• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3 s.71
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• pp.144-155
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• 2007

Background : In western medicine, there has been much interest in medication teaching since the separation of dispensary from medical practice in 2000. On the other hand, few investigations have been carried out about medication teaching for herbal medicine. Objectives : The purpose of this study wasto investigate the current status of medication teaching of herbal medicine and develop a better guide. Methods : Pharmaceutical affairs law in Korea was searched and some medication teaching guides were compared and analyzed to develop a better guide suitable for herbal medicine. Results and Conclusions : The future guide should be based on scientific evidence and include the following: (1)the origin of each herbal formula (2)the constitution of each herbal formula and proportion of each herb included (3)the chief virtue of each herbal formula (4)the efficacy of each herbal formula (5)the safety of each herbal formula (6)combined treatment with herbal formulas and western drugs (7)the way of decocting each herbal formula (8)the way of safekeeping and period of circulation of each herbal formula (9)a summary and evaluation for each herbal formula (10)references of each herbal formula.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2011

Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) is a special technique for evaluation of blood flow. Exogenous pMRI methods which are dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) use an intravenous bolus injection of paramagnetic contrast agent. In contrast, an endogenous pMRM method which is arterial spin labeling (ASL) use diffusible blood in body. In order to scan pMRI in human, technical optimizations are very important according to disease conditions. For examples, DSC is popularly used in patients with acute stroke due to its short scan time, while DSC or DCE provides the various perfusion indices for patients with tumor. ASL is useful for children, women who are expected to be pregnant, and in patients with kidney diseases which are problematic in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Perfusion MRI does not require any injection of radioisotopes. We expect that demand for perfusion MRI will be higher in evaluating drug efficacy and other treatment effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.527-536
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• 2020

Liver fibrosis constitutes a significant health problem worldwide due to its rapidly increasing prevalence and the absence of specific and effective treatments. Growing evidence suggests that apoptosis-signal regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is activated in oxidative stress, which causes hepatic inflammation and apoptosis, leading to liver fibrogenesis through a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) downstream signals. In this study, we investigated whether selonsertib, a selective inhibitor of ASK1, shows therapeutic efficacy for liver fibrosis, and elucidated its mechanism of action in vivo and in vitro. As a result, selonsertib strongly suppressed the growth and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and induced apoptosis by increasing Annexin V and TUNEL-positive cells. We also observed that selonsertib inhibited the ASK1/MAPK pathway, including p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in HSCs. Interestingly, dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis was significantly alleviated by selonsertib treatment in rats. Furthermore, selonsertib reduced collagen deposition and the expression of extracellular components such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and collagen type I in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, selonsertib suppressed fibrotic response such as HSC proliferation and extracellular matrix components by blocking the ASK1/MAPK pathway. Therefore, we suggest that selonsertib may be an effective therapeutic drug for ameliorating liver fibrosis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is one of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides characteristic of red ginseng, steamed and dried ginseng (Panax ginseng), which has recently attracted much attention for its antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo animal models. Experimental studies have demonstrated that it could promote cancer cell apoptosis, inhibit cancer cell growth, the apoptosis of cancer cells, adhesion, invasion and metastasis, and also prevent an angiogenetic formation in prostate, breast, ovarian, colorectal, gastric, liver and lung cancer etc. It has shown the antitumor activities by modulation of diverse signaling pathways, including regulation of cell proliferation mediators (CDKs and cyclins), growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor), tumor suppressors (p53 and p21), cell death mediators (caspases, Bcl-2, Bax), inflammatory response molecules ($NF-{\kappa}B$ and COX-2), protein kinases (JNK, Akt, and AMP-activated protein kinase) and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling. In addition, the combination of Rg3 and chemotherapeutic agents have synergistically enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced antagonistically side effects. Furthermore, it can reverse the multidrug resistance of cancer cells, prolong the survival duration and improve life quality of cancer patients. Taken together, accumulating evidences could provide the potential of G-Rg3 in the treatment of cancers and the feasibility of further randomized placebo controlled clinical trials.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2016

Cyanidin-$3{\beta}$-D-glycoside (C3G), which is widely distributed in herbal medicines and functional foods, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-scratching behavioral effects. Orally administered C3G is metabolized to protocatechuic acid (PA) by gut microbiota. Therefore, we compared the anti-colitic effect of C3G to that of PA in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Orally administered C3G and PA preventively and curatively ameliorated TNBS-induced colitis parameters, including macroscopic colitis score, colon shortening, and increase of myeloperoxidase activity. Treatment with C3G or PA also inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthatase, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ and the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in the colon of mice with TNBS-induced colitis. Furthermore, these also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression in peritoneal macrophages. The anti-colitic effect of PA was more effective than C3G. Orally administered PA more potently attenuate colitis than C3G by inhibiting $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and the anti-colitic efficacy of C3G may be dependent on the biotransformation of C3G to PA by gut microbiota.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2017

Black-red ginseng (BRGP) exhibits more potent biological activities than white and red ginseng. However, the effect of BRGP on allergic inflammation has not been studied extensively. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of BRGP on allergic inflammation in vitro and in vivo. The effects of BRGP on pro-inflammatory mediators in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and A23187-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1) and on trimellitic anhydride (TMA)-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in BALB/c mice were evaluated. BRGP suppressed the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 from HMC-1 stimulated with PMA and A23187. Furthermore, the oral administration of BRGP markedly significantly reduced apparent severity of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions, ear swelling, lymph node weight gains and serum IgE levels induced by TMA in mice. BRGP treatment also ameliorated epidermal hyperplasia and infiltration of inflammatory cells including mast cells. Taken together, BRGP possesses significant anti-atopic efficacy, suggesting that it could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for allergic inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.277-287
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• 2004

Objective : Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might playa major role. Therefore, many efforts have been made to regulate oxygen free radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Because Jindangwon has been known to be effective in treatment of diabetes, the methanol extract of Jindangwon was tested for its effectiveness in reducing the oxidative stress induced by Streptozotocin. Methods : Jindangwon was washed, dried in the shade and crushed. The crushed Jindangwon was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The extract was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 30.6 g. Jindangwon extract was oral-administered to the diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin 50 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 15 days. The efficacy of the Jindangwon extract was examined with regard to the enzymatic pathways involved in the oxygen free radical production and the glutathione balance. Results : he effects of the methanol extract of Jindangwon in streptozotocin-induced diabetics rats with regard to body weight, blood glucose level, hepatic lipid peroxide level, hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion rate, hepatic glutathione level, hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity, hepatic glutathione reductase activity, hepatic aldose reductase activity, and hepatic sorbitol dehydrogenase activity were favorable enough to suggest that it is a cure for diabetes and its complications. Conclusions :These results support Jindangwon as an effective reducing agent for oxidative stress in the tissues and organs by regulating the production of oxygen free radicals. Jindangwon, in particular, shows promising results for its use as a cure, or preventative medicine for diabetes and its complications by reducing oxidative stress in beta-cells of the pancreas.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.457-466
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• 2010

Objective : In benign prostatic hyperplasia, dihydrotestosterone acts as a potent cellular androgen and promotes prostate growth. Inhibiting enzyme $5{\alpha}$-reductase that is involved in the conversion of testosterone to the active form dihydrotestosterone reduces this excessive prostate growth. The mechanism on benign prostatic hyperplasia is substantiating evidence to support the clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lygodium japonicum on cyto-pathological alterations and expression of $5{\alpha}$-reductase in the rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with testosterone after castration for induction of experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is similar to human benign prostatic hyperplasia in histopathological profiles. Lygodium japonicum as an experimental specimen, and finasteride as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological changes and testosterone levels. Also, the prostates were observed by hematological alterations of AST, ALT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, BUN and creatinine. Results : The rats treated with Lygodium japonicum showed a diminished range of luminal cell and duct epithelial cell damage. The stromal elements and connective tissue proliferation of Lygodium japonicum treated group as compared to the control group decreased. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Lygodium japonicum may protect the glandular epithelial cells. We concluded that Lygodium japonicum could be a useful remedy agent for treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.79-89
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• 2009

Objectives : To address suitable method for designing clinical trial intervening Traditional Korean Herbal Medicine on General anxiety disorder through the recent clinical research in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Methods : Randomized, controlled trials(RCTs) of treatment of general anxiety disorder intervening herbal medicine were searched through CNKI databases. We examined several item of studies and evaluated using Jadad scale. We searched articles in CNKI with the key word "General anxiety disorder or 廣範性焦慮症", among them we selected the clinical trial studies related with herbal medicine except for case reports, studies of acupuncture therapy or west medicines. Results : 11 RCT studies of herbal medicine met inclusion criteria. The Studies used CCMD-3, HAMA as inclusion tool and mainly HAMA as a evaluation tool. Studies were progressed for 2-8 weeks, mostly used various positive control. Experiment medicine were mainly 理氣劑, 安神劑. In most studies, experiment group made similar or higher efficacy in comparison with control group. Mean Jadad score of studies was $1.3{\pm}0.67$, and only one study was double-blinded among 11 studies. Conclusions : RCT studies on general anxiety disorder of chinese herbal medicine tend to focus on investigating effect of herbal medicine through setting positive control group with CCMD-3 and HAMA. But, most studies had low quality of trial, for lack of pattern identification, evaluation and inclusion tool of chinese medicine. Clinical trials of general anxiety disorder should provide good quality by randomization, double-blinding, and multi-site trial.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.212-224
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• 2013

This study intends to clarify how Sayeok-tang(here in after reffered to SYT) affect C57BL/10 mice whose osteoarthritis was induced by papain. Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting papain in the knee joint of 3 groups(n=6) of mice. Normal group was non-treatment group and was not injected papain, whereas control mice were orally administered with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Positive comparison group was medicated with 100 mg/kg of Joins$^{(R)}$ mixed with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Experimental group was medicated with 400 mg/kg of SYT mixed with $200{\mu}{\ell}$ of physiological saline. Both Positive and experimental comparison groups were orally medicated once per day for 4 weeks. After the experiment, the functions of liver and kidney, inflammation cytokine values within serum, degree of revelation for inflammation cytokine genes, immune cells within blood, metabolism of arachidonic acid and amount of cartilage were measured and histopathological changes in the knee joint structures were observed. As results, SYT had no significant effect on the liver and kidney functions. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6(IL-6), monocyte chemo attractant protein-1(MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) were significantly decreased. Inflammation cytokines in joints were all significantly decreased. Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, thromboxane $B_2(TXB_2)$ were significantly decreased. Destruction of cartilage on micro computed tomography(CT)-arthrography was meaningfully decreased. In terms of histopathology, infiltration of inflammation, proliferation of synovial membrane, subsidence of cartilage and bone due to penetration of excessive formation of synovial cell and destruction of cartilage were small. Based on all results mentioned above, Sayeok-tang(SYT) is believed to be meaningful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis and its treatments because of its anti-inflammatory effects and alleviation of pain with histopathological effective efficacy.