• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss in Korean Medicine (KM) obesity treatment combined with self-monitoring and to identify the relevant factors which are related to successful weight loss. In addition to this, adverse events reported by the patients were analyzed to assess the safety of KM treatments for obesity Methods: This was a retrospective observational study that analyzed the medical records of the patients that participated in the 10-week of KM treatment. All patients took herbal medicine for weight loss and were instructed to reduce calorie intake and adhere to self-monitoring. Clinical data including body weight were collected for evaluating the effect of the treatments. Behavior factors affecting weight loss were collected. The correlation between each factor and weight loss was analyzed. Adverse events (AEs) were collected at each time to evaluate the safety of the intervention. Results: One hundred eighteen patients' records were included in this study. The average weight loss was 7.64kg(74.59kg to 66.95kg). 94.9% of patients lost 5% or more of their initial weight. The degree of weight loss was identified to be related to self-assessment of diet control and self-assessment of appetite control. The average self-weighing frequency significantly increased(2.45 times/week before treatment and 4.70 times/weeks during treatment). Constipation, insomnia, and dizziness were found to be the most frequent AEs, and except for one case, most AEs were mild cases. Conclusion: From this study, we found that KM obesity treatment combined with self-monitoring showed significant weight loss without serious AE.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.70-90
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• 2023

Objective This study analyzed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on pediatric asthma using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to determine its efficacy and safety. Methods We searched electronic databases in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean and evaluated 35 articles published up to December 28, 2022. Based on data from the literature, we analyzed treatments, results, composition of herbal medicine, frequency of medicinal herbs, and decoction. Results TCM for pediatric asthma was compared to supportive therapy, inhaled corticosteroids, and standardized treatments. Of the 35 studies, 32 showed that TCM treatments were effective in alleviating asthma symptoms. Furthermore, TCM treatment was considered safe compared to common asthma treatments. Among the TCM treatments for pediatric asthma, the most frequent decoctions were Gamisaganmahwangtang (加味射干麻黃湯) and Saganmahwangtang (射干麻黃湯). Ephedra Herba (麻黄), Armeniacae Semen (杏仁), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Belamcandae Rhizoma (射干) were herbs that were frequently used for asthma in TCM decoctions. Conclusion This review showed that TCM is effective in treating pediatric asthma. More clinical RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of TCM treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.384-395
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a novel formulation of an herbal extracts has an inhibitory effect on obesity. To determine its anti-obesity effects, we performed anti-obesity-related experiments in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of herbal extracts using a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipose cells. The effects of each herbal extracts on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined using Oil Red O staining. Results showed that treatment with each herbal extracts at $10{\sim}100{\mu}g/ml$ had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, herbal extracts treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocytes controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. Futhermore, compared with control-differentiated mature adipocytes, each herbal extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the HFD-fed obese mice, body weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue weights were significantly reduced by mixture of herbal extracts administration in mouse skin. Futhermore, we found that mixture of herbal extracts administration suppressed serum triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TCHO) in HFD-induced obese mouse model. The mixture of herbal extracts of permeability was estimated by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value in pig skin. The optimized formulations of herbal extracts (Test 3 formulation) showed skin permeation. However, test 1 formulation containing essential oil as enhancer showed maximum skin permeation. After confirming the enhanced skin permeability, in vivo studies were performed to assess whether skin irritation potential on the basis of a primary irritation index (PII) in rabbit skin. Reactions were scored for erythema/edema reactions at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-application. It was concluded that the test 1 formulation was not irritation (PII = 0). The present study suggests that the test 1 formulation might be of therapeutic interest with respect to the treatment of obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.36-54
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was aimed to develop a Korean Medicine (KM) clinical practice guideline (CPG) of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP). Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey targeting KM doctors belonging to the Association of Korean Medicine by e-mail. We received 1,023 responds, and analyzed the answers. Results: 1. 83.0% of respondents knew the concepts and contents of CPG, and 98.1% had practical use plan. 2. 82.1% of respondents used pattern identification diagnosis for NVP patients, and the most commonly diagnosed pattern was spleen-stomach weakness (脾胃虛弱) with 41.3%. 3. The most frequently used treatment for NVP patients was KM combined treatment (46.7%). Herbal medicine+acupuncture (46.8%) was most used among KM combined treatments, and herbal medicine (37.1%) was most used among KM single treatments. 4. Among the contents of CPG for NVP, the fields of interest were selected in the order of KM treatment, KM-Western medicine cooperative treatment, KM diagnosis, prevention and regimen management. In the 'diagnosis part', the use of the symptom evaluation scale questionnaire was 41.8%, higher than the KM pattern diagnosis (34.4%). In the 'treatment part', herbal medicine accounted for 33.8%, higher than that of acupuncture (including electro-acupuncture) at 23.7%. 5. As for the expected development effects, opinions on evidence-based, safety, clinical use, and standardization were the most common. Conclusions: We figured out KM doctors' recognition of KM clinical practice guideline, clinical diagnosis, treatment on NVP to make the contents of the CPG reflecting the clinical situation.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.183-194
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• 2016

This experiment was conducted to establish an official determination method to measure fluazinam residue in horticultural crops for import and export using GC-ECD/MS. Fluazinam residue was extracted with acetone from fresh samples of four representative horticultural products, the vegetable crops green pepper and kimchi cabbage, and the fruit crops mandarin and apple. The acetone extract was diluted with saline water and n -hexane partitioning was used to recover fluazinam from the aqueous phase. Florisil column chromatography was additionally employed for final purification of the extract. Fluazinam was separated and quantitated by GC with ECD using a DB-17 capillary column. The horticultural crops were fortified with three different concentrations of fluazinam. Mean recoveries ranged from 82.5% to 99.9% in the four crops. The coefficients of variation were less than 10.0%. The quantitative limit of fluazinam detection was $0.004mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ in the four crop samples. GC/MS with selected-ion monitoring was also used to confirm the suspected residue. This analytical method was reproducible and sensitive enough to measure the residue of fluazinam in horticultural commodities for import and export.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2016

Objectives : Traditional medicine(TM) of East Asia has been taking its status as part of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) in the UK. However, the efficacy and safety issues make it hard to be accepted in the healthcare system. The aim of the research is to find out the current status of TM of East Asia in the UK and to discuss some issues around its acceptance as formal healthcare method. Methods : Articles, books and regulations related to the acceptance of TM of East Asia were analysed and the internet websites were visited such as Westlaw UK for legal materials, government websites for formal documents, and some UK-based associations. Keyword searches were followed and the essential parts from the articles and documents were generalised for the analysis and discussion. Results : Issues over TM of East Asia include identity as medicine, efficacy and safety, and the statutory regulation can be a measure for the acceptance. Osteopathy and chiropractic therapies came under statutory regulation among the CAM in the UK. Conclusions : TM of East Asia could be under the statutory regulation in the near future. Efficacy and safety issues are the challenging barrier. However, the approach from the viewpoint of TM of East Asia is necessary for development and good practice. The simplified registration procedure for traditional herbal medicinal product in EU can be the model. Education, evaluation, assessment and managing quality of practice are essential for the standard care and formal regulation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2016

Objectives: This study introduces the history and types of Korean pharmacopuncture and reports trends of research on Korean pharmacopuncture. Methods: Pharmacopuncture studies were searched from the first year of each search engine to 2014 by using seven domestic and foreign search databases. Selected studies were divided into the history of pharmacopuncture, kinds and features of pharmacopuncture, research types, and experimental and clinic studies and were then classified by year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease, and topic. Results: Pharmacopuncture can be classified into four large groups: meridian field pharmacopuncture (MFP), eight-principles pharmacopuncture (EPP), animal-based pharmacopuncture (ABP) and mountain-ginseng pharmacopuncture, which is a single-compound pharmacopuncture (SCP). The largest numbers of studies were reported from 1997 to 2006, after which the numbers decreased until 2014. Of experimental studies, 51.9%, 18.7%. 14.3%, 9% and 3.4% were on SCP, ABP, MFP, formula pharmacopuncture (FP), and EPP, respectively. Of clinical studies, 54.7%, 15.3%. 14.9% 10.0% and 1.5% were on ABP, MFP, EPP, SCP, and FP (1.5%), respectively. Among clinical studies, case reports and case series accounted for 76.5%, followed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 16.4%) and non-RCT (13.9%). Musculoskeletal diseases, toxicity and safety tests, anti-cancer effects, and nervous system diseases were mainly treated in experimental studies while musculoskeletal diseases, nervous system diseases, toxicity and safety tests, and autonomic nerve function tests were addressed in clinical studies. Bee venom (BV) was the most frequently-used pharmacopuncture in mechanism studies. Pharmacopuncture was mainly used to treat musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and studies of it have made great progress in Korea. Studies on BV pharmacopuncture and musculoskeletal diseases accounted for most of the studies reported during the review period. Research on the types of pharmacopuncture and diseases has to be expanded. Especially, studies on the use of MFP and EPP for treating patients with various diseases are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.49-70
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to approve the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine on presbycusis with kidney deficiency. Methods : We searched randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on presbycusis patients diagnosed with kidney deficiency through 10 electronic databases from the start to Sep 7, 2021. Study collection and data extraction, and evaluation of risk of bias were conducted by two independent collaborator. The evaluation of the risk of bias in included RCTs was carried out by using Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. And the data synthesis was conducted by using Review Manager(RevMan, ver.5.4). Results : 1. The treatment group which used herbal medicine(HM) alone was more effective than the control group which used only western medicine(WM) on effective rate of hearing loss. 2. In 3 studies comparing the HM-WM combination treatment group with the control groups using the same WM treatment, the effective rate was statistically significantly higher in the HM-WM combination treatment group. 3. Of the 5 studies that reported adverse reactions, one study reported mild nausea and dizziness, but the difference between the HM treatment group and the WM control group was not statistically significant, and no side effects occurred in other 3 studies. 4. In studies comparing HM and WM, the HM treatment group improved hearing loss, whole blood viscosity, serum TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, IL-6, and oxidative stress indicators better than the WM control group, and there was no significant difference. 5. In studies comparing the HM-WM treatment group with the WM control group, the severity of tinnitus, quality of life, and feelings of anxiety and depression were better in the treatment group than the control group. Conclusions : This study shows that the herbal medicine can improve symptoms of presbycusis with kidney deficiency.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2013

Objective : The primary purpose of present study is to evaluate the effect of herbal cosmetics containing Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae extract complex on acne. The second is to comparatively evaluate safety of this cosmetics. Methods : We opened collecting of applicant that men and women(the 18~35-year-old) with acne on face. We selected subjects who came up to entire inclusion criteria and were not included in the exclusion criteria. We checked changes of Acne Global score, skin sebum, moisture, pores counts, Skindex-29 for 8 weeks. Results : 1. Comparison of changes in Global score, it declined in both experimental group and control group. But Experimental group showed a statistically significant decline than control group. 2. Comparison of changes in sebum and moisture, it declined in both experimental group and control group. But there was no statistically significant difference between those two groups. 3. Comparison of changes in erythema normal area, it declined in both experimental group and control group. But there was no statistically significant difference between those two groups. 4. Comparison of changes in pore counts, it increased statistically significantly in both experimental group and control group. 5. Comparison of changes in Skindex-29, it declined in both experimental group and control group. But there was no statistically significant difference between those two groups. Conclusion : Considering the above experiments, it is suggested that herbal cosmetics containing Cortex Betulae Platyphyllae extract complex have a positive effect on acne.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.135-154
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• 2014

Purpose: There is an issue in applying various principles introduced in established Korean medical classics to "Pharmaceuticals Approval, Notification and Review" of "herbal medicinal preparations" and "new drugs from natural products" that are used for western forms of medical treatment. Thus, an analysis of the origin, purpose, and application of established Korean medical classics in the Korean Pharmaceutical Affairs Act is essential. Methods: We collected data regarding the origin, purpose, and application of established Korean medical classics in the Korean Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and classified them by periodical change and subjects. Results: Established Korean medical classics are applied as follows: 1) as criteria for Korean medicine distributors' sales of mixed herbal drugs (Pharmaceutical Affairs Act; since 1953), 2) as official compendiums for pharmacists' preparation of Korean medicine (Ministry of Health and Welfare's authoritative interpretation; from early 1970s to 1993), 3) as standards for oriental pharmacists' quality measurement of preparations (notification of the Ministry of Health and Welfare; since 1995), 4) as criteria for "Pharmaceuticals Approval, Notification and Review" of herbal medicinal preparations and crude drug preparations (notifications regarding drug approval process by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; since 1978), and 5) as standards for the quality of materials of health functional food (from 2004 to 2011). Conclusion: The application of Korean medical classics has been closely related with the change of the laws, regulations, and systems that are relevant to Korean medicine, and it seems to be more favorable for pharmacists than oriental pharmacists. Meanwhile, regulations that apply prescriptions that are recorded in Korean medical classics - dosage, indications, and preparation methods - as criteria for the approval of crude drug preparations for western medical treatment should be abolished.