Objectives : Koreans consume excessive amounts of sodium due to their traditional diet based on rice, soup, and kimchi. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between salty taste preference and physical symptoms. Methods : A survey was conducted on 252 patients visiting L/C oriental medical clinic. Taste preferences were investigated, and the overall physical condition, as well as general lifestyle habits, of people who enjoy salty tastes were checked. We selected symptoms that were significantly more common in people who enjoy salty foods. Results : People who enjoyed salty foods tended to smoke and drink alcohol, and had many thermal symptoms such as dry mouth and prefer to drink cold water. And there was a tendency for cardiovascular diseases such as chest pain, chest congestion, purpura, gastrointestinal diseases such as abdominal pain, bowel sound, constipation·diarrhea, nausea·vomiting, and urogenital diseases such as enuresis, naengdaeha, and menstrual pain, and symptoms such as food urticaria and yawning were significant. There were a lot of them. Conclusion : To quit drinking and smoking, it is good to avoid eating salty foods, and to prevent cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and urogenital diseases, it is also good to avoid excessive sodium intake. It is believed that one can maintain a healthy lifestyle only by eating an appropriate combination of the five flavors.

Objectives : Edible insects are the widely distributed group of animals and contain high quality proteins, fatty acids and minerals. In particular, insects are a possible interesting source of essential amino acids. Insects as traditional medicines have much potential as pharmaceuticals in modern medicines including treating infections, cancer, dissolving phlegm, relieving spasms, and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of several kinds of insects and major amino acids. Methods : In our review we try to show the potential usefulness of insects and amino acids in searching for new therapeutic solutions for immunologic diseases. We summarized the knowledge about properties, usefulness of insect and amino acids in drug design. We hypothesized that insects and amino acids, their major ingredients, regulates airway inflammation and immunologic diseases and can be developed as therapeutic drugs for the treatment of immunologic diseases. Results : Several insects including Bombyx mori, Cryptotympana pustulata, Holotrichia diomphalia, Locusta migratoria, etc. and amino acids such as glutamine, glutamic acid, methionine and glycine may have potential protective effects against asthma and airway neutrophilia. Glutamic acid, cystine, methionine and glycine which contribute to glutathione metabolism, which are important anti-oxidant amino acids that may affect susceptibility to asthma. Conclusions : Our results provide evidence about the potential usefulness of several insects and their amino acids in allergic disorders. These findings suggest that several insects and amino acids have important roles in the way they affect the immune system and allergic responses.

Objective : Mu-yi (蕪荑, Ulmi Semen Pasta) is the fermented product of the seeds of Ulmus macrocarpa Hance (Ulmaceae) or other species of Ulmus genus mixed with adjuvant materials. The medicinal origin and preparing method of Ulmi Semen Pasta are different from those in the past literature. Therefore, medicinal origin of Ulmi Semen Pasta and its preparation method were investigated by literature study. Methods : The classic and contemporary literatures from Korea, China, and Japan regarding to Ulmi Semem Pasta were searched to find the time-based changes of Ulmi Semen Pasta preparation and its origin. Results : The fruit or seed of U. macrocarpa has been medicinally used as Mu-yi (蕪荑) or Mu-yi-in (蕪荑仁) respectively in Korea, China, and Japan until early in 20th century. However, from the middle of the 20th century, the fermentation was performed in medicinal preparation of the fruit or seed of U. macrocarpa mixed with various adjuvant materials such as clay, Chrysanthmi Flos, Ulmi Cortex, etc. The roles or evidences of those adjuvant materials have not been clearly explained, which could not guarantee the consistent quality of Ulmi Semen Pasta. Conclusion : Current preparation method of Ulmi Semen Pasta have challenges in terms of quality maintenance, standardization, and marketing. Therefore, it is suggested that apparent evidence of current preparation method should be established or intact botanical part (seed or fruit) could be used as medicinal part.

Objectives : Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJ) and Achyranthes bidentata Blume (AB) have been used without distinguishment. Moreover, comparative studies of AJ and AB on physiological activity in the organism levels remain fully understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of AJ and AB on anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Methods : AJ and AB were extracted with distilled water (DW) and 70% ethanol (EtOH) extract. For the evaluation of anti-neuroinflammatory effects, we measured the production of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV2 microglial cells. To evaluate the neuroprotective effects, we assessed cell viability against toxicity, including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and amyloid-beta (A𝛽), respectively, in PC12 or HT22 cells. Results : DW and 70% EtOH extracts of AJ and AB inhibited LPS-induced NO production in BV2 cells, with no significant differences between the origins and extraction solvents. Additionally, AJ and AB had no cytotoxicity, and exhibited the similar neuroprotective effects against H₂O₂ and 6-OHDA toxicities in PC12 cells, showing stronger activity in 70% EtOH extract compared to the DW extract. Furthermore, 70% EtOH extracts of AJ and AB protected neuronal cell against A𝛽 toxicity-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 cells. Conclusions : We demonstrated that AJ and AB have anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects in the 70% EtOH extract compared to DW extract, with no significant differences between the species. These results suggested that AJ and AB would be the potential candidates for neurodegenerative diseases.

Objectives : Diabetes is a chronic disease that is rapidly increasing worldwide, and recent studies suggest that gut microbiome dysbiosis may be one of the main reasons for diabetes. Therefore, we have reviewed the relationship between diabetes and microbiome changes and their regulation by treatment of traditional herbal medicine. Methods : This review was prepared by querying in PubMed with the key words such as diabetes, microbiome and traditional herbal medicine. The search was conducted for research articles including both in vivo preclinical reports and clinical studies, up to July 22, 2024 within the past five years. Results : Gut microbiota dysbiosis is implicated in diabetes through major mechanisms, including increased endotoxin (LPS), decreased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, reduced gut microbiota diversity, and impaired bile acid metabolism in mouse models and human cohorts. Traditional herbal medicines including berberine and bicalein and formulations such as Gegen Qinlian Decoction, Banxia Xiexin Decoction, and Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Decoction improved diabetes by increasing the gut microbiota diversity and SCFA generation. Conclusion : Gut microbiota imbalance plays an important role in the onset and progression of diabetes especially type 2 diabetes which is improved by traditional herbal medicines promoting the growth of beneficial microbiome and suppressing pathogenic abundance. It may provide a promising prospect for more effective diabetes management and treatment strategies.