Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, stroke risk factors and Sasang constitutions. Methods: 226 patients with acute stroke within 14 days onset were included, who were admitted to Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from November 2005 to October 2006. The year was subdivided into four parts: spring (March-May); summer (June-August); fall (September-November); and winter (December-February). Stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, stroke risk factors and Sasang constitutions in the four groups were examined. Results: Ischemic stroke was most frequent in summer, whereas hemorrhagic stroke was most frequent in winter. There was no significant difference in seasonal variation of stroke. The frequency of ischemic heart disease among stroke risk factors was significantly high in spring (p=0.031). The frequency of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and hyperlipidemia did not differ among seasons. There was no significant difference in Sasang constitution among seasons. Frequency of small vessel occlusion was highest in summer. Large artery atherosclerosis was frequent in spring and summer,but seasonal variation of ischemic stroke subtypes did not show statistical difference. Conclusion: Acute stroke demonstrates seasonal characteristics according to stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, and Sasang constitutions. These results have important clinical implications in stroke prevention.

Objectives: The purpose of this study wasto examine the effects of Kamijihwang-tang (KJHT) extracts on immune cells and cytokines in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (four times a week) for asthma induction. Two experimental groups were treated with different concentrations of KJHT (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) extracts and cyclosporine A (10 mg/kg) for the later 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice lung, PLN and spleen were removed and immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometer, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ were analyzed by real-time PCR, serum histamine was analyzed by ELISA kit. Results: $CD3^+$, $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+/CD69^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$, $B220^+/IgE^+$, and $CD3e^+/DX5^+$ cells in lung, PLN, and spleen of the KJHT group (400 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. $CD3e^+/CD69^+$, $CD4^+/CD25^+$, and $CD3e^+/DX5^+$ cells in lung, PLN, and spleen of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg), CD3+, $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$ cells in lung and PLN of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg) and $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung and spleen of the KJHT group (200 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin-2, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in lung tissue of the KJHT groups (400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. Histamine in serum of the KJHT group (400 mg/kg) decreased compared with that of the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that KJHT can be utilized effectively in treating asthma because it significantly reduces inflammatory cells and cytokines.

Backgrounds: Singihwan is used "to strengthen inborn energy" and we suspected a protective effect on brain neuron cells. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Singihwan (SGH) on traumatic brain injury-induced delayed apoptosis in rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. Methods: For a surgical induction of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a 5 mm diameter stainless rod was used to make traumatic attack from the surface of the brain used by an impactor. The protective effect of the aqueous extract of SGH against TBI in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus was investigated by using step-down avoidance task, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Bax immunohistochemistry, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Results: The aqueous extract of SGH suppressed the TBI-induced increase in apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Conclusions: It is possible that the aqueous extract of SGH has a neuroprotective effect on TBI-induced neuronal cell death.

Background: Angelica dahurica has been used in various clinical cases. Its taste is hot and its property is warm, dry and nonpoisonous. Its efficacy is to remove wind-damp, cure swelling and edema, exhaust pus, stop itching, rhinitis and leukorrhea. Object: To test through experiment Angelica dahurica's analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Method: Inject acetic acid as a pain-inducing substance to the mice and measure visceral pain bywrithing reflex. Inject carrageenan that is an edema-inducing substance to the rat's paw and measure volume of edema. Take thermal pain to mice with plantar test and measure paw withdrawal latency. Normal group is non Angelica dahurica-treated group and treated group is Angelica dahurica-treated group. Results: In acetic acid-induced visceral model, treatment with Angelica dahurica suppressed writhing reflex significantlyand dose-dependently. In carrageenan-induced paw edema model, treatment with Angelica dahurica suppressed carrageenan-induced paw edema. In plantar test model, no significant effect on the withdrawal latency of thermal stimulation-induced nociception was observed. Conclusion: Angelica dahurica has analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy.

Objective: To build a basis of strategy for development of herbal drug as a preventive medicine during dynamic innovation of Korean Oriental medicine. Methods: Via telephone interview, 101 subjects prescribed with deer antler were asked to provide us their reflections about five topics: points of satisfaction, physical improvement, improved symptoms, annual times of taking restorative herbal medicine, and aspect of complaints about taking the herbal drugs. Results: Around 68% of subjects usually take a restorative herbal medicine with deer antler less than once per year. 63% of subjects were satisfied with herbal restoratives. They answered the physical energetic feeling (52%) as the most benefit while expensive price (43%) as the most frequent complaint. Conclusion: Scientifically designed restorative herbal medicine needs to be developed for competitiveness of Korean Oriental medicine as a preventive medicine. In addition, more reasonable price and confirmative data for safety and quality control should be equipped in Korean Oriental medical market.

Object: Reactive gliosis that is induced by central nervous system (CNS) injury is involved with up-regulation of CD81 and GFAP. The present study was to examine the effect of the Salvia miltiorrhiza on CD81 and GFAP regulation following brain injury. Methods: Immunoblot and ELISA methods were used to define the level of CD81 and GFAP in the astrocyte cultured from rat brain. Then immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD81 and GFAP in the injured rat brain. Results: The following results were obtained. 1. We did western blot and ELISA to detect the protein isolated from the whole cell and they showed that CD81 and GFAP decreased. 2. We injected Salvia miltiorrhiza extract intravenously to brain-injured rats for 7 days and 30 days, and the immunohistochemistry analyses showed that CD81 and GFAP decreased significantly. Conclusion: These results indicate that Salvia miltiorrhiza could suppress the reactive gliosis, which disturbs the neural regeneration following CNS injury, by controlling the expression of CD81 and GFAP.

Objectives: The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether the finger photoplethysmography (PPG) of the young will become analogous to those of the old when the PPG harmonic components in the young decrease. Methods: The PPG was measured in 46 old men (21 males and 25 females) over the age of 60 years and 10 young men (5 males and 5 females). We acquired the representative pulse waveform of old men by averaging the PPG waveforms measured in the old men. after the PPG harmonic components in the young men were diminished with notch filtering, we compared the representative pulse waveform of old men and those of the young men. Results: The PPG waveform of the young males became analogous to the representative pulse waveform of the old as the PPG harmonic components in the young were diminished with notch filtering. Especially after the second harmonic component in the young was diminished with notch filtering, increase of the Pearson's correlation coefficient was prominent. On the other hand, the Pearson's correlation coefficient between the PPG waveforms of the young females and that of the old deceased after the second harmonic component diminished in the young. Conclusions: Decrease of the second harmonic component may be a precondition of typical age-related change of the pulse waveform in the healthy male.

Objective: There is increasing evidence that chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is recognized to be a local inflammatory disease, and there is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Prunella vulgaris has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of scrofula, goiter, and allergy diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of Prunella vulgaris on inflammatory cytokines and cytopathological alternation in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ treatment. Methods: Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}-estradiol$ after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Prunella vulgaris as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelial-stromal ratio for glandular damage, and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including the interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. Results: While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with Prunella vulgaris showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in Prunella vulgaris over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelial-stromal ratio was lower with Prunella vulgaris when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytokine genes, Prunella vulgaris inhibited the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Prunella vulgaris may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokine. From theses results, we suggest that Prunella vulgaris could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

Objectives: Whitmania pigra whitman (WP) has been used in herbal medicine to treat various conditions, such as eczema, skin burns and frostbites in herbal medicine. The purpose of this study is was to investigate the effect of WP on anti-allergy mechanism. Methods: To clarify the mechanism, the effect of WP on vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue and histamine and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$) released from mast cells were observed. Results: The results were 1. the pretreatment with WP significantly decreased the compound 48/80-induced degranulation and histamine release from RPMC 2. WP did not inhibit the anti-DNP IgE-induced increment of vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue 3. WP significantly reduced the PMA plus A23187-induced increment of expression of IL-6, IL-8, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: The present study providesevidence that WP acid inhibits mast cell-derived inflammatory allergic reactions by blocking histamine release and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and suggest the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro anti-allergic effect of WP suggests a possible therapeutic application of this agent in inflammatory allergic diseases.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to resolve various elements of conflict by presenting the results of the study and to help build an enhanced oriental medical service system. Methods: The researcher collected data from 12/15/2006 to 1/31/2007. A total of 1000 questionnaires were sent out to oriental medical doctors working at oriental medical facilities and the 15% (150 questionnaires) of them that were returned completed were analyzed. Results: 1. As to the proper proportion of oriental medical doctors to western medical doctors, they said it should be less than 20%. About separating the task of prescribing oriental medicine (herb) from oriental medical treatment, 80.7% of them were against it. 98.7% said oriental medical doctors needed the control of medical technicians. 2. 72.3% said they had no intention of taking the U.S. NCCAOM board to practice oriental medicine overseas. A majority (57.7%) were in favor of unifying oriental medical license with western medical license. 3. Oriental medical doctors had greater job satisfaction [than all oriental medical doctors number]. If they were to choose another occupation than oriental medicine they would consider becoming a research fellow above all other occupations. If they were to reenter college, they said they would probably choose oriental medical school. However, the choice of reentering oriental medical school was lower than that of western medical school. Conclusion: This study has also statistically determined the current issues that may pose conflicting views on the part of the respondents. A periodic study such as this one will hopefully aid in establishing policies for oriental medicine.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture applied at PC6 and SP4 points on heart rate variability (HRV) in normal subjects under mental stress Methods: 24 healthy male subjects were recruited and randomized to a treatment group (12 subjects) or a control group (12 subjects). Both groups performed a mental arithmetic stress test and then acupuncture needles were inserted on PC6 and SP4 for the study group. In the control group, they took sham acupuncture as a control. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured during the whole study period by FM-150 (digital Holter ECG recorder). Results: In the both groups, low frequency (LF) power and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) was significantly increased after mental stress. Acupuncture induced significant decrease in low frequency (LF) power and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) which were increased after mental stress test. But sham acupuncture induced no changes. Results: In both groups, low frequency (LF) power and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) significantly increased after mental stress. Acupuncture induced significant decrease in low frequency (LF) power and ratio of low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) which increased after mental stress test. In contrast, sham acupuncture induced no changes. Conclusions: Acupuncture on PC6 and SP4 could be useful to decrease sympathetic activity and balance autonomic nervous system for those who are under stress.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of Bimanbang-1 (肥滿1號方: here in after referred to BMB-1) on the obese gene and obese inhibitory. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were induced by high fat diet. Mice were divided into three groups (normal, high fat diet with control, high fat diet with BMB-1 extract) and fed for 15 weeks. Items of this experimental study are as follows: body weight change, final body weight, the weight change of the adipocytes in body, the level change of LFT, NEFA and creatinine, the expression of ${\beta}3AR$ and leptin gene in primary adipocytes, the production change of leptin in primary adipocytes, the expression of ${\beta}3AR$, leptin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in adipocytes tissue. Result: 1. All experimental groups showedthat the weight change decreased considerably and the high density group showedthat the final weight decreased considerably. 2. The high density group showed that the amount of the adipocyte in weight decreased considerably. 3. All experimental groups showedthat the amount of ALT decreased considerably, and AST decreased in the high density group. However, the amount of creatinine and glucose did not increase considerably. 4. All experimental groups showed that the amount of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and NEFA decreased, and HDL-cholesterol increased considerably. 5. The high density groups showedthat the amount of leptin decreased considerably. 6. All experimental groups showed that the revelation of ${\beta}3AR$ in primary adipose cell and 3T3-L1 cell increased considerably, and that the revelation of leptin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in primary adipose cellsand 3T3-L1 cells decreased considerably. 7. All experimental groups showed that the size of adipocyte in adipocytes tissue decreased. 8. All experimental groups showed that the adipose vacuoles in liver tissue decreased considerably. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Bimanbang-1 causes weight loss and histological change, thus it may be effective to treat obesity.

Objective: This study was performed to examine Danggui (DG, Angelica gigas Nakai)'s potential activity for promoting axonal regeneration in the injured peripheral nerve. Methods: Using the sciatic nerve in the rats, DG extract 5 ${\mu}l$(10 mg/ml in 0.5% saline) was dripped into the injury site of the nerve. Results: DG treatment facilitated axonal elongation responses in the distal portion to the injury site. GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated by DG treatment in the injured nerve and also in the DRG, suggesting the induction of GAP-43 expression at gene expression level after nerve injury. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were upregulated in the injured nerve area and also in the DRG, suggesting retrograde transport of phospho-Erk1/2 protein from the injury area to the cell body. Cdc2 protein levels were slightly upregulated by DG treatment. DG treatment increased the number of non-neuronal cells in the distal portion to the injury site. Conclusions: The present data suggest that DG is effective for enhanced axonal regrowth after sciatic nerve injury.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yeongdamsagantang (YDGT) on apoptosis of neuronal cells that can result in dementia. Method: The water extract of the YDGT was tested in vitro for its beneficial effects on neuronal survival and neuroprotective functions, particularly in connection with $A{\beta}$ oligomer-related dementias. $A{\beta}$ oligomers derived from proteolytic processing of the ${\beta}-amyloid$ precursor protein (APP), including the $amyloid-{\beta}$ peptide $(A{\beta})$, play a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. A neuroblastoma cell line stably expressing an $A{\beta}$ oligomerassociated neuronal degeneration was used to investigate if YDGT inhibits formation of $A{\beta}$ oligomer. To measure the ATP generating level in mitochondrial membrane, luciferin/luciferase luminescence kit (Promega) and luminator was used, and to survey the protein's apparition, confocal microscopy was used. Result: $A{\beta}oligomer$ had a profound attenuation in the increase in CT105 expressing neuro2A cells from YDGT. Experimental evidence indicates that YDGT protected against neuronal damage from cells, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We demonstrated that YDGT inhibited formation of $amyloid-{\beta}$ $(A{\beta})$ oligomers, which were the behavior, and possibly causative, features of AD. The decreased $A{\beta}$ oligomer in the presence of YDGT was observed in the conditioned medium of this $A{\beta}oligomer-secreting$ cell line under in vitro. In the cells, YDGT significantly attenuated mitochondrion-initiated apoptosis. Conclusion: (i) a direct $A{\beta}$ oligomer toxicity and the apoptosis initiated by the mitochondria; and (ii) multiple cellular and molecular neuroprotective mechanisms, including attenuation of apoptosis and direct inhibition of $A{\beta}$ oligomer aggregation, underlie the neuroprotective effects of YDGT.

Objectives: This study was conducted to help clinical studies for treating the common cold with Oriental medicine. We inspected tendencies of clinical studies of the common cold in western medicine and analyzed the assessing instruments for it by scrutinizing PubMed publications for the last five years. Materials and Methods: We inspected 32 theses and scrutinized their objectives, periods, participants, materials and methods, the instrument of assessment for the studies, and validity, reliability, criteria and symptom score for questionnaires, results and JADAD score. Results: 1. The median for total period of study was 7 months, the median for days of treatment was 7.5, and most studies were carried out during the winter/spring period, because of the enhanced risk of cold infections. 2. The studies focused on unorthodox medicines or new drug products, such as antipyretic analgesics (e.g. paracetamol), decongestant and bronchodilator (e.g. ephedrine), echinacea, antioxidants (e.g. zinc), probiotic bacteria and so on. 3. All theses except one had subjectscomposed of cold patients who were infected naturally. The median number of subjects for final analysis was 187. 4. 27 studies used survey as the instrument of assessment. Among these, only one thesis was verified for validity. 5. The mean of JADAD score was 4.41, suggesting most of theses of worth. 7 studies were assessed as ineffective. Conclusion: Recent studies of the common cold are focused on unorthodox medicines or new drug products, and it is necessary to provide an objective instrument for assessing common cold treatments.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the antimicrobial effect on the periodontal pathogens and anti-inflammatory effect of Eriobotryae folium. Eriobotryae folium are constituent herbs of Gagamgamroum, which has been used for a long time in oriental medicine as a herbal medicine for treating halitosis and toothache. Method: Eriobotryae folium was prepared by extracting medicinal herb with water. We investigated antimicrobial activity by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. We also investigated inhibition of $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ collagenase (mmp-1), stromelysin-1 (mmp-3), interleukin-6 gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts using RTPCR analysis. Result: The antimicrobial effects of Eriobotryae folium was evaluated with MIC against periodontopathogens; Porphyromonas gingivalis 2561, W50, A7A1-28, 9-14K-1, Prevotella intermedia 28, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4. MICs of Eriobotryae folium were 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 0.625 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory effect of Eriobotryae folium was evaluated with influence of herbs on the $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ expression of mmp-1, mmp-3, and interleukin-6. $IL-1{\beta}$ increased mmp-1, mmp-3, and interleukin-6 mRNA levels. Eriobotryae folium significantly inhibited $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ mmp-1, mmp-3, and interleukin-6 gene expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggested that Eriobotryae folium might reduce the excessive proteolytic capacity of the gingival fibroblast during inflammation and could be developed as a new drug for periodontitis.