• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2018

Objectives: Ukgan-san does not appear in Traditional Korean Medicine classics. However, it has been used in research and clinical applications in Korea. In this paper, we are aiming to examine the records concerned with Ukgan-san to the present, and announce the present usage state in Korea. Methods: We searched and summarized the contents of previous medical books about Ukgan-san. In order to investigate the current status of utilization of Ukgan-san in Korea, a bibliographic database of Korea, a database of clinical researches, and a database of pharmaceuticals of the Korea Food and Drug Administration were searched. Results: As a result of searching Ukgan-san related documents, Ukgan-san has been developed in China (Ming dynasty). However, its clinical application has been expanded by modern Japanese kampo medicine doctors. In Korea, cases of Parkinson's disease, other movement disorders, and psychiatric disorders have been reported, and randomized controlled trials had been done and planned. In addition, some extracts which are consisted of Ukgan-san are also available. Conclusions: In Korea, Ukgan-san has been influenced by Japan and has been used for clinical and research purposes. The utilization rate in Korea is still small, but the utilization rate will increase according to the results of clinical studies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.679-686
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• 2012

This study was to elucidate the effects of Ukgan-san on the hyperthyroidism induced by sodium levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidisms were induced by continuous subcutaneous treatment of LT4, 0.3 mg/kg, once a day for 27days, and 1,500, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg of Ulkansan extracts were orally administered, once a day for 15 days from 12th LT4 treatment, and the changes on the body, thyroid gland, liver and epididymal fat pad weights, serum triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH), asparte aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations, hepatic lipid peroxidation(LPO), glutathione(GSH), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) activities were investigated with throid gland, liver and epididymal fat pad histopathological changes. The effects of Ukan-san extracts were compared with that of propyl thiouracil(PTU), a standard antithyroidic drug 10 mg/kg(intraperitoneally). 1,500 and 1,000 mg/kg of Ukan-san extracts reversed all LT4-induced hyperthyroidisms and these effects indicating their potential in the regulation of hyperthyroidism. Further, the Ukan-san extract normalized LT4-induced liver oxidative stresses, and also reduced liver damages and epididymal fat pad reducements suggesting its antioxidative and relative organ protective nature. However, nor favorable effects on LT4-induced hyperthyroidisms were detected in Ulkansan 500 mg/kg treated rats as compared with LT4 control rats in the present study. These effects of Ukan-san may help improvement of hyperthyroidisms and accompanied various organ damages.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.436-443
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• 2022

Objectives: This study examined the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of stroke and Alzheimer's disease who had been diagnosed with probable-rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (probable-RBD). Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (Ukgan-san, Ukgansangayonggolmoryeo-tang, and powdered Gamisoyo-san extract), Western medicine (clonazepam, antiplatelet, psychotropic agents, antihypertensive drugs, and others), and acupuncture. Their effects were evaluated by the frequency and severity of sleep-related behavioral symptoms. Results: After treatment, the observed frequency and severity of sleep-related behavior decreased. Conclusion: The results suggest that using traditional Korean medicine with clonazepam can be effective in the treatment of patients with probable-RBD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.541-550
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this clinical study was to describe the case of a patient who experienced chronic diarrhea related to seasonal changes that improved with herbal medicine treatment. Methods: A patient with diarrhea and globus hystericus was treated following treatment with Hoehyangbanchong-san-hap-Ukgan-san and Gamisachil-tang. A defecation and urination diary, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment. Results: During treatment, the patient's Bristol Stool Form Scale score changed from Type 7 to Type 4, and the VAS score was significantly decreased. The symptoms of diarrhea and globus hystericus almost subsided. Conclusion: In this case, Korean traditional herbal medicine reduced the clinical symptoms of diarrhea and globus hystericus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2023

Background: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ASD) is caused by the involuntary contraction of laryngeal muscles due to dystonia localized to the larynx. In the case of ASD, conventional treatment is mainly performed with a botulinum toxin injection. However, the botulinum toxin injection has a short-lasting effect and requires repeated injections. Alternatives are needed due to concerns over adverse effects, such as general weakness and airway aspiration caused by the botulinum toxin injection. Case report: A 46-year-old female patient with ASD complained of voice tremor and hoarseness. The combined Korean medical treatments-Ukgan-san-gami, Jakyakgamcho-tang, acupuncture, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)-were administered on the first day the patient was hospitalized. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) was evaluated during the treatment. The VHI taken on the second day totaled 92 points. On the ninth day, 81 points were recorded. Total score gradually improved, and on the 16th day, 62 points were recorded. Combined Korean medical treatment lasted 19 days. Conclusion: The present case report suggests that a combined Korean medical treatment approach with Ukgan-san-gami, Jakyakgamcho-tang, acupuncture, and TENS might be effective for symptoms such as voice tremors and hoarseness. Combined Korean medical treatment can be a therapeutic option for patients with ASD.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.265-281
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• 2023

Objectives : Ukgan-san plus Citri Pericarpium and Pinelliae Rhizoma (UCP) is used as a traditional herbal formula in Korea and Japan for treatment of fever, fever-induced convulsions, and liver dysfunction and so on. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect and underlying mechanism of UCP against oxidative stress induced by cotreatment of arachidonic acid (AA) and iron. Methods : To evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of UCP against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) were investigated against to the oxidative stress. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target genes were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results : Treatment of UCP increased the cell viability and altered the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as PARP, caspase-9, caspase-3, Bcl-2. UCP also inhibited the GSH depletion, excessive ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA + iron. In addition, the Nrf2 and the Nrf2 target genes activation were increased by UCP. Conclusions : These results indicated that UCP has the ability to protect against oxidative stress-induced hepatocyte damage, which may be mediated with Nrf2 pathway.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2003

This is a case report of a patient with Tourett's disorder treated by Ukgan-san. We evaluated the patient Tourett's disorder by behavior and sound. His tic behaviors like eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, head jerking, facial frimace have been shown frequently, and His phonic tic symptoms like coughing, throat clearing, sniffing have been presented frequently, too. We diagnosed his condition as Wind-syndrome Caused by Hyperactivity of Liver-yang by patient's redish face, taut pulse, Left umbilical throb. So we treated the patient with Ukgan-san. and the score of Yale Global Tic Severity Scale(YGTSS) was 30 at the start of treatment. and the score of YGTSS was 3 at the end. We found that Ukgan-san was effective for the patient with Tourett's disorder.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 2016

Objectives: This study presents a case of a 37-year-old Korean male with dystonia due to dystonic cerebral palsy who was treated with herbal medicine (Ukgan-san), acupuncture, and cupping treatment.Method: We executed the unified dystonia rating scale (UDRS) and the Toronto western spasmodic torticollis rating scale (TWSTRS) to evaluate dystonia.Results: The patient’s dystonia showed improvement after the administration of traditional Korean medical treatments.Conclusion: Traditional Korean medical treatment may be effective in treating dystonia due to dystonic cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-191
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• 2013

Objectives : In this study, we made an effort to investigate the protective mechanism of Ukgan-san (UGS) extracts on hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death. Methods : The cell viability was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MMT) assay and cell morphological changes were analysed with microscope after staining with crystal violet (CV). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by flow cytometer after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). We also analyzed expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) and p53, processing of procaspase-3 and procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) by western blot method. Results : We estimated the elevated cell viability by UGS extract on $CoCl_2$-induced C6 glial cells. UGS attenuated $CoCl_2$-induced ROS formation in C6 glial cells and also showed a protective activity compared to antioxidants and exhibited abrogation of LDH-released by $CoCl_2$. UGS suppressed the typical apoptotic cell death markers, caspase-3 and PARP activation. UGS inhibited $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-1${\alpha}$ expression which is known as a major regulator for hypoxia-induced cell death, and suppressed p53 expression. Conclusions : These results suggest that UGS extract contains protective constituents for hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.920-928
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• 2019

Objectives: After epidural hemorrhage, sequelae may cause cognitive impairments, such as attention, memory, and performance disturbances. This case study reports on the use of traditional Korean medicine in a patient with cognitive impairments after a traumatic epidural hemorrhage. Methods: During the 46-day hospitalization period, traditional Korean medicine treatments, including Sunkihwalhyul-tang-gamibang, Ukgan-san-gajinpibanha Granule, Kyungohk-go, acupuncture, and cupping, were administered. The degree of cognitive impairment was measured based on the Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and correct answer ratio. Results: After traditional Korean medicine treatment, the MMSE-K score increased from 13 to 19 and the MBI score increased from 63 to 71. The patient's conversations in daily life also proceeded more smoothly than before hospitalization, and the correct answer ratio rose. Conclusion: This case reports the improvement of cognitive impairment after traumatic epidural hemorrhage in response to traditional Korean medicine treatment; further study is needed.