Objectives: Objectives: The object of this study was to elucidate the possible effects on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen after single oral co-administration of Gamisoyo-san (GMSYS) with 2.5 hr-intervals combination therapy of tamoxifen with GMSYS. Methods: After 2.5 hr of 50 mg/kg of tamoxifen treatment, GMSYS 100 mg/kg was administered. The plasma was collected at 30 min before administration, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hrs after end of GMSYS treatment, and plasma concentrations of tamoxifen were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. PK parameters of tamoxifen were analysis as compared with tamoxifen single administered rats. Results: Although single co-administration with GMSYS with 2.5 hr-interval induced increased trends of plasma tamoxifen concentrations, there are no significant changes on the plasma concentrations of tamoxifen were demonstrated in tamoxifen and GMSYS 100 mg/kg co-administrated rats with 2.5 hr-intervals as compared to those of tamoxifen single 50 mg/kg treated rats, and also GMSYS co-administrated rats did not showed any significant changes on the all pharmacokinetic parameters as compared to those of tamoxifen single formula treated rats. Conclusions: According to the this study, single co-administration of GMSYS with 2.5 hr-intervals did not critically influenced on the oral bioavailability of tamoxifen, suggesting GMSYS did not critically influenced on the absorption and excretion of tamoxifen, the oral bioavailability, when they were co-administered with 2.5 hr-intervals, at the dose levels of tamoxifen 50 mg/kg and GMSYS 100 mg/kg.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on PMA-differentiated human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells. Methods: Cells were treated with various concentrations of RVS decoction (0-300㎍/ml) for 24, 48, and 72h. Cell viability was evaluated by MTS/PMS assay. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and proteins were measured using RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Results: RVS suppressed expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA. It also down-regulated iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. RVS inhibited NF-𝜅B p65 activity and the phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK (ERK and p38 MAPK). Instead, the phosphorylation of JNK is increased at a very low concentration but decreased at higher concentrations. Conclusion: RVS is regarded to inhibit the expression of MMP and TIMP as well as iNOS and COX-2 gene expression via directly inhibiting the activation of NF-𝜅B and phosphorylation of MAPK pathway in THP-1 cells. This suggests RVS have potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effects by Rumex japonicas Houttuyn ethanol extract (RJHEE) in C57BL/6N mice and HaCaT cells. Methods: The hair growth effect was examined by topical application of RJHEE on the shaved dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice. Six-week old mice were depilated and separated in 4 groups; CON (vehicle treatment), MXD (2% Minoxidil), and RJHEE (2% and 4%). The treatments were applied daily for 17 days. The hair growth was determined photographically and the hair density, thickness and length were identified by Folliscope. In dorsal skin tissue, the expression of hair growth-related protein was analyzed by Western blotting. In HaCaT cells, the cell proliferation and the protection against H₂O₂-induced cell damage by RJHEE were analyzed. Results: Our results indicate that RJHEE promote the hair growth, hair density, thickness and length. RHE activate the Wnt/𝛽-catenin signaling and induced the expression of cell survival-related proteins, such as pERK/ERK and Bcl-2/Bax. In HaCaT, RJHEE accelerated the cell proliferation and protected the H₂O₂-induced cell damage. Conclusions: Our results strongly suggest that RJHEE promotes hair growth by regulating the activation of Wnt/𝛽-catenin signaling and cell survival signaling and protects oxidative stress-induced hair damage. Therefore, RJHEE has a hair growth activity and can be useful for the treatment of alopecia.

Objectives: Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM) categorizes individuals into eight constitutions based on physiological differences in organ relations and recommends different diets for different constitutions. This study presents a preliminary analysis of the effect of following constitutional food regimens on quality of life and health outcomes for different constitutions. Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study used subjects recruited from Essen University Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine Center in Germany. From a convenience sample of 243 Germans, those in the groups Hepatonia/Cholecystonia (n = 95) and Pulmotonia/Colonotonia (n = 26) were analyzed for health outcomes in relation to their dietary habits of either including or avoiding meat. Health outcomes were measured with SF-36, self-reported survey. Results: The two groups had no significant differences in the health outcomes of SF-36. However, subjects in Hepatonia/Cholecystonia who had followed their dietary habit for more than 20 years had significantly better scores on general health, social functioning, mental health, emotional role functioning, and mental component scores than those in Pulmotonia/Colonotonia, regardless of their meat intake. Conclusions: This study established initial groundwork for considering patients' constitutions when evaluating health outcomes and their relation to diet. Further studies are warranted on the effects of regulating food intake according to individual constitution.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the effects of Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PLFE) on macrophages and their underlying mechanism(s) of action. PLFE increased the production of NO and cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼) in a dose-dependent manner, indicating its immunostimulatory property. Furthermore, PLFE upregulated iNOS, COX-2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, PLFE enhanced the phosphorylation of I𝜅B𝛼 and subsequent I𝜅B𝛼 degradation, thereby enabling the nuclear translocation of NF-𝜅B. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the immunostimulatory effects of PLFE are mediated by the nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-𝜅B and subsequent secretion of cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-𝛼), upregulation of iNOS and COX-2, and stimulation of MAPK signaling (JNK, ERK, and p38). Thus, PLFE may be a potential immunostimulatory therapeutic.

Objectives: This study was done to look into whether Nrf2 take some role in the anti-lipogenic effect of kaurenoic acid in a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cellular model. Materials and Methods: We measured the effect of kaurenoic acid on intracellular steatosis and Nrf2 activation. Next, the effect of kaurenoic acid on SREBP-1c and some lipogenic genes in palmitate treated HepG2 cells with or without Nrf2 silencing. Results: The increased SREBP-1c expression was significantly decreased by concomitant kaurenoic acid treatment in non-targeting negative control siRNA transfected HepG2 cells. However, kaurenoic acid did not significantly inhibited increased SREBP-1c level in Nrf2 specific siRNA transfected HepG2 cells Conclusions: Kaurenoic acid has a potential to activate Nrf2, which may suppress SREBP-1c mediated intracellular steatosis in HepG2 cells.

Objectives: This study was carried out to concrete the concept of Hand Gworeum Skin referred in Suwen of Huangdi Neijing. Methods: The Hand Gworeum Meridian was labeled with latex in the body surface of the cadaver, subsequently dissecting a superficial fascia and muscular layer in order to observe internal structures. Results: Skin histologically encompasses a common integument and a immediately below superficial fascia, this study established the skin boundary with adjacent structures such as relative muscle, tendon as its compass. The realm of the Hand Gworeum Skin is as follows: The skin close to the nipple on the 4th intercostal space, the interceps of biceps brachii muscle, the cubital surface at ulnad of bicipital aponeurosis, the anterior surface of the forearm, between flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus(from wrist crease to 5chon above), the palm between the 3rd and 4th metacarpals on the cross part with the palm crease, the radiod from the middle finger nail(or the end of middle finger). The realm of the Hand Gworeum Skin is situated on between Hand Taeeum Skin and Hand Soeum Skin in front of arm. Conclusion: The realm of Hand Gworeum Skin from the anatomical viewpoint seems to be the skin area outside the superficial fascia or the muscle involved in the pathway of the Hand Gworeum Meridian vessel, Collateral Meridian vessel, and Meridian muscle, being considered adjacent vessels or nerves at the same time.

Objectives: In modern society, many people have low back pain (LBP) and spinal diseases. About 80% of them experience severe LBP more than once in their lifetime. We can find studies on many Korean medicine-based treatments, such as acupuncture treatment for LBP and exercise therapy, which are effective in reducing the symptoms. This study focuses on the combined effect of both Korean medicine and exercise therapy for treating LBP. Method: For this review, we searched for articles focusing on pain and disability recovery in pre-clinical and clinical studies of extension and flexion exercise therapy related to LBP. The search databases were as follows: PubMed, Google Scholar, and seven Korean electronic databases (Korea Citation Index (KCI), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Service System (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), DBPIA, National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and KOREAMED). The keywords were as follows: Korean Medicine, back pain, flexion exercise, extension exercise, McKenzie method, McKenzie exercise, Williams' flexion exercise, and Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Results & Conclusions: This review shows the usefulness of flexion and extension exercises for LBP treatment and effective patient education, but further studies are necessary.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of acupuncture for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: Based on domestic and international papers reported until October 2020, experimental papers on "chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy", "mechanism", and "acupuncture" were set up to identify the mechanisms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. A total of seven papers were selected and searched: one pilot paper for people and six experimental papers for rats. Results: In the pilot paper studied by Bao, T., the effect of EA was demonstrated but no significant results were produced for the mechanism. Moon et al. derived the association between EA and plasma 𝛽-endorphin in rat experimental studies on oxalilatin-induced cold hypersensitivity. Meng et al. found relevance to 𝜇, 𝛿, and 𝛿 opioid through EA stimulation in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Lee et al. studied the relationship between EA and muscarin and 5-HT in rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced coldness, associated with 5-HT and EA, especially with 5-HT3 receptors. Choi et al. revealed the association of adrenaline and opioid acting on 𝛼2- and 𝛽 adrenaline receptors with EA in rat experiments on paclitaxel-induced neuralgia. In rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced neuralgia reported by Lee, 𝛽-endorphin and encephalin were studied to be mediated by EA. Zhang, T. et al. revealed in the paclitaxel induced rat experiment that EA activates 5-HT. Conclusion: It is inferred that peripheral neuropathy caused by anticancer drugs can be reduced by activating the action of 5-HT, 𝛽-endorphin, and encephalin through the descending inhibitory pathways. cell differentiation, herbal medicine, Pongamia, stem cells

A 25-year-old male presented with influenza-like symptoms and took Western anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs for 2 days. The symptoms aggravated, so the patient decided to rely on Korean medicine (KM). Based on the highly elevated hepatic enzymes (AST 4,621 IU/L and ALT 2,763 IU/L) with a positive result of anti-HAV IgM, he was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The patient was hospitalized and given herbal drugs (Chunggan-plus extract, Innae-Tang) and acupuncture, according to symptom differentiation, the accumulation of damp heat (濕熱蘊結)". The subjective symptoms (fatigue, nausea, gastric discomfort) including jaundice and dark urine as well as laboratory abnormalities gradually improved gradually in 10 hospital days, and the patient completely recovered in 25 days as an out-patient. This case presents a classic case of severe hepatitis A in 2019 Korean outbreak, and is informative to physicians for diagnosis and treatment in the traditional Korean medicine field.

Objectives: Hepatitis A is a typical acute hepatitis caused by hepatovirus, and then most patients recover easily without progression to chronic condition. However, certain cases have the risk of severe symptoms or even death. This case report presented a hepatitis A accompanied with pancreatitis, which had been completely recovered in a Korean medicine hospital. Case presentation: A 38-year woman had felt the malaise, mild chilling, muscle pain and abdominal discomfort for 10 days, which led her visit doctors and took anti-pyretic analgesics and digestants. The symptoms, especially epigastric pain and fatigue, became worse, and then she hospitalized in a Korean medicine hospital. Based on the drastic elevations of hepatic enzymes (aspartate transaminase 1,604 IU/L and alanine transaminase 2,825IU/L) with an anti-HAV IgM positive, she was diagnosed with hepatitis A. After bed rest and herbal drug treatment (CGX and Innae-Tang) for 5 days, the laboratory abnormalities and subjective symptoms had been improved gradually, except the upper gastric discomfort and pain. Those symptoms had anticipated the comorbidity with HAV-induced pancreatitis, supported by the high level of serum lipase release. Another 5-day hospitalized treatment improved all subjective symptoms and then the laboratory results were completely normalized including detection of anti-HAV IgG within 15 days after discharge. Conclusion: This study presented a typical hepatitis A accompanied with pancreatitis, which should be considered in diagnosis and management of hepatitis A.

Objectives: The present study reports a case of chronic anemia patient who was significantly improved after taking Nokyongdaebo-tang (NYDBT) Methods: A 48-year-old male patient diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) visited the Daejeon Korean medicine Hospital of Daejeon University on June 2018. The patient was treated with Korean medicine for 23 months including acupuncture, herbal medicine and Sasang constitutional medicine prescription. Improvement of anemia was assessed by changes of Hemoglobin value. Laboratory analysis was used to evaluate the safety of treatment. Results: Chronic anemia has significantly improved since taking NYDBT on 9 days (2019.12.09-2019.12.17). The Hb value has been maintained in the normal range since it first entered the normal range on January 18, 2020. The patient had become transfusion-free and this condition persisted for 6 months after stopping the transfusion. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Sasang constitutional medicine for chronic anemia as a personalized medicine.

Objectives: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is defined as severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) with weight loss, ketonuria, and electrolyte imbalance. Many NVP or HG patients get hard to take herbal medicine since the smell and taste of it. Therefore, the distilled herbal medicines are often used in clinical practice. A 32-year-old, 14-week pregnant female was admitted for 3 weeks at a Korean medicine hospital. She was experiencing HG accompanied by 19.61% (10 kg) weight loss, ketonuria, and electrolyte imbalance. The patient received Bosaeng-tang gagambang in its distilled form, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, sticker needles, cupping, moxibustion, and hydration during admission. The severity and frequency of NVP, weight loss, and ketonuria significantly improved without any side effects. Before the therapy, she admitted to two obstetrics and gynecology hospitals, 1 week each, with no improvement. This case presents the therapeutic potential of Korean medicine including herbal medicine in its diluted form for HG and NVP.