• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

Objectives: In this study, we aim to demonstrate an effect of crab water extract (CWE) on reflux esophagitis (RE) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 cell and rat model. Methods: To investigate on LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cell, CWE was co-treated with LPS. CWE suppressed Nitric Oxide (NO) production which increased by LPS treatment. Also, CWE showed no cytotoxicity at the concentrations range from 500 ㎍/㎖ to 2000 ㎍/㎖. Next, to investigate the protective effects of CWE on RE rat model, eighteen rats were divided in to three groups: sham group, reflux esophagitis group, and reflux esophagitis pre-treated with 100 mg/kg CWE 1 h before surgery. RE was induced by a pylorus and forestomach ligation operation and all rats were sacrificed after 4 h 30 min from surgery. Results: In gross examination, the CWE administration attenuated esophageal mucosal injury upon histological evaluation of reflux esophagus of rats. The CWE downregulated the expression levels of proteins related to inflammation, such as COX-2 and TNF-α in the esophagus tissue. In addition, the CWE suppressed the NF-κB and IκB-α activation. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we concluded that CWE could possess protective effect against damage to the esophagus due to reflux esophagitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.242-246
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to report on the clinical improvement of a patient treated with Korean medicine for Post COVID-19 syndrome. A 52-year-old male patient with headache and chronic fatigue was diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. He had clinical symptoms such as headache, sweating, fatigue, and insomnia and was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicines such as Sasammaekmoondong-tang. To assess the treatment outcomes, the authors used the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Numeral Rating Scale (NRS). Following treatment, fatigue improved, with the FSS score dropping from 48 at the first visit to 18 at the final visit, and clinical symptoms such as headache and insomnia disappeared. According to the findings of this study, Korean Medicine could be used in the clinic to treat post-COVID-19 complications.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1212-1242
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aims to explore the current usage status of orally administered Korean herbal medicine in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and member journals using the CONSORT-Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas 2017 (CONSORT-CHM 2017) checklist. Methods: We searched the OASIS, RISS, and KMBASE archives as well as the websites of the Journal of Korean Medicine and 45 member journals to identify RCTs that used herbal interventions. Two independent researchers searched and categorized the RCTs and performed a quantitative evaluation by journal, study design, and target disease, as well as qualitative evaluation of the literature using CONSORT-CHM 2017. Results: After the search, 66 articles were selected. The quantitative evaluation resulted in 13 articles (19.6%) that were published in the Journal of Korean Medicine and 12 articles (18.1%) in the Journal of Internal Korean Medicine. In terms of study design, 62 articles (93.9%) were parallel, 4 articles (6%) were crossover, and 2-arm parallel study designs were the most common in 45 articles (68.2%). In terms of the study participants, physiological characteristics and mechanisms in healthy individuals were the most common in 21 studies (31.8%) and obesity in 9 studies (13.6%). In terms of assessing completeness in the CONSORT-CHM 2017 items, 29 articles were rated high, 31 were rated moderate, and 6 were rated low. Items 4a, 6a, and 7a had low reporting rates (≤ 30%), while items 2a, 2b, and 12a were completely reported in all studies. Conclusion: Future RCTs using orally administered Korean herbal medicine need to be reported completely, and the CONSORT-CHM 2017 checklist can be a helpful tool for this purpose.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.760-766
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of Dong's acupuncture for pain associated with a varicocele. Methods: A 23-year-old male patient visited for pain due to varicocele that occurred on March 2 and was treated with acupuncture and moxibustion three times on March 16, 17, and 19. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate the patient's pain. Results: After the three treatments, the NRS scores decreased, and the patient's subjective symptoms improved. Also, the patient required no medication for a week from the date of treatment start. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that Korean medicine may be an option for treating a painful varicocele, but further research is required for confirmation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.738-750
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• 2022

Objective: Alcohol is known to cause inflammation in the stomach by decreasing the protective substances of the gastric mucosa and increasing oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extract (AF) on alcohol-induced gastritis. Methods: The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of AF were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Radical scavenging activities were confirmed using DPPH and ABTS assays. In vivo experiments were conducted on mice divided into 5 groups (n=8): a normal group (Nor), an alcohol-induced gastritis group (Con), an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC), an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 100 mg/kg AF (AFL), and an alcohol-induced gastritis group administered 200 mg/kg AF(AFH). The serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined, and protein expressions were confirmed in gastric tissues. Results: In alcohol-induced gastritis, AF alleviated damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol. AF also decreased the serum ROS levels. Western blots showed that AF decreased the expression of NADPH oxidase and decreased the expression of the NF-κB pathway associated with inflammation. AF also decreased the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokine proteins, and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Conclusions: AF not only reduced oxidative stress in alcohol-induced gastritis, but it also relieved gastric mucosal inflammation by regulating the expression of the NF-κB pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.209-226
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• 1990

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-85
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• 2000

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-84
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• 1997

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 1991

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Ojeok-san and compare the therapeutic effects according to its formation. Methods: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ojeok-san using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammatory animal model. Male SD rats were administered intra-orally with two different formulation types of Ojeok-san according to prescribed dosage. One hour later, to induce inflammatory responses, subsequent intra-peritoneal injection of LPS was conducted. After 5 hours later, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 levels were measured by ELISA to assess the alteration of pro-inflammatory markers. Results: In our experiment, regardless of its formation, administration of Ojeok-san decreased TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, IL-6 and PGE2 level in serum. Furthermore, LPS-induced toxicity of liver and kidney was not detected by Ojeok-san administration. Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory effect of Ojeok-san was shown in LPS-induced inflammatory model by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers, and there would be no significant difference in therapeutic effect between two formulation types of Ojeok-san.