• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.797-803
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• 2019

Introduction: The aim of this study was to report the effect of Korean medicine treatments on a stroke patient with homonymous hemianopsia. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male with a posterior cerebral artery infarction had continuously deteriorating symptoms of right homonymous hemianopsia, fatigue, dizziness, and light sensitivity. Treatment with Korean medicine therapy, including acupuncture and herbal medicine significantly improved the patient's symptoms. The result of a visual field test (VFI) was also improved after treatment, and no side effects were observed during treatment. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment can be considered an effective treatment for homonymous hemianopsia in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It has no cure, but current treatments can relieve symptoms and maintain quality of life. As PD progresses, controlling its symptoms becomes difficult. Here, we present the treatment of two patients with idiopathic PD using traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and temporomandibular joint balancing therapy (TBT). We measured the progress of the two patients using the unified PD rating scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) scale. Combined treatment of TKM and TBT decreased the total UPDRS score from 52 to 26 after 21 days in case 1, while it decreased the total UPDRS score from 91 to 65 after 20 days in case 2. In both patients, the HY scale score was maintained at 3, and no adverse events were observed. Thus, the combined treatment of TKM and TBT can produce a treatment response in PD patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.550-566
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• 2022

Stroke is among the leading causes of death and long-term physical and cognitive disabilities worldwide, affecting an estimated 15 million people annually. The pathophysiological process of stroke is complicated by multiple and coordinated events. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in people with stroke can significantly contribute to the development of ischemic brain injury. Therefore, BBB disruption is recognized as a hallmark of stroke; thus, it is important to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can protect against BBB dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Traditional medicines are composed of natural products, which represent a promising source of new ingredients for the development of conventional medicines. Indeed, several studies have shown the effectiveness of Korean medicine on stroke, highlighting the value of Korean medicinal treatment for ischemic stroke. This review summarizes the current information and underlying mechanisms regarding the ameliorating effects of the formula, decoction, herbs, and active components of traditional Korean medicine on cerebral ischemia-induced BBB disruption. These traditional medicines were shown to have protective effects on the BBB in many cellular and animal ischemia models of stroke, and experiments in various animal species, such as mice and rats. In addition, they showed brain-protective effects by protecting the BBB through the regulation of tight junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9, reducing edema, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell death. We hope that this review will help promote further investigation into the neuroprotective effects of traditional Korean medicines and stimulate the performance of clinical trials on Korean herbal medicine-derived drugs in patients with stroke.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.167-179
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• 2021

Objectives : Oxidative stress is a important cause of liver disease, and regulation of oxidative stress is essential to maintain the normal metabolic function of the liver. Until a recent date, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Ikwiseungyang-tang (IWSYT). Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of IWSYT and its related molecular mechanisms on arachidonic acid (AA) + iron induced oxidative stress model in HepG2 cells. Methods : To determine the cytoprotective effect of IWSYT against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress, cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), GSH, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was analyzed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, Nrf2 transcription activation through ARE binding was measured by reporter gene assays, and the expression of the Nrf2 target antioxidant genes were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Results : IWSYT increased cell viability from cell death induced by AA + Iron, and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, IWSYT protected cells by inhibiting intracellular ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation. Nrf2 activation was increased by IWSYT, and Nrf2 target genes were activated by IWSYT too. Conclusions : These results suggest that IWSYT can protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation and can be potentially applied in the prevention and treatment of liver damage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of rhododendron mucronulatum extract (RME) on allergic reactions and inflammation. Methods: The effect of RME was determined using ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 mast cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. We determined cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, and the synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, we determined NO from RAW 264.7 and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Results: RME inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. In addition, RME inhibited the production of NO and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: From these results, we concluded that RME possesses anti-allergic activity and anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of mast cells and macrophage function.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2009

Purpose: This study intends to report the effects of Koong Gui Tang on Cold Hypersensitivity caused by acute and chronic Blood Deficiency. Methods: The patients having Cold Hypersensitivity were treated with oriental medicine including herbal medication therapy. Thereafter their health status was analyzed with their own empirical assessments and VAS. Results: After the series of medical treatment, Cold Hypersensitivity caused by acute and chronic Blood Deficiency has shown considerable improvement. Conclusion: This case study shows that Koong Gui Tang therapies are medically effective on Cold Hypersensitivity caused by acute and chronic Blood Deficiency.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2009

Purpose: This paper is aim to report the effects of Gamchosasim-tang(GCT) on the genital ulcer suggested Behcet's disease. Methods: The patient in this case was 45-year-old. The chief complains were genital ulcers, mouth ulcers, fatigue, skin lesions (hand site), eye discomfort. She was treated by GCT. The progress of symptoms were evaluated by visual analogue sclae. Results: After the treatments, genital ulcer pain and mouth ulcer pain disappeared, fatigue, skin lesions, eye discomfort decreased. Conclusion: This clinical case indicate that GCT is effective in treatment of the genital ulcers. And GCT is considered that good effect is to Behcet's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.19-27
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and safety of fermented Ojeok-san(Wuji-san) extract. Methods: To evaluate the acute toxity and safety, 0(control group), 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg of fermented Ojeok-san(Wuji-san) extract were orally administered to 20 male and 20 female ICR mice. After single administration, we observed survival rates, general toxicity, changes of body weight, and autopsy. Results: Compared with the control group, we could not find any toxic alteration in all treated groups (1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg). Conclusions: $LD_{50}$ of fermented Ojeok-san(Wuji-san) extract might be over 5000 mg/kg and it is very safe to ICR mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1306-1312
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• 2018

Objectives: This study presented the case of a 49-year-old Korean female with phantom limb pain after below right knee amputation and aimed to assess the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment. Methods: The patient was treated with scalp acupuncture, electroacupuncture and herbal medicine. We executed a numerical rating scale (NRS), conducted a global assessment (G/A), administrated a Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ-2) and measured total daily sleep time to evaluate symptom improvement. Results: The patient's G/A scores decreased from 10 to 2 and SF-MPQ-2 points decreased from 20 to 6 after treatment. The total daily sleep time did not changed due to anxiety. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medicine treatment could be effective in treating phantom limb pain after amputation. Further studies are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.458-477
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the trend in the research on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) using Korean traditional medicine. Methods: This review was conducted using six electronic databases (NDSL, KMBASE, Koreantk, KISS, KISTI, and KoreaMed) with no restrictions in year. The search terms were "alcoholic liver disease", "alcoholic fatty liver", "alcoholic hepatitis", "alcoholic cirrhosis", "herbal medicine", "acupuncture" and "traditional medicine". The searched studies were analyzed according to the type of research. Results: After screening, 37 studies were selected among 552. The types of studies were as follows: 8 in vivo studies, 17 case reports, 7 case series, 1 assessment scale study, 1 randomized controlled trial, and 3 research reviews. The in vivo studies reported the efficacy and its mechanism in the animal phase of single or complex herbal medicine. In the clinical research, interventions such as herbal medicine and acupuncture were most commonly used for ALD treatment. Conclusions: We analyzed the trends in ALD treatment using Korean traditional medicine through this review. The results showed that Korean traditional medicine could be an effective method for ALD treatment. Conducting related in-depth studies, such as well-designed randomized controlled trial based on the results of experimental research, is necessary.