• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.149-174
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was aimed to figure out the effect of Onkyung-tang (OKT) on cold hypersensitivity on feet in female patients. Methods: This study was designed to implement multi-center randomized clinical trial in three korean medical hospitals. The female patients who were enrolled in this study were 112 women who suffered from cold hypersensitivity on feet. They were randomly allocated into OKT group or control group in 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was change in score of visual analogue scale of hypersensitivity on feet, and the secondary outcomes were thermometer of LU4, PC8, ST32, LR3, visual analogue scale of hypersensitivity on hands, result of cold stress test, and score of World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Results: In both group, the VAS of hypersensitivity on feet and hands was decreased while taking the medicine, and the effect of decreasing the VAS continues for the 4 weeks after the end of medication (p<0.001, 0.003, 0.001). In OKT group, the body temperature difference in lower extremity (ST32-LR3) was steadily decreased at every visit and it was statistically significant(p=0.003, <0.001). On the other hand, in control group, the body temperature difference in lower extremity was decreased only while taking the medicine (p<0.001). Conclusions: OKT significantly reduced discomfort coldness on feet in patients, and the effect of treatment was maintained at least for four weeks after medication.

• 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 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 Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2018

Background: Length of hospitalization for patients with lower back pain sustained in road traffic accidents was assessed clinically. Methods: In total, 170 patients with lower back pain injury sustained in road traffic accidents, were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups: Group A with a shorter hospitalization period (1-7 days) and Group B with a longer hospitalization period (8-14 days). Each group was treated daily with traditional Korean medicine including: acupuncture, herbal acupuncture, herbal decoction medicine, and chuna treatment. To compare the treatment effects between the 2 groups, health-related quality of life, Oswestry disability index, and numeric rating scale were used. Statistical analysis between the 2 groups was assessed using Chi-square test, independent t test, and paired t test. Results: After hospitalization, Group A and Group B both showed a significant increase in their health-related quality of life scores and significant decreases in Oswestry disability index and numeric rating scale scores. In addition, Group B, with a longer hospitalization period than Group A, showed a significant improvement over Group A in its health-related quality of life and numeric rating scale scores. Conclusion: This study suggests that control of pain caused by lower back injury sustained in a road traffic accident, may be more effectively achieved in patients receiving 8-14 days of hospitalization and traditional Korean medicine treatment, compared to those receiving < 7 days of hospitalization treatment. In the future, more systematic and large-scale studies are needed to ascertain the effects of other variables.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.241-249
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment about patient with Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. Methods : We treated the patient with acupuncture therapy and Herbal medication from 12th October 2004 to 20th June 2005 by evaluating shoulder function with VAS score, shoulder joint ROM and mannual muscle test(MMT). Results : After treatment, this patient achieved excellent outcome following the technique, showing that clinical symptom as like pain, swelling, paresthesia, color tone change was almost disappeared, and there was improvement of ROM and MMT Conclusion : Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neurological syndrome characterized by severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, extreme sensitivity to touch. Oriental medical treatment for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome resulted in satisfactory results by diminishing the symptoms progressively during the thirty two weeks of treatment. Differential diagnosis was based on careful physical examination. More research of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome is needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2016

Objectives : In 2007, a survey of how Kampo was regarded in Japanese clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) was first conducted by the Special Committee for Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), namely the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine (JSOM). A manual for CPG development was also published in 2007 by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care, and the revised edition came out in 2014. The purpose this study is to review the current state in CPGs applied to Kampo after 2007, while focusing on how Kampo products being regarded evidence based branch of medicine by CPG developers. Methods : Sources include the Kampo CPGs website of Japan Society for Oriental Medicine (JSOM) and MINDS (Medical Information Network Distribution Service) website of Japan Council for Quality Health Care. Results : Among the 784 CPGs existing by the end of 2015, 91 CPGs were considered containing descriptions of Kampo. Furthermore, 28 type A Kampo CPG (KCPG) which had quality of evidence and strength of recommendation with references were found. Also, most of type A KCPGs relied on the MINDS Handbook for Clinical Practice Guideline Development that was published in 2007. Conclusions : The number of KCPGs are increasing yearly. However, there is still not much Kampo evidence found in CPGs in Japan. Overall, it could be said that we need to not only make evidence vertically but preach it horizontally well.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess both the approximate lethal dose and the single dose intramuscular injection toxicity of Danggui (Angelica gigantis radix) pharmacopuncture (DGP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the good laboratory practice (GLP) laboratory, Biotoxtech Co., which is a laboratory approved by the ministry of food and drug safety (MFDS). The study was performed according to the GLP regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the MFDS (2009) after approval of the institutional animal care and use committee of Biotoxtech. Single doses of DGP were injected intramuscularly into the rats in three test groups of 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per groups) in the amounts of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL/animal for groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and normal saline solution in the amount of 1.0 mL/animal was injected intramuscularly into the rats (5 male and 5 female rats) in the control group. Observations of the general symptoms and weight measurements were performed during the 14 day observation period after the injection. Hematologic and serum biochemical examination, necropsy, and a local tolerance test at the injection site were done after the observation period. Results: No death was observed in three test groups (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL/animal group). In addition, the injection of DGP had no effect on general symptoms, weights, hematologic and serum biochemical examination, and necropsy. The results from the local tolerance tests at injection site showed no treatment related effects in the SD rats. Conclusion: The results of single dose intramuscular injection of DGP suggest that the approximate lethal dose is above 1.0 mL/animal for both male and female SD rats and that intramuscular injection of DGP may be safe.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) is a non-selective cation channel with modest permeability to calcium ions. It is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and is therefore important in processes such as thermal sensation, skin barrier formation, and wound healing. TRPV3 was initially proposed as a warm temperature sensor. It is activated by synthetic small-molecule chemicals and plant-derived natural compounds such as camphor and eugenol. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) has diverse pharmacological properties including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. It is extensively used as an oriental herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, we investigated whether SC fruit extracts and seed oil, as well as four compounds isolated from the fruit can activate the TRPV3 channel. By performing whole-cell patch clamp recording in HEK293T cells overexpressing TRPV3, we found that the methanolic extract of SC fruit has an agonistic effect on the TRPV3 channel. Furthermore, electrophysiological analysis revealed that ${\gamma}$-schisandrin, one of the isolated compounds, activated TRPV3 at a concentration of $30{\mu}M$. In addition, ${\gamma}$-schisandrin (${\sim}100{\mu}M$) increased cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations by approximately 20% in response to TRPV3 activation. This is the first report to indicate that SC extract and ${\gamma}$-schisandrin can modulate the TRPV3 channel. This report also suggests a mechanism by which ${\gamma}$-schisandrin acts as a therapeutic agent against TRPV3-related diseases.