• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.199-209
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore objective indicators(outcomes) which are used to evaluate clinical efficacy and figure out the mechanisms of herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that mediated with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for IBS and used objective indicators for outcome from November 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The RCTs that were published in Korean, English and Chinese were included in this study. The selected literatures were analyzed about methods of result measurement and assessed by Cochrane's risk of bias(RoB). Total 18 RCTs were included in this study. There were lots of objective indicators for result measurement; the concentration of hormones in blood and neurotransmitters, the sensitivity of rectum, the functional assessment of central nerve and autonomic nerve system, the change of intestinal flora, the concentration of serum cytokines. Various objective indicators can be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for IBS, but due to the limitations of the quality of the included studies, systematic review and meta-analysis will be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.128-139
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• 2003

Juglans sinensis Dode has been reported to have antioxidant activity. However, the effect of Juglans sinensis Dode aquacupuncture(JS) on reactive oxygen species(ROS)-induced alterations in membrane transport function in renal tubular cells. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of JS on the organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide(tBHP)-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-dependent phosphate($Na^+$-Pi) uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established renal proximal epithelial cell line. tBHP inhibited $Na^+$-Pi uptake in a time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of tBHP was prevented by JS over concentration range of 0.05-1mg/100ml in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic studies showed that tBHP caused an decrease in Vmax for $Na^+$-Pi uptake without any a significant change in Km. $Na^+$-dependent phosphonoformic acid binding, a irreversible inhibitor of renal $Na^+$-Pi uptake, was decreased by tBHP treatment. The reduction in Vmax and phosphonoformic acid binding by tBHP was prevented by JS. tBHP induced lipid peroxidation and its effect was completely inhibited by JS and antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. These data suggest that the oxidant inhibits phosphate uptake by a reduction in the number of active carrier across the membrane. JS may prevent oxidant-induced inhibition of membrane transport function by a mechanism similar to antioxidants in renal epithelial cells. Although the precise constituents remain to be explored, JS may be employed as a useful candidate herb for drug development to prevent and treat oxidant-mediated renal failure.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.415-421
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• 2003

It is now generally accepted that acupuncture is effective in diarrhea caused by bacterial infection. However, its effect on the intestinal smooth muscle dysfunction is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of acupuncture therapy at Jiao-chao (GV-1) on the intestinal muscle dysfunction in weaning piglets orally infected by Escherichia coli. The animals are divided into four groups; 1) E. coli + no-treatment, 2) E. coli + antibiotic, 3) E. coli + acupuncture, 4) normal group. In the three E. coli infected groups, low frequency electrical field stimulation (EFS, 1 Hz) provoked triphasic responses composed of initial relaxation followed by on-contraction and off-contraction. While in the normal group, EFS (1Hz) induced biphasic responses composed of relaxation during the stimulation and off-contraction. At the high frequency (16Hz) EFS, both on-contraction and off-contraction of the E. coli + antibiotic, E. coli + acupuncture and the normal group were larger than those of the E. coli + no-treatment group. In the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) condition, only biphasic responses occurred to EFS in all experimental groups and the off-contraction of E. coli + antibiotic, E. coli + acupuncture and the normal group were larger than those of the E. coli + no-treatment group. The response to carbachol of those three groups was also significantly greater than that of the E. coli + no-treatment group. These results suggest that acupuncture is as effective as antibiotic in the dysfunction of colonic circular muscle caused by E. coli infection. The maintenance of contractile neuromuscular transmission seems to be involved in the mechanism of the acupuncture effects on diarrhea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-55
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of Astragali Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(AR-HAS) at $ST_{36}$(jok-samni, $Z\acute{u}s\bar{a}n$ Li) on collagen- II -induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods : DBA/1J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen(CII) on days 0 and 21 to induce arthritis. The mice were divided into 5 groups : normal group(no CIA), control group(CIA+no treatment), needle prick group(CIA+single prick with an injection needle), saline group(CIA+saline injection) and ARHA group(CIA+ R-HA treatment). The needle prick, saline injection, and AR-HA groups were injected on the right $ST_{36}$(jok-samni) of mice for 9 weeks, 3 times a week, beginning 4 weeks after the booster immunization. Results : 1. The incidence of arthritis, AI(arthritis index), and joint edema decreased in the AR-HA group. 2. Weight gain, hypertrophy of the spleen, adhesion of the tissues, and transformation of the joint were restrained in the AR-HA group. 3. The concentrations of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ in CIA mouse serum and $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-10 in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the AR-HA group. 4. Total cell counts increased significantly, and the ratio of $CD3e^+$ to $CD45R^+$, $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$, and $CD4^+$ to $CD25^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture of the AR-HA group. 5. Total cell counts decreased significantly, and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ and $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse lymph nodes of the AR-HA group. 6. $CD3e^+/CD69^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group. 7. The histological examination showed that cartilage destruction and synoviocyte proliferation decreased in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group, and collagen fiber was expressed similar to that seen in the normal group. Conclusions : Our experiments show that at $ST_{36}$, an anti-inflammatory mechanism of AR-HA controls synovial cell proliferation and protects against cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.95-107
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• 2008

Objectives : The main purpose of this research is to observe the effects of herbal acupuncture(HA; herbal acupuncture) with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$) on D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats. Methods : According to HA concentration, the experimental rats were divided 5 groups(control group, saline group, CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 group). In the control group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then didn't treated. In the saline group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then injected saline. In the CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then injected HA with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$), each 25.3mg/kg, 12.7mg/kg, 5.1mg/kg. HA with Chijadaehwangtang was treated at $20{\mu}{\ell}$ every second day, total 10 times in 20 days. We observed the changes of $\gamma$-GTP, GOT, GPT, total bilirubin, LDH, ALP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, SOD, Catalase and hepatic tissues. Results : 1. In the changes of $\gamma$-GTP, GOT contents, as compared with control group, CP-2 group was significantly decreased. 2. In the changes of GPT content, CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 groups as compared with control group were significantly decreased. 3. In the changes of LDH content, CP-3 group as compared with control group was significantly decreased. 4. In the changes of ALP content, all groups as compared with control group were significantly decreased. 5. In the changes of SOD, Catalase contents, CP-2 group as compared with control group was significantly increased. 6. In the morphological and histopathological changes of hepatic tissues, CP-2, CP-3 groups as compared with control group were improved. Conclusions : we observed HA with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$) can be effective treatment on hematological recovery and regenerative process in morphological liver change. Further studies about their underlying mechanism and concentrations may be needed to use HA with Chijadaehwangtang for liver injury clinically.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2012

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effects of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at Bi-Su($BL_{20}$) on weight change, food efficiency, concentration of serum lipid, liver function of rats fed high fat diet for 8 weeks. Methods : Subject groups were diveded into normal diet group(Normal), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and saline in $BL_{20}$ treated group(Saline), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-1, 0.008mg/ml/g), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-2, 0.021mg/ml/g), and high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-3, 0.042mg/ml/g). Pharmacopuncture was bilaterally treated at BL20 every 4 days, totally 14 times in 56 days. We observed the changes of body weight, food efficiency, ALT, AST, r-GTP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL-cholesterol of each group. Results : 1. Body weight significantly decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1 from 2nd week to 8th week, in PT-2 from 4th week to 7th week. 2. Food efficiency decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 3. HDL-cholesterol increased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1, PT-3, but not significantly. 4. In the changes of ALT, as compared with the control group, only in PT-1 group, the level of serum ALT decreased(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 5. As for the changes of r-GTP, as compared with control group, in every subject group, the levels of serum r-GTP significantly decreased. Conclusions : According to the above results, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at $BL_{20}$ can act on body weight, food efficiency and liver function. It also does not seem to be injurious on liver function. To use Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture for obesity, further studies on its underlying mechanism and optimal dosage might be needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the general effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation of the ankle joint acupuncture points(BL62 and KI6) on the brain waves of elderly women as a pilot study to figure out the possibility of candidate non-invasive and non-chemical stimulation method for the enhancing the brain function. Methods : A randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial was performed in 31 healthy women(mean age, 54.5 years) within a treatment duration of 12 sessions. In the experimental group, low-frequency electrical stimulation was applied using the maximum range of the individual insensible strength(mean current, $0.04{\mu}A$). The control group received sham stimulation. The background electroencephalographic activity was measured before and after the12 sessions. Results : After 12 sessions of stimulation, the relative power of the alpha wave increased(32 of 32 channels: significant difference in 11 channels, p<0.05); the theta(30 of 32 channels: significant difference in 10 channels, p<0.05), beta(31 of 32 channels), and gamma(30 of 32 channels: significant difference in 7 channels, p<0.05) powers were also decreased compared with the sham group. Conclusions : Electrical stimulation on the ankle joint acupuncture points(BL62 and KI6) seemed to stabilize the elderly women brain by inducing the alpha power and reducing beta, theta, and gamma powers. These results provide insight into the action mechanism of the stimulation and can assist the future developement of a non-invasive and non-chemical treatment technique for stressor related cognitive problems.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.914-922
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of herb medicine (Indongsoyeom-bang) and acupuncture therapy on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Methods : 15 patients diagnosed with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome were enrolled in this study. They were treated with herb medicine (Indongsoyeom-bang) and acupuncture therapy. To evaluate the therapeutic effect, before and after we measured Extract Prostatic Secretion (EPS), National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) and International Prostatitis Symptom Score (IPSS). Result : After treatment WBC numeral index by EPS test and NIH-CPSI and IPSS decreased. Conclusion : Herb medicine (Indongsoyeom-bang) and acupuncture therapy are effective in treating Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Further study of mechanism and efficacy is needed.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.325-339
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• 2013

Objective : The Blood-Letting Therapy which gives an acupuncture and lets blood on the surface of body by using various needles is quite effective in chronic disease. SoMoon lays the theoretical foundation of Korean Medicine. This article could help improve the understanding of the blood-letting therapy in SoMoon and also paves the way for applying the therapy to treatment of the various diseases. Method : This study selected the texts correlated to indications of blood-letting, after collecting the sentences from SoMoon with the search words 'blood', 'stagnated blood' and so on. Conclusion : This study on the Blood-Letting Therapy includes the way and location to give an acupuncture, the general rules of prescription, needles, amount of blood-letting, running mechanism and attentions. The purpose of Blood Letting Therapy is to treat and cure the disease through Improve vital energy and Expel harmful energy by improving meridian function and harmonizing Um-Yang and Ki-Blood.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.95-113
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this review is to introduce the recent advance in allergic rhinitis and to provide help in establishing strategy and selection of drugs for Korean medical treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods : We searched articles about allergic rhinitis comprehensively in PubMed, CNKI, JStage, KISTI. And in order to reflect clinical situation, we also reviewed some profession's writing for practitioners. Results : This review discussed allergic rhinitis's epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis. We found many standardized clinical practice guideline have been published in this field. And some guideline reflected accumulation of medical evidence on interventions in Korean medicine. It suggested that acupuncture, herbal medicine, herbal patch are useful to prevention and alleviate allergic symptoms. But some interventions have heterogeneity due to each nation's medical background. Conclusions : Acupuncture therapy is now recommended world widely for treating allergic rhinitis. But other interventions of Korean medicine are not well recognized in the same manner. We need more research to identify mechanism and rigorous clinical trials to clarify efficacy and safety of Korean medicine intervention.