Objective: This study investigated the effect of purified Carthamus tinctorius (C. tinctorius) extracted with a hot water and ethanol method on adipogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells (mBMSCs). Methods: The C. tinctorius was extracted using hot water and ethanol. The samples were concentrated by a rotary evaporator and were then dried using a freeze-dryer. The mBMSCs were cultured and maintained in a minimum essential medium eagle alpha (${\alpha}-MEM$) supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic antimycotic solution. To induce adipogenic differentiation, the cells were treated with Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium-low glucose (DMEM-LG) containing 1 mg/mL insulin, 1 mM dexamethasone, and 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. To evaluate the adipogenic differentiation ability, oil-red O staining was performed after adipogenic differentiation for 21 days. The mRNA expression and protein level of adipogenic-related genes were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results: In the results of the MTT assay, no concentrations of C. tinctorius extracts showed toxicity on mBMSCs, so we fixed the treatment concentration of the extract at 100 ng/mL. In oil-red O staining, the water-C. tinctorius extract treatment significantly decreased adipogenic differentiation compared with the control and ethanol extract groups. The water-C. tinctorius extract group in particular showed reduced mRNA and protein expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($Ppar{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/ebp{\alpha}$), which are adipogenic-related transcription factors. Conclusion: These data suggest that extract of C. tinctorius decreased the adipogenic differentiation of mBMSCs, while only water-C. tinctorius extract had an effect on different adipogenesis in mBMSCs. The C. tinctorius will be a useful therapeutic reagent for the prevention of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and osteoporosis.

Objective: This study reviewed experimental studies on the effects of Korean medical treatment for diabetes mellitus (DM). Method: We reviewed 24 studies about DM that had been published since 2013. We searched the Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) database with the keyword '당뇨', '消渴', 'Diabetes'. Results: 1. The studies used various Korean medicine treatments; 15 used single medicinal herbs, 6 used herbal complexes, and 2 used acupuncture. 2. The measurement parameters used in the studies included blood glucose, body weight, histochemical change, lipid parameters, and food/water intake. Anti-diabetic effects were demonstrated in most of the studies. 3. The experimental animals used were rats or mice. There were 15 type 1 diabetes models, 7 type 2 diabetes models, and one normal model. Among them, 13 cases of chemical diabetes induced by Streptozotosin (STZ, type 1 diabetes inducer) were the most common. Conclusion: Further articles on Korean medical treatment of DM should be studied.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of SM-2015 on blood alcohol clearance and hangover. We undertook this study to test whether SM-2015 is effective in decreasing blood alcohol concentration and preventing the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers participated in this randomized crossover study. All participants were classified between an SM-2015 intake group (test group) and a non-intake group (control group). The primary outcome measure was the difference in blood alcohol concentration and hangover severity scores between the test and control groups. The secondary outcome measure was the difference in a liver function test (LFT) between the test and control groups. Results: After alcohol exposure, the sensitivity scores of blood alcohol concentration and hangover symptoms (sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhea, and concentration disorder) were significantly decreased in the SM-2015 intake group compared with the non-intake group. There were no differences in the LFT results between the SM-2015 intake group and the non-intake group. Conclusions: SM-2015 is effective in decreasing blood alcohol concentration and preventing the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a standard tool for pattern identification of radiation pneumonitis. Methods: Textbooks, published studies, and references with comments about patterns were reviewed. Through the Delphi method, we determined pattern identifications based on advice from a committee of experts composed of 13 Korean respiratory internal medicine professors. Results: Using the Delphi method, four pattern identifications were chosen: Qi Deficiency (氣虛), Yin Deficiency (陰虛), Heat Toxin (熱毒), and Phlegm Dampness (痰濕). The tool was developed in a question-and-answer format with 35 questions. Conclusions: A pattern identification tool that can discriminate the patterns of radiation pneumonitis for standardized diagnosis was developed through expert consultation. Further study of its validity and reliability is necessary.

Objectives: This study was performed to review the recent clinical research trends of the effects of herbal medicine treatment on chronic pancreatitis in China. Methods: We searched for clinical studies about chronic pancreatitis from the China Academic Journal (CAJ) of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from January 1, 2005, to August 1, 2016. Results: Thirty-seven papers were selected from 126 studies. The most commonly used herbal prescriptions included Bupleuri Radix (柴胡), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草), Scutellariae Radix (黃芩), Aucklandiae Radix (木香), and Rhei Rhizoma (大黃). Qingyi-tang (淸胰湯) was the most frequently used herbal prescription. Clinical symptoms, physicochemical examination, radiological examination, and relapse were used to evaluate the treatments. The effective treatment rate was 77.5-100%, and effectiveness in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group in 15 papers (p<0.05). Conclusions: Herbal medicine treatment has been shown as an effective treatment for chronic pancreatitis. In the future, more scientifically designed clinical studies should be performed to prove the effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment on chronic pancreatitis. These research results can be utilized in other clinical studies and in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

In this study, we researched the effects of herbal medicine on anemia among 43 patients. Before being given prescriptions, these patients were examined for RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrits, which are important in evaluating improvements in anemia. After administering the herbal medicine over two weeks, we rechecked the RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrits on a secondary inspection. We compared the primary and secondary tests with respect to age, sex, diseases, the name of the herbal medicine, and the composition of the medicine. The results were as follows. In groups of five or more, the musculoskeletal pain disease group was more improved than the other disease groups on the secondary test. The digestive diseases group was worse than the other disease groups on the secondary test. In the composition of the prescription, herbs that enriched the blood (補血), invigorated the spleen (健脾), and nourished Eum (補陰) were used more than any other herbs for those whose status improved. Among patients who were partially normalized for the secondary test, this applied to men more than women, to patients in the pain group more than those in other disease groups, and to patients with cerebral hemorrhage more than stroke patients. Among patients who were partially normalized for the secondary test, the group taking tangyak herbal medication improved more than the other groups taking powder and pill herbal medications.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the case of a patient with recurring non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) taking Samchilchoongcho-Jung with Afatinib. Methods: An NSCLC patient diagnosed with multiple bone and pulmonary metastasis was taking Afatinib (20 mg/day) and suffering from stomatitis caused by the Afatinib. The patient was treated with Samchilchoongcho-Jung (1,500 mg/ day) for 3 months. The tumor size was measured with computed tomography, and laboratory findings, including tumor markers (CEA, Cyfra 21-1), were also followed up. Stomatitis was measured by a numeric rating scale, and adverse events were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 4.0. Results: After combined treatment, stable disease was shown on computed tomography. The tumor marker levels of CEA and Cyfra 21-1 were decreased, and the stomatitis significantly improved. NCI-CTCAE 4.0 showed no adverse events. Conclusion: This case study suggests that Samchilchoongcho-Jung may have a synergic effect, in conjunction with Afatinib, on the treatment of patients with recurring NSCLC.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore and describe how two patients diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus were successfully cured solely through the use of herbal medicine. Methods: The patients were administered the herbal medicine to reduce symptoms of stress-induced fever with dryness. The prescribed herbal medicines included Yangkyuksanwha-tang, Hyungbangsabaek-san, Hyungbangjihwang-tang, and Hyungbangdojeock-san. Results: The therapeutic outcomes showed that all numerical levels of symptoms such as thirst, polyuria, weight loss, blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) recovered to within normal levels. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that our medical treatment of type II diabetes mellitus diagnosed as Sogal was a valid treatment. We hope that our team's new evidence and findings will shed positive light on the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus using herbal medicine.