• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.13-21
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Many experimental studies reported that Glycyrrhiza species possess several pharmacological properties. Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration doing research for registration on Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. During the evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM, we focused the anti-allergic effect in this study. Methods : We investigated the anti-allergic effect of WONGAM and SINWONGAM compared with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra L. using anti-dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/human serum albumin-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells and compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. We analyzed the effect on the expression of various cytokines, and IgE from mast cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms of WONGAM and SINWONGAM in presented models. Results : WONGAM and SINWONGAM showed the inhibitory effect on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells or human mast cells without cytotoxicity. WONGAM and SINWONGAM blocked anaphylactic shock and decreased the IgE production. Furthermore, WONGAM and SINWONGAM inhibited the productions of TNF-α and IL-6 in compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. Conclusion : These results indicated that WONGAM and SINWONGAM would have protect effect on allergic responses through the inhibition of allergic mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study may facilitate the development on Glycyrrhiza new varieties for allergy.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2014

The concentration of 5 metals such as As, Cd, Co, Cr and Pb in 5 frequent using herbal medicinal prescriptions in Korea were analyzed according to the consuming area. The ready prepared 5 prescription samples were obtained from Korean regional hospitals nationwide. All the sample were well powdered and pre-treated to being a solution, and then analyzed by ICP/MS. As was detected the highest concentration of 0.55 mg/kg in Ojeoksan of Gyunggi-do, the lowest was 0.01 mg/kg of Sipjeondaebotang of Seoul C. The highest concentration of Co was found to be in Bojoongikgitang of Seoul B and the lowest was also detected in Bojoongikgitang of Seoul A. Cd concentration, Ojeoksan of Chungcheong-do, Bojoongikgitang of Seoul B and yookmijihwangtang of Chungcheong-do showed the low level of 0.1 mg/kg. In turn, the highest level of Cr was 5.59 mg/kg in Ojeoksan of Gyunggi-do B. The lowest concentration of Cr was 0.04 mg/kg in Sipjeondaebotang of Seoul C and the highest was 0.94 mg/kg in Samooltang of Gangwon-do. Finally, the lowest concentration of Pb was 0.00 mg/kg in Sipjeondaebotang of Chungcheong-do and the highest was 0.134 mg/kg in Ojeoksan of Jeju-do. As a result it seems that the same prescription can not guaranteed the safety from toxic metals since those metal concentrations are dramatically varied according to the area where the each prescribed medicine available.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate contamination levels of aflatoxins, the secondary metabolites produced by fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, in herbal medicine. Herbs is susceptible to these fungi infections through its growth harvest, transport and storage. This study determine the aflatoxin $B_1$, $B_2$, $G_1$ and $G_2$ levels by HPLC-florescence detector coupled with photochemical enhancement in 558 samples herbal medicine distributed in Korea and China. Also, We checked a transfer ratio of aflatoxins from raw herbal medicines to herbal medicine extract. Hot water extraction of herbal medicines was prepared by air pressure and high pressure condition. The analytical method for aflatoxins was validated in this method. In results recoveries of the analytical method were ranged from 67.4% to 96.2% and, limits of detection and quantitation for aflatoxins were $0.015{\sim}0.138\;{\mu}g/kg$ and $0.046{\sim}0.418\;{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. According to the results of monitoring on aflatoxins in herbal medicine, aflatoxins 1.7 ug/kg $B_1$ and 0.9 ug/kg $G_1$ were detected in only one sample of Strychni Ignatii Semen, and 0.8 ug/kg $G_1$ in Strychni Semen. About 13.6~51.3% of aflatoxins were transferred to hot water extract. Although the detected levels are under the permitted levels for aflatoxins in herbal medicine, these amounts should be considered in regard to overall daily exposure to mycotoxins.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1237-1244
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• 2021

Objectives: Drug fever and procedure-related fever are the causes of nosocomial fever. Oriental medicine has been practiced in Asia and is now being practiced as an alternative medicine in western countries. No data are available on the incidence of drug fever and procedure-related fever in oriental medical hospitals (OMHs). The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of drug fever related to oriental herbal medicine and oriental medical procedure-related fever. Methods: This was a retrospective study at one OMH of a university medical institute in Seoul, Korea, conducted from June 2006 to June 2013. Results: Overall, 95 episodes of drug fever occurred among 10880 patients treated with herbal medicine (0.89%). Peak body temperature was 38.37±0.58 ℃, and the fever lasted for 1.0 day (range 1.0-17.0 days). Eosinophilia was found in 15 patients (15.79%) and 8 patients developed toxic hepatitis (8.42%). Five patients had a drug-related skin rash (5.26%). The most common ingredients of the herbal medicines associated with drug fever were licorice, Angelica gigas root, and white Atractylodes rhizome. In total, 16 episodes of procedure-related fever (0.20%) occurred in 8125 patients treated with oriental medical procedures. The peak body temperature was 38.26±0.51 ℃, and the fever lasted for 1.0 day (range 1.0-3.0 days). Among various oriental medical procedures, moxibustion was the most common procedure related to fever, followed by acupuncture. Conclusions: The incidence of drug fever and procedure-related fever in oriental medicine is not high compared with the incidence in western medicine.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.303-313
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• 2009

Traditionally, Cham dang-gui (Angelica gigas Nakai) is one of the most popular herbal medicines in Asian countries including Korea. A. gigas has been used as a functional food product for treatment anemia, women's health care, a sedative, an anodyne or a tonic agent. Decursin and decursinol angelate isolated from the roots of A. gigas are pyranocoumarin compounds. Recently, as the global herbal medication market is increasing, investigations about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate are rapidly increasing. We summarized previous studies about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate, and reviewed relation with pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate on human disorder, focused on the approach for new drug development. Pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate were classified as anti-tumor activity, anti-bacterial activity, improvements of the circulating system, inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activity, anti-inflammation activity, anti-oxidant activity and cognitive-enhancing activites. The activity of A. gigas with improvement of the circulating system may have wide therapeutic potential for circulatory diseases, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Also, anti-inflammation activity A. gigas may be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatism arthritis. This relation could potentially lead to the development of herbal new drugs. In order to development a new drug containing decursin and decursinol angelate, it is also necessary to consider the safety profile, and the information in this review would contribute to development a new drug from herbal medicine.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of Ojeok-san extract powder and soft extract in healthy male volunteers. Methods Randomized controlled, cross over study was carried out in healthy male volunteers. Total 27 of 31 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled and three subjects for waiting were included. To each group 12 subjects were randomly allocated by random number table. Group A took the extract powder in the first period and then took the soft extract in the second period. Group B took the medicine in the opposite order. Trial was conducted through two times of hospitalizations and all subjects had a seven-days of wash out period. Vital sign and laboratory test were checked before and after the medication. The mean difference of safety evaluation variables were analyzed by paired t-test (p<0.001) or wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.05). The mean difference between two groups were analyzed by independent t-test (p<0.05) or Mann whitney test (p<0.05). Results As a result of all data related to vital sign and laboratory test in both group, There were no significant differences associated with the clinical trial drug between before and after the medication. And there was no adverse event associated with the clinical trial drug. Conclusions Both Ojeok-san extract powder and soft extract were found to be safe for healthy male volunteers.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.147-166
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• 2008

Objective : This study is achieved to know the way that we can use metabolomics for the scientific research of Korean medicine. Results : We elucidate that metabolomics can be contributed to four ways for objectification of Korean medicine 1. Diagnosis of BeunJungLonChi(辯證論治). 2. Application toward Personalized medicine. 3. Quantification of Herbal medicine. 4. Evaluation of efficacy/safety for Korean medicine formulation Conclusion : Metabolomics opens up a new opportunity to reinvestigate Korean medicine from holistic perspective. Furthermore, Metabolomics is expected to provide effective method in research of acupuncture and meridian.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2024

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 80%. Among nonsurgical treatments for chronic LBP, Korean medicine treatments are highly preferred, and pharmacopuncture therapy combining acupuncture and herbal medicine is widely used. However, no evidence-based study has focused on the use of various types of pharmacopuncture. Methods: The pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial will include 44 participants; recruitment will start in July 2023. All participants will receive integrated Korean medicine treatment including acupuncture, cupping, and infrared therapy, and the intervention group will also receive pharmacopuncture. After 16 treatment sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks, follow-up assessments will be performed at week 9. As a pragmatic randomized controlled clinical protocol, the type, dose, and acupoints of acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are not determined in advance but are selected and recorded according to the clinical judgment of the Korean medicine doctor. Results: The primary outcome will be measured using a visual analog scale score, and the secondary outcomes include the Oswestry disability index, patient global impression of change, no worse than mild pain, and range of motion. Safety will be assessed by examining participants' self-reported adverse events and vital signs and conducting blood tests before and after the test. Conclusion: This study aims to provide clinical evidence of the effectiveness and safety of pharmacopuncture for chronic LBP.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the contemporary perception of traditional Korean medical doctors (TKMDs) on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) policies and issues. Methods: A questionnaire that included traditional medicine policy- and treatment-related issues was sent to 130 TKM medical centers and 4,300 TKM local clinical offices in Korea, and received responses from total 648 TKMDs in 122 TKM medical centers and 465 TKM local clinical offices. Results: Of the responding TKMDs, 40% believed that unification of Western and traditional medicines would benefit both modes of medical treatment, 67.6% were against allowing Chinese doctor certification to be effective in Korea through the Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and 57.8% believed that the number of TKMDs should be reduced. We also found that 46.1% of TKMDs believed that more lectures on Western medicine would be needed in schools of TKM. Moreover, 87.5% of respondents regarded medical knowledge as necessary for treatment, and 49.4% believed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (NCCAOM) would be not necessary. TKMDs regarded governmental efforts as more vital than education in schools or individual efforts for enhancement of the traditional medical care market in Korea. To efficiently provide the advantages of complementary CAM, such as cost and safety, detailed research is required when policy is made. Conclusions: The TKM industry must implement policies how the relationship with Western medicine can be better defined under the current dual medical system. On the issue of human resources, more research will be needed on the current policy, which serves to maintain the status quo by blocking the importation of Chinese practitioners and by reducing the number of new practitioners.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.532-546
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the perception, diagnosis, and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the general population, in patients, and in Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) in order to provide basic information for the development of Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for IBS. Methods: A questionnaire was developed in two versions, one for the general population/patients and one for KMDs. The questions were about the general perception, diagnosis, and treatment of IBS. Both online and offline surveys were conducted using these questionnaires. Results: In total, 213 general population/patients and 435 KMDs responded to the survey. The results of the analysis were as follows. Most of the KMDs diagnosed IBS based on clinical aspects. Acupuncture was the most common treatment, followed by prescription herbal medicine, moxibustion, and manufactured herbal medicine. 34.3% of KMDs used clinical practice guidelines for IBS patient treatment. 57.8% of patients were diagnosed with IBS by doctors at primary medical institutions, and 53.1% were diagnosed with colonoscopy. More than half of the IBS patients who have been treated with Korean medicine said they experienced improvement of symptoms and prevention of recurrence, but more than 70% of the respondents said future safety and effectiveness studies of Korean medicine were needed. Conclusions: In spite of the positive perception of IBS treatment with Korean medicine, actual utilization was relatively low. The development and promotion of, as well as education about, appropriate and reasonable Korean medicine practice guidelines for IBS is necessary.