• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2013

Objectives : The objectives of this study is to establish data-base to find out similar herbal formulas with a particular herbal formula by comparing composition ratio of configuring herbs. And this thesis is to analyze differences of prescriptions and find out similar prescriptions by utilizing galenical mass ratio, which is directly related to effectiveness of galenical. Methods : This study was proceeded by using Access 2007 with Window 7(MS) and 2,787 prescriptions of which herbal configuration could be indicated by weight unit were analysed from Donguibogam. We standardize all units of the prescription and input the mass ratio data when entered galenical data. Results : We could confirm a degree of similarity between compared prescriptions and a particular prescription according to the sum of differences of herb weight ratio and similarity ratio. Conclusions : A most similar herbal formula could be searched through comparing multi prescriptions by multi prescriptions of herbal configuration from established herbal formula data-base where herb weight ratio of prescriptions is to be input.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2017

Objectives : Korea and China are applying different conversion standards for weight in traditional medicine books. This study aims to research and suggest how to convert the units of weight in old traditional medicine classics into the contemporary unit of grams. Methods : Historical documents of Korea and China were used to review the process in which weights and measures changed in each country and the manners in which the Chinese units of weight were introduced to Korea. Results : Weights and measures changed with time. They became almost standardized by the period of Song in China, when coins played the most crucial role, and it was introduced to Korea. Donggaryang, the standard container for weights and measures in ancient China, Gaewontongbo, a coin in Tang, Sangpyeongtongbo, a coin in Joseon, and a scale in Joseon were used as strong foundations for conclusion from literature review. Weight of a 1-don(coin) in the time a traditional medicine books were written was used as a unit of weight in those books. Sangpyeongtongbo, a 1-don coin in Joseon, weighs 4 grams on average. Conclusions : Since the current conversion of 1-don coin into 3.75 grams is not supported by literature review, it is suggested that 1-don(coin) as a unit of weight in traditional medicine books of Joseon, may be better converted into 4 grams, while that of China is converted to 3.73 grams.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2022

Objectives : This study aims to propose a processing method for dosage units of medicinal materials and the database schema to manage formula data in Korean medicine ontology. Methods : All dosage units of medicinal materials are collected from the seven textbooks that contain formula data of Korea medicine ontology. Dosages are converted to Arabic numerals and units that are frequently used are converted to representative units. Database schema is designed for processing and managing the formulas and medicinal materials with dosage units. Results : Seven representative units are selected out of 77 units. They will be used in the addition or subtraction of medicinal materials in a formula support system. The remaining units will be made available for references. Conclusions : EMR or chart programs used in clinical hospitals contain formula data that is already standardized. However, the formula data in Korean medicine literature and textbook is not refined, so it is necessary to process the dosages and units of medicinal materials to use in the formula support system. This result is a processing method to utilize the formula data of Korean medicine textbooks and it will be implemented this method in the established formula support system in the future.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2016

Objectives Based on related literature, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, true and false, and actually used formulas, paradoxical treatments presented in the 『Plain Questions of Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor』 including ‘treating pseudo-heat symptoms and real cold syndrome with cold herbs, treating pseudo-heat symptoms and real cold syndrome with cold herbs’ were analyzed.Methods Out of literature, paradoxical treatment related classics and papers were investigated and analyzed. Among diseases and syndromes, real cold syndrome with pseudo-heat symptoms, real heat syndrome with pseudo-cold symptoms, real deficiency syndrome with pseudo-excess symptoms, and real excess syndrome with pseudo-deficiency symptoms were reviewed. Among formulas, typical examples of the above mentioned paradoxical treatments were used as examples to analyze paradoxical treatments.Results Treating pseudo-heat symptoms and real cold syndrome with cold herbs is a method that uses herbs with cool and cold nature to treat real cold syndrome with pseudo-heat symptoms and Tongmaeksayeokgajeodamjeuptang is suitable for this method. Treating pseudo-cold symptoms and real heat syndrome with hot herbs is a method that uses herbs with warm and hot nature to treat real heat syndrome with pseudo-cold symptoms and Baekhogainsamtang is suitable for this method.Conclusions Based on the related literature, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, true and false, and actually used formulas examined as mentioned above, the paradoxical treatments presented in the 『Plain Questions of Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor』 are thought to be reasonable paradoxical treatments that fit the diseases and syndromes that actually appeared in our bodies.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2002

The development of Korean Oriental medicine is based upon the accumulation of experience and knowledge gathered over the centuries. The approaches taken are holistic and empirical. There is a need to understand their actions at molecular levels with more rational, objective and scientific studies. Today it appears that Chronic and age-associated diceases may be multifactorial and hence more complex. A different approach may be required. One claimed usage of Korean Oriental medicine is for the treatment and prevention of chronic and age-associated illnesses. Some of the botanical formulas used for this purpose were discovered thousands of years ago and continue to be used today. There are indications that these formulas may indeed be helpful in the treatment or prevention of chronic diseases. This multi-component medicine could not only be very useful meeting the unmet clinical needs but for defining a more synergistic therapy that supports and maintains the bodies natural curative abilities. The potential usefulness of Korean Oriental medicine embodies the belief of maintaining healthy homeostasis of the body through the proper balance of a mixture of chemical at different organs or tissues. This concept is different from western medicine and implies that multiple compounds may act on multiple mechanisms of action to maintain the balance of the complex web of biology. This is very important in view of sciences current direction to integrate fragmented information to develop future medicines. The western and eastern approaches to human health and disease are complementary to each other. The best approach in developing future medicines is to integrate both approaches.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.289-300
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• 2020

Objectives : In this paper, We pointed out medico-historical meaning of Hyang'yak Kugŭppang (鄕藥救急方, Medical Recipes of Local Botanicals for Emergency Use), a medical book of Koryŏ Dynasty, breaking from the existing analysis view based on Hyang'yak (鄕藥), local herbs produced in Korean Peninsula. Methods : For that purpose, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of the diseases and symptoms, strategies of treatment, therapeutic tools, drug formulations, composition of herbal formulas in Hyang'yak Kugŭppang. Results : The following characteristics were confirmed in Hyang'yak Kugŭppang. First, it contained a way to cope with the diseases and symptoms that do not have to check the exterior, interior, cold, and heat. Also, it introduced basic strategies such as reducing, facilitating flow, draining downward, warming, or tonifying, etc. It mainly included herbal medicine as the therapeutic tools, and introduced formulas composed by single herb than complex recipes. It suggested external applications more than internal use, and proposed formulations in the form of decoctions or powders, etc. The herbs of formulas were used by experience without explanations of nature & taste, efficacy of each herbs. Conclusions : Hyang'yak Kugŭppang is a book of medical recipes for emergency use that has been distributed to help gentries, even if they do not have professional medical knowledge, to instantly cope with diseases and symptoms with medicines that are easy to obtain. Previous researches has analyzed the value of Hyang'yak Kugŭppang as a collection of information of hyang'yak, and used it as a historical basis of the uniqueness of Korean medicine. Since Hyang'yak Kugŭppang is not a book specialized for herbs, but rather a clinical medical book that introduces recipes for specific symptoms of diseases, if we pay attention to the clinical characteristics of Hyang'yak Kugŭppang, it will provide an opportunity to describe Koryŏ or Korean medicine in a new way.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.11-40
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• 2017

Objectives: We investigated whether a mixture of the main component of pomegranate concentrated powder (PCP) with appropriate proportions of Eucommiae Cortex (EC) and Achyranthis Radix (AR) could act synergistically as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of PCP, EC, and AR against OA, knee thicknesses, maximum extension angle of each knee, anti - inflammation effects, the transcript levels of chondrogenic genes mRNA expressions in femur and tibia articular cartilage (AC) with synovial membrane (SM) were analyzed. In addition, the histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the femur and tibia AC or SM were performed. Results: The surgically-induced OA signs in rats were significantly inhibited by 28 days of continuous treatment of PCP, EC and AR single formulas, and PCP with EC:AR mixed formulas. Especially, PCP with EC:AR 4:1, 2:1 and 1:1 mixed formula treatment constantly showed significantly more favorable inhibitory activities, as compared with those of single formula of PCP, EC and AR treated rats. Conclusion: PCP and EC:AR 4:1 mixed formula showed similar OA refinement effects through potent anti-inflammatory pathways as compared with those of diclofenac treatment, and showed additional chondrocyte proliferating effects on the both femur and tibia AC.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2019

This study examines a Song-dynasty book entitled TaeYiKukZieKuaZungMun Kyuk (A Collection of Imperial Medical Service Examination Questions and Answers 太醫局諸科程文格), which is the collection of questions and answers in the state examinations on medicine. This book was compiled by Hah Dae-yim (何大任) who was the vice-principal of the TaeYiKuk (The Imperial Medical Service 太醫局). The book consists of nine chapters. The present study reviewed all the chapters and found a number of significant issues. First, test-takers were required to be highly proficient in the fundamental knowledge of canonic texts of East Asian medicine. Second, pulse diagnosis was emphasized among the four diagnostic methods (四診). Third, herbal medicine formulas are organized according to the fixed structures of Ki Bang (奇方), which contained an odd number of herbs and Wu Bang (偶方), which contained an even numbered herbs), and fixed ratios for mixing various herbs. Fourth, there is a theory for division of therapies in which acupuncture is used for meridian diseases and herbal medicine for organ diseases. Fifth, herbal medicine formulas based on Unki theory (運氣學) are simpler than those of the previous generations. Sixth, the knowledge on the place of origin of herbs was emphasized. Seventh, knowledge of the relationship between herbs was also emphasized. Eighth, Tang (湯) and San (散) were used most frequently as forms of medicine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of chemical composition or biological activities between decoction and commercial herbal medicines of Samchulkunbi-tang (Shenzhujianpi-tang, SKT). Methods : The extracts of SKT from decoction (SKT1) and two different commercial extractive granules (SKT2 and SKT3) were prepared. The index components of SKTs were analyzed with HPLC. The antioxidant activities of SKTs were studied by measuring free radical scavenging activities on ABTS and DPPH. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The contents of 7 components were 1.40-6.08 mg/g in SKT1, not detected-4.75 mg/g in SKT2, 0.03-1.46 mg/g in SKT3. The scavenging activities on ABTS and DPPH of herbal formulas were increased in dose-dependent manner (SKT1>SKT2>SKT3). SKT1 significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ and IL-6 production and SKT3 slightly inhibited $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. SKT2 showed no inhibitory effects on production of inflammatory mediators such as $PGE_2$ and IL-6. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that the decoction of SKT has more strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than that of commercial herbal medicines consistent with the contents of index components.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 56 herbal formulae covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) on dementia-related biomarkers and neuronal cell changes. Methods: The 56 herbal formulae were extracted with 70% ethanol at $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. The antioxidant properties was measured by radical scavenging assay using ABTS+ radical. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was tested by Ellman's assay and $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation was determined using fluorescence method. To estimate the inhibitory effects of herbal formulae on neuronal cell death and inflammation using HT22 hippocampal cells and BV-2 microglia, respectively. Results: Among the 56 herbal formulae, Dangguiyukhwangtang, Banhasasimtang, Samhwangsasimtang, Cheongwiesan, Hwangryunhaedoktang, Banhabaekchulchunmatang, Jaeumganghwatang, Cheongseoikgitang, and Hoechunyanggyuksan has a significant inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Doinseunggitang and Samhwangsasimtang exerted the effect on the inhibition of $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation. Additionally, 10 herbal formulae affected AChE and $A{\beta}$ aggregation revealed antioxidant activity as well as neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammation effects in neuronal cell lines. Conclusions: 10 herbal formulae that have been shown to be effective against the major dementia markers have been shown to have antioxidant activity, neuronal cell protection and inhibition of brain inflammation. Further investigation of these herbal formulae will need to be validated in dementia animal models.