• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-424
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• 2022

Objectives: As effective treatments for dementia are lacking in Western medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is considered a useful option. While the quality of life (QoL) is a vital outcome for patients with dementia, the QoL of patients receiving CAM for dementia remains ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the effect of CAM on QoL outcomes in dementia patients. Methods: A search was performed using the keywords "dementia," "Alzheimer's," "cognitive impairment," "Chinese," "Korean," "oriental," "herbal," "acupuncture," and "quality of life". All quantitative data were synthesized using R version 4.1.1. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 16 pre-post trials, and two cohort studies were selected for the systematic review. QoL in Alzheimer's disease (QOL-AD) (n=11, 25.6%) and geriatric QoL in dementia (GQOL-D, n=9, 20.9%) were the most utilized QoL instruments. Significant benefits in QoL were observed after receiving mind, body, combined mind and body, nursing, oriental medicine, and acupuncture therapies. In the meta-analysis, the combined effect was shown to significantly increase QOL-AD compared to before CAM interventions (standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.507; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.191~0.824; p<0.01). The overall synthesized estimates in the GQOL-D showed a significantly improved QoL (SMD: 0.537, 95% CI: 0.238~0.837 p<0.01; one group; SMD: 1.465, 95% CI: 0.934~1.996, p<0.01). The seven studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CAM reported uncertain outcomes. Conclusions: This study showed that CAM interventions benefited patients with dementia by improving their QoL. While additional standardized research is required, CAMs are suggested as effective clinical management for patients with dementia. They are also suggested as complementing therapies for these patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2009

The dried roots of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Sanchi (Panax notoginseng) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation as well as various other bodily functions. Here we investigated the effects of a mixture of aqueous extracts of Danshen and Sanchi, named PASEL, on blood pressure and vascular contractility in rats. Orally administered PASEL (62.5 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, for 5 weeks) lowered the blood pressure of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) but this was not observed in normal Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKR). We then investigated the effects of PASEL on the arterial contraction of the small branches of cerebral arteries (CAs) and large conduit femoral arteries (FAs) in rats. PASEL did not affect high-K (KCI 60 mM)- or phenyleprine (PhE)-induced contracture of FAs. The myogenic response, a reactive arterial constriction in response to increased luminal pressure, of small CA was dose-dependently suppressed by PASEL in SHR as well as control rats. Interestingly, the KCI-induced contraction of small CAs was slowly reversed by PASEL, and this effect was more prominent in SHR than control WKR. PASEL did not inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. These results demonstrated that the antihypertensive effect of PASEL might be primarily mediated by altering the arterial MR, not by direct inhibition of L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels or by ACE inhibition.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2001

In the present studies, decursinol angelate, decursin isolated from Angelica gignatis radix and oil fraction of Cnidii rhizoma was analyzed by normal phase HPLC and GC/MS respectively. The standardized water extracts of Angelica gignatis radix, Cnidii rhizoma and its complex named Gung-gui-tang was tested the anti mutagenic effects by in vitro genotoxicity using Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test) and micronucleus test in chinese hamster ovary(CHO) cells. Angelica gignatis radix, Cnidii rhizoma and Gung-gui-tang was not exhibited the antimutagenic effects in the Salmonella reversion assays with or without metabolic activation. However, the micronucleus test assays, Angelica gignatis radix and Gung-gui-tang was showed the antimutagenic effects significantly. The maximum inhibition observed with Gung-gui-tang was reduced by 59% in the micronucleus test without metabolic activation. In this paper, results are presented on the availability of potential antimutagenic activity of the water extracts of Gung-gui-tang.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2013

Objective : This article shows that while Seishu Hanaoka(華岡靑洲) is known to have developed an effective anesthetic formula composed of traditional herbs and performed the world first partial mastectomy under a general anesthesia in 1804, anesthetic formulas very similar to those developed by him were widely recorded and deemed used in Japan and Northeast Asia before his invention. The origin of the formulas will be tracked down to compare with the several formulas broadly administered in the region. Methods : Historical literature analysis was adopted to achieve the objective. 1. Mayaku-ku (麻藥考): this book is the main medical classic by Nakagawa Syutei(中川修亭) that introduces Seishu Hanaoka, his anesthetic formulas and mastectomy. 2. Northeast medical classics: Seuideukhyobang (世醫得效方) in 1337, Uibangryuchui (醫方類聚), Uihui(宜彙) and so on. Result : Herbs such as aconitum and datura were applied as a anesthetic agent early on before the Chinese Yuan dynasty. In Korea as well, some old medical books documented such use of those herbs and relevant formulas. Conclusion : Formulas that counted as invented and employed by Seishu Hanaoka as anesthetics, in fact, had been widely known and used in the region before his era. We should pay due attention to his creativity that combined a western surgical intervention and traditional anesthetic agents and successfully performed a newly introduced surgical practice in Japan. The point is that Hanaoka took note of anesthetic herbs or formulas traditionally inherited in North-east Asian medicine and successfully applied them to the surgical procedures for breast cancer, or mastectomy and mammotomy. This history alerts us to neglected or forgotten potentials of traditional medicine in anesthetic treatment and more.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objectives: Artemisinin and its derivatives extracted from Artemisia annua, a Chinese herbal medicine, have variable biological effects due to structural differences. Up to date, the anti-obesity effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of DHA on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay were used to measure lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Cell count analysis was used to determine the cytotoxicity of 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to analyze the expression of protein and mRNA in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Results: DHA at 5 μM markedly inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, DHA at 5 μM inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and perilipin A as well as the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, while DHA at 5 μM had no effect on the mRNA expression of adiponectin, it strongly suppressed that of leptin in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. However, DHA at 5 μM had no lipolytic effect on differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, as assessed by no enhancement of glycerol release. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that DHA at 5 μM has a strong anti-adipogenic effect on differentiating 3T3-L1 cells through the reduced expression and phosphorylation of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, FAS, perilipin A, and STAT-3.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.202-208
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• 2012

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to determine residues of cyromazine, a triazine insecticide, in agricultural commodities. Cyromazine was extracted with 90% aqueous methanol from representative crops which comprised brown rice, oyster mushroom, oriental melon, watermelon, and Chinese cabbage. Following to evaporation of methanol in the extract, the aqueous concentrate was acidified to form the protonated cyromazine. Dichloromethane partition was then applied to remove nonpolar co-extractives in the aqueous phase. Strong cation-exchange chromatography using Dowex 50W-X4 resin was employed for final purification of the extract. Cyromazine was successfully separated on a Zorbax SB-Aq $C_{18}$ column showing high retention for polar compounds. Cyromazine was sensitively quantitated by ultraviolet absorption at 214 nm. Limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method was 0.04 mg/kg irrespective of sample types. Each crops were fortified at 3 different concentrations of cyromazine for recovery test. Mean recoveries from samples fortified at LOQ~2.0 mg/kg in triplicate ranged 80.2~103.3% in five agricultural commodities. Relative standard deviations in recoveries were all less than 6%. A selected-ion monitoring LC/MS method with electrospray ionization in positive-ion mode was also provided to confirm the suspected residue. The proposed method was reproducible and sensitive enough to routinely determine and inspect the residue of cyromazine in agricultural commodities.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.271-289
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• 2008

In the Oriental Medicine field the great three reference books are Hwantienaekyung(黃帝內徑, HJNK), Sihnnongbonchokyung(神農本草經, BCK) and Shanghanlun(SHR). HJNK has been a theory book regarded as a bible of the Oriental Medicine, BCK, a herbal book with 365 species of red letters noticed from Bonchokyungjipjoo(本草經集註) and SHR, very important clinical book with concrete prescriptions for the therapy of patients. Though these books were written by Chinese people ca. 2000 years ago, yet they are no doubt very important and effective ones in these days. Unfortunately they are handed down to all transmitted books for a long times because original ones were destroyed by fire and another troubles. In this study we have tried to extract three common terminological words and common theories from the prescription law by theoretical principles(理法方藥, clinical therapeutic mechanism) acquired through the comparative analysis of these three books. They are qi(氣), cold or heat(寒熱) and yin & yang(陰陽), and their practical basic theories have been evidenced through exterior & interior of body(表裏) and deficiency or exessiveness(虛實) by the heat of Sun. Also we would have realized that Oriental Medicine should be analyzed through various scientific techniques and clinical experiences, and necessarily unified to yin & yang monism from qi theory of the Sun in all human's life cycle(生老病死).

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.51-55
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was finding out the daily dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases.Methods : In order to estimate the daily dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Aconiti Lateralis Radix, I researched Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Synopsis of Prescription of the Golden Chamber, Korean Pharmacoepia 10 and Science of Contemporary Chinese Medicine Product.Results : Daily doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata are 1, 2, or 3 pieces and those amount are respectively 1, 2, or 3 Ryang. Common dose of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata is 1 piece, Maximum Dose of it is 3 Pieces and that corresponds with dose of dried herb in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases. Consider from Sovereign, Minister, Assistant and Courier, the dose of it in Buja-tang and Whyunmu-tang is 3 Ryang. 1 Ryang corresponds with 6.5 g. Aconiti Lateralis Radix is dried without baking so its weight is equal to Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Daily doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix are 1 piece or 1 big piece and those amount are respectively 3 or 6 Ryang. Common dose of it is 1 piece.Conclusions : From this study, in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, Daily Doses of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata are 1, 2, or 3 pieces(19.5 g, 39 g or 52 g), and that of Aconiti Lateralis Radix are 1 piece or 1 big piece(19.5 g, 39 g). Common Dose of two Herbal Medicine is 19.5 g.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.1-32
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• 2018

Objectives : This paper seeks to discover and compile the information of the types of Korean medical herbs that are recorded in China's medial herbs literatures. Following this, the special characteristics of each herb and the differences in the description of each Korean herb found in different literatures and ages. Methods : First, the literatures were searched for the names of countries, regions, and people used in Korean peninsula, and a database was compiled based on the findings. Texts with no relation to the subject matter were discarded, and the rests were listed in the order of publication. The special characteristics of the medical herbs found in these literatures were then studied. Results & Conclusions : Total of 69 medical herbs were found in 34 literatures. These medical herbs could be categorized into three: those with superior quality, those that are different from the medical herbs used in China, and those that are not available in China. The medical herbs with superior quality are: Gonpo(昆布), Insam(人參), Omija(五味子), Tosaja(?絲子), Haesongja(海松子), Sesin(細辛), Baekbuja(白附子) and more. We can deduce that these medical herbs were regarded as superior in quality compared to their counterparts in China because they grow in the northeast region where pine tree thrive and a home to many areas with seas and mountains, and also with four distinctive seasons.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.694-698
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• 2007

Berberine, an alkaloid initially isolated from chinese herbal medicine, has antibiotic activities against a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, and chlamydia. Furthermore, berberine has shown a number of beneficial effects, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and vasodilatory effects. In this work we have investigated the effects of berberine on lymphocyte proliferation and GM-CSF production in mice. Mouse splenocytes were incubated with berberine and concanavalin A(Con A) to observe the effects on cell proliferation. The culture supernatants of splenocytes exposed to berberine, berberine plus LPS, and berberine plus Con A were harvested to assay GM-CSF. The cell proliferation of nice splenocytes exposed to berberine only($1{\mu}g/ml$) was increased significantly more than PBS(control) group. But the Con A-induced cell growth was inhibited by berberine. The GM-CSF production from mice splenocyte culture exposed to berberine only was increased in comparison with PBS(control) group, but the production of it with LPS or Con A was inhibited by berbeline. The present findings may explain lympocyte proliferating and regulating effects of berberine.