• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.5-21
• /
• 2001

The influence of electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medical treatment, on type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at the 3-week interval with bovine type Ⅱ collagen(C Ⅱ). EA stimulation, begun on the 21 simultaneously with the second immunization, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 three times a week for 3 weeks. The results showed that EA delayed the onset, attenuated the severity of arthritis, and reduced the anti-collagen antibody level. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of EA on the productions of endogenous $interleukin-1{\Beta}$ (IL-1 beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in splenocytes and synovial tissues from C Ⅱ immunized mice on the 45 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages of normal mice by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EA stimulation significant inhibited the concentrations of splenic endogenous IL-1 beta and serum PGE2. The expression of IL-1 beta mRNA in spleen cells was obviously down-regulated and that in synovial tissues was modestly affected by EA. COX-2 mRNA was highly expressed in cultured peritoneal macrophages when stimulated with LPS. Previous treatment with EA also reduced LPS-stimulated induction of COX-2 mRNA. These data suggest that EA has an inhibitory effect on murine CIA, and the partial mechanism of its therapeutic result may be attributed to inhibiting the productions of IL-1 beta and PGE2 by suppression the IL-1 beta and COX-2 gene activations.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.213-219
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Based on data from Chinese and Indian traditional herbal medicines, gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (sometimes referred to asafetida or asafoetida) has several therapeutic applications. The authors of various studies have claimed that asafetida has cytotoxic, antiulcer, anti-neoplasm, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative effects. In present study, the anti-aging effect of asafetida on senescent human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. Methods: Senescence was induced in in vitro cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through exposure to $H_2O_2$, and the incidence of senescence was recognized by using cytochemical staining for the activity of ${\beta}$-galactosidase. Then, treatment with oleo gum resin of asafetida was started to evaluate its rejuvenating effect. The survival rate of fibroblasts was evaluated by using methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the expressions of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers. Results: Our experiments show that asafetida in concentrations ranging from $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $10^{-7}g/mL$ has revitalizing effects on senescent fibroblasts and significantly reduces the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity in these cells (P < 0.05). Likewise, treatment at these concentrations increases the proliferation rate of normal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). However, at concentrations higher than $5{\times}10^{-7}g/mL$, asafetida is toxic for cells and induces cell death. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that asafetida at low concentrations has a rejuvenating effect on senescent fibroblasts whereas at higher concentrations, it has the opposite effect of facilitating cellular apoptosis and death.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.200-230
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Ginseng, Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Korean Medicine. Red ginseng can be made by a steaming process of white ginseng changing a variety of ginsenosides and ingredients such as dencichine. This article reviews red ginseng for mechanisms for pharmacodynamics and toxicity based on the content of ginseng's active ingredients, ginsenoside changed by steaming. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct and Chinese Scientific Journals full text database (CQVIP), and KSI (Korean Studies Information) from their respective inceptions to June 2012. Results: Compared with unsteamed ginseng, the content of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 called red ginseng-specific ginsenosides increased after the steaming process. Different ginsenosides have shown a wide variety of effects such as lowering or raising blood sugar and blood pressure or stimulating or sedating the nervous system. Especially, the levels of Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 were increased by the steaming process, showing a variety of pharmacodynamics in biological systems. Also, various processing methods such as puffing and fermentation have been developed in processing crude ginseng or red ginseng, affecting the content of ginseng's ingredients. The safety issue could be the most critical, specifically, on changed ginseng's ingredients such as dencichine. The level of dencichine was significantly reduced in red ginseng by the steaming process. In addition, the possible toxicity for red ginseng was affected by cytochrome P450, a herbal-drug interaction. Conclusions: The variety of pharmacological and toxicological properties should be changed by steaming process of Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng. Even if it is not sure whether the steaming process of white ginseng would be better pharmacologically, it is sure that steaming reduces the level of dencichine causing a lower toxicity to the nervous system.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.68-79
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study is the development of the questionnaire for pattern identification of Liver-qi stagnation infertility. Methods: We conducted a literature review and retrieved the symptoms and diagnosis from Korean and Chinese literatures which mentioned pattern identification of Liver-qi stagnation infertility. Based on the findings, We conducted three times expert Delphi surveys on selection of question items and determination of weight. Results: 12 questionnaire items for subjects and 4 questionnaire items for researchers were selected from 19 references. From expert delphi surveys, we finally determined 14 questionnaire items (10 items for subjects, 4 items for researchers) which are clinically significant and obtained weight of question items. Conclusions: Questionnaire for pattern identification of Liver-qi stagnation infertility was developed through experts' discussion. Further study is required to identify the validity and reliability of this pattern identification instrument for Liver-qi stagnation infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.124-142
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to learn what should be considered in [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer)] by analyzing the existing guidelines and clinical trials. Methods: The development committee searched guidelines for herbal medicinal product or gastric cancer developed already. Then, clinical trials for gastric cancer using herbal medicine were searched. The searched trials were analyzed in terms of inclusion and exclusion of participants, intervention, comparator, outcomes and trial design. Then, we compared the results of analysis with the regulations and guidelines of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to suggest the issue that we will have to consider when making the [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer]. Results: As a result, few guidelines for anti-tumor agent and clinical trial with herbal medicinal product were searched in the national institution homepage. In addition, 10 articles were searched by using the combination following search term; 'stomach neoplasm', 'herbal medicine', 'Medicine, Korean traditional', 'Medicine, Chinese Traditional', 'TCM', 'TKM', 'trial'. Most trials included gastric cancer participants with medical history of operation. The type of intervention was various such as decoction, granules, and fluid of intravenous injection. Comparators were diverse such as placebo, conventional treatment including chemotherapy and nutritional supplement. The most frequently used outcome for efficacy was quality of life. Besides, the symptom score, tumor response, and survival rate were used. Safety was investigated by recording adverse events. Conclusion: We found out some issue by reviewing the existing guidelines and comparing it with clinical trials for gastric cancer and herbal medicinal products. These results will be utilized for developing [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer].

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.247-256
• /
• 1999

Ginseng has been used in maintaining physical vitality throughout the far-eastern countries and recently its metabolism and actions on neurologic, cardiovascular, and endocrinologic systems are studied. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been used in various ailments, and to prove its efficacy for erectile dysfunction an international study on Asians other than Korean was performed. Patients with borderline organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction were included. KRG were given daily, and placebo were given as controls. Treatment lasted a total of 3 months. Surveys including libido, erection, ejaculation, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction were given. Serum testosterone and erectile function study were taken. Among the 64 patients, 37 patients were followed with KRG. Five had diabetes, 5 hypertension, 5 hypercholesterolemia, 6 low testosterone, 6 psychogenic, and 11 idiopathic. The improvement after KRG administration was $70.2\%$ on objective questionnaire and $75.7\%$ on subjective analysis. When KRG were given, all parameters surveyed have shown improvements compared to the placebo. The effects of KRG in Chinese and Singapores were similar to the Koreans. Serum testosterone levels were nonnalized in 6 patients with KRG, who's serum testosterone levels were reduced from pre-study. Two patient reported constipation, and 2 gastric upsets in the KRG group. In conclusion, KRG has beneficiary action on male erectile capabilities with little side effects. KRG is effective in Koreans and also Asians. The exact action mechanism and the active ingredients in KRG need to be studied.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2010

Objectives : The study was performed to evaluate a traditional Korean Medicine content in drama "Daejanggeum". Methods : One hundred sixty-nine participants in Taiwan responded to the survey with 10 items, regarding components of success of drama "Daejanggeum". Principal component factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify the possible factors to satisfaction with watching drama "Daejanggeum". Results : Factor analysis revealed that dramatic factor(44.8%), content factor(12.3%), and cultural factor(11.3%) were the most important factors to success of drama "Daejanggeum". Multiple regression analysis showed that dramatic factor(beta = .342), content factor(beta = .278), and cultural factor(beta = .131) were associated with the satisfaction with watching drama "Daejanggeum"($R^2$ = .394, with F = 32.280, p<.001). Conclusions : This study demonstrated that dramatic factor, content factor, and cultural factor are the most important factors associated with satisfaction with drama "Daejanggeum" in Taiwan. These findings suggest that a traditional Korean Medicine as a content factor would be very influential in enhancing the possibility of success of drama.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.110-118
• /
• 2000

One-hundred thirty-six Chinese men and women who are members of the Malaysian Confucian Association from Kuala Lumpur city and suburbs were included in the study. They have been vegetarians for a mean period of about 6 years with the majority of them(91.2%) at lacto/ovo vegetarians. The average age of the male and female subjects in 33 and 34 years respectively. The mean BMI for the men and women are 22.5$\pm$2.4kg/$m^2$ respectively. The mean levels of serum total cholesterol, HDL-chol and LDL-chol for men are 4.27$\pm$0.77, 1,11$\pm$0.26 and 2.60$\pm$0.54mmol/L, while the corresponding values for women are 4.24$\pm$081, 1.34$\pm$0.29 and 2.41$\pm$0.28 mmol/L, All the respondents showed TC/HDL-chol levels within the normal cut-off point of <5.8mmol/L. Majority of the subjects showed normal range levels for serum retinol, carotenoids and $\alpha$-tocopherol. The mean systolic blood pressure for men and women are 122$\pm$16mmHg and 115$\pm$13mmHg, while their diastolic blood pressure are 82$\pm$7mmHg and 79$\pm$7mmHg respectively. Hypertension was found at a higher prevalence in men(17.6%) than among the women(7.1%). None of the respondents smoke cigarettes while approximately two-thirds of them carry out physical exercise at least once a week. their usual dietary intake includes frequent consumption of a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. In summary, Malaysian vegetarians have a low cardiovascular risk based on their health-oriented lifestyle.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.34-43
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest new direction for domiciliary care for elders provided by public institutions in rural areas. Method: The participants in the study were elders using one of 11 public health care institutions, of which 8 operated day care services exclusively, and 3 operated both day care and short-term respite care services. A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire that included items on general characteristics of the service users, conditions of the services, personnel, financial status, facilities, and perception of the tasks of the staff. Result: The service content of the day care centers included Western and Chinese medical service, physical services, activities of ADL, nursing care services, meal services and transportation services. Domiciliary care centers provided a wide variety of health and social welfare service for elders. Personnel consisted of 3 to 8 staff for day care centers and 7 to 10 for domiciliary care centers. Both types of centers rely on financial support from local government for operation. The perception of the staff was the need for operation of these centers by public health facilities such as public health centers and sub-centers. Conclusion: The result suggest a need to activate the function of public institutions to provide domiciliary care for elders. For this new change, the role as a social support system must be developed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.603-622
• /
• 2013

Egg is a food that has been loved from ancient times by people all around the world. It has been called a present from god because its rounded shape was believed to refer to the earth. We found the oldest and most perfectly preserved egg fossil at Chunmachong (天馬) in Kyungju (慶州). We believe that it was used during the period of the Three States or the unified Silla (新羅), and, accordingly, it was a noble food that has been found at the king's grave of the age. Egg, which is called egg of chicken in Korean, was written as egg of chicken (鷄卵), son of chicken (鷄子), bird's egg of chicken (鷄蛋), and round thing of chicken (鷄丸) in the Korean alphabet and Chinese characters. The ancient countries had the following myths about eggs In myths about offspring by egg, they were born as heaven's will to make them god. There were 19 proverbs: 'Hitting a rock with an egg', 'It's like the yellow part of an egg' and 'Even an egg stops when it rolls', etc. According to a theory of divination based on topography, people use eggs when they find a good place. There are 10 proverbs (四字 成語): Dongjiipran (冬至立卵), Nanyeoseoktu (卵與石投) etc. Studies for analysis of egg recipes found in the old literature (cooking, agriculture and fishing, and medical books) in the Chosun Dynasty recorded 36 times where cuisine with egg was mentioned as the main ingredient, 154 times as a sub-ingredient, 79 times as a garnish, and 20 times etc. As a garnish, they were 'finely sliced', 'thin rectangular and the rhombus form', and 'rounded shape'; after grilling they were divided into yellow and white parts. When cooked, they were used in comparison of the size or shape of an object with that of other objects.