• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.667-692
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• 2015

The study examined the Korean medicine industry from the perspective of the innovation system theory of each business, while it concentrated on the conflict between traditional Korean medicine and Western medicine, which have a major influence on the innovation system of Korean medicine industry, rather than the innovation system itself. The Korean healthcare system is a dual system of Western and Korean medicine, yet the definitions of Western medical practices and Korean medical practices are ambiguous. Thus the distinction of dual system depends on judicial precedents, and the innovation of Korean medicine has been inhibited due to the excessive emphasis placed on the Western medical practice in both healthcare system and pharmaceutical system. First of all, the usage of most medical devices derived from the development of modern medical engineering is not permitted in the Korean medicine industry, on the basis that most of the medical devices were originated from the Western medicine field. Secondly, new drugs using natural substances, once approved by the drug administration, cannot be prescribed by the Korean medicine industry although they are developed based on Korean medicine. Thirdly, the major safety issues on herbal medicine are about hazardous materials in medicinal herbs and liver toxicity of prescribed herbal medicine. The problem of hazardous materials can be solved by appropriate quality and safety tests in the cultivation and importation process. Whereas the Korean medicine circles points out that the liver toxicity issue is only a unilateral condemnation by the Western medicine circles.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

Objectives : Alcohol hangover is a common phenomenon which basically occurs after heavy drinking. Moreover, heavy alcohol consumption leads to acute and chronic diseases. We investigated the effect of herbal mixture (SJ) on alcohol metabolism in serum or/and liver. Methods : 5W-old Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. To overnight fasted rats, 0.9% saline or SJ extract was administrated per os before alcohol treatment. Then, 40% alcohol was orally administrated to all rats in 30 mins. Ethanol, acetaldehyde concentrations, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were measured by assay kits. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured by analyzer. Results : Ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations lowered in SJ groups compared with CON group. Especially, acetaldehyde concentration significantly decreased in SJ groups compared with CON group. AST and ALT levels tended to increase in SJ groups compared with CON group but there was no significant difference between CON group and SJ groups. ADH activity in serum was higher in SJ groups than CON group but no significant difference in liver. ALDH activity in both serum and liver showed significantly increased in SJ groups compared with CON group. Conclusions : Treatment of SJ extract showed not only reducing concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde but also increasing activities of ADH and ALDH. These results suggest SJ may influence in alcohol metabolism via control of metabolic enzyme activities and metabolite. Therefore, SJ, herbal mixture, might have a function of preventing hangover after drinking alcohol.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2022

Objectives: Drug-induced blockade of the human ether-à-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium ion channel causes acquired long QT syndrome, which is known to cause cardiac arrhythmias and be fatal. To establish safety evidence of herbal formulae, we evaluated the effects of 31 herbal formulae on hERG channel activity. Methods: The current through hERG channel was measured by changing the membrane voltage before and after treatment with 31 herbal formulae in HEK 293 cell overexpressing hERG channel using a whole-cell patch clamp system. The current-voltage curves and the activity curves were fitted, and the hERG activity and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) according to each herbal formula were calculated. Results: Chokyungjongok-tang, Oncheong-eum, and Cheongsangbangpung-tang strongly inhibited the hERG activity, with IC₅₀ values of 67.67, 141.2, and 296.3 ㎍/mL, respectively. Yeonkyopaedok-san, Eunkyo-san, Ukgan-san gajinphibanha, Daegunjoong-tang (except Oryzae gluten), Insamyangyoung-tang, Banhahubak-tang, SokyungHwalhyul-tang, Jodeung-san, Hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang, and Bangkeehwangkee-tang weakly inhibited hERG activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 400 to 1000 ㎍/mL. The other 18 herbal formulae showed very weak hERG activity inhibition of less than 50% at the highest concentration (1000 ㎍/mL). Conclusion: This study provided safety information on cardiotoxicity by cardiac arrhythmia risk assessment of herbal formulae, and is expected to be a reference data for predicting the safety and risk of herbal formulae.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.94-105
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• 2019

Objectives: The correlation between medicinal herbal formulas and a risk of cardiotoxicity has been controversial. Thus, this study investigated cardiac safety assessment of 52 most commonly used medicinal herbal formulas. Methods: We evaluated the in vitro effects of medicinal herbal formulas on recombinant human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cell line expressing human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel. Results and Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that all of 52 medicinal herbal formulas did not show inhibition of hERG current in hERG-HEK 293 recombinant cells. In conclusion, these safety data suggest that 52 medicinal herbal formulas were not associated with an increased risk of cardiotoxicity in hERG-HEK 293 recombinant cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.44-55
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• 2021

Objectives: As the use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) increases worldwide, systematic verification of the safety of HMPs is required. The induction of cardiotoxicity is one of the major factors in post-approval withdrawal of medicinal products, and drug-induced cardiotoxicity assessment is emerging as an important step in drug development. In the present study, we evaluated human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel-related cardiotoxicity to predict the risk of cardiac arrhythmia in thirteen herbal medicines known to have cardiac toxicity. Methods: We measured the inhibition rate of hERG potassium channel activity of 13 medicinal herbal extracts in hERG-expressing HEK 293 cells using an automated patch-clamping system. Quinidine was used as a positive control for inhibition of hERG activity. Results: Extracts of Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber potently inhibited the activity of hERG, and IC₅₀ values were 3.158, 19.87, and 41.26 ㎍/mL, respectively. Cnidi Fructus, Ephedra Herba, Lithospermi Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Visci Ramulus et Folium, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, and Scolopendra weakly inhibited hERG activity, and the IC₅₀ value for each herbal medicine was more than 400 ㎍/mL. Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber and two types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Po and Yeom) had weak inhibitory activity against hERG, and the IC₅₀ values were more than 700 ㎍/mL. The IC₅₀ value of quinidine against hERG was 1.021 𝜇M. Conclusion: Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber acted as potent inhibitors against hERG. These herbal medicines may cause cardiac arrhythmia through QT prolongation, so care should be taken when taking them.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2023

Objectives: Despite the pharmacological potential of the roots and stems of hemp based on literatures, active research has not been conducted for a long time. Comparative experiments were conducted on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of glucose uptake using Cannabis root and stem extracts. Methods: Antioxidant contents in Cannabis root and stem extracts were examined with total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid assay. Anti-inflammatory properties were tested in lipopolysaccharides-treated RAW264.7 cells. Efficacy of Cannabis root and stem extracts on glucose uptake was investigated using fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBDG) in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. The mechanism of action on metabolism was examined by western blot. Results: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy were greater in stem extracts, but improvements in glucose uptake performed under various conditions were found to be greater in root extracts. It is assumed that Cannabis root extracts exhibited an improvement in glucose uptake through mechanisms such as AMP-activated protein kinase activation, not depending on general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the mechanisms and substances that exhibit the anti-diabetic effects of Cannabis roots and stems.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Objectives : Gossypium arboreum (cotton) is traditionally used to treat various health disorders. However, anti-amnesic effect of G. arboreum has not been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate in-vivo the anti-amnesic effects along with in vitro antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition potential in G. arboreum seed essential oil. Methods : The essential oil of G. arboreum obtained by solid phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay were performed to determine the antioxidant activity at various concentrations (312.5, 625, 1250, 2500, 5000, 10000 ㎍/㎖. Y-maze, passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests were carried out to evaluate improved effect on scopolamine (1 mg/kg)-induced memory dysfunction at the dose level of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Donepezil (5 mg/kg) was used as a positive drug control. We performed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity assay in ex vivo. Results : Five volatile compounds were identified in G. arboreum. The assays of DPPH and ABTS revealed that G. arboreum increased antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. G. arboreum ameliorated the percent of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test, shortened step-through latency in the passive avoidance test, and increased swimming time in the target zone in the Morris water maze test. In addition, G. arboreum inhibited the AChE activity. Conclusions : Based on these findings, G. arboreum may aid in the prevention and treatment of learning and memory-deficit disorders through antioxidant and AChE inhibitory activities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.207-218
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• 2019

It is necessary to investigate the efficacy of commercial Korean herbal medicine for cognitive disorder. The purpose of this study is to select candidates among licensed herbal medicines that are expected to be effective in the treatment of cognitive disorders and can be used in future clinical trial. From laboratory experiments, we first found individual single herbal drugs that could be effective for cognitive disorder, and then through experts recommendation, selected five priorities of single herbal drug and obtained the information of the best herb as a combination of each herbal drug. To derive the final herbal prescriptions, we searched the KFDA drug information system for licensed herbal medicines containing each drug and its combination. As a result of laboratory experiments and experts recommendation, we found that the five effective single herbal drugs for cognitive disorders. They are Ginseng Radix, Acori Graminei Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Coptidis Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Hoelen cum Pini Radix, and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata(Pinelliae Rhizoma, Hoelen cum Pini Radix, and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata were tied for $5^{th}$). And licensed herbal prescriptions derived from the planned search are Palbohoichoon-tang, Taehwa-hwan, Bosim-hwan, and so on. Among these, in consideration of the feasibility of research and possibility of success in development, Yukgunja-tang, Samhwangjichul-hwan can be selected as future study subjects. Through experimental studies and expert recommendations, we have derived herbal prescriptions that can be effective in treating cognitive disorders from licensed herbal medicines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2022

Objectives : This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against restraint-induced stress. Methods : In vivo, NSCE was orally administered to male white mice at concentrations of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then restraint-induced stress was induced for 6 hours. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The stress-related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were measured by ELISA assay. Also, western blot analysis was performed to detect expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver tissue, and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to examine liver inflammation through macrophage infiltration. Results : The AST, ALT, LDH and the stress related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were significantly decreased in the NSCE treated group compared with stress group. In histological analysis, H&E staining of liver tissues did not detect the hepatic injury or damage in all groups. As a result of IHC staining, it was confirmed that infiltration of macrophages was increased in the stress-induced group, but decreased in the group treated with NSCE. The COX-2 and MAPK proteins expression was significantly increased by restraint-induced stress, but these proteins were decreased in the NSCE treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that NSCE has the anti-inflammatory activity in restraint-induced stress model, and it is believed that NSCE can be used for the prevention of liver inflammation.

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.55-64
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• 2022

In the recent education market, Edutech technology, in which various digital technologies are grafted into the education, is being actively applied due to the 4th industrial revolution and the development of ICT. In particular, realistic experiential learning contents that can provide realistic and immersive learning in a virtual space are in the spotlight and are being expanded to each field. However, in the field of Korean medicine education, the introduction of ICT is delayed due to the nature of Korean medicine, difficulties in apprenticeship education, quantitative education, and the absence of an objective evaluation system. Therefore, in this study, we propose a digital technology application for acupuncture and acupuncture points, where practice is particularly important in Korean medicine. Various methods of acupuncture and acupoints education using AR, MR, IoT and Touch-Display Table will provide an opportunity to change the paradigm of Korean medicine education and further contribute to the globalization of Korean medicine.