• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.29-38
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the acute oral toxicity of 77 herbal formulas and performed in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats as per the guidelines mentioned in Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Methods: Each sex of SD rat were administered a single dose (2000 or 5000 mg/kg) of 77 herbal formulas via oral gavage; the control group received vehicle only. After administration, the mortality, clinical signs, gross findings, and body weight were followed up for 15 days. Results: After administration of 77 herbal formulas, mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and gross findings related to the test substances were not observed in both male and female groups. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the single-dose oral administration of 77 herbal formulas produced no mortality indicating the approximate lethal dose is greater than 2000 or 5000 mg/kg body weight.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to report the effect of acupotomy for patients with headache. Methods: Four patients with headache were treated with acupotomy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated by numeric rating scale(NRS), Headache impact test-6(HIT-6) and headache attack frequency. Results: The numeric rating scale score and headache attack frequency decreased throughout the treatment period. No side effects were observed during treatment. Conclusion: Acupotomy had shown a positive clinical effect in the treatment of a headache in this case series. Further studies are required for its application on various headache.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2021

경혈과 경락학설은 침의 치료 효과를 설명하고 최선의 침 치료 전략을 세우기 위해 이용되어 왔다. 이번 연구를 통해 요통 환자를 대상으로 한 무작위 대조군 임상 연구에서 요통을 치료하기 위해 사용된 경혈의 빈도를 알아보았다. PUMBED 데이터베이스를 통해 요통 환자를 대상으로 manual acupuncture나 electro-acupuncture를 사용한 논문을 분석했다. 총 664편의 논문이 검색되었으며, 그 중 62편의 논문을 분석 결과에 따르면 신수, 위중, 대장수, 곤륜, 환도, 아시혈, 관원수, 양릉천, 기해수, 요양관이었으며, 태계혈이 함께 조합되어 사용되었다. 이를 통해 요통에 대한 침 치료 효과를 밝히기 위한 이전의 연구들에서 족태양방광경의 경혈들이 주로 사용된 것, 그리고 근위와 원위의 경혈이 사용된 것을 알 수 있다. 추후 연구를 통해 경혈과 치료 효과 간의 상관 관계를 밝히고 경혈을 선정하고 조합하는 원리에 대한 가이드라인을 제시하기 위해서는 치료 효과에 대한 정량적인 분석 방법과 이용한 경혈에 대한 자세한 보고가 필수적이다.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.136-136
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• 2021

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present one case report on the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: We did retrospective study for one psoriasis patient who had been treated by herbal medicine and acupuncture for more than one year. The patient was treated with Bojungikgi-tang hap Gamisoyo-san, Yukmijihuang-tang hap Gamisoyo-san, Saengmaek-san hap Gamisoyo-san, Gamisoyo-san hap Samul-tang and Gamisoyo-san hap Yukmijihwang-tang. Evaluation was done by PASI score and pictures. Results: After the treatment, the patient showed improvements in PASI. PASI of the patient changed from 28.2 to 0. Conclusions: This study suggests the clinical use of Korean medical treatment in systemic psoriasis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report one case of Korean medical treatment on a patient with psoriasis which had deteriorated since COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Methods : A patient with psoriasis was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Symptoms after vaccination were considered the main criteria for treatment. PASI, DLQI, VAS, and pictures were used as evaluation tools for psoriasis. Results : After treatment, the patient showed improvements in PASI, DLQI and VAS scores. PASI changed from 16 to 0, DLQI changed from 17 to 0, and VAS changed from 8 to 0. Conclusions : The findings of this case report suggest that Korean medicine may be an effective option for treating psoriasis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1265-1273
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• 2020

Objectives: Patients with polycythemia vera can experience many symptoms, including dizziness, headache, and fatigue, caused by a high red blood cell mass and blood viscosity. Some symptoms persist even after appropriate treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Korean medicine on dizziness following polycythemia vera treatment. Methods: A patient diagnosed with polycythemia vera was treated with Korean medicine, including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. We used a numeral rating scale (NRS) and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) to observe the effects of the treatment. Results: After treatment, the hematocrit and hemoglobin increased to within normal range, and the NRS scores for dizziness and fatigue, subjective discomfort, and DHI scores decreased compared with the preadmission values. Conclusions: This report shows that Korean medicine helped to relieve dizziness in a patient with polycythemia vera. However, we need further studies to establish treatment regimens for polycythemia vera symptoms.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-340
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• 2018

Objectives : In Traditional Korean medicine, Daucus carota L. has been used for treating dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery and cough. Recent pharmacognosic evidence showed D. carota has anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and hypotensive effects. Present study investigated hepato-protective effect of D. carota ethanol extract (DCE) against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Methods : After HepG2 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of DCE, the cells were exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) for inducing oxidative stress. Cell viability, hydrogen peroxide production, glutathione concentration, and mitochondrial membrane potentials were measured to explore hepato-protective effect of DCE. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and effect of compound C on cell viability were determined to investigate the role of AMPK on DCE-mediated cytoprotection. Results : DCE significantly decreased the tBHP-mediated cytotoxicity in a concentration dependent manner and reduced the changes on apoptosis-related proteins by tBHP in HepG2 cells. In addition, DCE significantly prevented hydrogen peroxide production, glutathione depletion, and mitochondrial membrane impairment induced by tBHP. Treatment with DCE increased phosphorylation of AMPK, and the DCE-mediated cytoprotection was abolished by pretreatment with compound C. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that DCE can protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress through activation of AMPK.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2023

Objectives : Oxidative stress is an important cause of many diseases including liver injury. Therefore, adequate regulation of oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in maintaining liver function. Until recently, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Samchulgeonbi-tang (SCGBT). Therefore, the hepatoprotective effect of SCGBT was investigated in HepG2 cells. In this study, oxidative stress was induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and iron. Methods : To analyze the hepatoprotective effects of SCGBT against oxidative stress induced by AA + iron, the cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins and intracellular ROS, glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) were measured. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription activation and expressions of Nrf2 target gene were analyzed through immunoblot analysis. Results : SCGBT increased the cell viability from AA + iron - induced cell death and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis related proteins. SCGBT protected cells by inhibiting ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation against AA + iron induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, Nrf2 activation was increased by SCGBT, and the Nrf2 target genes were also activated by SCGBT. Conclusions : These results suggest that the SCGBT has a hepatocyte protection effect and antioxidant effect from AA + iron induced oxidative stress.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.277-296
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• 2024

Objective : Dyspepsia is one of the most common ailments among Koreans, leading to a continuously expanding market for liquid digestive solutions. These products are popular due to their convenience and low risk of side effects. However, there is a lack of research on the basic prescription composition of these ingredients and their precise indications according to Korean Medicine. Methods : Drugs were selected from the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Service website (http://www.health.kr), focusing on oral and liquid products classified under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's category of stomach and digestive aids (category 233). Frequency analysis was conducted to determine the occurrence and combinations of herbal ingredients within each product. Additionally, the four properties and five flavors of each product were calculated using their herbal ingredient composition ratios, and Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to verify the linear relationships between the composition ratios of the ingredients. Results : A comparative analysis of 33 liquid digestive medicines revealed that Zingiberis Rhizoma was the most frequently used herb. The most common dual-herb combination was Zingiberis Rhizoma and Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and the most prevalent tri-herb combination was Zingiberis Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and Cinnamomi Cortex. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed a strong positive correlation between the composition ratios of Zingiberis Rhizoma and Cinnamomi Cortex. The analysis of four properties and five flavors indicated that products with warm and bitter flavors were the most common. Conclusions : The most frequently used herbal combination in liquid digestive solutions was Zingiberis Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and Cinnamomi Cortex. This composition is suitable for treating dyspepsia caused by cold-dampness in the digestive system.