• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.803-813
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• 2023

Objective: This case report outlines an investigation into the efficacy of Korean medicine treatment in a patient who presented with acute cholangitis accompanying common bile duct stones. The patient underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and subsequently experienced resolution of the common bile duct stones. Methods: The patient was treated with Shihosogan-tang, general acupuncture, ear acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping therapy. Changes in symptoms were evaluated using a self-reported numerical rating scale (NRS) score and a visual analog scale (VAS) score each morning. Laboratory tests were conducted to examine serum amylase, serum lipase, and liver function. Results: After 29 days, the NRS scores for indigestion and fatigue and the VAS score for abdominal pain all decreased. Additionally, the laboratory test results showed improvement. Discussion: The results suggest that Korean medicine could be effective in treating symptoms of acute cholangitis. However, further research is necessary.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.77-82
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• 2014

Objectives : The effects of ethanol extract of Plantago asiatica L. were investgated on adipocyte differentiation, lipopogenesis, lipolysis and apoptosis using differnentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods : Plantago asiatica L. was extracted with ethanol (CCE). We carried on MTT assay for cell proliferation, Oil Red O staining for determination of cell differentiation and intracelluar adipogenesis. TUNEL staining assay for cell apoptosis, and Western blot analysis for measurement of pAMPK and pACC, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$ protein expressions were performed. Results : The addition of CCE up to 0.2 mg/ml into cell culture media showed no cytotoxicity. Treatment of 0.2 mg/ml CCE significantly inhibited differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Lipid accumulation of the CCE treated cells was decreased compared with that of control. Induction of cell apoptosis was increased in CCE treated cells compared with that of control. AMPK and ACC levels of the cells with 0.2 mg/ml CCE were led to phosphorylation and also expressions of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, as adipogenic transcription factors, were suppressed compared with those of control. Conclusions : Taken together, these results provide evidence that CCE has a regulatory role in lipid metabolism that is related to differentiation into adipocytes, adipogenesis and apoptosis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2022

Objectives : Lonicera japonica is known for anti-inflammation and antibiotic effect in Korean medicine. This study aimed for investigating the cytoprotective effect of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) for HepG2 cells against arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress. Methods : The effect of LJE on cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. ROS assay was selected to assess antioxidant effect of LJE. To assess LJE's effect on mitochondrial function, flow cytometric analysis was operated. And immunoblot analysis was used to establish the underlying mechanism of LJE. Results : LJE protected HepG2 cells against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by phosphorylation of liver kinase B1 and blocked the decline of procaspase 3. Also, LJE preserved the mitochondrial membrane permeability induced by AA+iron. Conclusion : LJE protected the hepatocyte from AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by activation of LKB1 by the preservation of mitochondrial functions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2022

Objectives: This study is to report a case of hypersensitivity vasculitis with petechiae improved by Jeoryoung-tang Methods: Petechiae was observed in the upper and lower extremities of the patient. The patient also complained of cystitis symptoms such as dysuria and residual urine. Since there were no other accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding, or joint pain, the patient was diagnosed with hypersensitivity vasculitis and Jeoryoung-tang was prescribed for about a month. Results: After administering Jeoryoung-tang for about a month, petechiae improved from 8 to 2 points, and cystitis symptoms also improved from NRS 7 to 2 points. Conclusions: Since it has been confirmed that Jeoryoung-tang was effective as the treatment of skin symptoms through this case, Jeoryoung-tang can be prescribed for patients with other type skin diseases. However, since it is difficult to generalize this single case, continuous follow-up studies should be conducted.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.203-214
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• 2024

Objectives: In the context of competency-based education emphasized in Korean Medicine, this study aimed to develop a pilot version of a CPX (Clinical Performance Examination) Practicing Chatbot utilizing large language models with prompt engineering. Methods: A standardized patient scenario was acquired from the National Institute of Korean Medicine and transformed into text format. Prompt engineering was then conducted using role prompting and few-shot prompting techniques. The GPT-4 API was employed, and a web application was created using the gradio package. An internal evaluation criterion was established for the quantitative assessment of the chatbot's performance. Results: The chatbot was implemented and evaluated based on the internal evaluation criterion. It demonstrated relatively high correctness and compliance. However, there is a need for improvement in confidentiality and naturalness. Conclusions: This study successfully piloted the CPX Practicing Chatbot, revealing the potential for developing educational models using AI technology in the field of Korean Medicine. Additionally, it identified limitations and provided insights for future developmental directions.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to investigate Korean medical students' satisfaction with Korean medicine education and their trust in Korean medicine. It also explored the factors affecting satisfaction with Korean medicine education and trust in Korean medicine. Methods : Based on a total of 381 survey responses, the satisfaction with Korean medicine education, reflection of educational needs, trust in Korean medicine, reasons for maladjustment to education, and suggestions for improving education were analyzed. Results : Satisfaction with Korean medicine education and trust in Korean medicine were generally above average. However, reflection of educational needs was below average. It was found that the curriculum should be rearranged according to the needs of premedical students and medical students. The factors affecting satisfaction with Korean medicine education were gender, academic year, dropout experience, trust in Korean medicine, and reflection of educational needs. Factors affecting trust in Korean medicine were gender, academic year, and satisfaction with Korean medicine education. Conclusion : This study found that satisfaction with Korean medicine education and trust in Korean medicine have a reciprocal relationship. To improve students' satisfaction and adjustment to Korean medicine education, it is necessary to implement strategies to increase students' trust in Korean medicine. In addition, it is important for students and instructors to collaborate on curriculum design by establishing a feedback system that reflects students' needs.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2009

Objectives: Spatholobi Caulis is the stem of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn., which has been used for treating menstrual disorders, anemia, and rheumatic arthralgia in traditional Oriental medicine, This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Spatholobi Caulis extract (SCE) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-activated Raw264,7 cells. Methods : Cell viability was determined by MIT assay. Relative levels of NO were measured with Griess reagent and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA Expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins were determined by western blotting. Results : NO production and iNOS expression were increased by incubation with LPS for 24 h. However, the augmented NO was reduced by SCE in a dose-dependent manner. Expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were inhibited by the treatment with SCE, SCE also suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta and IL-6. Conclusions : These results indicate that the MeOH extract of Spatholobi Caulis warrant further development as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate students' recognitions and satisfaction with education in traditional Korean medicine. Furthermore, we would like to provide basic data to help set the direction for future Korean medicine education. Methods : The questionnaires were developed referring to previous study and distributed to Korean medicine students asking students' satisfaction about education, satisfaction level by subjects, dissatisfaction reason about education. 424 cases were collected, and responses were analyzed statistically. Results : The score of overall satisfaction of students was 2.83 on average. There was statistically meaningful difference in satisfaction depending on respondents' characteristics such as gender, academic year, admission type and other major experience. Clinical Korean medicine and Western basic medicine were both found to be high in satisfaction, necessity, and necessity of expanding the number of classes. 'Curriculum which makes clinical treatment difficult after graduation' was most pointed out as the cause of dissatisfaction with the curriculum. Conclusions : To solve students' dissatisfaction with education, It's necessary to omni-directionally improve the quality of education. Also, it is demanded to improve the environment by gathering and reflecting the students' opinions continuously.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2022

Objectives : Huangqintang(⿈芩湯) is a famous herbal prescription in the Traditional Korean Medicine (e.g. Shanghanlun) to treat various chronic disease such as neurological disease and digestive system disease. Its components include Scutellariae Radix(⿈芩), Paeonia lactiflora(芍藥), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(⽢草), Zizyphi Fructus(⼤棗). Methods : In this study, we standardize the name, composition and medical uses of Huangqintang by literature studying and paper searching. Based on the comparison between oriental medicine and modern medicine pharmacology, we linked the medical uses of Huangqintang to Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD). Results and Conclusion : The name of the prescription is unified into "Huangqintang", and its composition ratio between Scutellariae Radix, Paeonia lactiflora, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Zizyphi Fructus is 3:2:2:3. Huangqintang is used for enteritis diseases due to its antipyretic and antinflammatory effects. Its medical application was relatied with 'A'code, 'C'code, and 'K'code as indicated by KCD. By standardizing the mixed conceptions of Huangqintang, this review will facilitate the coding of Huangqintang prescription. Therefore, it will make Huangqintang prescription more useful in clinics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-62
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of an aqueous extract from Buddleja officinalis Maxim (ABO) on vascular dysfunction in low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLr KO) mice. Methods : Present study showed that LDLr KO mice were fed a high fat diet consisting of 60 kcal% fat, with or without 200 mg/day/kg ABO of diet, for 14 weeks. Results : High fat diet-LDLr KO mice were treated with ABO were completely normalized by lowering glucose. ABO reduced intima/media thickness in a high fat diet-LDLr KO mice without affecting plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. ABO caused endothelium-dependent relaxation in the acetylcholine-precontracted aorta of high fat diet-LDLr KO mice. ABO increased eNOS expression, while decreased cell adhesion molecules expression in high fat diet-LDLr KO mice. Conclusions : In conclusion, chronic treatment with ABO improved hyperglycemia and endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation as well as exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in diabetic atherosclerotic mouse model, independent of effects on plasma lipids.