mg/kg on the first and 10th days, and 1 mg/kg from the 2~9th day). Oxytocin 1 U/kg was treated by peritoneal injection 1 hour after the last 10th injection of estradiol benzoate. CTe 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg were administered orally, once a day for 10 days at 30 minutes after each estradiol benzoate treatment. The results of CTe were compared to those of IND 5 mg/kg orally treated rats. Results: As results of estradiol benzoate and oxytocin administration, noticeable decreases of body weights and gains, uterus weights were observed with congestion and enlargement of the uterus at gross inspections, and increases of abdominal writhing responses, uterus MDA levels, GSH contents, SOD and CAT activities. However, these oxidative stress mediated PD signs were dose-dependently decreased by 10 consecutive days of oral administration of three different doses of CTe 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg as comparable to those of IND 5 mg/kg in CTe 200 mg/kg. Conclusions: CTe had a significant improvement effect on primary dysmenorrhea in the PD rat model induced by estrogen benzoate and oxytocin.

Objectives: Since infertility has been big social issue in Korea, this study aims to analyze the domestic study trends in Korean Medicine (KM) for female infertility treatment. Methods: Case studies applying KM treatment on female infertility were selected through 5 domestic journal databases. General characteristics, interventions, outcomes and results and the quality of the reports were analyzed. Especially, the quality assessments of studies were made using CAse REport (CARE) guideline and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Results: 14 studies (22 cases) were finally selected for the analyzation. The mean age of the participants was 35.1 and the most common factor of female infertility in this study was Uterine factor. Herbal medicine was applied in all studies, and acupuncture was also used frequently. Most cases reported pregnancy of the participants. According to quality assessment, 'Diagnostic challenges', 'Intervention adherence and tolerability', 'Adverse and unanticipated events', 'Patient perspective' and 'Informed consent' were showed low reporting rates. Conclusions: Korean Medicine treatment for female infertility is expected to be effective. In quality evaluation, there were some items with low reporting rates. Further clinical studies have to be conducted to establish the evidence for the treatment.

Objectives: This review aimed at investigating the research trends of animal experiment on the acupuncture for premature ovarian failure (POF). Methods: Studies were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINK, KISS, RISS, OASIS, KMBASE up to November 2023. Terms as POF, acupuncture, electroacupuncture were used. Results: Of 189 screened, 13 studies are selected and analyzed. The combined results showed that treatment group was effective of improving serum sex hormones level, ovarian morphology, expression related mRNA and protein compared with control group. The most frequently used acupoints were SP6, CV4. Conclusions: Included studies showed that acupuncture might have effect on POF. Further research should be conducted to verify its therapeutic mechanisms and effectiveness.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current use of Korean medicine for obesity and its effect for women in climacteric period. Methods: We studied women aged 45-55 who visited Daejeon Korean medicine Hospital of Daejeon University to lose body weight from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 via an analysis of the medical records. The treatment duration was continuous for more than 2 weeks, and a body composition was measured by Inbody 770 at 2 to 4 weeks after the first visit. Results: 28 patients were finally selected and their average age was 49.32±3.38 years. Based on the body mass index (BMI) classification, 19 were in the 1st obesity group, 5 in the 2nd obesity group, 3 in the overweight group and 1 in the normal group. Patients usually complained comcomitant symptoms, and the symptoms of menopausal disorder was the most frequent. The average treatment duration was 3.68±0.67 weeks and the average treatment frequency was 3.93±0.98 times. All patients took herbal medicines Gambi-tang and 23 took modified fasting therapy including Gamro-su. 14 were treated by whole body far-infrared therapy and 6 were gotten partial obesity treatment. Among patients treated for accompanying symptoms, menopausal disorders were the most common (35.71%), and herbal medicine such as Gamisoyou-san, Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, and cupping were used. After treatment, on average, body composition changed significantly; body weight 3.28±1.82 kg, BMI 1.36±1.04 kg/m², body fat 1.70±1.67 kg, skeletal muscle mass 0.81±0.91 kg, abdominal circumference 2.04±2.6 cm, and visceral fat area 8.91±12.83 cm². Conclusions: We analyzed general characteristics, BMI distribution, types of Korean medicine treatment and change of body composition. This study could be used as reference to provide practical data of treatment for obese women in climacteric period.

Objectives: This study analyzed an online survey targeting women and Korean medicine doctors who participated in the Yeosu City Postpartum Health Center Support Project. Through this, we would like to discuss the direction of support for postpartum health care support projects and new policies to encourage childbirth. Methods: In this study, we examined the results of an online survey from 73 women and 29 Korean medicine doctors. We examined 39 items, including basic information, childbirth-related items, Korean medicine treatment-related items, business satisfaction, and policies, answered by 73 women and 29 Korean medicine doctors who responded to the online survey. Results: The average age of women was 33.62±4.19 years, and the average age of Korean medicine doctors was 49.82±8.60 years. Musculoskeletal pain appeared most commonly in both maternal and Korean medicine doctors' online surveys. The visit date from the date of delivery was 36.87±27.06 days. Gungguijohyeol-um and Boheo-tang were widely used. The survey score of women whose main symptoms improved after taking herbal medicine was 3.04±1.15 points, and the survey score of Korean medical doctors was 4.13±0.74 points. The positive response to the policy was 73.7% for satisfaction with the overall policy to encourage childbirth, 54.8% for perceived support, and 65.7% for reduction of economic burden. Conclusions: Women who participated in the postpartum health care support project and received Korean medicine treatment and Korean medicine doctors who performed Korean medicine treatment were very satisfied. The most frequent postpartum symptom was musculoskeletal pain. The degree of improvement in main symptoms after taking herbal medicine was higher among Korean medicine doctors than among women. Among childbirth policies, the areas that should be prioritized are childbirth support projects and postpartum care projects.