• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2016

Objectives: Bufonis venonum (BV) is toad venom and is the dried, white secretions of the auricular and the skin glands of toads. This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity of intravenous injection of Bufonis venonum pharmacopuncture (BVP) through a single-dose test with sprague-dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Twenty male and 20 female 6-week-old SD rats were injected intravenously in the caudal vein with BVP or normal saline. The animals were divided into four groups with five female and five male rats per group: the control group injected with normal saline, the low-dosage group injected with 0.1 mL/animal of BVP, the medium-dosage group injected with 0.5 mL/animal of BVP and the high-dosage group injected with 1.0 mL/animal of BVP. We performed clinical observations every day and body weight measurements on days 3, 7 and 14 after the injection. We also conducted hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations immediately after the observation period. Results: No mortalities were observed in any experimental group. Paleness occurred in the medium- and the high-dosage groups, and congestion on tails was observed in females in the medium- and the high-dosage groups. No significant changes in weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations that could be attributed to the intravenous injection of BVP were observed in any experimental group. Conclusion: The lethal dose of intravenously-administered BVP in SD rats is over 1.0 mL/animal.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2015

Objectives: Bufonis venonum (BV) is the dried white secretions of the auricular and skin glands of the toads Bufo bufo gargarizans or Bufo melanosticus Schneider. This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity of intramuscularly-administered Bufonis venonum pharmacopuncture (BVP) and to calculate its approximate lethality through a single-dose test with Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Twenty male and 20 female 6-week-old SD rats were injected intramuscularly with BVP or normal saline. The animals were divided into four groups with five female and five male rats per group: the control group injected with normal saline at 0.5 mL/animal, the low-dosage group injected with 0.125 mL/animal of BVP, the medium-dosage group injected with 0.25 mL/animal of BVP and the high-dosage group injected with 0.5 mL/animal of BVP. All injections were in the left thighs of the rats. After administration, we conducted clinical observations everyday and body weight measurements on days 3, 7 and 14 after the injection. We also carried out hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations on day 15 after treatment. Results: No mortalities were observed in any experimental group. No significant changes in weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations that could be attributed to the intramuscular injection of BVP were observed in any experimental group. Conclusion: Lethal dose of BVP administered via intramuscular injection in SD rats is over 0.5 mL/animal.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

Objectives: Anaphylactic shock can be fatal to people who become hypersensitive when bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP) is used. Thus, sweet bee venom (SBV) was developed to reduce these allergic responses. SBV is almost pure melittin, and SBV has been reported to have fewer allergic responses than BVP. BVP has been administered only into acupoints or intramuscularly, but we thought that intravenous injection might be possible if SBV were shown to be a safe medium. The aim of this study is to evaluate the intravenous injection toxicity of SBV through a single-dose test in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Male and female 6-week-old SD rats were injected intravenously with SBV (high dosage: 1.0 mL/animal; medium dosage: 0.5 mL/animal; low dosage: 0.1 mL/animal). Normal saline was injected into the control group in a similar method. We conducted clinical observations, body weight measurements, and hematology, biochemistry, and histological observations. Results: No death was observed in any of the experimental groups. Hyperemia was observed in the high and the medium dosage groups on the injection day, but from next day, no general symptoms were observed in any of the experimental groups. No significant changes due to intravenous SBV injection were observed in the weights, in the hematology, biochemistry, and histological observations, and in the local tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that the lethal dose of SBV is over 1.0 mL/animal in SD rats and that the intravenous injection of SBV is safe in SD rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-85
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• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2021

Objectives: To provide clinical evidence of pharmacopuncture treatment for post-stroke depression by reviewing randomized controlled trials on Traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopuncture for post-stroke depression. Methods: Randomized controlled trials on pharmacopuncture treatment for post-stroke depression were searched from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Literature searches of English and Chinese databases were performed. Selected literature was assessed with the Jadad scale. Results: Twelve papers were selected from 20 studies. The following results were obtained: 1) Pharmacopuncture was used for post-stroke depression; 2) Dengzhan-Xixin was the most used injection medicine for post-stroke depression; 3) BaiHui (GV20) was the most used in pharmacopuncture treatment; 4) Based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), it was confirmed that all studies using pharmacopunture had significant efficacy. Conclusions: For the treatment of post-stroke depression, Dengzhans-Xixin was commonly used as an injectable medication. Additional research studies on pharmacopuncture including its practical use are needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.201-211
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review Korean domestic studies and investigate the research trends of pharmacopuncture therapy on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods: Domestic studies between February 1999 and May 2020 from four Korean databases were searched with combinations of keywords 'cervical pain', 'traffic accident', 'whiplash injury', and 'pharmacopuncture'. Results: 17 studies were selected for review, including 7 randomized controlled trials, 5 retrospective observational studies, 3 case reports, and 2 non-randomized controlled trials. Each study was reviewed by published year, study type, types of pharmacopuncture solutions, selected acupuncture points, dosage of pharmacopuncture solutions, frequency of treatment, concurrent treatments, outcome measurements, and the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy. The results are as follows: (1) It showed that the total number of published studies had increased slightly in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade. (2) The pharmacopuncture solutions used in the studies were in the following order: Bee-Venom (蜂毒), Jungsongouhyul (中性瘀血), Hwangryunhaedoktang (黃連解毒湯) and Soyeom (消炎). Frequently used acupuncture points were GB20, GV21, A-shi point, GV16, EX-B2, and SI15 in order. (3) The most commonly used total injection dosage was 1.0 cc at a time, and the frequency of treatment was twice a week. (4) Concurrent treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medication, physical therapy and Chuna manual therapy were performed in all 17 studies. (5) Pharmacopuncture therapy showed positive effects on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies reviewed. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture therapy was effective in cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies selected. Further studies will be needed using more larger scales and more objective data to confirm the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy and to generalize its application.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.162-171
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• 2024

Objectives: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to aid stroke recovery. However, few investigations have focused on identifying the potent molecular targets of EA by comparing EA stimulation between naïve and disease models. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the potent molecular therapeutic mechanisms underlying EA stimulation in ischemic stroke through a comparison of mRNA sequencing data obtained from EA-treated naïve control and ischemic stroke mouse models. Methods: Using both naïve control and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse models, EA stimulation was administered at two acupoints, Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14), at a frequency of 2 Hz. Comprehensive assessments were conducted, including behavioral evaluations, RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: EA stimulation ameliorated the ischemic insult-induced motor dysfunction in mice with ischemic stroke. Comparative analysis between control vs. MCAO, control vs. control + EA, and MCAO vs. MCAO + EA revealed 4,407, 101, and 82 DEGs, respectively. Of these, 30, 7, and 1 were common across the respective groups. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed upregulated DEGs associated with the regulation of inflammatory immune response in the MCAO vs. MCAO + EA comparison. Conversely, downregulated DEGs in the control vs. control + EA comparison were linked to neuronal development. PPI analysis revealed major clustering related to the regulation of cytokines, such as Cxcl9, Pcp2, Ccl11, and Cxcl13, in the common DEGs of MCAO vs. MCAO + EA, with Esp8l1 identified as the only common downregulated DEG in both EA-treated naïve and ischemic models. Conclusion: These findings underscore the diverse potent mechanisms of EA stimulation between naïve and ischemic stroke mice, albeit with few overlaps. However, the potent mechanisms underlying EA treatment in ischemic stroke models were associated with the regulation of inflammatory processes involving cytokines.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.39-55
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• 1997

Purpose : Dong-Mu(東武) Lee Je-Ma(李濟馬) was designated as a member of fifty persons 'The Wise Ancestors of Korean Culture and Art' in 1984 and the december of 1996 was appointed as 'The Month of Lee Je-Ma'. Though his achivements was valued like this, some historian criticized that he suppressed the righteous army. So this study was for clarifing the background, the motive, and the course of 'The Rising of Choi Moon-Hwan' occurred in Hamhung on february in 1896, and for the correct appraisement about this event. And also through this, author tried to make clear the origin of Lee Je-Ma's thought. Method : After studing the background of the end of Chosun dynasty and the righteous army in 1895(乙未義兵). Author made a comparative study through the historical materials of the goverment side, the Choi Moon-Hwan side, and the Lee Je-Ma side about 'The Rising of Choi Moon-Hwan' occurred in Hamhung on februrary in 1896. Results & Conclusion : The event occurred in Hamhung on february in 1896 was a part of rebellion of the righteous army in 1895 which had risen against The startling Occurrence of 1895'(乙未義兵) and 'The Royal Commands To Cut Off People's Hair'(斷髮令). Lee Je-Ma suppressed the Rising and put Choi Moon-Hwan in the prison, and which was criticized that he suppressed the righteous army later day. That time was a conflict period between conservatism and civilization, and the Lee Je-Ma's act was the best way to protect the security of residents from the attack which maybe occurred by Japanese army in Wonsan. Judging from this events, author could find Lee Je-Ma's thought was quite different from righteous army's neo-confucianism and conservatism. In the aspect of the history of 'Korean National Movement', further study about Choi Moon-Hwan, the chief of righteous army will be need.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.349-376
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• 1996

In orther to find the characteristics of each constitution, the examinee of Kyung Hee medical center was diagnosed constitution, and resulted body measures and diagnosis. That was considered and the results are as follows 1. The Diagnosis result of Sa-sang Constitutional Medicine is that there are 110 persons of Taeum-In(56. 1%), 58 persons of Soum-In(29.6%), 28 persons of Soyang-In(14. 3%). 2. The distribution of occupation, there are many of Taeum-In who are engaged in business, administeration, and management and many of Soeum-In who are engaged in reserch. 3. QSCC(I) has a tendency that other constitutions diagnose to Taeyang-In, the quastionare 1 has the accuracy of 76. 4% to diagnose Soeum-In. 4. Taeum-In sweats easily but Soeum-In doesn't sweat easily, Taeum-In has a good appetite and likes cold food and digests well, but Soeum-In has a poor appetite and like hot food and digest poorly. 5. The degree of obesity is the highest in Taeum-In. 6. The systoric blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure is high in Taeum-In and the high blood pressure are frequent in Taeum-In. 7. Triglyceride is the highest in Taeum-In and the Hyperlipidemia is the most frequent in Taeum-In, but Total cholesterol has no difference among constitutions. 8. GPT GGT is higher in Taeum-In than Soyang-In, but GOT has no difference among constitutions. 9. The frequency of fatty liver is the highest in Taeum-In.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.701-712
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• 2004

This study investigated reliability of Oriental OB & GY Questionnaires, evaluated the items and correlation relation of differentiation of syndromes of Oriental OB&GY Questionnaires which was used by Dong-Eui OB&GY. We analyzed the results of 553 outpatients's Questionnaires from April 2002 to February 2004. The reliability of Oriental OB&GY Questionnaires above 95% was stagnated blood most, above 90% deficiency of blood, deficiency of Um, heat syndrome, dampness, kidney, liver, heart, spleen, with the exception of phlegm all that was above 80%. The frequency diagnosed of items of differentiation of syndromes dampness, hear, stagnation of Ki was most, the average of item of differentiation of syndromes stagnation of Ki, dampness, deficiency of Ki was most. Correlation coefficient of deficiency of Ki, deficiency of blood, deficiency of Um, cold syndrome, heat, stagnated blood, heart, spleen, kidney, dryness, stagnation of Ki, liver with more than pure question was above 0.8, phlegm was under 0.5. The frequency diagnosed of items of the differentiation of syndromes was not which is related to repeated question and physiology and pathology of oriental medicine.