We experimented with several prescriptions in order to find cure and prevention effects for obesity. We fed control group rats a high fat diet and adiministered normal saline for 8weeks. We fed experimental group rats a high fat diet and administered extract of four prescriptions for 8weeks. The results were as follows; 1. The serum total cholesterol level in Bikam-whan and Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. 2. The serum triglyceride level in Bikam-whan, Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang and Chekambangpungtongseong-san group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. 3. The serum free fatty acid level in Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang and Chekambohyulansin-tang group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. 4. The serum total lipid level in Bikam-whan, Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang and Chekambohyulansin-tang group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. 5. The serum phospholipid level in Bikam-whan and Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. 6. The serum glucose level in Bikam-whan and Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang group showed a significant decrease in comparison with Control group. According to the above results, Bikam-whan and Chekamhanghyuluiyiin-tang has shown to be capable of curing and preventing obesty.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Woowhangcheongshim-won(WCW) on the extracellular concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters(glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glycine, taurine, alanine, and tyrosine) and organic acid (lactate and pyruvate) in striatum and cerebral infarction volume in rats subjected to permanent focal cerebral ischemia induced by 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO), using intracerebral microdialysis as the sampling technique, Microdialysis probes were inserted into the lateral part of the caudate-putamen 2 hours before the experiment and microdialyzates were collected at 20min intervals and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, WCW significantly decreased the infarction volume with reducing focal cerebral ischemia-induced increase of extracellular glutamate, asparate, and tyrosine. On the other hand, the increase of GABA and taurine was enhanced after treatment of WCW in the ischemia-induced rats, These results suggest that WCW can produce a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia by regulating extracellular excitatory and inhibitory amino acid levels in relation to the concept of excitotoxicity in brain ischemia.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the synergistic effect of herb medicines with hydrocortisone and the regulation effect on the immune system of Onbitang and Dangguijakyaksan at the supernatant of PHA-P stimulated PBMC in the patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). From the measurement of the concentration rate of IL-4, sCD23 and IL-13, the experiment yielded the following results : The Onbitang group showed a greater tendency to suppress IL-4 and IL-13 levels in MCNS group with no statistical significance. It showed very strong suppression in soluble CD23 compared with control group in MCNS group. The Dangguijakyaksan group, though not statistically significant, was inclined to suppress IL-4 level in MCNS group. It shows stronger suppression in sCD23 and IL-13 levels than these of control group in MCNS group. As for the synergistic effect, the group of hydrocortisone with herb medicines(Onbitang or Danguijakyaksan) produced more suppressive effect to IL-13 level in MCNS group than that of hydrocortisone-only group. They also tended to suppress sCD23 and IL-4 levels, though no statistical significance can be given. As to the suppressive effect of 1L-13 level, the group of Onbitang with hydrocortisone showed an increase of 22.6%, while the group of Dangguijakyaksan with hydrocortisone showed 14.7%. So Onbitang is more effective than Dangguijakyaksan. From the above results, a combinative treatment(herb medicines with hydrocortisone) can be an alternative method to substitute for steroid therapy. It can be a more effective therapy than steroid-only therapy because it is expected to reduce side effects and it shows more special effect to suppress IL-13 level. Based on the present results, further investigation concerning the serum IgE elevation is needed.

In order to elucidate the toxic mechanism of oxygen radicals in cultured mouse spinal sensory neurons, cytotoxic effect of oxygen radicals was evaluated by M1T assay and NR assay. In addition, protective effect of Sopunghwalhyultang(SPHHT) water extract on oxidant-induced neurotoxicity was investigated on these cultures. Spinal sensory neurons derived from mice were cultured in mediums containing various concentrations of Xanthine Oxidase / Hypoxanthine(XO/HX). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and NR assay. XO/HX-mediated oxygen radicals remarkably decreased cell viability of cultured spinal sensory neurons in a dose-and time-dependent manner. And also, SPHHT blocked XO/HX-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are toxic and SPHHT are effective in blocking against the oxidant-induced neurotoxicity in cultures of spinal sensory neurons of mice.

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out whether herbal medication during pregnancy causes any deformity in the unborn fetus. Methods: Thirty-five gynecological outpatients of KyungHee Univ. Oriental Hospital (1996. 10 - 1999. 2) who had taken herbal medication during pregnancy were questioned about duration of pregnancy at the moment, chief complaints, kinds of herbal medicine taken and its dosage and they were asked to answer the questionnaire over the phone about duration of pregnancy at the time of delivery, the newborn’s weights, delivery methods and the condition of deformity. Results and conclusions: The results of this experiment in which 35 pregnant women with the experience of herbal medication during pregnancy confirm that herbal medication during pregnancy does not cause any deformity to the newborn. It is thought that more studies through clinical follow-up and experiments are needed in the future.

탁리소독음이 옹저에 있어 항염증 효과를 살펴보고자 NO의 농도, 세포 생존도, iNOS의 표현 및 $TNF-{\alpha}$의 농도를 실험한 결과, NO의 농도는 현저하게 감소하였고 세포 생존도는 탁리소독음에 의하여 영향을 받지 않았으며 iNOS의 표현에 있어서 iNOS의 고도가 현저하게 낮아졌고 $TNF-{\alpha}$의 농도는 현저한 변화가 없었다. 이상을 살펴볼 때 탁리소독음이 옹저에 있어 항염증효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 탁리소독음이 충분히 대식세포의 역할을 대신하며 이 이외의 신호경로가 염증기전에 작용한 것으로 생각되며 많은 연구가 요할 것으로 사료된다.

Objectives: This study was camed out to examine the effect of five fractions of aqueous extract from Artemisia capillaris THUNB(ACT), on TGF, 1-induced apoptosis, cell viability, cell cycle progression and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes in human hepatocyte cell line HepG2. Methods: This study employed Tryphan blue exclusion assay, DNA fragmentation assay, Cpp32 protease activity assay and Quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Results: In the Tryphan blue exclusion assay, the butanol fraction of ACT with $TGF{\beta}$, l showed magnificent (Nice word, ut is it appropriate in a medical abstract\ulcorner) viability and the H2O fraction of ACT with $TGF{\beta}$, l also showed higher viability than only $TGF{\beta}$, l-treated group. DNA fragmentation assay showed that the butanol fraction and the H2O fraction carried inhibitory effects on apoptosis induction, with the butanol fraction displaying greater effects. The Cpp32 protease activity assay showed that the butanol fraction decreased Cpp32 protease activity. The H2O fraction of ACT had no significant effect on the Cpp32 protease activity. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the butanol fraction suppressed Bax, p 15/INK4B, p21/Waf1, PAI-1 and increased Bcl-2 gene. Conclusions: The data shows that butanol fraction of ACT increases the hepatocyte viability and has the hepatocellular protective effect by the suppression of $TGF{\beta}$, l induced-apoptosis through gene regulation.

Background and Purpose: Sybsun-points are located at the tips of all fingers, 0.1chon from the finger nails, totaling 10 points on both hands. These points have been used for emergency care, fainting, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents, hypertension, unconsciousness, high fever etc. The most common technique is bleeding with a needle at these points. Hypertension and fever are the main factors for stroke patients’progress. We investigated whether venesection at Sybsun-points has effects on blood pressure and body temperature in stroke patients. Materials and Methods: 79 stroke patients were enrolled in this study from 1 Jan. 1999 to 30 Sep. 1999. All of them were admitted in Kyunghee University, Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Among them, 62 patients were hypertensive people, 17 were normal. Among the hypertensive patients, 27 were stage 1,20 were stage 2, 15 were stage 3 by classification of JNC 1997. All of the hypertensive patients had been taking drugs, while the normal group did not. From 2pm to 3pm, every 30 minutes we checked patients' blood pressure and body temperature by 24ABPM and tympanic thermometer. After 30 minutes passed, we phlebotomized patients Sybsun-points with Samneung needle 2-3cc of blood. Right after the bleeding, we checked blood pressure and body temperature. After the bleeding, for the next hour and a half, we checked each patient’s blood pressure and body temperature every thirty minutes, or a total of three times. We compared the blood pressure and the body temperature before and after treatment(p<0.05). Results: 1. Venesection at Sybsun-points significantly decreased systolic blood pressure on stage 3 hypertensive patients(p<0.0l). 2. Venesection at Sybsun-points significantly decreased diastolic blood pressure on stage 3 hypertensive patients(p<0.05) 3. Venesection at Sybsun-points had no effect on the change of body temperature. Conclusions: Though further study is needed, our findings suggest that Venesection at Sybsun-points may alleviate hypertension in stroke patients.

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to verify the effects of Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) on the alcohol metabolism and liver functions, by measuring the activity levels of ADH and ALDH, as well as glucose, triglyceride, and BUN. Damage of the liver cells caused by alcohol was determined through the examination of serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and uric acid. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment and the rats were divided into control and experiment groups. Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) extract was orally administered in the experiment group for three weeks. Each group was further classified into two sub-groups, and control group's blood was taken without oral ingestion of alcohol, while the experiment group' s blood was withdrawn after ingestion of alcohol. Evaluation of damage level was done considering the presence of extract and alcohol. Results: In this experiment, Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) significantly suppressed the activity of ADH which is a precursor enzyme of acetaldehyde, but didn't cause significant changes in the activity of ALDH which is a catabolic enzyme. Decreased glucose level due to alcohol consumption was recovered back to the normal level and increased levels of triglyceride, BUN, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and uric acid were significantly reduced. Conclusions: These experiment results suggest that Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) inhibits the formation of acetaldehyde in the metabolism of alcohol, and affects the recovery of weakened liver functions due to alcohol.

This study investigated the effects of Siegesbeckia glabrescens, an antihypertensive remedy, on the contraction evoked by phenylephrine and KCl in isolated rat thoracic arata, and also analyzed antioxidative status in vitro. Siegesbeckia glabrescens revealed dose-dependent relaxation on phenylephrine(PE)/KCl-induced arterial contraction and more markedly on PE-induced contraction. Siegesbeckia glabrescens reduced malondialdehyde(MDA)levels, Phosphatidyl choline-liposome(PC-OOH) contents, linoleic acid-induced lipid peroxidation and exerted 1,1-diphenyl-2- picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging effect, in vitro. These results indicated that Siegesbeckia glabrescens doesn't relaxe artery through a blocking α-adrenergic receptor and calcium channel mediated by voltage-operated calcium channel, and it s antioxidative effects may be involved in endothelium-dependent relaxation of arteries via vascular protective properites. (J Korean Oriental Med 2000;21(1):77-83)

Background and Purpose: Stroke in young adults is relatively uncommon. Only 3.7-14.4% of all strokes occur in patients aged 15-45 years. Stroke in young adults has more various and diverse possible causes than stroke in the elderly. We studied to gain further insight into both pathogenic and etiologic determinants in young adults with stroke. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 230 young patients aged 15-45 years who were admitted to the 2nd internal medicine department of Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Center with a diagnosis of stroke between May 1995 and May 1999. We analysed clinical features and diagnostic tests, such as brain imaging, cerebral angiography, echocardiography, 24 hours holter monitoring and other laboratory tests. Results : 1. Of 230 young patients with stroke aged 15-45 years(176 males(76.5%) and 54 females(23.5%)), 140 patients(60.9%) showed ischemic stroke and 90 patients(39.1 %) showed hemorragic stroke. 2. The most prevalent age group was from 40 to 45 years with 142 patients(61.7%) 3. The most frequent site of 140 ischemic stroke was MCA territory in 93 cases(66.4%) and Multiple, VA territory, PCA territory, ACA territory in order of frequency. 4. The most frequent site of 90 hemorrhagic stroke was basal galglia hemorrhage 57 cases(63.3%) and subcortical 13 cases(14.5%), pons, thalmus, subarachnoid, cerebellum in order of frequency. 5. The causes of hemorrhagic stroke were hypertension 49 cases(54.5%), arteriovenous malformation 7 cases(7.8%), ruptured aneurysm 4 cases(4.5%), angioma 3 cases(3.3%). 6. The risk factors of ischemic stroke were smoking, alcohol drinking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, history of CVA, diabetes mellitus, in order of frequency. 7. The comparison of risk factors between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: hypertension was prevalent in hemorrhagic stroke, heart disease and history of CVA were prevalent in ischemic stroke. Conclusions: From the above results, we found that stroke in young adults had various possible causes. Young adults with stroke deserve an extensive but tailored evaluation which include angiography and echocardiography for diagnosis.

The water extract of Seongpungtang(SPT) has commonly been used for treatment of ischemic brain damage in Oriental traditional medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of SPT rescues brain cells from ischemic damage. To elucidate the protective mechanism of ischemic induced cytotoxicity, the regulation of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and PMA (phobol-12-myristate-13-acetate) induced iNOS expression in microglial cells was investigated. LPS and PMA treatment for 48 hr in microglial cells markedly induced nitric oxide (NO), but treatment of the cells with the water extract of SPT decreased nitrite formation. In addition, LPS and PMA treatment for 48 hr induced severe cell death in microglial cells. However treatment of the cells with the water extract of SPT did not induce significant changes compared to the control cells. Furthermore, NO production was markedly decreased by treatment of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-kB) inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC). According to the above results, it is suggested that the protective effects of the water extract of SPT against ischemic brain damage may be mediated by regulation of iNOS during ischemic condition.

Central diabetes insipidus(CDI) results from deficient vasopressin(antidiuretic hormone) secretion and causes polydipsia and polyuria. Its etiologic diagnosis is confirmed with an increase of urine osmolality by administering desmopressin(DDAVP) after water restriction. Because cm is caused by deficiency of vasopressin, up to now, desmopressin, a synthetic analog of vasopressin, has been the drug of choice in the treatment of CDI. However, under such treatment, CDI patients suffer from the continual administration of DDAVP throughout one's life and high cost of the treatment We administrated oriental herb medicine on a cm patient in a state of discontinuance of DDAVP. Prior to the study, brain sella MRI was scanned to exclude germinoma. In addition, urine analysis, serum and urinary osmolality, daily urinary volume, serum electrolyte levels were measured. Chungsimyunjatang was administered for 15 days, and urine analysis, urine osmolality, daily urinary volume, serum Na were measured several times again during the therapy, As a result, urinary frequency increased, serum Na slightly elevated, but specific gravity of urine, urinary osmolality severely decreased and daily urinary volume substantially increased. However, the frequency of DDAVP treatment was reduced from four times per day to once or twice a day with the continual administration of the Chungsimyunja-tang for two months after the discharge.

Paralytic ileus is one of the gastro-intestinal symptoms of a patient who is in the post-symptom period resulting from stroke. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Euphorbiae Kansui Radix(Gan-sui) for a patient who has suffered from severe paralytic ileus as post-symptoms caused by 3rd stroke. The subject was a 70-year-old woman who had been troubled with dyspepsia, abdominal flatus and other pains during the past 10 years, and whose symtoms worsened because of her recent 3rd stroke. At the time of admission, she complained of abdominal flatus, conspitation, quadri weakness(Lt>Rt) and dysathria. For the first 10 days after admission, she was treated with Oriental' Western Medicine, which failed to relieve any symptom. However, after taking Euphorbiae Kansui Radix(Gan-sui), gastro-intestinal vermicular movement improved, so the symptoms of abdominal flatus and conspitation disappeared. As a consequence, the accompanying paralytic ileus condition also improved.

A hiccup is an involuntary, spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm accompanied by a sudden closure of the glottis, which is reported commonly in patients with brain stem disease such as ischemic stroke, dolichoectatic basilar artery, tumor, encephalitis, and multiple sclerosis. 1) Intractable hiccup is an uncommon, chronic and incapacitating disturbance defined as a hiccup bout lasting more than 48hours or recurring despite various treatments and affecting male subjects more than female. 2) Constipation and hiccup are common symptoms in stroke patients and purgation therapy has been often used. We discovered two patients who had a hiccup symptom after purgation therapy(diarrhea) and so reported course and result of treatment.