Objectives : Danguieumja is a traditional medicinal prescription to treat skin disease. It was commonly used for the treatment of itching, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis in Korea by the addition or omission of several herbs. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of Gagam-Danguieumja (GDE) water extract. Methods : We examined the effects of GDE on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. Results : GDE inhibited production of NO in a dose dependent manner and also decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). As a possible molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect increased phosphorylation of mitogen-activating protein kinases (MAPK) by LPS were blocked by GDE treatment. Conclusions : These results suggest that GDE has an anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential through the inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation, thereby decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes.

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity and four weeks repeated dose determination of Gamisasangja-tang (GST) in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : In the single oral toxicity study, rats were orally administered a single dose of 0 and 5,000 mg/kg GST. There were 5 rats in each group. After single administration, mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross pathological finding were observed for 14 days. In the 4-weeks repeated oral dose determination study, rats were orally administered a single dose of 0, 1,250, 2,500 or 5,000 mg/kg GST. There were 5 rats in each group. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption and gross pathological finding were observed for 28 days. Organ weight, clinical chemistry and hematology were tested after 28 days. Results : There was no mortality in either of the two studies. There were also no significant differences in clinical sign, body weight, organ weights, hematological or serum chemical parameters between the GST and control groups. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that the 50% lethal dose of GST is over 5,000 mg/kg, so this finding would be expected to provide scientific evidence for the safety of GST.

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of Banhasasim-tang on early reflux esophagitis by control of gastric peristalsis and the lower esophageal sphincter in mice. Methods : Experimental mice were classified into three groups. The normal group were mice with no inflammation. The control group were mice with gastroesophageal reflux elicited by alcohol. The sample group were mice administered Banhasasim-tang after gastroesophageal reflux elicitation. We observed morphological change and production of ghrelin, substance P, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in gastroesophageal junction mucosa. In addition, we examined change of epithelial junction in esophageal mucosa and change of lower esophageal sphincter distribution. Results : The migration of inflammation-related cells in lamina propria of gastroesophageal junction decreased more in the sample group than in the control group. The positive reaction of ghrelin, substance P, and iNOS significantly decreased more in the sample group than in the control group (p<0.05). Injury of the epithelial junction in the esophageal mucosa and outer oblique layer in the lower esophageal sphincter were significantly mitigated by Banhasasim-tang administration in the sample group (p<0.05). Conclusions : According to the above results, it is supposed that Banhasasim-tang inhibits early reflux esophagitis by controlling not only gastric peristalsis and acid secretion through ghrelin, and substance P but also the lower esophageal sphincter through iNOS.

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the metabolic site of some medicinal herbs in the liver associated with CYP (Cytochrome P450). Methods : Cytochrome P450 is the major enzymes involved in drug metabolism and bioactivation. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, the major CYP isoforms in humans, catalyse the major proportion of drugs available on the market. Scintillation proximity assay (SPA) is often used in studies to identify compounds that inhibit CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. 28 herbal extracts and radioisotopes were attached competitively to SPA beads, and followed by measuring the remaining radioisotopes in the medium. Erythromycin and dexamethasone, inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, were used as controls respectively. Results : Most of the 28 herbal extracts showed dose-dependent affinity to the CYP3A4 while some of the herbs showed affinity to the CYP2D6. Conclusions : These results suggest that most of the 28 herbal extracts are metabolized safely in the liver, combined with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.

Objectives : Effects of Bogijetong-tang (BJT) on peripheral nerve regeneration have been reported in a previous study on BJT but additional study on a damaged peripheral neuropathy where its damage level is physically and chemically more severe was needed. Plus, this study was conducted because there haven't been any studies for BJT on central nerve regeneration. Methods : In order to check the effect on central nerve regeneration, the study on cerebellum cells was started and the sciatic nerve was used to observe the effects on a peripheral nerve which was severely damaged both physically and chemically. Nerve recovery effects were observed by analyzing target proteins such as phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ${\beta}1$ integrin, neurofilament 200, growth-associated protein-43, cyclin-dependent kinase 1, phospho-vimentin, phospho-Smad, and caspase 3. Results : The significant changes of target protein in cerebellum neurons have been observed. The changes of index protein on the axon regeneration and the nerve recovery in the sciatic nerve have been observed and the effects on cell protection were observed, as well. Conclusions : This study confirmed that BJT made a significant influence on nerve protection and recovery of a damaged peripheral neuropathy and it also made a possibility of its regeneration in a damaged central nerve injury.

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the difference between genuine and pseudo halitosis about qi stagnation and stress. Methods : We recruited 63 halitosis patients who visited the halitosis clinic in the Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from June 2012 to August 2013. We classified the halitosis patients into two groups, genuine and pseudo halitosis based on organoleptic assesment (OLT) score and evaluated the severity of self-reported halitosis using visual analog scale (VAS), amount of sulfide compounds using Halimeter, qi stagnation level using qi stagnation questionnaire and stress levels using heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Results : Comparing the genuine halitosis group and the pseudo halitosis group, there was no significant difference in VAS of halitosis but significant difference in halimeter score. Distribution of qi stagnation and non-qi stagnation groups was significantly different between genuine and pseudo halitosis. Compared to the genuine halitosis group, the pseudo halitosis group showed a significant higher value of low frequency/high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio). Conclusions : The result of this study suggest that there is significant difference about qi stagnation and stress level between genuine halitosis and pseudo halitosis patients, so when approaching pseudo halitosis patients, we should consider their psychological and emotional status.

Objectives : This study was carried out to compare the effects of Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san extracts on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice. Methods : Experimental mice were divided into six groups. The normal group had no gastro-inflammation. In the control group, gastro-inflammation was elicited by indomethacin. Misoprostol, Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san group were those in which misoprostol, Eejin-tang extract, Hyangsaeejin-tang extract and Naeso-san extract were administered after gastro-inflammation is elicited. This study examined the anti-inflammation effects and distribution of mucus secreting cells, zonula occludin-1 (ZO-1), heat shock protein (HSP) 70, periodic acid-schiff reaction stain (PAS), peanut agglutinin (PNA), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results : 1. The hemorrhagic erosion and damaged mucus secreting cell, the positive reaction HSP70 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 2. The positive reaction of ZO-1, PAS, PNA, COX-1 and BrdU decreased in the control group, but increased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 3. The positive reaction of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. Conclusions : Among the three extracts, the effects were in the order of Naeso-san, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Eejin-tang group, Naeso-san being the most effective.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine if there is a significant correlation between the changes of Fire- and Heat- related symptoms and motor function recovery in acute cerebral infarction patients. Methods : We studied inpatients within a month after the onset of cerebral infarction who were admitted at Kyunghee University Medical Center from May 2011 to January 2013. We executed correlation analysis between Fire-heat pattern score and motricity index score at visit 1 and visit 2, and checked if there was a significant correlation between the changes of Fire-heat pattern score and changes of motricity index score. Also, we compared the changes of both scores in patients taking Fire-heat and non Fire-heat pattern prescriptions. Results : There was a significant correlation between the Fire-heat pattern score and Motricity index score at visit 1 and visit 2, and changes of Fire-heat pattern score showed significant correlation with changes of motricity index score. Patients taking Fire-heat pattern prescriptions showed significant change in Fire-heat pattern score after herb-medication treatment while patients taking non-Fire-heat prescriptions showed insignificant change in Fire-heat pattern score. Conclusions : This study provides evidence that taking a Fire-heat pattern prescription could be considered as a first line herb-medication treatment in acute cerebral infarction patients.

The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effects of modified Seogakjihwang-tang on a patient who had headache and memory disorder after traumatic brain injury, which were considered as the result of blood stasis. The patient had headache and memory disorder after traumatic brain injury and treated with modified Seogakjihwang-tang three times a day for 60days. As a result, the numerical rating scale and pain rating score of headache decreased and the scores of mini-mental state examination-Korea, the Korean version of Montreal cognitive assessment and the mini-memory test increased during treatment with modified Seogakjihwang-tang. Therefore, this case supports a possibility that modified Seogakjihwang-tang might be an effective treatment to patients with headache and memory disorder after traumatic brain injury.

This clinical case reports the effect of Chilgi-tang, a kind of traditional Korean herbal medicine, on $3^{rd}$ degree AV block patients also known as complete heart block. Complete heart block caused by degeneration of electrical conduction system of heart may result in weakness, dizziness, syncope, etc. Two clinical cases reported herein are diagnosed as $3^{rd}$ degree AV block caused by psychological stress with chief complaints of syncope and dyspnea respectively. The chief complains of cases cured remarkably after Chilgi-tang medication. In one case, $3^{rd}$ degree AV block was disappeared. In conclusion, we suggest that Chilgi-tang can be a potential treatment for complete heart block due to psychological stress.

Objectives : A case of cervical dystonia improved after Korean medical treatments by using measurements of Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), and Cervical Dystonia Impact Profile (CDIP-58) to evaluate the changes of symptoms. Methods : Korean medical treatments for relieving symptoms of cervical dystonia including acupuncture, herb medication, cupping therapy, and physical therapy were performed. To evaluate the effect of the treatments, TWSTRS and CDIP-58 were used. Results : TWSTRS decreased from 55 to 24.5 and CDIP-58 also decreased from 79.3 to 36.2. Conclusions : This report suggests that Korean medical treatments can be effectively used for patients with cervical dystonia. Further clinical studies are needed to verify the findings.

Objectives : To report and demonstrate the effect of decreasing ascites volume by SB intraperitoneal injection to a refractory ascites patient with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis and metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis. Methods : Two cycles of intraperitoneal and intravenous SB injection were conducted. Each injection cycle was made up of 4 days. Nine vials of SB were injected to the patient every day. To compare the volume of ascites between pret- and post-treatment, follow-up computed tomography was done on June 3, 2013. To observe other therapeutic effects of SB injection, laboratory tests were conducted periodically. Results : On the follow-up computed tomography images, the amount of ascites and pleural effusion had decreased compared to the April 30, 2013 computed tomography images. The levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase decreased significantly from May 9, to May 30, 2013. The amount of oral intake increased constantly during hospitalization. The patient's symptoms such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain and dyspnea were improving until discharge. Conclusions : Even if thiese results cannot be applied to every synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis patient, we demonstrated that SB intraperitoneal injection has ascites-decreasing effect to refractory ascites patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis and metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Objectives : To observe the therapeutic effects of an oriental herbal prescription in a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Methods : Modified Sipjeondaebo-tang was prescribed three times a day to a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Laboratory tests were carried out regularly to observe the therapeutic effects of the oriental herbal prescription for pancytopenia. Results : When treated with modified Sipjeondaebo-tang including Cinnamomi Cortex, the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit increased. However, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamic transpeptidase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin levels also increased. Conclusions : Administering modified Sipjeondaebo-tang with Cinnamomi Cortex showed effect in improving pancytopenia but an increase in liver enzyme levels was also observed.