• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.105-121
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture for sciatica. Methods We searched 13 online databases (Kmbase, Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], National Digital Science Library [NDSL], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Koreanstudies, Koreantk, DBpia, PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], J-stage) to find randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that used electro-acupuncture for sciatica. Efficacy rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) were mainly analyzed as a main evaluation criteria. Results Among 583 articles that were searched, 24 RCTs were finally selected and 18 RCTs were statistically analyzed. Electro-acupuncture was more effective than acupuncture in terms of efficacy rate (p<0.00001) and VAS (p<0.00001). Also, Electro-acupuncture was more effective than western medication in terms of efficacy rate (p=0.0005). However, the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture was not identified compared to physical therapy (p=0.42). Electro-acupuncture significantly improved efficacy rate when combined with physical therapy than physical therapy alone (p<0.0001). In addition, electro-acupuncture plus Chuna manual therapy compared to Chuna manual therapy alone showed positive results for efficacy rate (p=0.05) and VAS (p<0.0001). Conclusions Based on results, the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for sciatica was identified. However, this study has limitations because the RCTs included in this study were small in number and published in a particular region. Although this study could be a groundwork for well designed research for sciatica.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objectives : Seungmagalgeun-tang (SMGGT) is traditional medicine widely used for inflammatory disease and flu. But SMGGT exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity with an unknown mechanism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SMGGT water extract on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of SMGGT on pro-inflammatory mediators in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with SMGGT 1 h prior to the addition of 50 nM of PMA and $1{\mu}M$ of A23187. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether SMGGT inhibited the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in PMA+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Results : SMGGT has no cytotoxicity at examined concentration (100, 250, and $500{\mu}g/ml$). Also, gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA+A23187 was down regulated by SMGGT. Furthermore, SMGGT suppressed the PMA+A23187-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK). But, SMGGT could not regulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions : These results suggest that SMGGT has inhibitory effects on PMA+A23187-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2016

Introduction Jaundice is one of the most common conditions found in neonatal period. Phototherapy is one of the main treatments for neonatal jaundice. However, several adverse effects of the phototherapy have been reported, including DNA damage recently. Therefore, a variety of treatments have been conducted to shorten the duration of phototherapy. Meanwhile, it has been hardly tried to prevent neonatal jaundice, but diverse approaches have been tried in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for many years. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the studies for the treatments to prevent neonatal jaundice based on TCM. Materials and Methods Various literatures have been searched via CNKI, and PubMed using the terms "neonatal jaundice" (新生儿黄疸, 胎黃, 胎疸) in category of 'Traditional Chinese Medicine', 'Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs' and 'Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine With Western Medicine'. The search range included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), case reports, reviews and animal experiments published from 2013 to 2015. Results A total of 104 studies were found. 93 articles were excluded by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Out of the remaining 11 studies, 9 articles were RCTs, 2 articles were CCTs. The treatment used in neonatal babies in the studies were, using herbal remedies (meditation 5, bath 3 and retention enema 1) and the acupressure. All treatments were initiated within the first 24-48 hours after their birth. Then, there was a study that the subjects taken the herbal medicine were women during pregnancy. The outcome assessments used were the serum total bilirubin (TB), transcutaneous bilirubin measurement (TCB), the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia, the duration time of the jaundice. Especially, TB, TCB and the incidence of the hyperbilirubinemia have decreased significantly more than that of the control group in the most of the results. No severe adverse events were reported in all articles reviewed. Conclusions Conventional treatment such as, herbal medicine in TCM, seems to be the effective way to prevent neonatal jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia. Therefore, the conventional treatment may be favorable choice for preventive treatment for neonatal jaundice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-161
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for the treatment of acute herpes zoster. Methods : Data was collected by two researchers. Clinical trials on PubMed were retrieved using MeSH terms including "herpes zoster" combined with "acupuncture therapy", "moxibustion", "bloodletting", "electroacupuncture", and related keywords. We excluded irrelevant studies and included randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, case series and case reports. Finally, we selected a total of thirteen studies and conducted a literature analysis and an object quality assessment. Results : Twelve of thirteen studies were about acupuncture and moxibustion combined therapy. Only one study suggested that a single acupuncture therapy is expected to be equally as effective as a common western medicine therapy. There was some evidence related to the effectiveness of moxibustion, venesection and electroacupuncture, but it dealt with combining therapy and was insufficient, and with an inclusion of potential risk factors. Only one study was conducted under approval from an institutional review board. No severe treatment-related adverse events were observed. A quality assessment suggested that there was some weakness in the areas of blinding and concealment. Conclusions : There is some evidence that suggests the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion combined therapy as a treatment for acute herpes zoster.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.1-25
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the trends of Chinese clinical research in the last 5 years of Chinese herbal medicine treatment for anorexia in children, and to find ways to utilize the diagnostic criteria and herbal medicine treatment for children who have anorexia in Korea. Methods The authors searched literatures using China National Knowledge Infrastructure published from January 1, 2015 to June 18, 2019. Selected literatures were collected in order of recent publication year. And then, demographic data, duration of illness, intervention, treatment period, outcome, and adverse events were analyzed. In addition, the diagnostic criteria for anorexia in children are categorized and presented in chart. Results A total of 50 papers were included in the analysis of this study. In the selected studies, the most commonly used diagnostic criteria for anorexia in children were ${\ll}$Zhu Futang Practice of Pediatrics${\gg}$ in Western medicine and ${\ll}$Diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for TCM syndromes${\gg}$ in traditional Chinese medicine. As a result, in all the studies reporting total efficacy, the total effective rate of the treatment group treated with herbal medicine was significantly higher than that of the control group. Also, appetite recovery rate and weight gain were significantly higher, gastric emptying time and appetite recovery time were significantly shorter in the treatment group. Conclusions Herbal medicine treatment can help improve anorexia in children. In Korea, diagnostic criteria for anorexia in children should be established. In addition, criteria should be established to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.77-90
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was aimed to figure out korean medicine doctors' opinion and treatment of Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey targeting korean medicine doctors belonging to the Korean Association of Oriental Medicine by e-mail and text and analyzed the answers. Results: 1. The average monthly number of patients visiting the respondents' clinics for PMS was 2.7, the main age group was 20-30s (80.8%) and the treatments the patients given before were mostly western treatments such as painkiller and combined oral contraceptives. 2. The treatment period for PMS was mostly less than 3 months (69%), and the frequency of acupuncture treatment was the most twice per week (41.1%). 3. The most effective herbal medicine for affective symptoms was Soyo-san, and for physical symptoms was Gyejibokryung-hwan. The most commonly used acupuncture point was 三陰交 (SP6). 4. Other opinions of the clinicians about Korean medicine clinical practice guideline of PMS were the need for promotion of PMS, convenience of taking herbal medicines and price competitiveness. Conclusions: We figured out korean medicine doctors' opinion of PMS CPG, clinical diagnosis and treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.499-507
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• 2024

Specific sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays is one of the mechanisms responsible for widespread skin damage. This study tested whether 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene (THB), a compound abundant in marine products, might inhibit UVB radiationinduced NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in both human HaCaT keratinocytes and mouse dorsal skin and explore its cytoprotective mechanism. The mechanism of action was determined using western blotting, immunocytochemistry, NADP⁺/NADPH assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, and cell viability assay. THB attenuated UVB-induced NOX4 expression both in vitro and in vivo, and suppressed UVB-induced ROS generation via NADP⁺ production, resulting in increased cell viability with decreased apoptosis. THB also reduced the expression of UVB-induced phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). THB suppressed UVB-induced NOX4 expression and ROS generation by inhibiting AMPK and JNK signaling pathways, thereby inhibiting cellular damage. These results showed that THB could be developed as a UV protectant.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-99
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• 2001

Purpose: We studied to find out apo-E genotype polymorphism in minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS) and IgA nephropathy(IgAN) and to determine the relationship between apo-E genotype and clinical course of MCNS. Materials and Method: 43 MCNS patients and 15 IgAN patients were examined for apo-E polymorphism. 50 healthy blood donors were examined for apo-E genotype as control. Genomic DNA was prepared front peripheral blood leukocytes according to standard procedures. Results: As compared with control group, e4 allele frequency was significantly increased in MCNS (p<0.01). However, in IgAN e2 allele frequency, however, was 2.6 times higher than normal control (P<0.01). The frequency of e4 allele of frequent relapser group was 4.6 times higher than normal control and was 2 times higher than infrequent relapser group. Conclusion: We think that apo-E typing might be one of the parameters, which should be considered to predict the course of MCNS in children. MCNS with risky HLA profile and E4/4 genotype could indicate the need for a longer steroid administration. And apo-E genotype needs to be considered for the evaluation of therapeutic responses to other drugs. (J, Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001 ; 5 : 87-99)

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2014

Background: Oriental lifestyle for treating diseases has been developed and well-accepted for a long time among Koreans. Sasang Constitution theory, originated from Korean traditional medicine, suggests that medication treatment should be differentiated by each patient's body classification (So-yang [SY], So-eum [SE], Tae-yang [TY], and Tae-eum [TE]), in contrary to western medicine's theory that medication should be applied equally by disease indication without such classification. However, the pharmacotherapeutic outcomes of these theories have not been compared to date. In this study, we aimed to compare the two theories by evaluating blood pressure (BP), which is lowered as a therapeutic outcome, among hypertensive patients taking angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or calcium channel blockers (CCBs), two most commonly used antihypertensive classes in Korea. Methods: From April 2006 to June 2012, we retrospectively collected data on hypertensive patients with Sasang Constitution classification at Kyunghee University Hospital at Gangdong, one of the East-West collaborative medical centers in Korea. We collected information on age, gender, underlying diseases, antihypertensive drugs (ARB, CCB, ARB+CCB), and BP by reviewing the electronic medical records. We excluded patients with missing blood pressure at baseline or follow-up, or those who had a change in their antihypertensive drug class during follow-up. Results: We selected a total of 573 patients (SY: 165, SE: 158, TY: 0, TE: 250). Baseline BPs were on average 139.0/82.0 mmHg for SY, 137.8/78.5 mmHg for SE, and 138.7/79.2 mmHg for TE. In all three groups, CCBs were the most prescribed, followed by combination therapy with ARB+CCB, then ARBs. BP reduction after 1 month of initial medication was significantly different among the drug classes, but not in Sasang constitutional classification (ARB [SY: -12.4/-4.7, SE: -12.3/-2.5, TE: -8.6/-1.8], CCB [SY: -12.3/-5.4, SE: -13.0/-2.3, TE: -10.8/-6.0], ARB+CCB [SY: -15.6/-6.7, SE: -18.4/-8.1, TE: -20.2/-6.7], drug [$P{\leq}0.05$/P>0.05], constitutional type [P>0.05/P>0.05]). Conclusion: We observed significant differences in reduction of blood pressure by classes of drugs (ARB+CCB>CCB>ARB) but not by Sasang constitutional classification. Therefore, current approach of antihypertensive pharmacotherapy assisted by Western medicine is appropriate for treatment of hypertension. However, further larger scale or prospective studies are required in order to confirm these results.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.855-862
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• 2016

The recent increased interest in hygiene has led to the use of a variety of detergents everyday life. Accordingly, accidents occur frequently, but proper precautions or treatments have not yet been established for these occasions. The patient in this case had accidentally ingested basic detergent, after mistaking it for a drink. This had caused acid reflux swallowing distress. Treatment in a western medical hospital had resulted in improvement in inflammation, as observed with an esophageal endoscopy test, but the patient still found it almost impossible to drink or eat. Following treatment with herbal medicine and acupuncture, the patient’s food intake increased and the pain and dysphagia were diminished. We cannot generalize based only on this one case study, so further studies are needed.