• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of five single(Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix) aqueous herbal extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, PatrinaeRadix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at Minimal Incubation Concentration(MIC) and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using murine macrophage(Raw 264.7) and human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7). Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix against Staphylococcus aureus were detected as $0.215{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.273{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.469{\pm}0.297$ mg/ml, $11.850{\pm}8.406$ mg/ml, and $0.664{\pm}0.546$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, all five single aqueous herbal extracts were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. The effects of intracellular killing with Raw 264.7 and inhibition of bacterial invasion with MCF-7 cells were detected, in the order of Sophorae Flos, Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Radix aqueous extracts in the present study. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that all five single aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. They showed the significant intracellular killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion effects. It means, all five single aqueous herbal extracts may show potent anti-infectious effects against Staphylococcus aureus for mastitis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-58
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of three single aqueous herbal extracts(Trichosanthes Semen, Gardeniae Fructus, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, $PGE_2$, NO, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with lincomycin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected as over 25, $4.063{\pm}2.096$ and $1.641{\pm}0.972$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of lincomycin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and cytokine releases of three single aqueous herbal extracts were as follows - cell viability: 7.635, 13.761, 6.986 mg/ml, NO production : 4.808, 22.015, 2.949 mg/ml, $PGE_2$ production : 3.040, 4.312, 0.821 mg/ml, TNF-${\alpha}$ production : 9.563, 54.931, 1.240 mg/ml, IL-$1{\beta}$ production : 1.362, 1.801, 0.534 mg/ml, IL-6 production : 0.371, 0.797, 0.202 mg/ml, respectively. $ED_{50}$ of piroxicam against LPS-induced cell viabilities, NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were detected as 35.179, 6.552, 1.162, 7.273, 7.101 and 5.044 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively at same conditions. Conclusions: The results of the study showed anti-bacterial effects against S. aureus in the order of Gardeniae Fructus and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix aqueous extracts, except for Trichosanthes Semen. They also showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells in the order of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Trichosanthes Semen, and Gardeniae Fructus aqueous extracts. These three herbs are expected to be great substitutes to reduce side-effect of lincomycin and piroxicam, if the amount of those three single aqueous herbal extracts is adjusted appropriately.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.20-37
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• 2010

Purpose: The objective of this study was to observe the antibacterial effects of Sasangjasaebang (SSJSB) aqueous extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including vaginitis in Korea and their individual components - Cnidi Fructus(CF), Zanthoxyli Fructus(ZF) and Alumen(AL) against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018, and combination effects of SSJSB extracts and Metronidazole were also monitored in this study. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 of SSJSB (CF : ZF : AL = 10 : 3 : 3) aqueous extracts and their individual components were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The combination effects of SSJSB aqueous extracts and Metronidazole were observed by Checkboard Microtiter Assay and effects on bacterial growth curve treated with SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC + Metronidazole MIC, 1/2MIC and 1/4MIC, respectively. In the present study, Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 were incubated under $37^{\circ}C$, 10% CO2 and bacterial growth curves were calculated at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hrs after incubations. Results: MIC of CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders and SSJSB aqueous extracts against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018 were detected as $27.5\;{\pm}\;13.693$(12.5~50), $6.875\;{\pm}\;3.423$(3.125~12.5), $4.375\;{\pm}\;1.713$(3.125~6.25) and $2.188\;{\pm}\;0.856(1.563{\sim}3.125)mg/m{\ell}$, respectively. MIC of Metronidazole was detected as $7.6\;{\pm}\;5.367(2{\sim}16){\mu}g/m{\ell}$ at same conditions. In addition, Metronidazole, CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders, and SSJSB aqueous extracts showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and more dramatical inhibitions were detected in Metronidazole 1/2 MIC + SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with each of single Metronidazole MIC and SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatments, respectively. Especially, quite similar inhibitory effects on bacterial growth were detected in Metronidazole 1/4 MIC + SSJSB aqueous extracts MIC treatment as compared with single Metronidazole MIC treatment in the present study. FIC index were detected as $0.475\;{\pm}\;0.137$(0.375~0.625) at Checkboard Microtiter Assay. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that CF aqueous extracts, ZF aqueous extracts, AL powders, and SSJSB aqueous extracts showed antibacterial effects against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018, and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. More potent antibacterial effects were detected in SSJSB aqueous extract as compared with individual components, respectively. In addition, combination treatment of SSJSB aqueous extract and Metronidazole showed more potent inhibitory effects on the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis with FIC index $0.475\;{\pm}\;0.137$(0.375~0.625). According to these results, the combination of SSJSB aqueous extract and Metronidazole is synergistic, and it is expected that effective dosages of Metronidazole could be reduced to 1/4 levels in combination with SSJSB extracts. And it might be needed to make further studies to seek the herbs which have antibacterial effects on the Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC14018.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.107-122
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for pregnant women. Researches on acupuncture therapy for pregnant women published since 2000 until 2013 were selected and analyzed. Methods: Bibliographic search was carried out using several online database systems using keywords like 'pregnancy', 'pregnant', 'acupuncture', 'forbidden points' within a 13-year time span (2000-2013). Results: 18 journal articles published in Korea and 22 journal articles published abroad were selected. It is reported that acupuncture has significant effect on low back pain and pelvic pain, depression, insomnia during pregnancy. Stimulation of acupuncture during pregnancy seems to be safe with respect to obstetric adverse effects. Conclusions: We can conclude that further investigation is needed to accumulate enough information to establish evidence for acupuncture therapy for pregnant women.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the dose-dependent effects of Gastrodia elata Blume for memory improvement. Methods: This study was a 12-weeks, double blind, and comparative clinical study. Those who were eligible worked with a group of healthy seniors, all 60 years of age or older. 22 subjects were randomized either to Gastrodia elata Blume powder form that was steeped in hot water or placebo. We measured the faculty of memory by using MMSE-K, Digit Span, Letter Fluency Test, Word List Memory Test, and Trail Making Test, and again after 12 weeks. Results: 1) Neither Gastrodia elata Blume groups nor control have a difference in MMSE-K, Digit Span, Letter Fluency Test, and Trail Making Test. 2) Gastrodia elata Blume group showed significant advances in immediate recall 1 and 2 of Word List Memory Test, and 3 g group show better results than the 4 g group. 3) 4 g Gastrodia elata Blume group showed significant advances in the recognition of Word List Memory Test. Conclusions: The results suggest that positive effects on memory improvement due to Gastrodia elata Blume depend on the amount.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the protective effect of Gamijipaesan aqueous extracts(GJS), which has been traditionally used in Korean medicine in obstetrics & gynecological fields as anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory agents, against mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection in a rat model through antibacterial, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant effects. Methods: Antibacterial activities of GJS against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods, with the effects on the bacterial invasion and intracellular killing of individual test materials in human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7) and murine macrophages(Raw 264.7) at MIC1/2, MIC and MIC2 concentration levels. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, nitric oxide(NO), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The changes on the mammary tissue viable bacterial numbers, myeloperoxidae(MPO), inducible nitric oxide synthetase(iNOS), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents were observed in the S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rat model. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with ciprofloxacin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of GJS and ciprofloxacin against S. aureus were detected as $0.860{\pm}0.428$ (0.391-1.563) mg/ml and $0.371{\pm}0.262$(0.098-0.782) ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, GJS and ciprofloxacin were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of the both bacterial invasion and intracellular killing assays using MCF-7 and Raw 264.7 cells at MIC1/2, MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ concentrations, respectively. $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 releases of GJS were detected as 0.72, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.11 mg/ml, and as 19.04, 4.18, 5.37 and 4.27 ${\mu}g/ml$ in piroxicam, respectively. 250 and 500 mg/kg of GJS also inhibit the intramammary bacterial growth, MPO, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 contents in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infected rats, respectively. GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar antibacterial and anti-infectious effects as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg and also showed similar anti-inflammatory effects as piroxicam 10 mg/kg, in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious models. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that over 250 mg/kg of GJS showed favorable anti-infectious effects against S. aureus infection in a rat model through their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant effects and therefore expected that GJS can be used as alternative therapies, having both anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious activities. However, more detail mechanism studies should be conducted in future with the efficacy tests of individual herbal composition of GJS and the screening of the biological active compounds in individual herbs. In the present study, GJS 500 mg/kg showed quite similar anti-infectious effects were detected as compared with ciprofloxacin 40 mg/kg treated rats, and also GJS shows quite similar anti-inflammatory effects as compared with piroxicam 10 mg/kg in S. aureus in vivo intramammary infectious rats, but ciprofloxacin did not showed any anti-inflammatory effects, and piroxicam did not showed anti-infectious effects in this study.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.93-112
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the clinical research trends of postpartum pelvic organ prolapse and to recognize the efficacy of Korean medicine intervention. Methods: Based on seven domestic and foreign databases, including Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Journal of Korean Obstetric and Gynecology, Cochrane Library Central, Pubmed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WangFang Med Online, we analyzed the clinical trials using Korean medicine intervention, which included acupuncture and herbal medicine. Data retrieval was carried out on May 18 to 20, 2020, and a total of 13 papers were included. Results: All papers were published in China and it contains nine randomized controlled trials, three clinical trials, and one case. The most frequently used intervention was herbal medicine, and Bupleuri Radix, Cimicifugae Rhizoma were used. The treatment group treated by Korean medicine intervention was more effective than the control group. Also, there were no significant side effects of Korean medicine. Conclusion: This study shows that Korean medicine can be effective and safe medical alternatives or options for pelvic organ prolapse patients. However, to laying the foundation of clinical guidelines and applying it to the real-world clinical scene, further follow-up research is needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.802-810
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• 2005

The tetrahydroisoquinolines included potent cytotoxic agents that showed antitumor activity,antimicrobial activity, and other biological properties. We studied the effect of CDST, 1-Chloromethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-2-sulfonic acid amide, a newly synthesized anti-cancer agent. The cytotoxic activity of CDST in HL-60 cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner. CDST, tetrahydroisoquinolines derivative, was cytotoxic to HL-60 cells, with IC50 of $80{\mu}g/ml$. Treatment of CDST to HL-60 cells showed the fragmentation of DNA in a dose- and time dependent manner, suggesting that thesecells underwent apoptosis. Treatment of HL-60 cells with CDST was induced in a dose- and time-dependent activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. In caspase activity assay, caspase-3 and -8 was activated after 12 h and 6 h posttreatment, respectively. CDST also caused the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. CDST-induced cytochrome c release was mediated by caspase-8-dependent cleavage of Bid and Bax translocation. These results suggest that caspase-8 induced Bid cleavage and Bax translocation, caused mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and induce caspase-3 activationduring CDST-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.718-724
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• 2008

In order to classify diseases of oriental medicine in liaison with International Classification of Diseases, there should be intermediation and sharing concepts between the two in addition to proper classification. Classification units were settled for differentiation of diseases or syndromes first. And second, the standard forms of disease classification system were proposed. Third, this classification system was made of serial groupings of syndrome under the traditional disease name. Fourth, the location of disease and the interrelation between different syndromes were depicted with diagram in order to define more clearly. As the results and conclusion, The classification units were composed of 2 categories; topology, organ, meridian, somatic structure, body fluid units for description and various regulatory unit terms of western and traditional medicine for explanation. The mixed classification model of western diseases and traditional syndromes(證) was adopted as a fundamental classification system containing disease by exterior pathogen, systemic internal diseases, psychoneuronal diseases, metabolic diseases, diseases of sense organs, supportive structure diseases, obstetric-gynecology diseases, child diseases, 4-type constitutional diseases. And those were differentiated with generalized, localized, functional, oncogenic, environmental features in detail. The cause, site, condition, dispositions must be expressed in each disease name too. The types of diagnosis using classification system are principal and final diagnosis, principal procedure, main conditions, and these are applied to this Korean classification system equally. For more clarification of differentiation, a plane topological map and three dimensional coordinates were proposed to manifest the location, features and relation of disease itself or each other.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.18-44
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• 2017

Purpose: The object of this study was to observe the anti-climacterium activity of Gagamguibiondam-tang (GGOT) on ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a well-documented rodent models resembles with women postmenopausal climacterium symptoms, as including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, organ steatosis and mental disorders. Methods: In this study, anti-climacteric effects were evaluated separated into three categories; 1) anti-obese, 2) anti-uterine atrophy and 3) anti-osteoporotic effects. Five groups were used (8 rats in each group); sham control, OVX control, GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg administered groups. Twenty-eight days after bilateral OVX surgery, GGOT were orally administered, once a day for 84 days, and then the changes on the body weight and gain during experimental periods, serum estradiol levels, abdominal fat pad and uterus weights with histopathology of abdominal fat pads (total thickness and mean adipocyte diameters) and uterus (total, epithelial and mucosal thickness, percentages of uterine gland regions) for anti-obese and estrogenic effects. In addition, femur, tibia and fourth or fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 or L5) wet, dry and ash weights, mineral density (BMD), bone strength (failure load), serum osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) contents, histological and histomorphometrical analyses - bone mass and structure with bone resorption, were monitored for anti-osteoporosis activity. Results: As a result of OVX, noticeable increases of body weight and gains, food and water consumption, weights of abdominal fat pad deposited in dorsal abdominal cavity, serum osteocalcin levels were demonstrated in this experiment with decrease of uterus, femur, tibia and L5 weights, serum bALP and estradiol levels. In addition, marked hypertrophic changes of adipocytes located in deposited abdominal fat pads, uterine disused atrophic changes, decreases of bone mass and structures of femur, tibia and L4 were also observed in OVX control rats with dramatic increases of bone resorption markers, the Ocn and OS/BS at histopathological and histomorphometrical analysis in this study as compared with sham-operated control rats, suggesting the estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms - obese and osteoporosis were induced by OVX, respectively. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms induced by bilateral OVX in rats were significantly inhibited by 84 days of continuous oral treatment of GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. Especially, GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg showed clear dose-dependent inhibitory activities on the OVX-induced climacterium signs. Conclusion: The results suggest that oral administration of GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg has clear dose-dependent favorable anti-climacterium effects - estrogenic, anti-obese and anti-osteoporotic activities in OVX rats in this experiment.