• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2024

Objectives: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and an excessive inflammatory response. Agents that can attenuate keratinocyte hyperproliferation and excessive inflammatory responses are considered potentially useful for the treatment of psoriasis. Daehwangmokdanpitang (DHMDPT) exhibits a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aims to evaluate the anti-psoriatic potential of DHMDPT in vitro. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with a mixture of IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, IL-1α, and TNF-α (M5) to establish an in vitro psoriatic keratinocyte model. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of the hyperproliferative marker gene keratin 6 (KRT6) and inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-23A. Additionally, chemokines including CCL5, CCL2, CCL20, and CXCL1 were measured by qRT-PCR. Results: DHMDPT attenuated M5-induced hyperproliferation, as indicated by a reduction in KRT6 expression in HaCaT keratinocytes. M5 stimulation significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-23A. However, DHMDPT treatment attenuated the upregulation of IL-6 but not TNF-α or IL-23A. Additionally, DHMDPT inhibited the expression of CCL5, CCL2, and CXCL1, but not CCL20. Conclusion: DHMDPT effectively attenuated the M5-induced proliferation and inflammatory response in HaCaT keratinocytes. Therefore, DHMDPT could be an attractive candidate for future development as an anti-psoriatic agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.151-161
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• 2021

Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) takes a holistic view that emphasizes the balance between the elements constituting the human body or between the human body and the external environment. To investigate the holistic properties of TKM, here we propose to apply the methodology of complexity science to the TKM research. Complexity science is a discipline for studying complex systems with interactions between components that raise the behaviour as a whole which can be more than the sum of their parts. We first provide an introduction to the complexity science and its research methods, particularly focusing on network science and data science approaches. Next, we briefly present the current status of TKM research employing these methods. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research elucidating the underlying mechanism of TKM, both in terms of biomedicine and humanities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.100-100
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• 2021

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1100-1118
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture as a treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR). We used a meta-analysis and systematic review to analyze the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that applied acupuncture to AR patients. Methods: The key question assessed the effects of acupuncture on patients with AR, and we included only RCTs. We searched the KoreaMed, NDSL, KMBASE, Koreantk, OASIS, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, with no language restriction. We assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The random effects model was used to adjust for the heterogeneity of the included studies, and the effect sizes between two groups were reported as mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR). Results: Twelve RCTs were analyzed, with a total of 1788 participants; 824 participants were in the treatment group (i.e., acupuncture) and 964 were in the control group (sham acupuncture, western medicine, or waitlist). The meta-analysis results of 7 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture with that of sham acupuncture showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and the Change of Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS). The meta-analysis of 4 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture with western medicine showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the RQLQ but not in the changes in effective rate (p>0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for AR, but more studies are required to enhance the level of evidence and to confirm safety.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2021

■ Background Patients with posterior cerebral artery infarction could complain of visual field defects or prosopagnosia that does not recognize a person's face. However, there has been no standardized treatment for these symptoms. ■ Case report A 57-year-old male patient complained homonymous hemianopia and prosopagnosia after posterior cerebral artery infarction. After combined Korean medicine treatment for 49 days, subjective visual field was improved and the discomfort associated with visual field defect and the disability of recognizing people was decreased. Evaluations were took place by assessing visual field using Automated Perimetry and Confrontation visual field exam. Discomfort caused by visual field defects or prosopagnosia was evaluated by visual analog scale. The patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medications. ■ Conclusion The present case report suggests that combined Korean medicine treatment might be effective to resolution of homonymous hemianopia and prosopagnosia after stroke.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2019

Objectives : This report describes 45 studies related to the use of Rhizoma dioscoreae main blended prescription from Donguibogam. Methods : The following conclusion were reached through investigations on the prescriptions that use Rhizoma dioscoreae as a key ingredient. Prescriptions that Rhizoma dioscoreae was taken as a monarch drug are utilized for 18 therapeutic purposes, for example, internal injury, stool disease, pediatric disease. In paticular, 24% of prescriptions appear in the chapter of internal injury, and 18% of those appear in the chapter of stool. Results : Prescriptions that utilize Rhizoma dioscoreae as the main ingredient are used in the treatment of indigestion, diarrhea and paralysis. Rhizoma dioscoreae is used in pathogenic factors such as water, water with damp, and used in pathology related to stomach system. Conclusions : The dosage of Rhizoma dioscoreae is 8li(about 0.29 gram) to 3jeon(about 11.25 gram), however 1jeon(about 3.75 gram) has been taken the most for clinical application. Sagunjatang and Siljangsan is the most useful base prescription which use the Rhizoma dioscoreae as the main ingredient.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.643-655
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Haeganjeon on a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis mouse model and to determine the Haegan-jeon signaling pathway. Methods: Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal group (Nor), TAA-induced liver fibrosis group (Con), TAA-induced liver fibrosis group administered 50 mg/kg silymarin (S50), TAA-induced liver fibrosis group administered 200 mg/kg Haegan-jeon (H200). The liver fibrosis mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection with TAA three times a week for 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks, mice were orally administered silymarin and Haegan-jeon every day. At the end of the study, serum was collected to measure the levels of AST, ALT, ammonia, and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Liver tissue was harvested and analyzed by western blotting and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: Administration of Haegan-jeon suppressed the increase in serum levels of AST, ALT, ammonia, and MPO due to TAA-induced liver fibrosis. Compared to the Con group, the H200 group showed increases in antioxidant-related factors (Nrf2, HO-1, catalase, and GPx-1/2) and decreases in inflammatory-related factors (NF-κB p65, p-IκB-α, Cox-2, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β) in western blots. The H200 treatment inhibited the expression of α-SMA and Collagen I. Conclusions: Haegan-jeon showed a hepatoprotective effect induced by activation of antioxidant-related factors, such as Nrf2, and it regulated the inflammation response by suppression of NF-κB.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objective : Reflux esophagitis (RE), one of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a disease that causes inflammation due to reflux of stomach contents such as stomach acid and pepsin due to the unstable gastroesophageal sphincter, and is currently increasing worldwide. The currently used treatment for reflux esophagitis has various side effects. Therefore, in this study the effect of Toosendan Fructus extract on chronic acid reflux esophagitis in rats was evaluated in order to find a new treatment material for reflux treatment. Methods : After inducing reflux esophagitis through surgery, the group was separated and the drug was administered for 2 weeks; Normal rats (Normal, n=8), chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (Control, n=8), Toosendan Fructus 200 mg/kg body weight/day-treated chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats (TF, n=8). After, we were taken esophageal tissue and esophageal mucosa damage was identified, and analyzed the expression of NADPH oxidase, AP-1/MAPK-related proteins, and tight junction proteins by western blot in esophageal tissue. Results : Toosendan Fructus administration significantly protected the esophageal mucosal damage of reflux esophagitis. Also, Toosendan Fructus significantly reduced the expression of NADPH oxidases (NOX2 and p22^phox) and AP-1/MAPK-related proteins (c-Fos, c-Jun, p-p38, p-ERK, and p-JNK). In addition, it significantly increased the expression of tight junction proteins (Occludin, Claudin-3, and Claudin-4). Conclusions : These results suggest that Toosendan Fructus reduced damage to the esophageal mucosa by protecting the esophageal mucosa by upregulating tight junctions proteins as well as inhibiting the AP-1/MAPK pathway through reducing NADPH oxidases expression.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

A case of a 46-year-old Korean male with post-stroke insomnia that induced by intracranial hemorrhage was presented. He was treated with Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at BL62 and KI6 once per a day for 17 days. We recorded the patient's sleep time and time of asleep, and used PSQI-K to assess severity of patient's insomnia symptom. After using TEAS, there was improvement in patient's insomnia severity and the time of sleep. From the result of this case, electrical stimulation at acupoint can may be effective in treating post-stroke insomnia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2018

Objectives : Gastrodiae Rhizoma extract (GE) is possess the various bioactive compounds such as gastrodin, vanilyl alcool and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. Various processing methods such as steaming have been widely applied to ease ingestion and enhance the therapeutic effects of plant materials including GE in East-Asia area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dermal bioactive properties of GE. Methods : First, total phenol, total flavonoid, gastrodin and ergothionein contents of GE were measured. In order to evaluate the dermal bioactive properties of steamed GE compared with not-steamed GE, tyrosinase, collagenase and elastase inhibitory activity were tested. Furthermore, the anti-oxidant activity of GE assessed based on DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Results : In results, total phenol and total flavonoid contents were increased when 9 times steamed compared to not-steamed GE. Also, GE increased gastrodin contents, in proportion to the number of steaming times and ergothioneine content was abolished in the steaming state. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of GE increased by steaming, but the ABTS radical scavenging activity was not related to the steaming process. In addition, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity was increased as the number of steaming times of GE increased. Collagenase was most inhibited by 4 times steamed GE, and elastase was inhibited by 8 times steamed GE. Conclusion : In conclusion, these results suggest that steamed GE extract has the potential as a cosmetic material which possess anti-oxidant and whitening activities than not steamed GE.