• CELLMED
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.17
• /
• 2014

The plant kingdom is considered to be a repository of modern medicine, attributable to their rich source of bio-active molecules and secondary metabolites. It is indeed the Nutraceuticals that enhance immunity and ensure a healthier life because of their prophylactic and therapeutic values. Over centuries, papaya [Caricaceae; (Carica papaya Linn.)] is a renowned nutritious and medicinal plant. Each part of the papaya like root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, rinds, and latex has its own nutraceutical properties. It serves as food, cooking aid, and Ethnomedicine to prevent and treat wide-range of diseases and disorders. It has also been traditionally used as appetite enhancer, meat tenderizer, purgative, medicinal acne, abortifacient and vermifuge. Over decades, a series of scientific attempts were made to authenticate the nutraceutical properties of papaya. These studies validated that the papaya has antiplasmodial, antitrichochramal, antitrichomonal, antidengue, and anti-cancer activities. They have also exhibited that papaya possesses antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and contraceptive features, and it helps in the management of sickle-cell anaemia, HIV, heart diseases and digestional disorders too. Nevertheless, the responsible bio-active molecules and their mode of actions remain indistinct and imprecise, and this calls for further pharmacological and clinical research on them. Conclusively, papaya is one of the naturally gifted plants; though its nutraceutical properties as a food or as a quasi-drug are poorly understood or undervalued by people. Accordingly, this scrutiny, demand for instigation of public health awareness campaigns to promote papaya consumption, so that the society shall acquire optimal benefits of papaya and in turn prevent and alleviate various diseases and illness.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2013

Objective: Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages. Methods: The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of $250{\mu}g/disc$ was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed. Results: A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (table 1). Conclusion: The results reveal the presence of anti-bacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN$^{(R)}$) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant anti-bacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethnopharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.125-139
• /
• 2012

Objective : This study began with a recognition of the increase in internal disorders caused by functional impairment of the Spleen-Stomach(脾胃) due to modern dietary culture and environment. Method : Way of studying is select and analysis sentences which is include 'Stomach-Yin(胃陰)', 'Stomach-Jin(胃津)', 'Spleen-Stomach-Yin(脾胃陰)', 'Stomach-Yang(胃陽)', 'Spleen-Stomach-Yang (脾胃陽)' in Imjeungjinamuian(臨證指南醫案), and organize relevant paper. Result & Conclusion : In the history of the Spleen-Stomach Theory(脾胃學說), the theoretical mainstream was focused on On-yang(溫養), which was supplemented with methods of sweeten-cool-moisturize(甘凉濡潤) and communication-descent(通降法) by Ye, Tianshi(葉天士). Ye, Tianshi followed the academic theory of Li, Dongyuan(李東垣), putting emphasis on Stomach-gi(胃氣), along with some unique developments of his own. He specifically argued that the Spleen and Stomach be treated separately, and while accepting the methods of Li Dong-yuan in Spleen treatment, asserted that the Stomach-Yin be treated with medicinals with sweet/plain and sweet/cool/moist(甘平與甘凉濡潤) characteristics, and Stomach-Yang be kept firmly, as to prevent obstruction and reflux, by means of medicinals that communicate the Yang softly(通陽柔劑). As a result, the Yin-Yang(陰陽), Dryness-Dampness(燥濕) and Cold-Heat(寒熱) balance of the Yin-Jang (陰臟), Spleen and the Yang-Bu(陽腑), Stomach, the Stomach-Yin and Stomach-Yang was achieved both theoretically and in treatment by means of both communication and supplementation, adding accuracy to clinical application of the Spleen-Stomach Theory.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.176-189
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate the subjective ideas about the determinants of quality in ambulatory care unit among outpatients and medical staff of a university hospital, and to compare the differences of the ideas, between patients themselves and hospital staff. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted covering 799 outpatients and 190 hospital staff in March, 1998. The questionnaire included general characteristics and 26 determinants of ambulatory care quality. The following are summaries of the findings: 1. Both of outpatients and hospital staff perceived, "Physician's knowledge" as the most important determinant of medical care quality. 2. In respect of 7 determinants related to physician's knowledge and skill, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "physician's knowledge and skill" as important determinants. The scores of determinants such as, "Not doing unnecessary examinations", and "Assignment of adequate number of patients and duty schedule for the physician" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 3. In respect of 4 determinants related to doctor-patient relationship, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "attention to patient's complaints" as the most important determinant. The scores related to the determinants such as "kindness of physician" and "explanation of treatment outcome" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 4. Among the amenities related determinants, "Modern facilities and equipments" were perceived as the most important determinant in both group. 5. In respect of 8 determinants related to non-financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Waiting hours for treatment" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Kindness of hospital staff". 6. In respect of 4 determinants related to financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Fare account of medical cost" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Increasing reimbursements". Further comprehensive research should be made on the evaluation of perceptions of medical care quality, both of outpatient and inpatient care, among patients and hospital staff. So good quality in medical care will be achieved based on clients' needs.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.127-147
• /
• 2012

Objective : Methods of Jang Cong-zheng's treatment related to his theories include of promoting the sweating-vomiting-purgation(汗吐下三法), prickling-bleeding method(瀉血療法), and emotional therapy(情志療法). He succeeded Liu wan-su(劉完素) as promoter of fire-heat pattern theory(火熱論), thereby emphasizing six qi(六氣), especially fire(火) and dampness(濕), as pathogens. He suggested that physician should treat patients whose diseases occurred due to fire(火) and dampness(濕) with promoting the sweating(汗)-vomiting(吐)-purgation(下) methods, which would remove pathogen qi(邪氣) and help circulation of qi and blood, therefore getting them back healthy qi(正氣). Method : I will try to describe the Jang Cong-zheng's treatment in "Ru-Men-Shi-Qin", and I would like to explain the sweating-vomiting-purgation(汗吐下三法), prickling-bleeding method(瀉血療法), and emotional therapy(情志療法). Result : For emotional diseases, he suggested that most should be caused by heart fire(心火) so they should be treated with methods of suppressing heart fire and medication would be using cool and cold herbal drugs which lead to clear heart fire. Conclusion : Theories of Zhang zi-he(張子和) can be applied to nurturing for modern world maintaining and improving health by his care methods. People these days suffer usually from excess intake or unbalanced diet problem, so wastes matter and pathogenic qi can be driven out of the human body by applying the sweating-vomiting-purgation methods. His medical theories could contribute to modernization of traditional medicine this way.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.471-474
• /
• 2015

Background: Male and female breast cancers were investigated for variation in the clinicopathologic characteristics and expression of steroid hormone receptors in the northeast of Iran. Materials and Methods: Tumor specimens of 17 males and 338 females with breast cancer were collected at the hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Immunohistochemical expression of hormone receptors and clinicopathologic features of breast cancer were compared between two groups. Results: The mean age in men was 15 years higher than women (p=0.000). Males and females were mainly in stage II and III respectively (p=0.007). Although more than 60% of male and female patients were grade II, the respective figures for grade I and III were 25% and 12.5% in men but 7.1% and 27.2% in women respectively (p=0.025). ER was significantly more positive in men against women; 82.3% versus 53.4% (p=0.016). The related measures for PR was 58.8% and 50.3%, respectively (p=0.424). Males also showed significantly more ER expression than postmenopausal females; 82.3% versus 48.9% (p=0.010). Conclusions: Breast cancer in males and females contrasted in age at diagnosis, histological type, stage, grade and ER expression which emphasize they are separate diseases with different behaviors.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2015

Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia occurring among the elderly population and can be identified by symptoms such as cognition impairments, memory loss and neuronal dysfunction. Alzheimer's disease was found to be caused by the deposition of $\beta$-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In addition, mutation in the APP (Amyloid precursor protein), Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and Presenilin 2 (PSEN2) genes were also found to contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Since the potential conformational diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease requires histopathological tests on brain through autopsy, potential early diagnosis still remains challenging. In recent years, several researches have proposed the use of biomarkers for early diagnosis. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), $\beta$-amyloid(1-42), phosphorylated-tau and total tau were suggested to be effective biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. However, a single biomarker might not be sufficient for potential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the use of RNA interference (RNAi) through microRNAs (miRNAs) has been proposed by several researchers for simultaneous analysis of several biomarkers using microarray technology. These miRNA based biomarkers can be analysed from both blood and CSF, but miRNAs from blood are advantageous over CSF as they are non-invasive and simple for collection. Moreover, the RNAi based therapeutics by siRNA (short interference RNA) or shRNA (short hairpin RNA) have also been proposed to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This review describes the promising application of RNAi technology in therapeutics and as a biomarker for both Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2011

According to "Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑)", "the Shinnong Herb Bible(神農本草經)", "Chamdonggo(參同攷)", come to the conclusion about medical thought of "the Zhouyi Cantongxie(周易參同契)". Alchemy is a common field both on the eastern and western civilization, but a process of development is different. Ancient chinese alchemist made a study on external alchemy, but harmful consequences of external alchemy was consecutive, many scholars had turned their interest on internal alchemy which is related in human meridian biology and spirit. In the western alchemy has developed to make a study on analytic psychology and science of religion. Most importantly, the eastern and western alchemy have something in common what at the point of the perfection of self is similar, but the name is different, for example in the eastern alchemy we can be immortals and take a spiritual enlightenment with the elixir of life, in the western we can take a cure of souls as a christian. As for internal alchemy, "Cantongxie(參同契)" gives influence to the theories such as the theory of danjeon(lower part of the abdomen), evolution, aging, and life nurturing. Especially, the theory of danjeon shows such merit for studying since it is similar to triple energizers(三焦) and the theory of qi street(氣街) of oriental medicine. The study on "Cantongxie(參同契)" was achieved in Korea too, especially Chosun dynasty. "Candongkao (參同攷)" by Seo Myung-eung(徐命膺, 1716~1787) are representative. According to "Candongkao(參同攷)", Geon(乾), Gon(坤), Gam(坎), and Ri(離), the four trigrams for divination, each are affiliated with lungs, spleen, kidneys, and heart. Nowadays the study on alchemy correspond with modern trends, which are anti-aging and living without any disease. If processed mineral drugs is assured for stability, it can be used for incurable diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.3-11
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The unilateral cleft lip (UCL) repair technique has evolved extensively over the past century into its modern form and has been identified as an important determinant of treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare treatment outcomes following repair of UCL using either the Tennison-Randall (triangular) technique or the Millard rotation-advancement technique. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between January 2013 and July 2014. A total of 48 subjects with UCL presenting for primary surgery and who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. The subjects were randomly allocated into two surgical groups through balloting. Group A underwent cleft repair with the Tennison-Randall technique, while group B underwent cleft repair with the Millard rotation-advancement technique. Surgical outcome was assessed quantitatively according to anthropometric measurements, using a method described by Cutting and Dayan (2003). Results: Our 48 enrolled subjects were evenly divided into the two surgery groups (n=24 for both group A and group B). Twenty-seven subjects were male (56.3%) and 21 were female (43.8%), making a sex ratio of 1.3:1. The Millard group showed a greater increase in postoperative horizontal length and vertical lip height and a greater reduction in nasal width and total nasal width. Meanwhile, the Tennison-Randall group showed better reduction of Cupid's-bow width and better philtral height. Conclusion: We did not find any significant differences in the surgical outcomes from the two techniques. The expertise of the surgeon and individual patient preferences are the main factors to consider when selecting the technique for unilateral cleft repair.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2012

Volatile odor substance originating from drying and making dry peel of tangerine from the fruit skin were collected through modern equipment. The anti-microbial activity of the substance against various skin-residing bacteria including acne, dandruff, athelete's foot, and gingivitis inducing microorganisms were tested. Anti-microbial activity was observed in purified oil, where 87 to 92% was D-limonene. Against P. acnes, 103$cfu/m{\ell}$ of P. acnes were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu oil, and the MIC was measured to be 0.3%. Against P. ovale, a dandruff inducing bacteria, 104$cfu/m{\ell}$were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu oil, and the MIC was measured to be 0.1%. Against T. rubrum and T. Mentagrophytes, both of which are athelete's foot inducing microorganisms, 83% of T. Mentagrophytes and 99.9% of T. rubrum were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu oil, and the MIC were 0.3% and 0.05% respectively. Against S. aureus, a skin infection inducing bacteria, 103$cfu/m{\ell}$ of the bacteria were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu Oil. Against B. subtilis, a non-pathogenic sporulating bacteria, 104$cfu/m{\ell}$ of the bacteria were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu Oil. Against C. albicans, found in mucous membranes, 104$cfu/m{\ell}$ of the bacteria were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu Oil. Against Aspergillus niger, an otomycosis inducing microorganism, 99.9% were suppressed at 0.1% Unshiu Oil. The results above indicate that low concentration of purified oil extracted from tangerine had strong antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi residing on the skin, and that it may be developed into skin disorder treating products in the future.