• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2018

This study was designed to prove the effect of the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment on pain and function improvement of low back pain patients. A retrospective observational study. 30 low back pain patients, checked numeric rating scale(NRS) over 5, were treated with the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment. NRS, roland & morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), range of motion(ROM), isokinetic muscle strength, and euroqol five demension questionnaire(EQ-5D) were checked to evaluate patients. The Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment reduced NRS $5.67{\pm}1.40$ to $3.73{\pm}1.72$, improved RMDQ $10.33{\pm}4.91$ to $8.17{\pm}5.40$, strengthened lumbar muscle's peak torque and improved EQ-5D $0.56{\pm}0.20$ to $0.63{\pm}0.15$ and euroqol visual analogue scale(EQVAS) $46.80{\pm}19.95$ to $57.50{\pm}19.93$ but had no effect on ROM. NRS decreased significantly as the number of trials increased. No one had serious adverse reactions. As described above, the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment can help reducing low back pain, improving lumbar function, strengthening lumbar muscle power and stamina and improving quality of life of low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.105-116
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• 2007

Objectives : Mahuang (Ephedra sinica), well known as an herbal medicine in the East and West, contains a relatively high percentage of ephedrine known as sympathomimetic alkaloid. We investigated the effects of Mahuang on sympathetic nervous system with heart rate variety (HRV). Time and frequency domain analysis of HRV is a noninvasive technique capable of providing information on autonomic modulation of the sinus node. Methods : We investigated 57 healthy volunteers consisting of 37 subjects in the Mahuang group and 20 subjects in the placebo group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. The 37 subjects in the Mahuang group took 3 Mahuang capsules (1 capsule equivalent to 2g herb Mahuang) twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.,., while the 20 subjects in the placebo group took 3 placebo-capsules filled with glutinous rice powder at the same times. Mahuang medicine and placebo medicine were made into opaque capsules. We measured HRV at 3 p.m. 1 or 2 days before medication and at 3 p.m. after medication. Results : Mean-RR and SDNN of the Mahuang group significantly decreased compared with that of the placebo group, but the heart rate of the Mahuang group significantly increased compared with the placebo. HRV-Index, RMSSD and SDSD of the Mahuang group significantly decreased compared with that of the placebo group, but PNN50 of the Mahuang group significantly increased compared with placebo. Ln(TP), Ln(VLF), Ln(LF) and Ln(HF) of the Mahuang group significantly decreased compared with those of the placebo group. There were no significant differences in normalized LF, normalized HF and LF/HF ratio between the Mahuang and placebo groups. Conclusion : The results suggest that Mahuang in healthy adults tends to reduce the autonomic nervous system within the normal range.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of treatment of Korean medicine on superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions. Methods: A total of 55 inpatients diagnosed with SLAP lesions by magnetic resonance imaging, were investigated from May 1^st, 2014 to May 31^st, 2019 at Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. The patients were sorted by gender, age, causing factor, illness duration, period of hospitalization, SLAP lesion type, complications, and treatments. Treatments included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, Chuna therapy, herbal treatment, and physiotherapy. After treatment, the Numeric Rating Scale, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and European Quality of Life 5-Dimension questionnaire were used to evaluate treatment effect. Results: There were more males than females in this study (1:0.83). Patients were more likely to be in their 50s (38.18%), have an unknown etiology (70.91%), and be in the subacute disease stage (41.82%). According to the SLAP lesion type, most of the inpatients had Type 2 lesions (69.09%). For inpatients diagnosed with SLAP lesions, the mean shoulder numeric rating scale score decreased from 5.55 ± 0.90, to 4.07 ± 1.18 (p < 0.001), the mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score decreased from 50.35 ± 18.36, to 39.90 ± 19.34 (p < 0.001), and the mean European quality of life 5-dimension index increased from 0.70 ± 0.16, to 0.75 ± 0.13 (p < 0.01) after treatment. Conclusion: Treatment of Korean medicine effectively decreased pain and increased the quality of life of the patients with SLAP lesions in this study.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1214-1218
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• 2006

The present study was performed to investigate the sedative effects of the combined administration of phenolic compounds. 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, a component of Gastrodia elnta, showing positive GABAergic neuromodulation was administered intraperitoneally together with an identical dose of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, a potent antioxidant, to the rats and then evaluated for its effects on the convulsion, the hypnosis, the inxiety and the muscle relaxation. Combined administration of both compounds significantly reduced the pentyleneterazole-induced lethality. In addition, this mixture significantly enhanced the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Contrary to the anticonvulsive and sedative effects, the combined administration did not exhibit anxiolytic or muscle relaxant activities. These results indicated that the combined treatment of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehtyde and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde with different effects leads to the anticonvulsion and/or sedation

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Objectives Low back disability, along with low back pain, places a significant social burden in terms of work loss and medical expenses. Motion-Style-Acupuncture-Treatment using Traction (T-MSAT) is employed as one of the conservative treatments to such conditions. In the present study, effectiveness of Korean Medical treatments, including T-MSAT, was investigated in inpatients with low back disability and low back pain. Methods Among the patients who were admitted between January 2018 to June 2018 with disabled low back function, ones that were treated with T-MSAT were identified. Pain and function were compared at the point of admission and discharge, using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Results Over the hospitalization period of 34.55 days, pain intensity significantly decreased from NRS score of 6.14 to 3.26 and low back function also significantly improved from ODI score of 50.93 to 33.73 upon receiving Korean Medical treatments including T-MSAT. Conclusions Korean Medical treatments including T-MSAT were found to be effective in inpatients with low back disability with a statistical significance. To evaluate the sole effectiveness of T-MSAT, rigorous clinical trials are necessitated in future.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.144-152
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• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.434-446
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• 2020

Objectives: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are non-invasive methods to evaluate cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between CAVI, ABI, and factors related to arteriosclerosis. Methods: This study included 535 healthy adults who underwent health examinations in 2019. We analyzed the correlation between CAVI, ABI and clinical variables. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the independent clinical variables associated with CAVI and ABI. Results: The correlation analysis of CAVI showed that body mass index (BMI) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) had a negative correlation, and the other variables had a significant positive correlation. The correlation analysis with ABI on the right side showed that age, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), gender, and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) had a significant positive correlation, while HDL-C had a significant negative correlation. There was no statistical significance on the left. In the multiple regression analysis, DBP, age, BMI, gender, and HDL-C were proved to be independent factors in CAVI (right) (R²=0.365); DBP, age, gender, BMI, fasting blood sugar, and total cholesterol in CAVI (left) (R²=0.357); and age, gender, DBP, and systolic blood pressure in ABI (right) (R²=0.133). There were no statistically significant factors in ABI (left). It could be inferred that smoking and drinking are determinants that play an important role in CAVI. Conclusion: CAVI showed a high correlation with gender, age, and blood pressure. A significant correlation between CAVI and serum lipid values could be observed, but this showed a low correlation coefficient. ABI showed a high correlation with age and DBP. These results support the use of CAVI and ABI as primary diagnostic devices in medical treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1052-1065
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• 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of a pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to examine the relationship between pattern identification tool readings and IPSS and uroflowmetry. Methods: We analyzed 56 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia from December 27th, 2017 to December 26th, 2018 by two different Korean medical doctors and followed with a pattern identification tool and by IPSS and uroflowmetry. One week later, the patients were retested to analyze the reliability of the pattern identification tool, determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) using the test-retest method. The correlation between IPSS and uroflowmetry was analyzed with the Pearson coefficient. Result: The reliability of the pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated as "poor agreement beyond chance" (ICC=0.349). The reliability of each pattern identification score was evaluated as "good" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney, Yin Deficiency of Kidney, Deficiency of Middle Qi, and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer. The internal consistency was evaluated as "good" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney, Yin Deficiency of Kidney, and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer, and as "excellent" for Deficiency of Middle Qi. The correlation between pattern identification and IPSS was evaluated as a "moderate positive correlation" for all pattern identifications. The average flow rate and maximum flow rate using uroflowmetry was evaluated with "moderate negative correlation" for Yang Deficiency of Kidney and Dampness-heat of Lower Energizer. Conclusion: The reliability of a pattern identification tool for benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated as "poor agreement beyond chance." Further research is needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2023

Fisetin is a bioactive flavonol molecule and has been shown to have antioxidant potential, but its efficacy has not been fully validated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of fisetin on C2C12 murine myoblastjdusts under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage. The results revealed that fisetin significantly weakened H₂O₂-induced cell viability inhibition and DNA damage while blocking reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Fisetin also significantly alleviated cell cycle arrest by H₂O₂ treatment through by reversing the upregulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression and the downregulation of cyclin A and B levels. In addition, fisetin significantly blocked apoptosis induced by H₂O₂ through increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and attenuating mitochondrial damage, which was accompanied by inactivation of caspase-3 and suppression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, fisetin-induced nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of Nrf2 were related to the increased expression and activation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 myoblasts. However, the protective efficacy of fisetin on H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity, including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, were greatly offset when HO-1 activity was artificially inhibited. Therefore, our results indicate that fisetin as an Nrf2 activator effectively abrogated oxidative stress-mediated damage in C2C12 myoblasts.