• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-156
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• 2009

Objectives : To research the trend of studies related to rheumatoid arthritis and to indicate the hereafter direction for its study in oriental medicine and its treatment. Methods : I reviewed 75 domestic oriental medical journals, and 50 medical journals about rheumatoid arthritis published after 2004, and comparative analysis was made. And these theses were classified by college, year, field of study, subject. Results : The following are the results of this study. 1. Classified by oriental medical college, Dae-jeon college published the most theses, followed by Dong-guk, Kyung-hee, Se-myung and Dong-shin college. Han-yang college published the most theses among college of medicine. 2. Classified by type of thesis, experimental theses(70 pieces, 94%) showed higher rate than that of clinical theses(4 pieces, 5%) in oriental medical studies. However, in medical studies, clinical theses(34 pieces, 68%) showed higher rate than that of experimental theses(15 pieces, 30%). 3. Analyzed by subject, the most dealt subject in oriental medicine was herb medication, followed by herbal acupuncture, single herb, electroacupuncture, sasang & gene, acupuncture & moxibustion, complex accordingly. The most dealt subject in medical clinical journals was standards of diagnosis & prognosis, followed by medication, gene analysis, pathogenesis, clinical pattern, operative treatment and complication accordingly. 4. In theses related to herb medication, most of the subject was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of herb medication with geopungseup, jibitong, hwalhyeolgeoer function. The tendency of experimental methods was focusing on understanding anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory mechanisms through molecular biologic methods by analyzing cytokine and gene. 5. Most of theses related to herbal acupuncture were experimental studies verifying ant-inflammatory and immnoregulatory effects through methods observing change of cytokine and immunoregulatory factors. Regarding remedies for herbal acupuncture, Ulmus davidiana Planch was most preferred, followed by bee venom. 6. In theses related to single herb, Boik-yak was most prefered, followed by Geopungseup-yak and Hwalhyeolgeoer-yak. Regarding methods of research, there were tendency of shifting from methods verifying travail, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects through a test of behavior, morphometry, serology and temperature measurement of the rectum and the skin into verifying anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects through observing inflammatory cytokine in the joint and cells of spleen. 7. In theses related to electroacupuncture, ST36 and adjuvant were most preferred as acupoints and induced factor. The tendency of experimental methods was turning from verifying mechanism of travail effect to analyzing inflammation and pain inducing factors. 8. Diverse medical clinical studies were published. Subjects such as diagnosis and prognosis, medication, gene analysis, clinical pattern, operational treatment, complication and pathogenesis were published. Especially, studies about standards of early diagnosis, and research on possible parallel medications with methotrexate were actively inquired. 9. Most of theses related to medical experimental studies was about mediators and receptors related to inflammatory induction and osteoclasia mechanism. Also, it was presented blockage of them can be effective on rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusions : The oriental medicine studies have merit in its diversity of treatment, but it clinical studies is lacking compared to experimental studies. Also, more diversity of subjects is necessary. Therefore, complementary measures are needed. Hereafter, oriental medicine research about rheumatoid arthritis needs more clinical research verifying the effectiveness and safety in clinical field. Also, we require oriental medical standard of diagnosis and researches on pathological generation which would make early checkup and prognosis possible.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2021

Objectives: Depression is a mood disorder showing low energy, loss of interest, anhedonia, and anxiety. It affects a patients' daily life. This disease is considered a social problem because the patient may commit suicide in extreme cases. JSB is composed of 12 Korean medicinal herbs. It has been prescribed to patients with depression. The objective of this study is to investigate anti-depressive effects of JSB on restraint stress-induced depression in a mouse model. Methods: Depression was induced by restraint stress. Mice were orally administered JSB at 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg for 14 days. Forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT) were performed. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA level was measured by real time-PCR. Plasma levels of corticosterone and serotonin were measured by ELISA. Blood levels of AST and ALS were measured using a biochemical analyzer. Results: JSB treatment significantly reduced the immobility time in FST. BDNF mRNA level was increased by JSB treatment in the hippocampi of mice. Although the expression of TNF-α was also increased by JSB, such increase was not statistically significant. The increase of corticosterone level in plasma induced by restraint stress was significantly down-regulated by JSB. JSB reduced blood level of AST, but not ALT. Conclusions: JSB has a potential to manage depression, setting a foundation for clinical application of Korean medicine with safety.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.154-163
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• 2019

Objective: We report on the administration progression and adverse event of Er-Xian decoction for menopausal hot flushes. A hot flush is a rapid and intense heat-dissipation reaction that involves considerable sweating, enlargement of the peripheral blood vessels, and internal body heat. Er-Xian decoction is a prescription for treating menopausal hot flush symptoms in postmenopausal women. We report administration progression and adverse event of Er-Xian decoction for menopausal hot flush. Methods: We used the Menopause Rating Scale and Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire to evaluate the progression of hot flushes, and we conducted a literature review to determine the effective dosage of Er-Xian decoction. Result: In all cases, Facial hot flushes and evaluation variables were improved by the administration of EXD. However, in Case 1, a rise of liver function indexes which may be related to EXD administration was observed. Conclusion: Considering that menopausal flushing usually lasts for several years, The resluts are meaningful that the short-term administration of EXD led to improvement of symptoms. In order to further use EXD in the future, it will be necessary to conduct follow-up studies on the subject of safety verification, such as repeated dose toxicity studies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.126-135
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to describe the type of claimed adverse events related to Korean Medicine practices in South Korea. Methods : Claims with regard to the Korean Medicine practice submitted to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency from April 2012 to December 2016 were collected. We analyzed claims that explicitly reported the type of Korean medicine intervention and were deemed as being adverse events as defined by the Korea Good Clinical Practice. Claims that did not mention the Korean medicine practice explicitly or those related to the patient's dissatisfaction to the service rather than adverse health outcomes were excluded. Types, related interventions and the suspected severity of claimed adverse events were summarized. Results : Of 197 claims obtained, 140 claim cases were eligible and 144 claimed events were deemed as possible adverse events of the Korean medicine practice. Pain(16%), local infection/inflammation(12%) and neurological symptoms(11%) were the most frequently reported types of claimed adverse events. Thirty-nine claimed serious adverse events(SAE) were identified, including pneumothorax(28.2%) and death(17.9%). Conclusions : A wide range of claimed adverse events were identified. Routine monitoring of claims data may provide undetected safety information with regard to the Korean medicine practice. High risk of misclassification of the intervention and claimed adverse events due to insufficient information is the main caveat of this study.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.11
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• pp.1-40
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• 2008

The leukemia is caused by with abnormal changes of the hemotopoietic cell and in the various neoplasm group which occurs from lymph organization and the bone marrow occurs disrupts immigrates toward the blood of circumference and a hemotopoiesis and the arm discouragement royal tomb and is a disease which infiltrates with the organization. Western medical diagnosis and classification and presents eastern medicinal demonstration which is confronted in him about the leukemia, eastern medicinal diagnosis and treatment the clinical dissertation against precisely, saw and dissertation precisely tried about leukemia therapeutic effect of the herbal extract, last from conclusion like this dissertation precisely in the base which tries groped the direction of eastern medicinal treatment method research about the leukemia. Eastern medicine approach led about diagnosis and treatment of the leukemia and with leukemia treatment the medical herb which the eastern medicine possesses in development and room sacrifice an eastern medicine theory and the false eye presented the drug which is therapeutic possibility and they presented. The eastern medicine demonstration and therapeutic method is showing the therapeutic ratio which is effective about the leukemia. But according to the patient does a about prescription and therapeutic method differently and the room my composition is complicated and clinical day is consistent decides upon a reproducibility and a therapeutic ratio with difficult point of accumulation, with standardization of therapeutic method has the difficult point of supply. In treatment of the leukemia demonstrates a nature of a disease consequently with theory of eastern medicine and appropriately prescribes endeavors raises a therapeutic ratio and the medical herb and room proposal remedial value, under verifying reveals the clinical trial which is standardized leads and the medical herb and a room sacrifice and the verification and supply of effect and safety are necessary.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2010

Objects : To establish directions to evidence-based medical interventions and diagnosis technology in oriental medicine, we did survey research among oriental medical doctors. Methods : Systematically-organized questionnaires were provided for survey. 105 Oriental medical doctors nationwide participated in the survey. We investigated diseases of their patients, differential diagnosis methods, frequently used medical interventions, needs for diagnosis devices, evidence-based clinical manuals, etc. Results : In oriental medical clinics, the most frequent patient class was patients with musculo-skeletal diseases. Oriental medical doctors assumed that the preparation of care solution for chronic life-style diseases was the most urgent. Dong-Eui-Bo-gam(東醫寶鑑) was the most frequently used reference for their herbal medication prescription. Fixed document for diagnosis and treatment were thought to be the most important in the developing evidence-based clinical manuals. Conclusions : Validity and reliability should be considered as very important in developing oriental diagnosis devices. Evidence-based clinical manuals are needed to build standardized document for diagnosis and treatment and to verify efficacy and safety of oriental medical diagnosis and treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.253-261
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• 2006

Backgrounds : Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lowering serum cholesterol levels could reduce the risk of CVD. Insamsansa-eum (Renshenshanzha-yin, ISE), composed of Ginseng Radix and Crataegii Fructus, is a new medicine developed to treat hyperlipidemia and CVD. Objectives : In this study, we intended to explore the clinical effects of ISE on patients with hypercholesterolemia, and moreover we also compared its effects according to the pattern identification. Methods : Subjects were administered ISE with the dose of 600 mg three times a day for 4 weeks. Patterns of subjects were identified with diagnostic scoring system for Yin-Yang and the condition of Excess-Deficiency before treatment. Serum lipids were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of medication. Results : ISE lowered total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), total lipid(TL), phospholipid(PL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) significantly. Compared with the data of our previous study, it was less effective than Atorvastatin but showed equal lipids-lowering effect to Chunghyul-dan (Qingxue-dan, CHD). In Yang pattern group, ISE was less effective in lowering TG and LDL than it was in not-Yang-not-Yinpattern group. On safety assessment, there was no adverse effect, hepatic or renal toxicity. Conclusions : We suggest that ISE is a safe and useful herbal medicine for hypercholesterolemia, and moreover it could be more useful when it is used for patients with not Yang pattern.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate which information of cancer patients should be collected for the Korean medicine cancer registry in order to assess the efficacy and safety of Korean medicine (KM) treatment and to identify Korean medical prognostic predictors. Methods: A total of fifteen Korean medical specialists completed an online survey questionnaire including items about general characteristics of cancer patients and clinical practice patterns. Results: The four main types of cancer at Korean medical hospitals were breast, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancer. The majority of patients with cancer at Korean medical hospitals were in the advanced or metastatic stage (50.0%). The prominent purposes of KM treatment were to alleviate cancer-related symptoms, reduce the side effects of conventional therapy, and improve quality of life. The major options for treatment were traditional herbal medicine (THM), acupuncture, moxibustion, thermotherapy, pharmacoacupuncture, and meditation, with THM being the most frequently used (35.7%). Almost all Korean medical specialists (93.9%) used syndrome differentiation in clinical practice and identified over half the cancer patients as deficiency syndrome (57.2%). Conclusion: Physicians considered the primary goal of KM treatment for cancer patients to be symptom management since advanced or metastatic stage patients were the majority at Korean medical hospitals. THM were the most common treatment option and syndrome differentiation was used by almost all physicians. Further research is needed to monitor and ensure optimal KM treatment for patients with cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2023

Jukyeo (竹茹; Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam: BCT) is an herbal medicine made from the inner part of the bamboo stem of Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf ex Rendle or Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini. Although medical literature published in China and Korea decades ago introduced BCT as a remedy for reducing vomiting, fever, and hematemesis, decoctions containing BCT as a main herb (君藥) in Korea have been approved only for treating neurologic symptoms. Here, we discuss the anti-inflammatory function of BCT. Combined with the clinical usage of a BCT-containing decoction in treating inflammatory diseases in Japan, we raise the possibility of repurposing the BCT-containing decoctions for treating inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of BCT was mainly assessed by using RAW 264.7 cells. The regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2 and A20 activities was determined by western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. The list of decoctions containing BCT currently approved in Korea was obtained from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA). BCT suppressed the activity of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB elicited by LPS, activated an anti-inflammatory factor Nrf2, and induced A20 that is known to block several inflammatory pathways simultaneously, suggesting that BCT can suppress inflammation via at least 3 different pathways. KFDA approved 11 decoctions containing BCT as a major herb, including Gamiondam-tang (加味溫膽湯; GOT), for treating neurologic disorders. Interestingly, Jukyeoondam-tang (竹茹溫膽湯; JOT), whose composition is almost identical to GOT except for one herb, has been used to treat inflammatory pulmonary disorders including Covid-19 pulmonary infection in Japan Given the anti-inflammatory function of BCT evidenced by medical literature and experimental results and the clinical usage of JOT in treating inflammatory pulmonary disorders, we suggest a repurposing and extension of the BCT-containing decoctions approved in Korea to treating inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.70-81
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• 2024

Objectives: Cognitive impairments, ranging from mild to severe, adversely affect daily functioning, quality of life, and work capacity. Despite significant efforts in the past decade, more than 200 promising drug candidates have failed in clinical trials. Herbal remedies are gaining interest as potential treatments for dementia due to their long history and safety, making them valuable for drug development. This review aimed to examine the mechanisms behind the effect of Polygonum multiflorum on cognitive function. Methods: This study focused primarily on the effects of Polygonum multiflorum and its chemical constituents on cognitive behavioral outcomes including the Morris water maze, the passive avoidance test, and the Y maze, as well as pathogenic targets of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) like amyloid deposition, amyloid precursor protein, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cognitive decline. Additionally, a thorough evaluation of the mechanisms behind Polygonum multiflorum's impact on cognitive function was conducted. We reviewed the most recent data from preclinical research done on experimental models, particularly looking at Polygonum multiflorum's effects on cognitive decline and AD. Results: According to recent research, Poligonum multiflorum and its bioactive components, stilbene, and emodin, influence cognitive behavioral results and regulate the pathological target of cognitive impairment and AD. Their mechanisms of action include reducing oxidative and mitochondrial damage, regulating neuroinflammation, halting apoptosis, and promoting increased neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Conclusion: This review serves as a comprehensive compilation of current experiments on AD and other cognitive impairment models related to the therapeutic effects of Polygonum multiflorum. We believe that these findings can serve as a basis for future clinical trials and have potential applications in the treatment of human neurological disorders.