Objectives: This study was to assess the toxicity of Sipjeondaebo-tang by bacterial reverse mutation test. Methods: In this study, to evaluate the bacterial reverse mutation of Sipjeondaebo-tang water-extract, the in vitro Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1,535, TA1,537) and Escherichia coli(WP2uvrA) were performed with Sipjeondaebo-tang water extract at the concentrations 0, 312, 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ${\mu}g/plate$. Results: Sipjeondaebo-tang water extract was negative in Ames test with both Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli with and without rat liver microsomal enzyme (S9- fraction and S+ fraction). Conclusions: According to these results, we concluded that a Sipjeondaebo-tang water extract did not cause bacterial reverse mutation.

Objectives: Warm-needling is a method combining the effects of acupuncture with the effects of moxibustion. We need to standardize the characteristics of warm-needling in order to achieve consistency in its operational mechanisms and effects, which will improve clinical ability in the field of Eastern medicine. Methods: In this study, using the LabVIEW system on the warm-needling technique, we measured and compared partial temperature changes which varied according to the density of the moxa cone and the moxa cone's core peak temperature. Results& Conclusions: Examination of the warm-needle's partial temperature in relation to the cone density of the 0.8g moxa specimen suggests that a lower density of the moxa cone corresponds to a higher peak temperature and but with a shorter duration. During the effective stimulus time, the lower the density of the moxa cone, the shorter the duration of the effective stimulus time and the higher the mean temperature. Conversely, the higher the density of the moxa cone, the longer the effective stimulus time and lower the mean temperature.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of Palmiboshinwhan (PMBSW) in methotrexate (MTX)-induced immunosuppressed SD rats. Methods: The test articles were once a day dosed for 14 days by gastric gavage from 2 days after last MTX-dosing, and changes in body weight, spleen weight and total blood leukocyte numbers were observed with total lymphocyte numbers, B and T lymphocyte percentages, CD3+CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte percentages in the blood and spleen, the serum interleukin (IL)-2 levels and the productivity of IL-2 of splenic cells. Result & Conclusion: It is concluded that PMBSW has relatively good immunostimulating effect in the MTX-induced immunosuppressed SD rats. Theefficient dosage was considered above 500mg/kg. In addition, it is considered that the immunostimulating effect of PMBSW was mediated to both the B and T lymphocytes. The more favorable effects were detected in T lymphocytes rather than B lymphocytes, and PMBSW showedrelatively good stimulating potential against CD4+ T lymphocytes but not any stimulating effect against CD8+ T lymphocytes in the present study.

Objectives: Though overt thyroid dysfunction is well recognized to affect serum lipid profiles and obesity, there are conflicting reports on the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism on serum lipid profiles and obesity. In most reports, the definition of the upper normal limit of serum thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) of 4.0${\sim}$5.0mU/L has been used to diagnose. However, recent studies have suggested a much lower TSH cut off with an upper limit of 2.5mU/L, because >95% of rigorously screened normal euthyroid volunteers had serum TSH values between 0.4 and 2.5mU/L. Therefore we defined subclinical hypothyroidism as a TSH level greater than 2.5mU/L. We sought to evaluate the correlations of subclinical hypothyroidism with obesity index and serum lipid profiles Methods: TSH levels were measured in 6190 men and 4223 women that participated in health examination and free T4, lipid profiles (total-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C), and obesity index (body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, C-reactive protein) were also measured. Results: There were significant differences of triglyceride between subclinical hypothyroidism men and normal control subjects. In women, there were also significant differences of triglyceride and LDL-C between subclinical hypothyroidism and normal control subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism women showed significant correlations of TSH with total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and C-reactive protein. Subclinical hypothyroidism men and women with a TSH level 2.5${\sim}$4.0mU/L had significant differences of triglyceride and body fat. In men, there were significant differences of waist circumference andC-reactive protein. In women, there were significant differences of LDL-C. Conclusions: We have demonstrated correlations of subclinical hypothyroidism with serum lipid profiles and obesity index. These findings suggested that subclinical hypothyroidism people had an increased risk of dyslipidemia and obesity. Subclinical hypothyroidism people with a TSH level 2.5${\sim}$4.0mU/L may be also considered suspect since it may signal a case of evolving thyroid underactivity eligible to be prevented.

Objectives: This study was aimed to find the effect of Samiunkyungtang on inflammation and microflora in an ulcerative colitis animal model. Methods: We established four groups of normal, control, test 1, and test 2 and assigned 6 rats toeach group. The normal group was not treated by any process and fed by normal saline. The control & test groups were provided with 4% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment for 7 days. Samiunkyungtang extract was orally administered to test groups (test 1=25mg/kg, test 2 100mg/kg) 3 days after DSS treatment for 10 days. After DSS treatment finished, we sacrificed the mice and measured colon length and enzyme activities such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), alkine phosphatase (ALP), ${\beta}$-glucuronidase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, chondroitinase, and tryptophanase. Results: The colon lengths of test 1 and 2 groups were longer than the control group (p<0.05). Histologically, the crypts and superficial epitheliums of test 1 and 2 groups were regenerated. Goblet cells from all test groups were retrieved. The inflammatory biochemical marker, MPO and ALP activities in all test groups were highly reduced (p<0.01) compared to the control group. The activities of fecal bacterial enzymes in test groups such as ${\beta}$-glucuronidase, ${\beta}$-glucosidase, chondroitinase, and tryptophanase were reduced compared to the control group (p<0.01). Conclusions: As a result of this experiment, Samiunkyungtang is considered to have an inhibitory effect on inflammation and fecal enzyme activity in DSS-induced colitis animal model. Our results indicate that Samiunkyungtang may possess therapeutic effect on the development of DSS-induced colitis.

Objectives: In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether Gamijinhae-tang (Jiaweizhenke-tang) (GJHT) significantly affects both contractility of tracheal smooth muscle and mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: Effect of GJHT on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle of rabbit was investigated. Confluent hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on 3H-mucin secretion. At the same time, confluent NCI-H292 cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on MUC5AC secretion by ELISA. Total elution profiles of control spent media and treatment sample (radioactive mucin) through Sepharose CL-4B column were analyzed. Also, effect of the agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured NCI-H292 cells was investigated. Possible cytotoxicities of the agent were assessed by measuring both lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from HTSE cells and examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Results: (1) GJHT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; (2) GJHT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells. However, it did not affect MUC5AC secretion from NCI-H292 cells, only chiefly affecting the 'mucin' secretion; (3) GJHT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC5AC gene in cultured NCI-H292 cells; (4) GJHT did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. However, it slightly increased LDH release from HTSE cells. Conclusion: The author suggests that effects of GJHT with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells.

Objectives: In this study, the author investigated whether Haengso-tang (HST) and Chwiyeon-tang (CHT) affect both in vitro mucin secretion and MUC5AC gene expression in airway epithelial cells and in vivo mucin secretion from animal model for airway mucus hypersecretion. Materials and Methods: Confluent HTSE cells (non-labeled) were chased for 30 min in the presence of HST and CHT to assess the effects of the agents on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with removal of oriental herbal medicine extract from each agent-treated sample by centrifuge microfilter. Also, the effects of the agents on TNF- or EGF-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. The author also induced hypersecretion of airway mucus by exposure of rats to SO2 for 3 weeks. Effects of orally-administered HST and CHT during 1 week on in vivo mucin secretion from tracheal goblet cells of rats were assessed using ELISA. Results: (1) HST significantly decreased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells. However, CHT did not affect in vitro mucin secretion from HTSE cells; (2) CHT significantly inhibited the expression levels of EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells. However, HST did not affect the expression levels of EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells; (3) CHT significantly inhibited hypersecretion of in vivo mucin. However, HST did not affect hypersecretion of in vivo mucin. Conclusion: These results suggest that CHT can not only affect the secretion of mucin but also the expression of the mucin gene and could be helpful for treating pulmonary disease caused by secretion of mucin.

Objectives: In order to identify the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam), widely used in Korean traditional medicine, an in vitro screening system was designed using pGL3, a luciferase reporter vector, and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 as target genes. Methods: The promoter regions of each gene were generated by PCR using the human chromosome as template DNA, and inserted into pGL3 vector with Kpn I and Hind III. The final construct was transfected into human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937) that could be differentiated and activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using this system, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of several herbal extracts regarded to have the medicinal effects of diminishing body heat and complementing Qi were tested. The chemicals PD98059 and berberine chloride were used as controls of the transcriptional inhibitors of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2, respectively. Results: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) demonstrated significant decrease of TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in the in vitro assay system. In MTT assay, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of human myelomonocytic leukemia cells (U-937). Conclusions: Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan-Sam) was found to exhibit the significant medicinal properties of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Objectives: The purpose of this survey is to monitor the changes that have occurred in the business environment surrounding Oriental medicine clinics, with the focus on their facilities, staff, patients, and service fee revenue. Method adopted: A questionnaire was sent in December 2006 to 1,000 Oriental medicine clinics nationwide, of which 122 (or 12 percent of them) replied. Previous questionnaires similar to this one in nature were checked for comparison. Results: As a result of analyzing the aforesaid replies, the average Oriental medicine clinic appears to have a floor size of 156 square meters (= 47.2 pyeong) and is equipped with 6.6 beds. The number of helpers and nurse's aids at each Oriental medicine clinics comes to 3.2 and 1.58, respectively. The number of patients coming to see a practitioner of Oriental medicine stands at 36.3 persons per day, of whom 32.06 come for acupuncture treatment. 50.2 percent of the Oriental medicine clinics' service fee revenue is paid from the health insurance. Each clinic spends on average 2.42 million won per month on the purchase of medicinal substances and so forth. The foregoing indicates a 27 percent increase from 1999 in terms of floor size, a 30 percent increase in the number of beds, a 47 percent increase in the number of helpers, a 45 percent increase in the number of nurse's aides, and an 11 percent increase in the number of patients who visit a practitioner of oriental medicine. As for the latter figure, there was an increase of 3.64 over a seven-year period. The number of patients coming for acupuncture treatment increased by 7.06 in the same period, whereas the number of those coming for medication treatment decreased by 4.28 percent. Health insurance payments as a proportion of Oriental medicine clinics' service fee revenues increased by 23.9 percentage points from 26.29 percent in 1997 to 50.2 percent in 2006. The amount that a clinic spends on the purchase of medicinal substances, etc, decreased by 250,000 won or by 9.3 percent from 1999. The estimated value of the domestic Oriental medical service market for 2006 stood at 2,422.2 billion won in total. Conclusion: Oriental medicine clinics in Korea appear to be getting larger, with an increase in the number of beds and helpers. Health insurance payments now account for a greater proportion of Oriental medicine clinics' service fee revenues, and management conditions at the clinics are deteriorating.

Objectives: Obesity is chronic condition which can severely influence health. People with a high percentage of body fat (%BF) have high prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal obesity (AO) seems to play a major role in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. This study investigated the %BF and AO of workers in the automobile manufacturing industry. Methods: The subjects were categorized by sex, age, job class, drinking history and smoking history. %BF and AO were measured by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Jawon Medical, Seoul, Korea). We analyzed the relationship between age, sex, job class, drinking history, smoking history and %BF and WHR into frequencies, $X^2$-test using the SPSS Ver. 12.0. Results: Regarding the relationship between sex and %BF, AO, there was statistically significant difference as men had a significant higher level of %BF and AO than women. There was a positive correlation between age and both %BF and AO. Workers in their 40s especially ran level of AO up. In job class, office workers were apt to have a higherlevel of %BF and AO than production line workers. %BF and AO of the non-drinker group showed a lower level than the drinker group. On the other hand, the ex-smoker group had higher levels of %BF and AO than the non-smoker or current-smoker groups. Conclusions: The above results showed that men, the advanced in years, office workers, drinkers and ex-smokers had high levels of %BF and AO.

Herbal plants or traditional Oriental medicine have been considered as a potential resource of new drug development worldwide. However, traditional Korean medicine has given little effort to the field of new drug development. This study reports on a plant-derived hepatotherapeutic drug, silymarin, which has been popularly used in many countries. It was discovered as an active compound from Silybum marianum (milk thistle) which has been known as a medicinal plant having hepatoprotective properties in both European and Asian countries. While it has been used as an herbal prescription in Asia, its active compounds or scientific mechanisms were intensively studied in Europe. Currently, silymarin is one of the most powerful herbal extracts in the world, and its usage is being expanded to many other medical purposes. This report would be helpful for providing an informative example of herbal-derived drug development to Oriental doctors or scientists in the Oriental medicinal field.

Objectives: Electroacupuncture has the effect of recovering paralytic nerves and muscles. To treat disproportional muscles of expression with electroacupuncture, it is essential that we know the correct point of paralytic muscle. Methods: We investigated 20 cases of patients with facial palsy sequelae. We measured nasolabial angles, checked grade of muscle palsy, and tested ENoG. Results: This study showed significant correlation between nasolabial angles with these muscle groups (zygomatic group I, zygomatic group II, orbicularis oris muscle). Conclusions: Disproportional facesare fixed by muscles of expression observed in facial palsy sequelae. We can treat muscular paralysis of these muscle groups with electroacupuncture for more complete recovery.

Objectives: Osteoporosis is one of the most common metabolic bone disorders in the menopausal stage, a disease signified by decrease of bone mass. The purpose of this study was to learn how Lycii Fructus influences SD rats with osteoporosis caused by the removal of the ovaries. Methods: After the removal of the ovaries from 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats, they were divided into a normal group, a control group, and a Lycii Fructus (25mg/100g) administration group. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their weights, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP, total-cholesterol, triglyceride, P, Ca, T4, E2, weight of a femur, ash content of the tibia, and area and thickness of trabecular bone were measured. Results: Regarding the density of ALT, ALP, and estradiol from serum, the Lycii Fructus group was significantly decreased compared to the control group, and the density of phosphorous and calcium also decreased slightly. Moreover, albumin, triglyceride, and T4 showed an increasing propensity, but AST and total-cholesterol showed a decreasing propensity, but not significant. Regarding the variation of bone, femur weight and ash content of tibia, the Lycii Fructus group was increased compared to the control group but significance wasn't shown. The Lycii Fructus group increased significantly over the control group in area and thickness of trabecular bone and osteoclast number. Conclusions: From the results of the above study, Lycii Fructus should be effective for osteoporosis treatment and prevention.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is characterized by painful ophthalmoplegia and diagnosed by the exclusion of other major diseases. This study was done to find the effectiveness of electroacupuncture at oculomotor muscles and herbal-med on a THS patient. We used this method and Bogan-san ($B\check{a}og\check{a}n-s\check{a}n$) without steroids and treated a THS patient who suffered from pain behind the right eye, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, frontal headache and dysosmia. 18 days after admission, the symptoms were improved and almost gone. In conclusion, we suggest electroacupuncture at oculomotor muscles and Bogan-san ($B\check{a}og\check{a}n-s\check{a}n$) is effective to treat THS without steroids, and we recommend more studies of this method on THS.

We report the case of an 18-year-old woman with a 6-year history of widespread facial plane warts that had proved resistant to repeated treatments with laser therapy and imiquimod cream. The patient had recurrent lesions, which subsequently resolved with treatment. We diagnosed the case as heat and blood stasis and qi deficiency damp stagnation. Treatment with herb medication and herbal external wet dressing was initiated. During the 4-month treatment period, the warts resolved gradually. At 4 months follow up, there were no recurrent lesions and no other adverse effects.