Background and Objective : Cyperus rotundus L. (CR) is a commonly used herbal medicine in Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of CR on helper T cell activities and on Th1/Th2 lineage development in vitro. Materials and Methods : Spleen cells from 8 week BALB/c mice were cultured in CR extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed for mRNA expression levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, T-bet and GATA-3 by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 by ELISA. Results : The results demonstrated that CR had no mitogenic effects on unstimulated CD4+ T cells, but augmented CD4+ T-cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. CR treatment significantly increased CD4+ T cell population and the IFN-$\gamma$ expression was significantly enhanced, while IL-4 expression was significantly decreased. In addition, in vitro Th1/Th2 polarization experiments revealed that CR enhanced IFN-$\gamma$ secretion in Th1 cells, but reduced the IL-4 in Th2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that CR treatment could be a desirable alternative therapy for the prevention or correction of Th2 dominant pathological disorders, such as allergy and asthma.

Objective : Lonicerae Flos has detoxifying properties and been used as antipyretic, antibacterial and antitumor. Fermentation of herbal medicine is known to increase the absorption, enhance effectiveness, decrease herbal toxicity and reduce side-effects. This study was performed to measure the effects of fermented Lonicerae Flos on influenza A/WSN (H1N1) virus replication. Material and Methods : Lonicerae Flos was fermented by Lactobacillus casei PM1. Fermented Lonicerae Flos was treated for 12 hours to MDCK (Mardin Darby canine kidney) cells, then cell-virulence was observed by MTT assay for 12 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours after treatment. Following cases were conducted for 0, 10, 100, and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of fermented Lonicerae Flos under the same time-frame; the fermented Lonicerae Flos was treated to MDCK cells before and after contamination by A-type influenza virus. The fermented Lonicerae Flos and the virus were mixed directly. The influence was observed by MTT assay and plaque assay. Results : These findings suggest that the fermented Lonicerae Flos inhibited the virulence of influenza A virus in MDCK cells and suppressed the plaque forming colonies induced by influenza A virus. Furthermore, pretreatment with fermented Lonicerae Flos was more effective than post-treatment. The titer of influenza virus was reduced for all before and after influenza A virus inoculation.

Background : Radix Sophora Flavescentis (SF) is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Traditional Korean Medicine. However, little is known about the effects of Radix Sophora Flavescentis extract (SFE) on the hypoglycemic mechanism. Objective : We performed a series of experiments to verify the effects of SFE on the proliferation of RIN-m5F, the secretion and synthetic processes of insulin with glucose stimulation and inhibition of $\alpha$-glucosidase. Methods : Various amounts of SFE were added to the RIN-m5F cell culture to identify the effects on the cell proliferation, total amounts of insulin secretion, and related gene expression at the molecular level. Also to identify the inhibitory effect on the $\alpha$-glucosidase activities, ${\rho}NPG$ assay was done with various SFE concentrations followed by comparison with control. Results : SFE did not show considerable effects on RIN-m5F cells proliferation, insulin secretion or insulin mRNA expression, whichever phenomena did not depend on the glucose concentration. However, SFE significantly inhibited $\alpha$-glucosidase activity in a dose dependent manner compared to control. Conclusions : This study showed that SFE has potent $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Thus, SF may by used for the improvement of overall glycemic control. Further mechanism studies on the lipid toxicity and oxidation stress of SF seem to be necessary.

Objective : Membranous nephropathy(MN) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease and a relatively common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. But treatment of MN is not defined. This study was to evaluate the effects of Acasia Catechu extract(ACE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. The normal group was injected with a saline solution. The control group was treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p.) only. The third group was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The fourth group was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (500mg/kg, p.o.). After cBSA and ACE treatment for 6 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, total cholesterol, triglyceride, IgG, IgM, IgA, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$ significantly decreased in both ACE groups. The level of albumin significantly increased in both ACE groups. The mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in splenocytes considerably decreased in the ACE-500 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both ACE groups. Conclusions : This study shows that ACE might be effective for treatment of MN. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

Objective : This study was designed to find the correlation between Sasang Constitution and heart rate variability(HRV). Method : There were 665 subjects (280 men and 385 women), between 39 and 72 years old. in a rural community. Sasang Constitution was diagnosed by a Sasang constitutional specialist using PSSC (Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), face and tongue photo and checkup-list. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics. HRV was recorded using SA-2000 (medi-core). HRV was assessed by time domain and by frequency domain analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of clustering of risk factors, when three or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors were included : blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride HDL-cholesterol, and abdominal obesity (waist). Because of the skewness of the data, logarithmic transformation was performed on the absolute units of the spectral components of HRV, and the resulting logarithmic values and normalized units were compared between the groups by a logistic regression. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio was used and calculated from the data laid out for a cross sectional study. Results : 1. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly lower than that of Soyangin in LF norm and LF/HF ratio. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly higher than that of Soyangin in HF norm. 2. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in female adults from 60 years old and over. 3. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in male adults. Conclusion : There is a statistically significant correlation between the HRV and Sasang Constitution. There is a tendency of increase in the sympathetic activity in Soyangin. There is a tendency of decrease in the parasympathetic activity in Taeeumin and Soeumin.

Objectives : There are lots of reports that cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, cerebro-vascular accident, and coronary heart disease, is related to atherosclerotic changes. Increased serum levels of lipids could play a role in these changes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PWV and risk factors of cardiovascular disease, including serum lipid values. Methods : This study included 261 subjects ($49.32{\pm}11.79$ years, 112 male) who underwent PWV and serum lipid evaluation. We investigated the correlation between serum lipid values, blood pressure, body mass index (EMI) and PWV. Pearson's correlation and partial correlation analysis were applied to examine the relationship between PWV and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Results : Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were significantly correlated with PWV. Partial correlation coefficient adjusted by age yielded significant correlation between serum triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and PWV. Conclusion : In this study, it seems that there are significant relationships between PWV, triglyceride and blood pressure. We could suggest that PWV might have some relationships with Dam-eum and blood stasis in oriental theory.

Objectives : To study trends in complementary medical therapy for the allergic rhinitis. This study analyzed research on allergic rhinitis in PubMed. Methods : We searched PubMed related to complementary medical therapy for allergic rhinitis. We analyzed 25 research papers and examined published journals, years countries, and their methods, objectives, results, interventions, participants, periods and instruments of assessment. Results : The method of studies was mostly randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. There were research papers concerning treatment and prevention with herbal medicine, acupuncture, diet, etc. There were more positive results compared to negative results for treatment and prevention. Most studies were carried out during the winter/spring period. The median for number of participants was 90.54 persons. Diagnostic criteria for enrolment were nasal symptoms, allergic skin test, serum, nasal discharge allergen specific IgE eosinophil, etc. Assessment for outcomes were nasal symptoms, serum, nasal discharge allergen specific IgE eosinophil and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Conclusions : It is necessary to study effects of acupuncture and herb medicines for allergic rhinitis and more in-depth research about trends in complementary medical therapy for allergic rhinitis.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of Bi-Su as a pattern identification (PI) index in stroke patients. Methods : The subjects were 424 hospitalized stroke patients within 1 month from onset and diagnosed with the same PI subtypes (dampness & phlegm, qi deficiency, fire & heat, eum deficiency, and blood stasis) by agreement of two clinical experts. Bi-Su type is a kind of body shape (Bi : fat, Su : lean). Bi-Su type and degree (Bi-Su score) were decided by clinical expert. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were used as an obesity index. Correlation analysis between Bi-Su score and obesity index (Spearman) and variance analysis for Bi-Su score, BMI, and WHR among PI subtypes (ANOVA) and sex were carried out. Results : While there was partial correlation between Bi-Su type and BMI($r^2$=0.634, p<0.001), the distribution of the BMI group based on the Bi-Su group showed the broadest range. The Bi-Su score in the dampness & phlegm group was higher than in the other groups (p<0.001). BMI in the dampness & phlegm groups was also higher but the BMI differences among PI subtypes was low (p=0.002). The Bi-Su score in the dampness & phlegm group was similar in both sexes, although the hand score in the eum deficiency group was the lowest, especially in males. Conclusions : Although BMI is not an objective enough tool for evaluating Bi-Su type, Bi-Su type is more appropriate than BMI as PI index. Therefore Bi-Su type could be used as one of the PI indices for dampness & phlegm or eum deficiency group in stroke patients.

Background : Since March 2009, when the first patient of novel influenza A (H1N1) was reported, many deaths have occurred in North and Central America. The start of the 2009 influenza pandemic was declared by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009, and the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 5 to phase 6. There was no vaccine yet developed, and many experts worried that the novel H1N1 virus could kill as many or more as did the influenza pandemic in 1918-1919. Objective : To evaluate the possibility of treatment for 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) using herbal remedies and other non-conventional therapies. Methods : We researched the clinical studies for novel H1N1 influenza virus-related herbal medicine or non-conventional medicine treatment using internet search engines including PubMed and CNKI. In addition, we reviewed many reports and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for influenza A (H1N1). Results : Two case series were selected after reviewing 701 papers, and two CPG published by the Chinese government and Jilin province identified. They reported that the clinical symptoms were no more significant than seasonal influenza, and the condition of patients more than 45 years old was milder than those less than 45 years old. There are no patients with gastric problems, and oseltamivir has been used at the same time in all patients. Conclusion : The efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicine and other non-conventional treatments for the novel influenza A (H1N1) is questionable, and more studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion. However, in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience in 2002/2003, it was demonstrated that herbal medicine can relieve all symptoms of SARS patients, promote absorption of lung inflammation, improve the degree of blood oxygen saturation, regulate immunological functions, reduce the required dosage of glucocorticoid and other medicines, and reduce case fatality rate. In light of the current situation that there is no vaccine or conventional treatment yet available, the study of herbal medicine and other non-conventional therapies are also necessary for appropriate evaluation.

Background : Early in November 2002, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) began to spread throughout thirty-two countries around the world. A total of 5,327 cases were reported in China, including 1,755 cases in Hong Kong and 655 in Taiwan. The total number of cases reported from Canada and Singapore was more than 200. The total number of SARS cases world-wide reached 8,437 with incidences. Mortality from SARS is estimated at around 11%. Under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), clinical studies on the use of integrated herbal medicine and western medicine for treating SARS were carried out in China and Hong Kong. The official report suggested that integrated treatment was more effective than western medicine alone in clinical symptoms, lung inflammation, blood oxygen saturation, immunological functions and others. Objective : To overview the treatment principle and the prescriptions according to the regimens and the stages for SARS of the reports, and further to broaden our knowledge of treatment of acute infectious diseases using natural herbal medicine. Methods : We reviewed nine of WHO SARS reports that comprehensively described the principles and methods of treatment and summarized them into eight treatment methods. We analyzed the herbal formulae on the basis of their treatment principles, evaluated them in accordance with warm disease study, listed frequently used herbs, and assessed patent prescriptions and herbal injections that were mentioned in the reports. Results and Conclusion : The reports divided the course of SARS into 3 to 6 stages such as high fever stage, fastigium stage, and convalescent stage. Frequently used herbs were Radix Scutellariae, Radix Paeoniae, Radix Astragali, Semen Armeniacae, Radix Pseudostellariae, Radix Ophiopogonis, and Fructus Schizandrae. Herbal decoctions were the primary method of treatment, while extracts or injections were secondary. Prescriptions were mainly based on the warm disease study. SARS is a viral disease caused by corona virus, and herbal medicine is proven to be effective against it. We believe that evidences and experiences from SARS cases can be a good reference to further researches on acute infectious diseases.

Background and Objective : Allergy is defined as an altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. This study was to evaluate the effect of oriental materia medica on IL-5 secretion in the mouse spleen cell. Methods : We used the splenocytes of mouse 8 weeks after its birth, and then cultivated those into the 2 experimental groups and a control group for 48 hours. The culture media of the experimental groups were made of $1{\mu}g/ml$, $10{\mu}g/ml$ oriental materia medica, representative. And the culture media of control group was given no oriental materia medica. Then, we assayed the quantity of cytokine-expression by the sandwich ELISA. The quantities of cytokine-expression of the experimental groups were compared with that of the control group, which was standardized. These methods were used for all of the oriental materia medica treated. Results : Some oriental materia medica inhibit the secretion of IL-5 in both $1{\mu}g/ml$ and $10{\mu}g/ml$ culture media. These were Acori Rhizoma, Luffae Fasciculus Vascularis, Amomi Rotundi Fructus, Schisandrae Fructus, Biotae Semen, Clematis armandii, Dioscoreae Sativa Rhizoma, Coicis Semen, Sophorae Flos, Oroxyli Semen, Aurantii Semen, Pini Nodi Lignum. Conclusion : This study indicates that some oriental materia medica inhibit the secretion of IL-5 and are beneficial for allergic disease.

Objectives : ICH breaks down blood vessels within the brain parenchyma, which finally leads to neuronal loss, drugs to treat ICH have not yet been established. In this experiment, we measured the effect of Woowhangchongshim-won (WWCSW) on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rat using microarray technology. Methods : We measured the effect of WWCSW on ICH in rat using microarray technology. ICH was induced by injection of collagenase type IV, and total RNA was isolated. Image files of microarray were measured using a ScanArray scanner, and the criteria of the threshold for up- and down-regulation was 2 fold. Hierarchical clustering was implemented using CLUSTER and TREEVIEW program, and for Ontology analysis. GOSTAT program was applied in which p-value was calculated by Chi square or Fisher's exact test based on the total array element. Results : WWCSW-treatment restored the gene expression altered by ICH-induction in brain to the levels of 76.0% and 70.1% for up- and down-regulated genes, respectively. Conclusion : Co-regulated genes by ICH model of rat could be used as molecular targets for therapeutic effects of drug including WWCSW. That is, the presence of co-regulated genes may represent the importance of these genes in ICH in the brain and the change of expression level of these co-regulated genes would also indicate the functional change of brain tissue.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between headache and gastric dysmotility in patients with functional dyspepsia by using electrogastrogram and bowel sounds analysis. Methods : 127 patients(male 40, female 87) with functional dyspepsia were enrolled. By using inquiry and the questionnaire, we examined whether each patient had headache and abdominal pain. All patients were divided into 4 groups according to the above symptoms. Gastric motility was measured during the fasting-postprandial state by using electrogastrogram and bowel sounds analysis. Results : 33 patients complained of headache. There was a significant difference between headache patients and non-headache patients in gastric arrhythmia of the fasting state. Moreover, in headache patients without abdominal pain, postprandial improvement of gastric arrhythmia was poorer than the other groups. So, headache patients without abnormal pain had more severe gastric myoelectrical rhythm disorder than headache patients with abdominal pain. Conclusion : Headache could be one of symptoms induced by gastric dysmotility in patients with functional dyspepsia. Especially, headache in functional dyspepsia was related to gastric arrhythmia.

Objectives : The water extract of Sopung-tang (SPT) has been traditionally used in the treatment of acute stroke in Oriental Medicine. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the onset of post-ischemic inflammatory cascades. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of SPT on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a photothrombotic ischemia mouse model. Methods : After SPT oral administration to the mice for five days, with using Rose Bengal and cold light, photothrombotic ischemia lesion was induced in stereotactically held male BALB/c mice. Also, results including, gross finding lesion size, histopathological finding changes, and inflammatory cytokine expression changes from the photothrombotic ischemia mouse model were observed. Results : The photothrombotic ischemia lesion was decreased by the oral injection of SPT. Also, SPT inhibited the expression of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, the active form of caspase-3 protease, and transglutaminase-2 in the photothrombotic ischemia lesion. Conclusions : These results suggest that SPT protects the ischemic death of brain cells through suppression of the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and catalytic activation of caspase-3 protease in the photothrombotic ischemia mouse model.

Objectives : The purpose of this case series was to investigate the effectiveness of Chengsimyeonjatang-gamibang for headache. Methods : The case subjects were nine patients who were diagnosed as Taeumin from the Department of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. They were selected among outpatients who visited Sangji Oriental Medical Hospital with complaint of headache from October 2007 to January 2008 through chart reviews. They were treated with Chengsimyeonjatang-gamibang without other treatments. Relative seriousness of headache was determined by Headache Impact $Test^{TM}$(HIT-$6^{TM}$) questionnaire. Results of before and after therapy were evaluated and scored using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The results were analyzed using statistical methods. such as Friedman test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U Test. Results : The study showed that the VAS score significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions : In summary, this case report suggests that Chengsimyeonjatang-gamibang appears to be effective in the treatment of headache.

The patient was hospitalized for treatment of cerebral infarction (Lt. BG). He was a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with membranous nephropathy (MN) in 2000. Before admission, he was admitted for treatment for cerebral infarction at another hospital. During that admission, his MN symptoms went from bad to worse, and medication for MN was started (steroid and cyclophosphamide therapy). In our hospital, we started herbal medicine and western medicine combination therapy as well as oriental rehabilitation therapy. Our main herbal medicine was Magsungsinyeom-bang(Moxingshenyanfang). After 5 months, levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride decreased, levels of serum albumin, total protein increased, and clinical symptoms (lower limb edema, general body weakness) improved.

Objective : This study was case report to show the good effects of herbal medicine (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture complex therapy for central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). Method : A 44-year-old man suffering from CPM was chronic alcoholic without electrolyte disturbance. He showed symptoms of dysarthria, dysphagia, dizziness, weakness of lower extremities and gait disturbance. CPM was diagnosed at his former hospital by MR imaging. He had no positive response to western treatments. We treated the patient with herbal extract (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture. Results : After our treatments, there was no change of Brain CT. But overall symptoms of CPM were improved. Conclusion : This study suggests that herbal medicine (Daekumeum-ja) and acupuncture complex therapy is probably effective in the treatment of CPM.

Peripheral neuropathy is a disease of multiple Peripheral nerves. Tingling, pins-and needles, numbness, burning and raw sensation are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. These symptoms are frequently complained by patients who suffered from obstructive syndrome of Ki and blood (痺證). This case was reported to evaluate the effects of oriental medicine therapy on a patient with obstructive syndrome of Ki and blood (痺證). The subject was a female patient who had obstructive syndrome of Ki and blood (痺證). She complained of calf pain, cold sense, walking discomfort, insomnia, dyspepsia, anorexia etc. We administered the medicine with dispeling the cold pathogenic factor (寒邪), adjusting the constructive and defensive energy (調營衛), tonifying the Ki and blood (補氣血) by stage. After the treatment, the symptoms improved. This case suggests that oriental medicine therapy can be applicable to improve in symptoms with Peripheral neuropathy.