• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.62-89
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical nasal application of Herbal medicine compared with Western medicine in the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis(AR). Methods : Electronic databases including Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, KMBASE, KISS, NDSL, OASIS, KISS and KJTK(Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal) were searched by the keywords such as 'allergic rhinitis', 'nasal sprays', 'herbal medicine', 'plant extracts', and 'external application'. The quality of each RCTs was assessed by Cochrane Collaboration of 'Risk of bias(RoB) Tool'. Results : 19 RCTs were finally selected from 1419 references screened. 19 RCTs were compared with the effects of topical nasal application of Herbal medicine and Western medicine. Based on the symptom scores from 13 RCTs, topical nasal application of herbal medicine generally has a better effect on relief of AR. The two treatments have similar effects on improving the level of specific factors like IgE, IgG, IL-13, $uLTD_4$ in blood and urine. 8 RCTs showed adverse effects(AEs) in both groups and severe AEs were not reported. Conclusions : This study shows that topical nasal application of herbal medicine can improve symptoms and related factors of allergic rhinitis. Well-designed RCT studies with low risk of bias should be conducted to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.112-135
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• 2021

Objectives : To report a case of drug-induced xerostomia treated with Integrative Korean Medicine Visiting Care Service of a Public Health Center. Methods : Home visit treatment and telemedicine were provided by public health doctor(Korean medicine doctor) for person with physical disability who were diagnosed with Behcet's Disease. Palmul-tang(PMT) soft extract was provided steadily 3 times a day for 6 months, and acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and electro-moxibustion were provided irregularly 6 times for 6 months. Yin-deficiency questionnaire(YDQ), oral health impact profile-14(OHIP-14), oral pain visual analogue scale(VAS), and xerostomia inventory(XI) were used 3 times(baseline, intermediate and termination) to evaluate the changes. Results : YDQ decreased from 620 to 375, OHIP-14 decreased from 34 to 6, VAS decreased from 70 to 40, and XI decreased from 44 to 34. Four scales all gradually decreased. Conclusions : Integrative Korean Medicine Treatments in health insurance including PMT soft extract through home visit treatment can improve drug-induced xerostomia and Quality of life(QoL) of person with disabilities.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications affects liver and kidney function, by examining blood test data. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 590 inpatients with musculoskeletal diseases between 2013 and 2017. We investigated cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method criteria and cases of drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI) based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition. Results One case (0.17%) of DILI and one case (0.17%) of DIKI were identified. Significant improvements in serum laboratory data were observed after the concurrent use of both types of medications (p<0.05). The kappa coefficients ranged from 0.26 to 0.72, indicating that the values after the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications showed a fair similarity to the baseline values of the patients. The linear regression test showed that female sex and high body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for an increase in the serum blood levels of liver function parameters. Conclusions The concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications for musculoskeletal disorders is relatively safe; however, clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing these medications to female patients and patients with a high BMI because of their potential effect on hepatic function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.751-756
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• 2023

Objective: This study attempts to increase awareness of hepatotoxicity caused by antipsychotic drugs and to provide updated information on drug-induced liver injury (DILI) to physicians in Korean medicine (KM) clinics. Methods: This study presents a detailed case of a female patient diagnosed with DILI attributed to antipsychotic drugs, highlighting the improvement observed through laboratory findings. Results: A 56-year-old female patient with underlying disorders, including mixed connective tissue disease and depression, was under medical care. One day, she reported experiencing intense fatigue and distressing sensations, prompting the author to order blood tests. The levels of AST and ALT were significantly elevated by more than 2.5-fold, indicating hepatocellular DILI. The RUCAM score for antipsychotic drugs was 9, as no other medications, including herbal medicine, were being taken. Upon discontinuation of the antipsychotic drugs, the patient's laboratory findings returned to normal levels within 2 weeks, accompanied by a recovery of subjective symptoms. Conclusion: This study presents a noteworthy case of hepatotoxicity caused by antipsychotic drugs, serving as an illustrative example that highlights the crucial need for awareness among doctors of KM in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.47
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• pp.39-63
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• 2023

Modern medical science tends to categorize addiction as a kind of disease, but a Taoist world-view would not consider addiction to be a disease. Taoists do not have a concept of addiction as an eternal substance. Within the Taoist world-view, human beings are meant to live in harmony with the transformative cycles of nature. Human beings achieve self-realization through balancing themselves with nature. This is what is meant by Self-Realization in Harmony with Nature. There is no disease known as addiction when one's life is in harmony with nature. There are two main principles in the Taoist medical worldview. First, is the theory of correspondences. This theory of correspondences is the foundational to Taoism's value-neutral world-view wherein humans are seen as working together with Heaven and Earth in correlative relationships to create harmonious societies. Second, is the principle of harmony and balance in the Universe. One creature can be in harmony with other creatures and learn to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living beings. Survival of the forest is vital to the survival of natural harmony, balance, morality, and environment. The vitality of the human body depends on the movement of Qi energy. According to the principles of Korean traditional medicine, all human problems stem from the mind. There is no madness, no illness, no tempting fate, and even no death outside of what stems from the mind. Within the human body, there are two principles behind energy systems: harmony and balance. When human beings achieve the state of homeostasis, they obtain Qi flows which are associated with the various organs. In doing so, they can always maintain a healthy state of life in accordance with the cosmic rhythm. Taoist philosophy contains advice that prevents addiction. Empty your mind of all thought. Let your heart be peaceful. Finally, all worries are washed away by the cosmic wave.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.726-743
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination therapy of Saengmaek-san decoction and Western medicine on heart failure. Methods: A search was conducted on June 22, 2024 using keywords such as "heart failure", "saengmaeksan", and "shengmaisan". A meta-analysis was conducted according to the outcome measurements such as the total effective rate (TER), serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiography results (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), stroke volume (SV)), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Data analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4.1 software, and Cochrane's risk of bias (ROB) was used to assess the quality of the papers. Results: A total of eight randomized control trials were selected. The treatment group combining Saengmaek-san and Western medicine showed significant improvement effects in terms of TER, BNP, LVEF, LVESD, LVEDD, SV, and 6MWT compared to the control group using Western medicine alone [TER] RR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.13-1.34, p<0.00001; [BNP] MD=-206.14, 95% CI : -257.49--154.79, p<0.00001; [LVEF] MD=6.40, 95% CI : 5.54-7.27, p<0.00001; [LVEDD] MD=-6.55, 95% CI : -7.24--5.85, p<0.00001; [LVESD] MD=-3.07, 95% CI: -3.92--2.22, p<0.00001; [SV] MD=7.12, 95% CI : 5.73-8.50, p<0.00001; [6MWT] MD=43.69, 95% CI : 31.55-55.84, p<0.00001. Conclusion: This study suggests that the combination therapy of Saengmaek-san decoction and Western medicine is effective in treating heart failure. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the unknown or high risk of bias in the included trials.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 1992

Effects of a $M_1$ receptor antagonist, pirenzepine, a $M_2$ receptor antagonist, AF-DX116, and a nicotinic receptor antagonist, mecamylamine on the pressor responses to preganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation (PNS) and McN-A-343 and DMPP in spinal (pithed) rabbits were investigated, in order to elucidate a functional role of $M_1$, $M_2$ and nicotinic receptors in ganglionic transmission. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 selectively inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response in chlorisondamine-treated rabbit and the BCh-induced bradycardia, respectively. Electrical stimulations of preganglionic sympathetic outflow at T8 level produced increases in blood pressure. Pirenzepine $(3\;{\mu}g/kg)$ significantly inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response and the degree of inhibition was not changed by increasing the doses to $100\;{\mu}g/kg$. AF-DX116 $(100\;{\mu}g/kg)$ had no effect on the PNS-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited the PNS-induced pressor response in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of mecamylamine was significantly augmented by combined-treatment with pirenzepine $(30\;{\mu}g/kg)$ but AF-DX116 $(100\;{\mu}g/kg)$ did not affect the inhibitory action of mecamylamine. McN-A-343 and DMPP elicited pressor response in the spinal rabbit. Pirenzepine and AF-DX116 dose-dependently inhibited the McN-A-343-induced pressor response but they did not affect DMPP-induced pressor response. Mecamylamine inhibited both pressor responses induced by McN-A-343 and DMPP. These results suggest that not only nicotinic receptors but also $M_1$ receptors play a facilitatory role in ganglionic transmission but $M_2$ receptors do not contribute the transmission in spinal (pithed) rabbits.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2021

Hydroponic farming is a method to grow a plant without soil. Plants can be grown on water or hydroponic growing media, and they are fed with mineral nutrient solutions, which are fertilizers dissolved into water. Hydroponic farming has the advantage of increasing plant productivity over conventional greenhouse farming. Previous studies of hydroponic nutrient wastewater from acyclic hydroponic farms pointed out that hydroponic nutrient wastewater contained residual nutrients, and they were drained to a nearby river bank which causes several environmental issues. Also, previous studies suggest that excessive use of the nutrient solution and disposal of used hydroponic growing media and crop wastes in hydroponic farms are major problems to hydroponic farming. This study was conducted to determine the impact of hydroponic nutrient wastewater, used hydroponic growing media, and crop wastes from acyclic hydroponic farms on the surrounding environment by analyzing water quality and soil analysis of the above three factors. Three soil cultivation farms and several hydroponic farms in the Gangwon C region were selected for this study. Samples of water and soils were collected from both inside and outside of each farm. Also, a sample of soil and leachate from crop waste piles stacked near the farm was collected for analysis. Hydroponic nutrient wastewater from acyclic hydroponic farm contained an average of 402 mg/L of total nitrogen (TN) concentration, and 77.4 mg/L of total phosphate (TP) concentration. The result of TP in hydroponic nutrient wastewater exceeds the living environmental standard of the river in enforcement decree of the framework act on environmental policy by 993.7 times. Also, it exceeds the standard of industrial wastewater discharge standards under the water environment conservation act by 6~19 times in TN, and 2~27 times in TP. Leachate from crop waste piles contained 11,828 times higher COD and 395~2662 times higher TP than the standard set by the living environmental standard of the river in enforcement decree of the framework act on environmental policy and exceeds 778 times higher TN and 5 times higher TP than the standard of industrial wastewater discharge standards under the water environment conservation act. For more precise studies of the impact of hydroponic nutrient wastewater, used hydroponic growing media, and crop wastes from acyclic hydroponic farms on the surrounding environment, additional information regarding a number of hydroponic farms, arable area(ha), hydroponic farming area, seasonal, weather, climate factor around the river, and the property of the area and farm is needed. Analysis of these factors and additional water and soil samples are needed for future studies.