• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2008

Purpose: Acute toxic hepatitis is a common cause of acute liver failure (ALF). We investigated the causes, clinical manifestation, and outcomes of ALF patients who underwent liver transplantation due to acute toxic hepatitis caused by herbal medicines and preparations. Methods: Between January 1992 and May 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 24 patients who were transplanted due to acute toxic hepatitis caused by herbal medicines and preparations. We applied the RUCAM score to patients with acute toxic hepatitis and assessed the relationship between herbal preparations and liver injury. We studied the patients' medication history, liver function tests, and clinical outcomes. Results: The type of liver injury was divided into three groups: hepatocellular type, 14 patients (58.3%); cholestatic type, 4 patients (16.7%); and mixed type, 6 patients (25%). Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg (3 cases) was the most common cause of acute toxic hepatitis, followed by Acanthopanax senticosus (2 cases), pumpkin juice (2 cases), Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz (2 cases), Hovenia dulcis (1 case), Phellinus linteus (1 case), and Artemisia capillaries (1 case). One year survival after liver transplantation was 76%. Conclusion: We identified the herbal preparations leading to acute liver failure. Many patients consider herbal remedies to be completely free of unwanted side effects. However, we found that many herbal products have biological activities that can lead to severe hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 2011

The safety of liquid-type herbal preparations (47 samples) and beverages containing herbal medicines (18 samples), which are distributed in Gyeonggi province was studied by analyzing heavy metals, benzo(a)pyrene, preservatives and sugar content and to explain the differences between medicine and food based on the labeling standards. The herbal preparation is regarded as medicine and can be differentiated from the beverages containing herbal medicine, which is food, based on the fact that the herbal preparation should be labeled with usage, dosage, efficiency and effect. The mean concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, Hg were found to be 0.014 mg/kg, 0.113 mg/kg, 0.004 mg/kg and 0.003 mg/kg in herbal preparation and 0.009 mg/kg, 0.122 mg/kg, 0.003 mg/kg and 0.002 mg/kg in beverages containing herbal medicines, respectively. In 10 cases of herbal preparations and 6 cases of beverages containing Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sukjihwang), benzo(a)pyrene was not found. According to preservative test on herbal medicine, dehydroacetic acid was found less than the indicated content in 6 cases out of 37 cases, which labeled with preservatives, and benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid and methylparaben were contained with 164.0~198.0 mg/kg, 149.8~272.5 mg/kg and 88.4 mg/kg, respectively, in 3 cases out of 10 cases, which was not labeled with preservatives. Among 16 cases of beverages containing herbal medicines, 3 cases of preservative-labeled beverages had the preservatives, and the rest of all, which was not labeled with preservatives, did not show that they contain any preservative, therefore, it was suitable for the labeling standards. As a result of sugar content test, preservative-labeled products were not appreciably different from the others.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

Objectives : Recently, the total medical expenses of the korean oriental medical service in national health insurance is on the increase every year. Herbal medicines are one of the major methods of the medical treatment. But the expenses of these herbal preparations that can receive benefits from insurance system are decreasing. Methods : In this research, we obtained statistical data of the benefit states of herbal preparations in herbal heath insurance during year 2001-2003 from Health Insurance Review Agency. We analyzed top twenty main diseases in herbal health insurance and mainly used prescription in these diseases. Results : There were wide differences in the application of prescriptions among diseases. For example, musculoskeletal diseases occupied an important position and Ojucksan took more than 50 percentage. Conclusion : We hope that this study could be a basic data for improving the benefit system of herbal health insurance and further studies should be carried out subsequently.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.43-56
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• 2010

Objective : There is a growing need to expand or adjust insurance coverage of herbal prescriptions in National Health Insurance. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for expansions or adjustments of 56 herbal prescriptions in the National Health Insurance. Method : We surveyed lists of 56 insurance-covered herbal prescriptions, non-covered company-produced herbal medicines and self-prepared herbal medicines in 531 traditional korean medical clinics by mail from 6/1/2008 to 12/9/2008. Result : Among the 56 Prescriptions, Ojeok-san was stocked in 66.7% of clinics (1st), Samso-eum ranked 2nd, Socheongnyong-tang ranked 3rd, Gumiganghwal-tang was 4th, Hyangsapyeongwi-san ranked 5th. Among the non-covered company-produced herbal medicines, Danggwisu-san ranked 1st, Gwakyangjeonggi-san ranked 2nd, Oryeong-san was 3rd, Bangpungtongseong-san was 4th, Maengmundong-tang ranked 5th. Among the self-prepared herbal medicines, Gongjin-dan ranked 1st, Soche-hwan was 2nd, Gyejibongnyeong-hwan was 3rd, Yeongsin-hwan was 4th, Palmi-hwan ranked 5th. Conclusions : It is reasonable to select frequently used company-produced or self-prepared herbal prescriptions in this stock rate survey for improvement of National Health Insurance coverage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.957-964
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• 2004

Herbal medicines are increasingly used to treat various diseases and lots of studies have been reported that they had benefits in treating and preventing of diseases. But organic toxicity is increasingly recognized as herbal medicines become more popular in industrialized countries. Some herbal products potentially benefit people with lots of diseases, however these benefits remain generally unproved in humans, and a greater awareness for potential adverse effects is required. A herb containing a wide variety of, mostly unknown, substances may well include some with unwanted effects. This review focuses on emerging organic toxicities that have been observed associated with various herbal preparations involving the liver, kidney, and heart, and patterns of organ injury, potential risk factors for organic toxicities. In addition to the potential for organic toxicities, drug drug interactions between herbal medicines and conventional agents may affect the efficacy and safety of concurrent medical therapy. Appropriate reporting and regulatory system to monitor herbal toxicity are required, in conjunction with ongoing scientific evaluation of the potential benefits of phytotherapy.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-75
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• 2001

This study was conducted to improve the current regulation guidelines for developing traditional Korean medicines with effectiveness and productivity, in order to cope with the upcoming ICH on specifications on oriental herbal drugs. Also, major purposes of this study are to motivate R&D and to pioneer foreign markets for domestic herbal drug companies. First, after examining concepts of traditional Korean medicines and comparing the numbers and differentiation of herbal drugs registered on Pharmacopeia among Korea, China, and Japan, the current new drug development requirements for traditional Korean medicines were reviewed in detail, followed by comparison of foreign regulation systems including USA, EU, China, and Japan. Second, empirical cases on failure of development for new traditional Korean medicines under the current regulation system in the domestic companies including Dong-A, Kwangdong, and Samchondang, were collected and analyzed. As a result, hanbangsaengyak, the new category for traditional Korean medicines was newly developed on the basis of scientification of data between saengyak and hanyak, from the perspectives of harmonization between oriental medicine and western medicine and of balance between food and drug, in terms of industrialization, publicity, modernization, and effectiveness of administration. In addition, the new regulation requirements for the new hanbangsaengyak preparations were discussed by establishing principles of reinforcing preclinical test and of simplifying clinical trials in Korea. Finally, the further researches to articulate the complete specifications for pre-clinical and clinical requirements for traditional Korean medicines were strongly suggested.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2015

Objectives : In Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, herbal medicinal preparations are defined as medicines made by Korean medicine principles. But in Act, Korean medicine principles are vague. Thus, there is a request to explain what the Korean medicine principles are. The aim of this study is to suggest implications of Korean medicine principles in definition of herbal medicinal preparations. Methods : With regard for definition of Korean medicine principles, we referred to the domestic and foreign regulations and literature about the history of herbal medicinal preparations. As a result, the meaning of Korean medicine principles was historically examined from various angles. Results : Through this study, we studied the Korean medicine principles from the past medical history. Due to the broad definition of Korean medicinal principles, we tried to extract general ideas of medicine principles first. We also found that we had scientific formulations based on korean medicine principles which could be used in modern society. In the end, we found that numerous medicine principles which include ‘Four qi and five flavors theory’, ‘Processing of medicinals’, ‘Yin and yang theory’, ‘Five phases theory’, ‘Meridian entry of viscera and bowels theory’, ‘Herb Couplet Interaction theory’, ‘Sovereign, minister, assistant and courier theory’, etc. Conclusions : Innumerable principles used from the past existed. These principles were broad and could be used as modern scientific principles. Based on these facts, we illustrated details of Korean medicine principles, hope this principles be widely shared and Korean herbal medicinal preparations be further developed.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2002

Ginseng is a perennial herb widely used in China, Japan, and Korea. It is also one of the most commonly used herbal medicines in the U.S. Although it is generally considered safe to use, adverse effects associated with ginseng use have been reported. Inappropriate ginseng use, such as high dose administration, may cause insomnia, headaches, diarrhea, as well as cardiovascular and endocrine disorders. Other factors that may contribute to adverse effects of ginseng include the variety of ginseng species, variability in commercial ginseng preparations, and potential ginseng-drug interactions. To minimize adverse effects of ginseng, consumers should be advised to use it appropriately, and the herbal industry should try to provide standardized ginseng preparations.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.109-149
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• 2011

Objectives : The study contains formulas, medicinal herbs, how to make of paste preparations in "Dongeuibogam". Methods : I will try to find paste preparations in "Dongeuibogam" using a word, paste(膏). Results : Paste preparations are categorized into two types: the external and the internal medicine. Paste preparations were used not only in the dermatology disease but in the internal disease. The same formula name to have different information was written by other people. Various kinds of medicinal herbs, minerals, animals were used and type of oil or juice was used to dissolve these. Methods to process paste preparations were to grind medicines or extract from medicinal materials. Paste preparations for the external was used to put in eyes or to push into wound and apply them to the skin. Paste preparations for the internal was used to take with wine, water and herbal tea. Some paste preparations were used both external and internal. Conclusion : These results explain that Paste preparations were variously used in "Dongeuibogam".

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.169-172
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• 2011

Traditional medicines usually use combinational formula that is prepared by mixing different varieties of medicinal herbs and boiling them in water to yield a decoction. In recent years a modified method has been proposed and practiced wherein the individual herbs are boiled with water separately and later these extracts are mixed together for use. This practice has lead to a constant controversy concerning the chemical and biological equivalence between the preparations arriving out of these two methodologies. In this research, we attempted to study the effects of traditional and individual preparation of Ssanghwa-tang (ST) to evaluate their equivalence in terms of its antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. The study results indicate that the polyphenol contents as well as the extraction yields of these two preparations were very similar to each other.