Objectives : We investigated the effect of Dohongsamul-tang (DHSMT) on the production of various cytokines in lipopolysaccaride (LPS) stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CI patients. Methods: Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. ELISA was carried out for investigating $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, and $TGF-{\beta}$ 1 Results : The amount of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, and transforming growth factor(TGF)-${\beta}$ 1 in PBMC culture supernatant significantly increased in the LPS treated cells compared to unstimulated cells. We show that DHSMT inhibited the production of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-4 induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner. The maximal inhibition rate of the TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-4 production by pretreatment of DHSMT (1.0mg/ml) was 38.52 ${\pm}$ 2.5% (P < 0.01), 44.02 ${\pm}$ 3.5% (P < 0.05), 45.32 ${\pm}$ 2.3% (P < 0.01), 42.30 ${\pm}$ 3.1% (P < 0.05), and 49.70　${\pm}$　3.1%(P ＆lt; 0.05), respectively. On the other hand, DMSMT significantly increased the LPS-induced TGF-${\beta}$ 1 production(P<0.05). Conclusions : Taken together. these results suggest that DHSMT might have regulatory effects on cytokine production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.

Background and Aims : Even though various strategies for cancer treatment have advanced with the remarkable development of genomic information and technology, it is far from giving relief to cancer patients. Recently there is accumulating evidence that the immune system is closely connected to anti-tumor defense mechanisms in a multistage process. This includes tumorigenesis, invasion, growth and metastasis. Cordyceps Militaris, a well-known oriental herbal medicine, is a parasitic fungus that has been used as an immune enhancing agent for a long period of time. However, little is known about the cancer-related immunomodulatory effects and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Cordyceps Militaris extract (CME) on immune modulating and anti-tumor activity. Materials and Methods : To elucidate the effects of CME on macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell activity, we analyzed nitric oxide (NO) production, NK cytotoxicity and gene expression of cytokines related with macrophages and NK cell activity. Results and Conclusions : CME activated and promoted macrophage production of NO. It also enhanced gene expression of IL-1 and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. CME promoted cytotoxicity of NK cells against YAC-1 cells and enhanced NK cell related gene expression such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-12, iNOS, IFN-${\gamma}$ and　TNF-${\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes. It also Promoted protein expression of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes and inhibited lung tumor metastasis induced by CT-26 cell line compared with the control group. From these results, it could be concluded that CME is an effective herbal drug for modulating the immune system and anti-cancer treatment by promoting macrophage and NK cell activity.

Objective : The present study is aimed to elucidate the effects of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense on immunomodulation and the potential as an herbal remedy for cancer treatment. Method : It was performed through measurement of effects Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense extract (CJE) on NO production, NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine gene expressions related with macrophage and NK cell activity. Result : 1. CJE did not show any direct cytotoxic effects on 7250, HT1080, Hep G2 and CT-26 cells. 2. CJE activated macrophages partially to product NO and up-regulated gene expressions for iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells. 3. CJE promoted cytotoxicity of NK cells against YAC-1 cells at higher concentration than 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. 4. CJE up-regulated gene expressions for $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, iNOS, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in mice splenocytes.　５. CJE inhibited lung tumor metastasis induced by CT-26 cell transplantation compared with the control group.　Conclusion : It could be concluded that CJE is an effective herbal drug for immune modulating and anti-cancer treatment by promoting activity of macrophages and NK cells.

Objectives : This study is aimed to elucidate anti-hepatoma activity of Coptis Chinensis Extract (CCE) and evaluate its effect on proliferation of human hepatoma Hep G2 cells. Methods : To identify CCE and control the quality, we performed fingerprinting by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). To investigate effects of CCE on anti-hepatoma activity, we measured cytotoxicity against Hep G2 cells compared with treatment of paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). To examine the mechanism of inhibitory effect of CCE on Hep G2 cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution was evaluated using fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) Result : CCE showed a significant effect that arrests Hep G2 cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. CCE combined with paclitaxel inhibited synergistically cell growth of Hep G2 cells. Conclusion : CCE may present anticancer effects through inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation via G2/M arrest, and may be a useful anticancer agent for HCC.

Objectives : With an assumption of traditional oriental medical theory, to evaluate the effect of tonification/sedation manipulative acupuncture on blood pressure in male normotensives. Methods : This study was a randomized cross-over trial. We enrolled healthy male normotensive subjects, and assigned them randomly to group A or group B. Group A received acupuncture therapy on Shen-Men (He-7) and Nei-Kuan (EH-6) with tonification-manipulation, while group B received it with sedation-manipulation. Blood pressure was assessed every ten minutes for 2 hours. After 3 days of washout period, the subjects were crossed over to the other manipulation, and the same procedures were performed. Results : We observed that blood pressure stimulated by the sedation-manipulation had a tendency to decrease compared to that by the tonification-manipulation. Conclusions : We suggest the sedation manipulation has more synergic effect with the inhibitory effects of Shen-Men and Nei-Kuan on the sympathetic nervous system than the tonification-manipulation.

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the effect of SHD on myelosuppression using an animal model for therapeutic evidence supporting clinical positive results. Methods : After determining the optimal concentration of 5-FU as 300 mg/kg for developing the mouse model, ICR mice or BALB/c mice were administered with SHD, and several blood parameters, including hematopoietic cytokines, colony forming activity and histological findings, were examined to evaluate the effects. Results : SHD restored the WBC and hemoglobin, and showed effects on maintaining body weight, producing GM-CSF and IL-3 and stem cell colony forming activity in accordance with histological relative entirety on bone marrow. Conclusion : SHD is an herbal drug having therapeutic effects on myelosuppression. Thus, it could be prescribed to cancer patients undergoing chemo-therapies or radio-therapies in the process of cancer treatment.

Ssanghwatang (SHT) has been known to prove effective in the treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), and its modified formula is widely used in clinical practice. However, its fundamental mechanism of action is not clearly known. It is well known that endothelial cells can achieve the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles by the release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is synthesized by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) from L-arginine and oxygen. It is widely accepted that NO plays an important role in the relaxation of corpus cavernous smooth muscle and vasculature. In addition, in terms of the penile erection, the NO/cGMP pathway is more potent than the PCE1/cAMP pathway. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of the erectile effects of SHT by focusing on its direct effects on corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells. We investigated the NOS activity, nitrite concentration and cGMP levels in rat corpus cavernous smooth muscle cell lines activated by SHT extracts. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of SHT extracts on penile smooth muscle relaxation following oral administration of SHT extract powder to rats by the dosage of 1 g/kg over fifteen days. As a result, we found that SHT stimulated NO release. NOS activity and cGMP levels were increased by SHT respectively. Furthermore, SHT relaxed the corpus cavernous smooth muscle. These results are consistent with the concept that penile erection by SHT is carried out through the NO/cGMP pathway. In conclusion, the present study shows that SHT increases the NOS activity, synthesizes NO and augments the cGMP, which mediates penile erection. Further determination of the SHT mechanism related with the NO/cGMP pathway strongly indicates that SHT can be used as a remedy for erectile impotence.

Costunolide is an active sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the root of Saussurea lappa Clarke and is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities, including anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the pharmacological pathways of costunolide have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, its cytotoxic effects were examined using AGS gastric cancer cells. Its treatment resulted in apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effects were attributed to the regulation of pro-apoptotic molecules and suppression of anti-apoptotic molecules. These results suggest that costunolide may be a candidate to deal with gastric cancers by chemopreventive agents.

Insamsansa-eum (Renshenshanzha-yin, ISE) is a new medicine developed to prevent and treat atherosclerotic diseases. To explore antiatherosclerotic effects of ISE, we evaluated the effects of ISE on serum lipids of hypercholesterolemic rats in vivo, as well as its antioxidant activities in vitro. In vitro, ISE showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and inhibited hemolysis induced by 2,2' -azobis-2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride (AAPH) in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, ISE significantly inhibited increase of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) values in both high cholesterol diet and Triton WR-1339 models. It also significantly inhibited decrease of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) value in the high cholesterol diet model. Collectively, our data suggest that ISE has the potential to control the risk of atherosclerosis development.

Fucoidan has been shown to exhibit a host of biological activities, including anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-tumourigenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-complementary and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we attempted to determine the effects of Fucoidan on both apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampal CA1 region and the dentate gyrus of gerbils after the induction of transient global ischemia. This experiment involved the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay as well as immunohistochemisty for caspase-3 and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The monosaccharide composition of the purified Fucoidan which had been extracted from Laminaria religiosa was utilized in this study. The present study clearly induces that apoptotic cell death and cell proliferation in the gerbil's hippocampal regions increased significantly following the induction of transient global ischemia and the results of this study also indicate that Fucoidan exerted a suppressive effect on this observed ischemia-induced increase in apoptosis within the CA1 and dentate gyrus, and also suppressed cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus.

Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in chronic pain and severe functional deficits. At the Dept. of Oriental Rehab. Medicine, we have used for pain control a herbal bath containing the following herbs: Harpagophytum radix, Atractylodes japonica and Corydalis tuber. In the present study, we investigated the effects of this herbal bath on the recovery rate of the locomotor function and the expression of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vIPAG) region of the brain following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. In the present study, characteristic gait change with decreasing of the sciatic function index (SFI) was observed and c-Fos expression in the vIPAG was suppressed following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Immersion into herbal bath enhanced SFI value and restored c-Fos expression in the vIPAG to the control value. These results suggest the herbal bath might activate neurons in the vIPAG, and could facilitate functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury.

During the prenatal period, the development of the individual is influenced by a host of environmental factors. Exposure to noise stress during pregnancy was determined to result in the retardation of growth, a reduction in neurogenesis, and an impairment of spatial learning ability in the rat pups. In the present study, we have attempted to characterize the effects of prenatal treatment with Cnidium officinale Makino on spatial memory and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of rat pups born from maternal rats exposed to noise stress during pregnancy. Prenatal treatment with Cnidium officinale Makino was shown to increase neurogenesis and enhanced spatial learning ability in rat pups born from maternal rats exposed to noise stress. In this study, we have determined that prenatal treatment with Cnidium officinale Makino can stimulate spatial development and neurogenesis in the brain of the fetuses exposed to prenatal stresses.

We were to assess clinical effectiveness, safety and usefulness of Kyejibokryung-hwan (KBH), which has been used for Er-hyul similar with vascular or neurologic disorders causing sensory or motor abnormalities. This study is a retrospective single case series. Two hundred ninety five patients were treated with KBH for various neuropathies in our hospital. Of them, 120 cases were excluded because of insufficient medical records or failure to follow up; the remaining 175 were included in the analysis. There were 18 patients with sensory abnormalities and 28 with motor abnormalities after stroke. Of peripheral type, there were 14 with diabetic neuropathy, 12 with carpal tunnel syndrome, 41 with spinal radiculopathies, and 62 with idiopathic neuropathies, for which the effectiveness was assessed as 55.6%, 21.4%, 64.3%, 83.3%, 45.0%, and 56.5%, respectively. Adverse effects including indigestion or diarrhea were seen in 3.4% of the total patients. Taking the effectiveness and the safety together into consideration, the usefulness was assessed as 55.6%, 21.4%, 64.3%, 83.3%, 45.0%, and 54.8% for treating post-stroke sensory and motor abnormalities, diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal radiculopathies, and idiopathic neuropathies, respectively. In conclusion, we suggest that KBH is a useful herbal medicine for various neuropathies, especially of sensory type.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress type and Ryodoraku score (RS) in patients with functional dyspepsia. Methods : 92 (30 male, 62 female) patients with functional dyspepsia were included in this study. Degree of stress was evaluated by GARS and BEPSI scale which can assess acute and chronic stress, respectively. RS of the patients was measured, and mean, sum of gaps and standard deviation (SD) in their RS were taken. First, patients were divided into two groups by sex, and by mean RS $40{\mu}A$ (above and below). GARS and BEPSI scale of each group was compared. Second, correlation between stress scales (GARS and BEPSI) and variation indexes of RS (sum of gaps and SD) was examined. Result : 1. The mean RS is higher in male patients than in female ones. 2. No significant difference was noted in GARS and BEPSI scale associated with above end below the mean $40{\mu}A$ RS. 3. The sum of gaps and SD of RS has significant correlation with GARS scale but not with BEPSI scale. Conclusions : These results suggest that the sum of gaps and SD of RS are associated with acute stress in patients with functional dyspepsia. Thus, it is thought that RS can be useful in assessing acute stress in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Object : This study investigated the quality inspection of Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail distributed in Korea. Methods: To evaluate the quality of these herbal medicines, we carried out TLC pattern analysis, purity, loss on drying, ash, acid-insoluble ash, essential oil contents, dilute ethanol-soluble, water-soluble, ether-soluble extracts and HPLC analysis. Results : As a result, TCL pattern analysis of schizandrin and gomisin A showed Rf=0.64 and 0.74, respectively. To measured content of schizandrin and gomisin A, we quantitatively analyzed using HPLC. The average contents of schizandrin and gomisin A were detected to be 0.60 (${\pm}$0.02)% and 0.12 (${\pm}$0.004)%, respectively. Discussion : As a result of this study, we suggest that the minimum content of schizandrin and gomisin A should be 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively. We could suggest that the minimum of essential oil content should be 0.6 ml.

Object : Warming acupuncture (WA) has been used in Oriental Medicine for the treatment of physical disabilities caused by ligament damage. Here, the effects of WA on injured ligament tissues were investigated using the rat model. Methods : The rats were induced injury on the right hind ankle, and 4 weeks later, WA was given onto the acupoint GB4O(Quixu) of the injury area on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. Main outcome was measured by levels of Erk1/2. Hoechst nuclear staining and collagen staining in the ligament tissue. Result : Levels of active form of Erk1/2 kinase were increased in the injured ligament with WA compared with the control ligament induced injury only, and this change correlated with cell number increases in the ligament by WA. Type III, but not type I, collagen mRNA and protein levels were elevated in the injured ligament treated with WA. Moreover, histological staining showed increased re-organization of collagen fibers in the ligament by WA. Conclusions : The present data suggest that WA performance to the injured ligament may facilitate the healing process via increasing cellular activity.

The water-extracts of Scutellaria barbata Don (SBDE) were isolated from Chinese medicinal plant sources. The extracts showed strong growth-inhibitory activity and cancer chemopreventive activity on the growth and DNA incorporation of MG63 human osteosarcoma and K562 human leukemia cell lines. The growth of human cancer cells was inhibited in the presence of the extracts (20, 50 and 100 ${\mu}$g/ml), and the effects were concentration-dependent and incubation time-dependent up to 8 days. When 50 ${\mu}$g/ml of the extracts was added to the media of MG63 and K562, cell growth after 8 days or 6 days of incubation was retarded by 93.2 to 97.3% of the control group. Morphological changes of MG63 and K562 cell lines were observed. As the concentration of the extracts increased up to 50 ${\mu}$g/ml, degree of cell aggregation decreased. Moreover, the DNA incorporation of the cells which were labeled with [3H] thymidine was significantly reduced after 3 days of incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ with the extract. Therefore, it is suggested that the extract is highly effective on inhibition of cancer cell growth. The extract also inhibited gene expression of IGF-II in transcriptional level. Since IGF-II works as a mitogenic effector on MG63 and K562 cell lines, these results suggest that the growth inhibition is in part mediated through the inhibition of IGF-II gene expression.

Objective : Based on the immunological dysfunction in RA and the immunological feature of Clematis mandshurica Maxim. herbal acupuncture solution (CM-HAS), this study examined whether subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of CM-HAS has anti-inflammatory effects on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat. Methods : Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured, and polyarthritis index was scored. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg) to the Sinsu-hyul (BL 23) acupuncture point subcutaneously (s.c.) inhibited the inflammatory response and restored the weight of body and immune organs of AA rats. In this study. inhibitory effect of CM-HAS on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was evaluated. The plant material selected for this study has been used in Korean medicine for the treatment of various diseases that are considered as inflammatory in nature, e.g. asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, fever, edema, infections, snakebite and related inflammatory diseases. Results : There were significant secondary inflammatory reactions in AA rats, accompanied with the simultaneous decrease of body and immune organs weight. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) improved the above changes significantly. CM-HAS showed inhibitory activity against COX-2, which supports their traditional uses. In this study, aspirin and indomethacin were used to contrast with CM-HAS as the COX-2 inhibitors. Conclusion: The findings of this study may explain at least in part why CM-HAS has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine.

Objective : Based on immunological mechanisms, this study examined whether subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Clematis mandshurica Maxim. water extract (CMA) has anti-inflammatory effects, and its effect on $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-1 and IL-10 release from synoviocytes on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat. Methods : Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Synoviocytes were separated by the method of collagenase and DNase digestion Synoviocytes proliferation was assayed by 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol 2 yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production of synoviocytes was measured with ELISA. The expression of IL-10 mRNA of synoviocytes was determined using RT PCR. Results : There were significant secondary inflammatory reactions in AA rats, accompanied by the decrease of body and immune organs weight simultaneously. Synoviocytes proliferation of AA rats significantly increased, and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-1 in supernatants of synoviocytes in AA rats were also elevated compared with the sham group. The administration of CMA (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the above changes significantly. In contrast to $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-1, IL-10 production and the level of its mRNA of synoviocytes in AA rats apparently decreased. CMA (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) markedly increased IL-10 in synoviocytes at protein and transcription level. Conclusion : The results indicate that CMA has a beneficial effect on rat AA due to modulating inflammatory cytokine production of synoviocytes, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of Chilbokum on rats under the forced swimming test (FST) Methods : The rats were treated with the herbal extract, Chilbokum. In order to induce depression-like symptoms, the FST was conducted afterwards. The immobility time was measured during a 5-min experimental session. The alterations of the 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and the change of corticosterone level in the blood induced by FST were determined in the rats. Results : The results were as follows: 1. The immobility time during 5 min of FST in the drug administration group showed significant decreases compared with the control group (p<0.05). 2. The FST+Chilbokum group had significantly increased 5-HT levels of the hypothalamus and hippocampus, compared with the control group (p<0.05, respectively). 3. The FST+Chilbokum group had significantly decreased corticosterone levels, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that the reduced immobility time by Chilbokum may be mediated by the increase in 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, suggesting that Chilbokum has a potential therapeutic efficacy for human depression.

Background : Ginseng has traditionally been used in oriental countries to recover vital energy from Qi deficiency, and has shown various biomedical effects in the scientific literature. Recent reports suggest that ginseng could regulate blood pressure (BP), but much controversy still remains. Therefore, we intended to assess the anti-hypertensive effect of several ginseng types frequently used in clinics. We also investigated the anti-hypertensive effect on Koreans and Chinese, and by the body type according to Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). Methods : The study subjects were recruited from mildly hypertensive patients who exhibited pre-hypertension(120/80 to 139/89 mmHg) and stage I hypertension (140/90 to 159/99 mmHg) in Korea and China. After assigning the subjects into a Korean, a Chinese, a red, and an American ginseng group by randomization, we prescribed ginseng at a dose of 4.5 g per day for 4 weeks. To assess the anti-hypertensive effect, we compared the mean of systolic and diastolic BP between before and after ginseng medication using a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor (24 hr ABPM. We also monitored adverse effect and laboratory findings to secure the subjects' safety. In addition, all of the subjects in Korea consulted a specialist of Sasang Constitution Medicine to identify their constitutional type. Results : There were 64 subjects treated with Korean ginseng, 58 treated with Chinese ginseng, 33 treated with red ginseng, and 64 treated with American ginseng. Korean, Chinese, and American ginseng all reduced subjects' BP; Korean and Chinese ginseng showed more effect. The secondary analysis on the subjects' nationality revealed that all of the ginseng types showed more significant anti-hypertensive effect in Chinese patients than in Koreans. The third analysis on the constitutional type of SCM showed there was no significant difference in the effectiveness and the safety of ginseng among the constitutional types. Conclusions : We suggest ginseng, especially Panax ginseng without any steaming-drying process, could be useful for mild hypertension. Further, ginseng is safe regardless of subjects' constitutional type or type of ginseng within a dosage of 4.5g per day.

Objective : Report on a hepatitis B patient with abnormal AST/ALT, HBeAg(+), and habitual diarrhea stemming from irritable colon. Methods : Lab-evaluation of intervals of herb medicine treatment for a patient with hepatitis B with HBeAg and irritable colon. Result & Conclusion : AST/ALT level was normalized and did not rise again. Seroconversion to HBeAb repeatedly appeared just druing the time of the treatment, but typically repeated seroconversion between treatment period and no treatment period confirmed that the treatment was effective for the immune system against hepatitis B. The exact mechanism is not clear but the result provides an indication that oriental herbal medicine has potential capacity to treat liver diseases.

Objectives : In order to apply useful data to clinical practice, we undertook this study and tried to find factors related with sequelae of facial palsy in relation with patients' age and gender distribution, past history with the disease, condition before onset, duration of recovery time, existence of remaining sequelae, types of the sequelae, and duration for sequelae to disappear. Methods : We evaluated patients' condition (fatigue, stress, chills, cold and so on), past history (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, herpes zoster, cancer and so on), duration of recovery time, types of the sequelae, age and sequelae distribution as to when the treatments were started as we examined 473 patients who were diagnosed with facial palsy, and visited the Out-patient Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Bundang Oriental Medicine Hospital of Dongguk University through 2003 and 2004. Results : The sequelae of facial palsy were not significantly relevant to the signs found before facial palsy occurred(fatigue, stress, chills, and cold), or to patients' past history (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, facial palsy, herpes zoster). The duration of recovery time was within 30 days for 45.3% of the patients examined in this study, and within 90 days for 72.6%. Evaluating the existence of sequelae in relation to age, we found more in the group comprised of patients aged 50 and over than under 50. We found more sequelae in the group which is consisted of patients who had not been treated until 6 days after than within 5 days from the onset. Conclusion: Attention to sequelae will be needed for patients aged 50 and over and who were not treated until 6 days after the onset, as they had more sequelae.

Objective : To test the hypotheses that individualized traditional Korean acupuncture improves pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and that benefits remain after stopping treatment more so than is the case for standardized minimal acupuncture. Design : Randomized single blind controlled trial with two intervention arms (individualized traditional Korean acupuncture, standardized minimal acupuncture) of six weeks' duration and three months follow-up. Setting : Acupuncture interventions were applied by two training doctors in the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in a 1000-bed hospital. Assessment of the result was performed in a university-based laboratory. Participants : 50 patients with symptoms of knee osteoarthritis as diagnosed by an orthopedist. Intervention : Individualized traditional Korean acupuncture or standardized minimal acupuncture for six weeks. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measure was pain as measured by the visual analogue scale. Secondary measures of pain and disability included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, Short Form-36 (SF-36), Lequesne Functional Index (LFI) score and Korean version of Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ). Discussion : This paper presents detail on the rationale, design, methods and operational aspects of the trial.