Objectives: Considering that homeothermy is a major component of metabolic rate, body temperature might play a role in the pathophysiology of obesity. This study aimed to determine the relationship between abdominal fat distribution and abdominal temperature in Korean, premenopausal, obese women. Methods: Weight and height were measured in 26 premenopausal, obese women to calculate body mass index (BMI). Obesity was defined as a $BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$. Waist circumference (WC) was also measured as well as abdominal fat by computed tomography (CT) and abdominal temperature by digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI). Results: Visceral abdominal fat area was found to have a significant negative correlation with the temperature of Guanyuan (CV4, lower abdomen acupoint). We also found the visceral-subcutaneous fat ratio had a significant negative correlation with the temperature of CV4 and Right Tianshu (RST25, lateral navel acupoint). Only visceral fat and its ratio to subcutaneous fat had a significant correlation with abdominal temperature. Subcutaneous fat area and total fat area were not correlated with abdominal temperature. Conclusions: This study suggests that abdominal visceral fat has a significant negative correlation with abdominal temperature. Further study is needed to uncover the relationship between abdominal fat distribution and temperature regulation in obese individuals and to define the role of body temperature in the pathogenesis of obesity.

Objectives: In the present study, we evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicerae Flos on cigarette-induced lung inflammatory responses in animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods: To inspect the effects of Lonicerae Flos, we evaluated Lonicerae Flos functions in vivo including immune cell profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, cytokine production and tissue morphological changes. Results: Lonicerae Flos significantly inhibited immune cell infiltrations into the BAL fluid (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes). TNF-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were substantially decreased in the BAL fluid of Lonicerae Flos-treated mice compared with cigarette-exposed control mice. In addition, the hypertrophy of goblet cells in the epithelial cells was reduced in both Lonicerae Flos- and roflumilast-treated mice. Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence that treatment with Lonicerae Flos exerts strong therapeutic effects against cigarette-induced lung inflammation in vivo. Therefore, this herbal medicine may represent a novel therapeutic agent for lung inflammation in general, as well as a specific agent for the treatment of COPD.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of 8 types of herbal prescriptions prescribed to alleviate dementia symptoms in a rat model of arterial thrombosis induced by ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$). Methods: Thirty minutes before 35% $FeCl_3$ treatment, SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with the 8 types of herbal prescriptions, respectively. We tested the effects of the herbal prescriptions on time to occlusion (TTO) in an arterial thrombosis model using a laser Doppler flow meter. In addition, thrombus weight (TW) and collagen fiber damages were evaluated in the same condition. Results: Herbal prescriptions showed the following rank-order based on their TTO: Chong-myung-tang (CMT) > modified Jangwonhan 02 (LMK02) > Toki-shakuyaku-san (TSS) ${\geq}$ Oren-gedoku-to (OGT) ${\geq}$ Yokukansan (YKS). In particular, CMT (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and LMK02 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) delayed the TTO the most ($14.83{\pm}0.98$ and $13.67{\pm}1.03$ min, respectively) compared with the vehicle group ($7.95{\pm}0.78$ min, P<0.001). In addition, CMT, LMK02, and OGT treatment ($0.63{\pm}0.01$, $0.66{\pm}0.02$ and $0.67{\pm}0.01$ mg/mm, respectively) significantly reduced thrombus weight compared with the vehicle treatment ($0.78{\pm}0.03$, P<0.001) and also alleviated collagen fiber damage (CMT; $28.40{\pm}2.22$%, LMK02; $30.79 {\pm} 4.07$%, OGT; $26.20{\pm}1.48$%) in the vessels injured by $FeCl_3$. Therefore, CMT and LMK02 showed the greatest preventive activity in rat model of arterial thrombosis induced by $FeCl_3$. Conclusions: These results provide experimental evidence for traditional use of herbal prescriptions, suggesting that CMT and LMK02 extracts could be used to prevent vascular injury and thrombosis in the early stages of dementia.

Objectives: To investigate therapeutic mechanisms of Gyejibokryeong-hwan (GJBRH) against gynaecological diseases, articles on biological assay were gathered and analyzed. Methods: The articles were classified as being from domestic or international journals, and by their year of publication. The mechanisms of the biological effects against gynaecological diseases were noted. Results: Of the 14 articles analyzed, 13 were published in China and 1 was from Japan. GJBRH showed therapeutic effect against uterine and mammary gland diseases. Uterine-related diseases such as endometriosis, hysteromyoma, adenomyosis, cancer, and inflammation can be improved by the administration of GJBRH through anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, the modulation of immune cell and immunoglobulin, and the regulation of hormone secretion. GJBRH also reduced mammary hyperplasia by regulating hormone and cytokine release. Conclusions: We speculate that the inhibitory effect against uterine and mammary gland diseases could be related to the therapeutic efficacy of GJBRH in improving gynaecological diseases.

Objectives: As a newcomer to the medical tourism industry, Korea needs to differentiate itself from the leading competing countries to vitalize its early-stage medical tourism industry. This study aims to introduce a strategic plan to vitalize the Korean integrated medical tourism so that Korea can differentiate itself from competing countries and create high added value. Methods: The concept and actual conditions of medical tourism and Oriental medical tourism were examined. A plan to differentiate Korea from the competing countries in the medical tourism industry was studied to create high added-value through strategic vitalization of its medical tourism industry. Results: Korean integrated medical tourism must be developed differently from those of other South-East Asian countries in order to strategically promote the cash-cow medical tourism industry. In order to develop such medical tourism, Korean medical practice, which integrates Western and Oriental medicine, is to be developed through mutual understanding and fusion of other disciplines among medical doctors and Oriental medical doctors who are working in local healthcare for health promotion of local residents and disease prevention and control. This will play a key role in developing a unique medical tourism product of Korea by means of strategic alliances as an integrated medicine. Manpower specialized for integrated medicine is to be specially supplied for Oriental medicine-related business lines at city, county and borough levels, among local governments, that are enthusiastically carrying forward Oriental medical tourism with an interest to promoting more active and strategic business development and raise the effectiveness and efficiency of public health centers handling related medical tourism. Manpower specialized for Korean integrated medical tourism is to be specially supplied for the Ministry of Culture, Health and Tourism, a policy control tower to develop and vitalize high value-added fusion (theme) tourism products such as the Korean integrated medical tourism, in order to discover, promote and support Korean integrated medical tourism's differences from existing medical tourism. Conclusions: The differentiated integrated medical tourism that only Korea can offer in a variety of forms, in order to create a key area of high value-added medical tourism, should be strategically vitalized through a liaison between integrated medicine and tourism and the realization of patient-centered health care services with medical technology developed based on mutual understanding of Western and Oriental medicine.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the antithrombotic effects of the four herbal ingredients (Mume Fructus, MF; Santali Albi Lignum, SAL; Amomi Tsao-Ko Fructus, ATF; and Amomi Fructus, AF) of modified Jeho-tang (MJHT) in a ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$)-induced carotid arterial thrombosis model. Methods: Thirty minutes prior to a 35% $FeCl_3$ application, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were injected with saline, MF, SAL, ATF or AF (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), respectively. The effect of the MJHT ingredients was examined for time to occlusion (TTO) and thrombus weight (TW) in a $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model. Histological analysis was performed to examine the effect of the MJHT ingredients on collagen fiber damage using hematoxylin & eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: Compared with vehicle treatment, MF, SAL and ATF treatment delayed TTO (vehicle, $8.11{\pm}0.60$ min; MF, $16.67{\pm}1.03$ min; SAL, $17.50{\pm}1.52$ min and ATF, $13.33{\pm}1.21$ min; P < 0.001) and inhibited thrombus formation (vehicle, $0.79{\pm}0.03$ mg/mm; MF, $0.61{\pm}0.07$ mg/mm; SAL, $0.57{\pm}0.03$ mg/mm and ATF, $0.72{\pm}0.02$ mg/mm; P < 0.001). In addition, each herbal ingredient of MJHT except for AF prevented the collagen fiber damage induced by a 35% $FeCl_3$ application. These results indicate that the MJHT ingredients MF ${\geq}$ SAL ${\geq}$ ATF ${\geq}$ AF possess antithrombotic activity in a $FeCl_3$-induced carotid arterial thrombosis. Conclusions: Altogether, these results are the first evidence that the MJHT ingredients MF, SAL and ATF have the ability to prevent vascular damage and thrombus formation in $FeCl_3$-induced carotid arterial thrombosis.

Objectives: This case report was conducted to introduce the effectiveness of herbal decoction on patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Methods: We closely observed two patients who were admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine 1 of Kyung-Hee Korean Medical Hospital due to ITP. We gave a herbal decoction to these patients and then analyzed the changes in their general conditions as well as blood test results. Results and Conclusions: The treatment with herbal decoctions was helpful for ITP patients.