• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aims to clarify the interpretation of the verse "jinyinhuabohetangxia(金銀花薄荷湯下)" in Zhouxuehai(周學海)'s corrective commentary in the Xiaoeryaozhenzhijue(小兒藥證直訣), by examining traditional pediatric texts in relation to the verse. Methods : For each of the three possible interpretations of the instructive phrase for taking herbal formulas-Lonicera flower with peppermint(金銀花+薄荷), gold and silver with peppermint(金銀+薄荷), and gold coin peppermint(金錢薄荷)-applications of these herbs in the various pediatric books were analyzed to determine the most appropriate interpretation. Results & Conclusions : The formulary composition of Liangjingwan(凉驚丸) and Wusewan(五色丸) seems to sufficiently target the pathology of pediatric convulsion(驚癎) and heart malnutrition(心疳). Furthermore, it seems unnecessary to add Lonicera flower(金銀花) to the gastrointestinal fragility(脾胃虛弱) of the malnourished(疳). Some of the herbal formulas in the pediatrics chapter of the Zhengzhizhunsheng(證治准繩) include Lonicera flower(金銀花) to treat only carbuncles(癰腫, 腫毒), while other books do not include it in their formulas. On the other hand, instructions to take water boiled with gold and silver appear in many texts, including the Xiaoeryaozhenzhijue(小兒藥證直訣), and sometimes include gold leaf(金箔) directly in the formula. Descriptions of gold and silver pots with instructions on how to make herbal formulas were found as well, which supports what Zhouxuehai(周學海) commented on the Xiaoeryaozhenzhijue(小兒藥證直訣). Although gold coin peppermint(金錢薄荷) is currently used as Lianqiancao(連錢草) in China, it was difficult to verify its identity as Jinqianbohe(金錢薄荷), which seems to have been recognized as a type of mint in the past. No reported anticonvulsant studies of Lonicera flower(金銀花), gold and silver(金銀), and Lianqiancao(連錢草) were found. Peppermint(薄荷) was ubiquitous in instructions for taking herbal formulas treating pediatric convulsions. Therefore, the instruction to take water boiled with gold and silver, or to take the herbal medicine in water boiled in a gold and silver pot, rather than using Lonicera flower(金銀花), could be considered as an interpretation closer to the original author's intent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.481-489
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• 2005

Lonicerae Flos has antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, pneumococci, Bacillus dysenterii, Salmonella typhi, and paratyphoid. It is an antiviral agent. The herb has a cytoprotective effect against $CCl_{4}-induced$ hepatic injury. It has antilipemic action, interfering with lipid absorption from the gut. Nowadays this herb is used mainly in the treatment of upper respiratory infections, such as tonsillitis and acute laryngitis. It is also used in the treatment of skin suppurations, such as carbuncles, and to treat viral conjunctivitis, influenza, pneumonia, and mastitis. Lonicerae Flos is dried flower buds of Lonicera japonica, L. hypoglauca, L. confusa, or L. dasystyla. But, for the most part, we use whole plant of Lonicera japonica, as a flower bud of it. And, little is known of the original copy of effects of whole plant, except for the 'Bon-Cho-Gang-Mok', which is written the effects of flower of Lonicera japonica are equal to effects of leaves and branch of it. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica on the regulatory mechanism of cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. In Raw 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic inflammation, flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica water extracts inhibited nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner and abrogated iNOS and COX-2. Flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica water extract did not affect on cell viability. To investigate the mechanism by which flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica water extract inhibits iNOS and COX-2 gene expression, we examined the on phosphorylation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and assessed production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $interleukin-1{\beta}$ $(IL-1{\beta})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results provided evidence that flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica inhibited the production of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and activated the phosphorylation of inhibitor ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS. These findings suggest that flower and whole plant of Lonicera japonica can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections, respectively.