• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.81-86
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was conducted to carry out quantitative evaluation and safety of Sweet Bee Venom. Methods : Content analysis was done using HPLC, measurement of LD$^{50}$ was conducted intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injection to the ICR mice. Results : 1. According to HPLC analysis, removal of the enzymes containing phospholipase A2 was successfully rendered on Sweet Bee Venom. And analyzing melittin content, Sweet Bee Venom contained 12% more melittin than Bee Venom. 2. LD$^{50}$ of ICR mice with Sweet Bee Venom was more than 20mg/kg in subcutaneous injection and intravenous injection, between 15mg/kg and 20mg/kg in muscular injection. 3. LD$^{50}$ of ICR mice with Bee Venom was between 6 and 9mg/kg in subcutaneous injection and intravenous injection, and more than 9mg/kg in muscular injection. Conclusion : Above results indicate that Sweet Bee Venom was more safe than Bee Venom and the process of removing enzymes was well rendered in Sweet Bee Venom.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2015

Objective: This paper is to investigate the current evidence and clinical effectiveness of mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) in cancer treatment. Methods: Along with hand searches, relevant literatures were searched from Korean medical database until November 2015 without language restriction and clinical researches were selected for this review. Results: Nine articles were searched. The MGP was generally prepared in the concentration of ten percent. Also, the MGP has been used by intravenous injection much more than acupoint injection. The clinical effects were the suppression of the cancer cell growth, the improvement the quality of life, the reduction of the side effect by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: This analysis suggests that the MGP can be used as a single therapy or a supportive therapy with conventional therapies, which are chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2024

Phlebotomy, a therapeutic method of bloodletting typically performed using a needle, has a traditional technique known as "Fasd." In this method, blood is extracted by creating a longitudinal incision on a vein (3-5 mm) with a surgical scalpel blade, usually blade No. 11. Due to the incision in the vessel wall, establishing hemostasis is more challenging compared to conventional methods. Hemostasis is usually achieved within minutes after Fasd. We present a case highlighting an uncommon yet significant complication of traditional phlebotomy. A 55-year-old man with no prior medical conditions underwent traditional phlebotomy at an academic traditional medicine clinic. Senior MD-PhD students in Iranian Traditional Medicine, under professor supervision, performed Fasd. A sterile scalpel blade No. 11 was used to create a longitudinal incision of approximately 4 mm on the patient's median basilic vein in the right hand. After removing 400 cc of blood, a pressure dressing was applied to the incision site. Despite attempts such as hand elevation, ice pack application, prolonged direct pressure, and tight elastic bandaging, bleeding from the incision persisted. After an hour of supportive therapy, hemostasis was eventually achieved within a few minutes using burnt cotton dressing (a traditional method for blood hemostasis). Following intravenous hydration, the patient was discharged in stable condition and reported no issues during the one-month follow-up. The traditional phlebotomy (Fasd) carries the risk of serious complications, including uncontrolled and prolonged bleeding. Further research on the efficacy and safety of burnt cotton dressing for controlling hemostasis is recommended.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.7-27
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate acute and subacute toxicity and sarcoma-180 anti-cancer effects of herbal acupuncture with cultivated wild ginseng (distilled) in mice and rats. Method : Balb/c mice were injected intravenous with cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intravenous with cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture for subacute toxicity test. The cultivated wild ginseng herbal-acupuncture was injected at the tail vein of mice. Results : 1. In acute $LD_{50}$ toxicity test, there was no mortality thus unable to attain the value. 2. Examining the toxic response in the acute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication. 3. In acute toxic test, running biochemical serum test couldn't yield any differences between the control and experiment groups. 4. In subacute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication in the experimental groups and didn't show any changes in weight compared to the normal group. 5. In subacute toxicity test, biochemical serum test showed significant increase of Total albumin, Albumin, and Glucose in the experimental group I compared with the control group. Significant decrease of GOT, ALP, GPT, and Triglyceride were shown. In experiment group II, only Glucose showed significant increase compared with the control group. 6. Measuring survival rate for anti-cancer effects of Sarcoma-180 cancer cell line, all the experimental groups showed significant increase in survival rate. 7. Measuring NK cell activity rate, no significant difference was shown throughout the groups. 8. Measuring Interleukin-2 productivity rate, all the experimental groups didn't show significant difference. 9. For manifestation of cytokine mRNA, significant decrease of interleukin-10 was witnessed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion : According to the results, we can conclude cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture caused negligible toxicity, and had anti-tumor effects in mice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.81-97
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is analyzing the current research methodology of pharmacopucture for the treatment of animal cancer models. Methods : Four electronic databases were searched for animal studies published from January 2000 to September 2014 onward using these search terms "cancer, anticancer, pharmacopuncture, beevenom". Selected articles were described about animal cancer models. The methods used to induce cancer and the outcome measures used to assess the effects of pharmacopuncture on animal cancer models were analyzed. Results : 37 articles were included. For producing animal cancer models BALB/C mice(n=22) and C57BL/6 mice(n=17) were selected. And intravenous injection of B16-F10 melanoma cells into tail vein(n=14) or intraperitoneal injection of sarcoma-180 cells(n=14) were frequently used to induce cancer. Various pharmacopunctures were injected into acupoints $CV_{12}(n=19)$, $ST_{36}(n=8)$, $BL_{18}(n=8)$ or peritoneal cavity(n=6), tumor site(n=2), tail vein(n=2). Outcome measures were categorized into anti-cancer, anti-metastasis, general condition, cytotoxicity, immune response, toxicity. Median Survival Time(MST) and increase of life span(ILS)(n=26) was frequently used for evaluating anti-cancer effects. And pulmonary colonization assay(n=13) was frequently used for evaluating anti-metastasis effects Conclusions : Based on these data, further research would be needed to ascertain the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture for treating cancer and broaden the range of clinical applications.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-25
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• 2000

We were trying to study the validity of Puffer fish's poison(Tetrodotoxin- TTX) to make a traditional Korean Medical treatment. The following conclusions were made after literary studies. 1. The first record of the puffer fish dates back 2000 years ago in the Chinese text Book of Mountain and Sea and other texts from the similar period. 2. Puffer fish's poison IS known as tetrodotoxin which is an amino perhydroquinazoline compound. It has a chemical formula of $C_{11}H_{17}N_3O_8$ in the hemiacetal structure and has the molecular weight of 319. 3. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) plays a role as potent neurotransmitter blocker by blocking the $Na^+$ -gate channel which hinders the influx of $Na^+$ ion into the cell. 4. Symptoms of the puffer fish poisoning ranges from blunted sense in the lips and tongue, occasional vomiting in the first degree to sudden descending of the blood pressure, apnea, and other critical conditions in the fourth degree. Intoxication of the puffer fish poison progresses at a rapid pace as death may occur after an hour and half up to eight hours in maximum. Typical death occurs after four to six hours. 5. Ways to treat the puffer fish poisoning include gastric irrigation, induce vomiting, purgation, intravenous fluid injection, and correcting electrolytic imbalance and acidosis. In cases of dyspnea, apply oxygen inhalation and conduct artificial respiration. 6. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) may be applied in treating brain disorders, ocular pain, excess pain in the large intestine and ileum, and relieving tension of the skeletal museles, neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis, and etc. 7. In terms of Oriental medicine, the puffer fish poison has characteristics of sweet, warm, and poisonous. It's known efficacies are to tonify weakness, dispel damp, benefit the lower back, relieve hemorrhoid, kills parasites, remove edema, and so forth. And the puffer fish eggs processed with ginger are said to be effective against tuberculosis and lung cancer, thus, it's validity must be investigated and further research should be followed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.5-25
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• 2004

Objectives : To observe changes in the serum proteins before and after intravenous injection of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture. Methods : Blood was collected before and after the administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and only the serum was centrifuged. Then differences in the spots on the scanned image after running 2-Dimensionl electrophoresis were located and conducted mass analysis and protein identification. Results : Following results were obtained from the comparative analysis of serum proteins before and after the administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture. 1. 28 spots were identified before and after the administration. 2. In confirming manifestation degree, spots with more than two-times increase were 204, 803, 1505, 2205, 3105, 7104, 9001 spots, with more than one-time increase were 1101, 1302, 2013, 3009, 3010, 4002, 4009, 6706, 7103, 8006, 8101, and spots with decrease were 205, 801, 3205, 5202, 6105. 3. After conducting protein identification, proteins 205, 804, 1302, 4009, 6105, 6106 are unidentified yet, and 1101 is unnamed protein. Protein 204 is identified as complement receptor CR2-C3d, 801 as YAP1 protein, 803 as antitrypsin polymer, 1505 as PRO0684, 2013 and 3010 as proapolipoprotein, 2205 as USP48, 2403 as vitamin D binding protein, 3009 as complement component 4A preprotein, 3105 as immunoglobulin lambda chain, 3205 as transthyretin, 4002 as Ras-related protein Ral-A, 4204 as beta actin, 5202 and 7104 as apolipoprotein L1, 6704 as alpha 2 macroglobulin precursor, 7103 as complement component 3 precursor, 8006 as testis-specific protein Y, 8101 as Transferrin, 9001 as(Alpha-Oxy, Beta-(C112g)deoxy) T-State Human Hemoglobin, and 9003 as human hemoglobin. 4. Immune protein CR2-C3d, which acts against microbes and pathogenic organisms, and Antitrypsin(803), which is secreted with inflammatory response in the lungs, were increased by more than 200% after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 5. Immunoglobulin lambda chain(3105), Alpha-Oxy, Beta-(C112g)deoxy T-State Human Hemoglobin(9001), and human hemoglobin(9003) were increased by more than two-times after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 6. Proapolipoprotein(2013, 3010) and apolipoprotein(7104), key components of the HDL-cholesterol which plays an important role in preventing arteriosclerosis, were increased after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 7. Vitamin D binding protein(DBP, 2403), protecting the lung at the time of inflammatory response, was increased after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 8. Transthyretin(TTR, 3205), which is the main protein causing familial aimyloid polyneuropathy(FAP), was decreased after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 9. Ras-related protein Ral-A(4002) that controls phospholipid metabolism, cytoskeletal formation, and membrane traffic, was increased after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 10. Testis-specific protein Y(8006), which takes part in determination of the gender, was increased by more than two-times after the administration of herbal acupuncture. 11. Transferrin(8101), T-State Human Hemoblobin(9001), and Human Hemoblobin(9003) which balances the iron level in the body, were increased after the administration of herbal acupuncture. Conousion : Above results support the notion that intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture induce changes in serum proteins and this research can be a pioneer work in finding biomarkers.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.37-51
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• 2004

Objective : Recently scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture has been a good effect on pain control but it has not been known about clinical safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate acute toxicity of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture. Method : In order to prove the clinical safety of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, We have observed a bacteriological examination and clinical pathology test after scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment. Balb/c mice were injected intravenous with Scolopendrid aquaacupuncture treatment for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. We analyzed physical reaction(side effect)and clinical pathology test before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment of mice and 20 patients suffering from pain, who admitted department of Acupunture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Won-Kwang University Kwangju hospital. Results : In the Blood agar plate and Nutrient agar plate, a bacteriological examination did not show a bacillus. In acute $LD_{50}$ toxicity test, there was no mortality thus unable to attain the value. Examining the toxic response in the acute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication. In acute toxic test, running biochemical serum test couldn't yield any differences between the control and experiment groups. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, hematologic test did not show remarkable change. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Liver function test(AST, ALT, ALP) showed a slight decrease on the contrary, and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. Reanl function test(BUN, Cr) and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Electrolyte were normal range before and after treatment. In the Urine analysis of 20 patients, Leukocyte, Protein, Glucose, Keton, Bilirubin, U-bilinogen were not detected before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment, and the rest almost made no difference.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.42-73
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• 2023

Objectives : In order to investigate the current status of recent clinical evidence related to complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) treatment for burns and to inform research and treatment strategies for future, we publish a scoping review(ScR) of randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Methods : The research question of the ScR was "Are there any RCTs of CAM treatment for burn?". RCTs published from 2000 to 2022 were identified in 7 databases(PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, OASIS, RISS, KCI, KMbase) in March 2023. Data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively with respect to the research questions. Results : 41 RCTs were included. 21(51.2%) were conducted in China, 13(31.7%) in Iran. The main treatment criteria were herbal medicine in 28 cases, acupuncture in 9 cases, chuna therapy in 4 cases, and psychotherapy in 3 cases. Among the herbal medicine, there were 19 topical medications, 5 injections(intravenous pharmacopuncture), 4 aerosol drugs(aromatherapy), and 1 oral drug. Among the acupuncture, there were 4 plum blossom needles(seven-star needles), 2 wrist-ankle acupunctures, 2 press needles, and 1 electroacupuncture. CAM treatments were effective in treating burns. It reduced pain and pruritus at the burn site, helped recovery and management of the donor site, reduced anxiety and pain during dressing change, improved hematological problems and vital signs, and finally lowered the mortality rate. CAM treatments also lowered health care costs. Conclusions : CAM treatments for burns is prospective, and that it deserves to make high-quality studies including additional large-scale RCTs.