• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.2919-2923
• /
• 2017

Objective: Anthocyanins belong to a class of flavonoids, exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions have been reported to have anti-cancer effects. Here, we investigated whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in human lung cancer A549 cells, which are critically involved in cancer metastasis. Methods: We used anthocyanins from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (AIMs) which has been used in Korean folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers. We have performed cell proliferation assays, cell invasion assay, gelatin zymography, wound healing assay and western blotting to examine whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in A549 cells. Result: AIMs did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation on A549 cells. Also, AIMs suppressed cancer migration, and invasion by supressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. The Immuno-blotting results also revealed that AIMs suppressed the proteins involved in cancer proliferation (COX-2, C-myc, cyclin D1), migration and invasion (MMP-2, MMP-9), anti-apoptosis (XIAP, and c-IAP2), adhesion and angiogenesis (ICAM-1, VEGF). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the anthocyanins isolated from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat inhibit cancer proliferation, cancer migration, and invasion that is involve in cancer-metastasis. This study provides evidence that AIMs might have anti-cancer effects on human lung cancer.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.37-54
• /
• 2022

Objectives This review investigates the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for impairment of motor and sensory functions after spinal cord injury. Methods The databases used for the search were PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), KMBASE, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). The literature were searched using a total of 9 domestic and foreign databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using electroacupuncture as an intervention was selected. The selected studies are analyzed the risk of bias through Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and meta-analysis was perfomed using RevMan version 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results A total of 14 RCT studies were selected through 9 domestic and foreign databases, and analyzed. As a result of meta-analysis, when electroacupuncture was performed together with rehabilitation treatment or western drug treatment, it was effective in the recovery of motor and sensory functions of spinal cord injury patients. Conclusions This review suggests that electroacupuncture can be applied as an effective treatment for the recovery of motor and sensory functions of spinal cord injuries. However, there are several limitations, including the small number and heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as their poor methodological quality. Therefore, further, higher-quality studies should be required.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.5-24
• /
• 1997

Clinical observation was made on 226 cases of CVA that were confirmed through brain CT, MRI scan and clinical observation. They were hospitalized in the oriental medical hospital of Kyung-Won University from January to December in 1995. 1. The CVA cases were classified into the following kinds: cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), transient ischemic attack, and the greatest in number among them were the cases of cerebral infarction. 2. The frequency of strokes was much the same between male and female cases and most cases were over 50 of age. 3. In the case of cerebral infarction the place of the most frequent occurrences was in the MCA territory, and as for cerebral hemorrhage, in the basal ganglia area. 4. The most ordinary preceding disease was hypertension. The next was diabetes mellitus. 5. Generally it is thought that CVA occurs frequently in winter. But on the contrary this study of observation confirmed that it occurs mostly in spring and summer. 6. The predisposing factors of cerebral infarction were usually initiated during the time of resting and sleeping and those of cerebral hemorrhage chiefly during the time of exercising. 7. As concerns the course of hospitalization, most patients passed through vestern medical hospitals or oriental medical hospitals. 8. For the patients the condition of whose consciousness was bad at the time of admission. the prognosis in most cases was bad. 9. The common symptoms were motor disability and verbal disturbance. 10. With regard to cerebral infarction, the average time to start physical theraphy was 6.4 days and with cerebral hemorrhage 9.7 days after stroke. 11. The duration of hospitalization was in most cases more than one month. 12. The main complication was urinary tract infection. 13. At the time of admission to hospital, the blood pressure in most cases was high, but it well controlled at the time of discharge. 14. Most cases were given simultaneous treatment in both ways of western and oriental medicine.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Sanjoin-tang (Suanzaoren decoction, SZRD) for insomnia in menopausal syndromes. Method : We searched the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang, Research Information Service System (RISS), OASIS, Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), and National Digital Science Library (NDSL) databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that used SZRD for women in menopause were included. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the risk of bias tool. Results : In total, nine RCTs were finally included. The included RCTs had a high risk of bias across their domains. Three RCTs examined the effects of SZRD compared with western medicine (WM) in insomnia. Three RCTs showed favorable effects of SZRD with insomnia. Infrastructure also showed that SZRD resulted in better clinical WM (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32, P=0.001, I²=0%). Four RCTs showed favorable effects of Modified SZRD with insomnia. Infrastructure also showed that Modified SZRD resulted in better clinical WM (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.23, P=0.004, I²=0%). Among the 4 RCTs, three RCTs showed an equivalent effect on the total Pittsburh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The meta-analysis also showed that Modified SZRD had a superior effect on the total of PSQI (total of PSQI : MD -2.55, 95% CI -3.72 to -1.37, P<0.0001, I²=85%). Only 2 trials reported adverse events and none reported severe adverse events. Conclusion : SZRD appears to be safe, but there is insufficient evidence to make a definitive conclusion because only a few studies reported adverse events. Due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies and the small number of trials included, the evidence cannot be reproduced and assessed. Well-designed RCTs with a larger sample size are needed in the future.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.71-84
• /
• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate preferred herbal medicine packaging. Methods The study used questionnaires for the caregivers, who have administered their children herbal and western medicine. 106 of them were visited the Department of Pediatrics, the Oriental Medicine Hospital of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ University, during the period between in 2014. We used PASW Stastics 18.0 to analyze different dosing methods, and preferred packaging and drug formulations. Results 1. 77.4% answered that they use cups to administer medications, 9.4% transferred it to other plastic bottles, 8.5% used straw to drink from the pouch, 4.7% drank as it is inside the pouch. Method of taking it was not very significant depending on the age. 2. Compare to pills and capsules, 48 responders answered that pills and capsules are easier to take, 11 answered herbal medication is easier to take. 32 answered that there were no significant difference. 3. 45.3% reported vinyl pouch was preferable, 44.3% answered spout pouch was preferred, 5.7% answered bottles are convenient, and another 5.7% responders thought cup was fine. Others include syrup bottles had 1 person. These varying preferences were not depending on the age variations. 4. 56.3% answered that price was the main reason why they prefer one over the other. Others 29.2% stated convenience, 12.5% reported safety, and 10.4% people answered ease of administration as their main reason for their preferences. Conclusions Based on this study, numbers of parents felt inconvenient administering herbal medicine as a vinyl pouch, and felt necessary to improve this. However, price and other reasons made vinyl pouch still more preferable option. Vinyl pouch that we are using today didn't show any safety issues. Therefore, it is recommended to still use vinyl pouch, but with caps on top to improve administration and distinguishing issues.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.540-552
• /
• 2013

This study focuses on discussing several issues that we encounter when we 'modernize' the fundamental theories of Korean Medicine(KM): It is pertinent to set the boundaries of the "fundamental theories" of the KM. The boundaries can be set based on: a) setting the medicine and the philosophy of medicine apart and b) re-evaluating the traditional theories of KM based on the needs of the modern practitioners of KM. The fundamental theories of KM should focus on how effectively they can observe, explain, and predict the clinical cases. The clinical cases and observations should not be distorted in order to satisfy the theory. "The modernization of KM" can be defined as the change in traditional medicine to fit the needs of the contemporary world, while not losing the focus and the nature of the KM. The fundamental theories of KM will play a key role in modernizing the KM, as the focus and the inherent nature of the KM comes from these fundamental theories. The modernization of the fundamental theories of KM will be crucial to both possible models of future healthcare system-the plural healthcare system, or the western medicine-centric integrated healthcare system. The modernization will also help in advancing the future medical studies. The key to modernization of the fundamental theories of the KM is in translating the key terms of KM in modern light. As a solution, this study suggests paying attention to the 'scientific metaphors', and especially to the 'theory-constitute metaphors' among those. More in-depth studies need to be done on these.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.77-89
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine whether Haedoksamul-tang (HS), a traditional oriental herbal medicine, have beneficail effects on anti-inflammation and dyslipidemia in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ICR mouse. Methods: Twenty four 8-week old male ICR mouse were divided into four groups: normal untreated; LPS treatment only; HS 10 mg/kg plus LPS treatment; and HS 30 mg/kg plus LPS treatment. HS was orally administered per day for 2days. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.), all the mice were sacrificed, and serological changes were evaluated. The levels of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription protein 1 (SREBP-1) activity and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase a (ACCa) expression were analyzed in Western blot analysis. Results: HS inhibited oxidative stress in the liver of LPS-induced ICR mice. The LPS-induced ICR mice exhibited the increase of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity and COX-2, iNOS, TNF-a, MCP-1 expressions in the liver, while HS treatment significantly inhibited them. Moreover, The administration of HS significantly decreased the elevated serum triglyceride and down-regulated the levels of SREBP-1, ACCa in the liver of LPS-induced ICR mice. Conclusions: In conclusion, HS could have hepato-protective effects against the oxidative stress-related inflammation and abnormal lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.71-87
• /
• 2020

Objectives Even though the various alternative herbal medicine has applied for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, its scientific proof remains uncertain. The aim of the present study evaluates the effects of Chulbu-tang on inflammatory responses in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods OA rat model was established by MIA injection in intra-joint of rats. 7 days after, OA rats except OA control rats were administrated Chulbu-tang (100 or 200 mg/kg) or Indomathacin (5 mg/kg) once a day for 14 days. The weight-bearing ability of hind paws were measured when group isolation 0, 7, and 14 days. Western blotting was performed to examine the knockdown/overexpressing efficiency of Chulbu-tang. In addition, cartilage destruction was measured histologically. Results Chulbu-tang treatment significantly reduced the protein expressions of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, and inhibited inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. Moreover, anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 through nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Chulbu-tang has the potential therapeutic effect on OA through inhibiting the inflammatory responses via inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, upregulation of Nrf2 led to anti-oxidant effects. Conclusions Taken together, Chulbu-tang is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and cartilage protection for arthritis-causing rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.518-522
• /
• 2007

The cortex and root of Acnthopanax sessiliflorus, a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. In the previous study, we showed that the cortex of this plant have anti-cancer activity. But its therapeutic efficacy of CORTEX ACANTHOPANAX RADICIS (CAR) is not clarified. For these reasons, we investigated immuno-potentiating and anti-cancer properties of CAR compared with CA, in terms of body and tumor weights, proliferation of thymocytes and tumor cells, and nitric oxide production from macrophages through in vitro and in vivo studies. In our results, administration of CAR reduced tumor mass and increased body weights. CAR also inhibited proliferation of tumor cells in vivo and in vitro dose-dependently. Thymocyte proliferation was accelerated by treatment with CAR and NO production was also promoted by CAR in vivo and vitro. In conclusion, we demonstrated that CAR is useful to treat for cancer as complementary or alternative medicine to Western medication, its therapeutic efficacy is involved in direct inhibition of tumor growth and immuno-potentiating activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.31-45
• /
• 2020

Objectives In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Maneung-hwan (MEH), which is prescribed by practitioners of oriental medicine for use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The antibacterial activity of MEH against MRSA strains was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test. The mechanism of action of MEH was investigated by bacteriolysis using detergents or ATPase inhibitors Additionally, mRNA and protein expression were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, respectively. Results The MIC of MEH was 25~1,600 ㎍/mL against all the tested bacterial strains. We showed that MEH extract exerts strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, the fractional inhibitory concentration index of MEH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergism or partial synergism against S. aureus. The time-kill study indicated that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after a 24-h treatment with MEH and selected antibiotics. To measure the cell membrane permeability, MEH (3.9 ㎍/mL) was combined with Triton X-100 (TX) at various concentrations N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) was also tested as an ATPase inhibitor. TX and DCCD cooperation against S. aureus exhibited synergistic action. Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity of MEH in the context of cell membrane rupture and ATPase inhibition was assessed. Additionally, the expression of genes and proteins associated with resistance was reduced after exposing MRSA to MEH. Conclusions These results suggest that MEH possesses antibacterial activity and acts as a potential natural antibiotic against MRSA.