• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.326-338
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• 2020

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that causes disorientation, mood swings, problems with language, and difficulty remembering recent events. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs) and memantine have been used to slow the course of the disease, but they can neither modify its progression nor prevent disease onset. Previous studies have suggested that Kami-guibi-tang (KGT) could be beneficial for supporting cognitive function in AD patients, but few clinical trials have been published. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of KGT in improving cognitive function in AD patients. Methods: The study will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-center trial conducted using subjects diagnosed with mild AD by neurologists. Study subjects will be randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group. The treatment group will receive KGT granules for 24 weeks, while the control group will receive placebo granules. AchEI administration will be maintained in both groups during the entirety of the study. Subjects will be assessed using the following exams: the Seoul Neuropsychologic Screening Battery (SNSB) for cognitive function; brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for brain metabolite, neurotransmitter, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements; the Korean version of Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (KQol-AD) for quality of life; the Caregiver-Administered Neuropsychiatric Inventory (CGA-NPI) for neurobehavioral symptoms; blood tests for amyloid and tau proteins and general blood parameters; and electrocardiography (ECG) before and after taking the medication. Discussion: Our findings will provide insight into the feasibility of large-scale trials to consolidate evidence for the efficacy of KGT for dementia treatment. Registration ID in CRIS: KCT0002904 (Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.68-93
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• 2019

Objective : This study summarized the characteristics of clinical trials for atopic dermatitis medicines approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS). This study may be a reference for the design of clinical trials of atopic dermatitis herbal medicine treatment which may be carried out later. Method : The characteristics of the clinical trial were analyzed for clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, CRIS, and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute among the clinical trial approval statuses posted on the website of the MFDS. Result : 1. Clinical trial drugs were developed in various formulations such as oral medicines, injections, dermatologic agents, and similar proportions. Relatively little clinical trials were found for herbal medicine. 2. In the control evaluation test, most of the treatments for the control group were performed with placebo using Vehicle. 3. In most clinical trials, one intervention group was in the form of a parallel assignment with only one treatment. 4. The age of the subjects was 11 out of 28 studies including minors, and clinical trials targeting minors were also found to be significant. 5. In the case of atopic dermatitis, the cases of subacute chronic or atopic dermatitis more than 6 months or more than 1 year were often used. 6. Most clinical trials were divided into mild to moderate atopic dermatitis or moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The SCORAD index, EASI, IGA, BSA, and NRS were used as the evaluation criteria. 7. Regulations for the drugs used prior to the trial period for the treatment of atopic dermatitis vary somewhat from one clinical trial to another. 8. IGA was used most often as a primary efficacy tool, and SCORAD index, EASI, and NRS were also used.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.30-30
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• 2022

Philippines is the second world supplier of coconut by-products. As its first major genomics project, the Philippine Genome Center program for Agriculture (PGC-Agriculture) took the challenge to sequence and assemble the whole coconut genome. The project aims to provide advance genetics tools for our collaborating coconut researchers while taking the opportunity to initiate local capacity. Combination of different NGS platforms was explored and the Philippine 'Catigan Green Dwarf' (CATD) variety was selected with the breeders to be the crop's reference genome. A high quality genome assembly of CATD was generated and used to characterize important genes of coconut towards the development of resilient and outstanding varieties especially for added high-value traits. The talk will present the significant results of the project as published in various papers including the first report of whole genome sequence of a dwarf coconut variety. Updates will include the challenges hurdled and specific applications such as gene mining for host insect resistance and screening for least damaged coconuts (thus potentially insect resistant varieties). Genome-wide DNA markers as published and genes related to coconut oil qualitative/quantitative traits will also be presented, including initial molecular/biochemical studies that support nutritional and medicinal claims. A web-based genome database is currently built for ease access and wider utility of these genomics tools. Indeed, a major milestone accomplished by the coconut genomics research team, which was facilitated with the all-out government support and strong collaboration among multidisciplinary experts and partnership with advance research institutes.