• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2016

This case report is to show the effects of Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) on the patient with delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning. A patient with delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning occurs rarely and only a few cases have been reported. We treated a patient with cognitive deficit, gait disturbance was treated with herbal medicine(Boshiniknoe-tang-gami), acupuncture, moxibustion. We evaluated the improvements of symptoms by Korean Version of Mini Mental Status Examination score(K-MMSE), Modified Barthel Index(MBI) and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS). After 3 weeks, total score of K-MMSE was increased from 12 to 17 and it was maintained to week 6. After 6 weeks, total score of MBI was increased from 30 to 86. And GCS was increased from 11 to 14. This report proved effect of Traditional Korean medicine on the improvement of delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2018

■ Objectives This case study is to report the two cases of Gami-Guibitang on cognitive impairment after stroke with improved recall memory. ■ Methods We used Korean medicine treatments including Gami-guibitang, acupuncture and moxibustion to treat patients who had cognitive impairment after stroke for at least two months. We observed the changes of symptoms by measuring Korean version of Mini-mental status examination (MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Global Detration Scale (GDS). ■ Results After treatment, the patient's symptoms were improved including MMSE-K, CDR and GDS. Improvement appeared to be prominent in recall memory. The general condition were also improved after treatment. ■ Conclusion This clinical case study suggests that Korean medicine including Gami-guibitang could be used to treat patients who had cognitive impairment after stroke especially suffering from degraded recall memory.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2014

■ Objectives This clinical study is to report the effect of Korean medicine on patient with chronic benign fasciculation syndrome on a both legs. ■ Methods A patient who suffered from involuntary fasciculation of Quadricepts femoris and Gastrocnemius was treated with herbal medicine Gami SSanghwa-Tang and Yang Eui Gongjin-dan, acupuncture and moxibustion. Degree of fasciculation and general condition was measured. ■ Results After taking Gami Ssanghwa-Tang and Yang Eui Gongjin-Dan, degree of fasciculation have reduced and patient's general condition improved. ■ Conclusion This clinical case study showed the effect of Korean medicine on symptom of fasciculation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.313-353
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• 2023

Objectives: Heart failure is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence rates despite advancements in medical technology. Korean medicine utilizes herbal prescriptions to treat heart failure, but little is known about the specific herbal medicines comprising the network of herbal prescriptions for heart failure. This study proposes a novel methodology that can efficiently develop prescriptions and facilitate experimental research on heart failure by utilizing existing databases. Methods: Herbal medicine prescriptions for heart failure were identified through a PubMed search and compiled into a Google Sheet database. NetMiner 4 was used for network analysis, and the individual networks were classified according to the herbal medicine classification system to identify trends. K-HERB NETWORK was utilized to derive related prescriptions. Results: Network analysis of heart failure prescriptions and herbal medicines using NetMiner 4 produced 16 individual networks. Uhwangcheongsim-won (牛黃淸心元), Gamiondam-tang (加味溫膽湯), Bangpungtongseong-san (防風通聖散), and Bunsimgi-eum (分心氣飮) were identified as prescriptions with high similarity in the entire network. A total of 16 individual networks utilized K-HERB NETWORK to present prescriptions that were most similar to existing prescriptions. The results provide 1) an indication of existing prescriptions with potential for use to treat heart failure and 2) a basis for developing new prescriptions for heart failure treatment. Conclusion: The proposed methodology presents an efficient approach to developing new heart failure prescriptions and facilitating experimental research. This study highlights the potential of network pharmacology methodology and its possible applications in other diseases. Further studies on network pharmacology methodology are recommended.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.40-48
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate safety of postpartum herbal medicine by assessing the effect of taking herbal medicine of postpartum period on liver function. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 167 mothers who underwent liver function tests (LFT) within 3 months before and after childbirth among mothers who gave birth at ○○ Hospital between January 1, 2016 and May 31, 2018. Mothers with abnormally elevated LFT during pregnancy were excluded. Among 167 women, 6 women are herbal-medicine-group took herbal medicine for 5-6 weeks during postpartum period, and 161 patients are general -group who did not take herbal medicine. LFT Variation of Subjects before and after childbirth were compared between the two groups. And subjects who had elevated liver levels above the normal range after delivery were classified separately, the characteristics and causes of changes in liver levels were analyzed, and the presence or absence of drug-induced liver damage was confirmed. Results: Among a total of 167 subjects, there were 5 women in the herbal-medicine-group and 150 women in the general-group who had changes in liver values within the normal range after childbirth. Aspartate transaminase (AST) change before and after childbirth in the herbal-medicine-group was 3.40±1.82, and AST change in the general-group was 2.92±8.59, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.901). Increase of Alanine transaminase (ALT) before and after childbirth in the herbal-medicine-group was 5.60±3.65, and ALT change in the general-group was 8.01±11.81, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.651). There were 12 subjects who had elevated AST, ALT above the normal range after delivery, including 1 in the herbal-medicine-group and 11 in the normal mothers group. Valuation of 1 Subject of the herbal-medicine-group before and after delivery was 17 IU/L of AST and 52 IU/L of ALT. Because results of AST, ALT is under the standard to diagnose to liver damage, she was observed without any treatment. However the cause of AST, ALT elevation was not found in the chart, she was receiving treatment for diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The general-group had an average increase of AST 35.64±22.67 IU/L and ALT 53.00±26.80 IU/L. As a result of analyzing the cause, there were direct causes such as autoimmune hepatitis, chronic hepatitis B, and acute pyelonephritis. Abnormal elevations in liver levels were also found in mothers with hypothyroidism, diabetes, and fever of unknown cause, although they were not direct causes. Conclusions: To investigate the safety of taking herbal medicines, we assess the variation in AST and ALT within 3 months before and after delivery in the herbal-medicine-group and general-group. There was no significant difference between two groups.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Cognitive reserve (CR) is a concept that can explain the discrepancies between the pathologic burden of the disease and clinical manifestations. It refers to the individual susceptibility to age-related brain changes and pathologies related to Alzheimer's disease, thus recognized as a factor affecting the trajectories of the disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the current states of clinical studies on neural substrates of CR in Alzheimer's disease using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We searched for clinical studies on CR using fMRI in the Pubmed, Cochrane library, RISS, KISS and ScienceON on August 14, 2023. Once the online search was finished, studies were selected manually by the inclusion criteria. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of selected articles and reviewed the neural substrates of CR. Total thirty-four studies were included in this study. As surrogate markers of CR, not only education and occupational complexity, but also composite score and questionnaire-based method, which cover various areas of life, were mainly used. The most utilized methods in resting-state fMRI were independent component analysis, seed-based analysis, and graph theory analysis. Through the analysis, we demonstrated that neuroimaging techniques could capture the neural substrates associated with cognitive reserve. Moreover, functional connectivity of brain regions centered on prefrontal and parietal cortex and network areas such as default mode network showed a significant correlation with CR, which indicated a significant association with cognitive performance. CR may induce differential effects according to the disease status. We hope that this perspective on cognitive reserve would be helpful when conducting clinical researches on the mechanisms of traditional Korean medicine for Alzheimer's disease in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the effects of Hominis placenta (Jahage, J) and wild ginseng (SanSam, S) pharmacopuncture drugs on muscle differentiation and energy metabolism regulation in C2C12 myotubes. Methods: The C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes for 5 days by replacing in medium containing 2% horse serum and then treated with J and S pharmacopuncture extract at different concentrations for 24 hr. The expression of myosin heavy chain and energy metabolism-regulating factors, myosin heavy chain (MHC), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), and proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) were determined in C2C12 myotubes by western blot. Additionally, the phosphorylation of AMPK and the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis, including sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) were determined in the myotubes. Results: As a result, treatment with J and S pharmacopuncture extract at 0.1 and 1 mg/mL increased the MHC expression in C2C12 myotubes compared with non-treated cells, but only S pharmacopuncture was shown a significant and distinct increase in the expression. Expression of TFAM and NRF-1 was also shown significant increases in S and J pharmacopuncture in C2C12 myotubes compared to non-treated cells. The phosphorylation of AMPK and the expression of PGC-1α and SIRT1 showed increased expression in S and J pharmacopuncture compared to non-treated cells. The effect of low-dose of J pharmacopuncture on the phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PGC-1α expression was greater than that of S pharmacopuncture. Conclusions: In conclusion, both J and S pharmacopuncture promote muscle differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes and energy metabolism through the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway. This indicates that the pharmacopuncture with tonic herbal medicines can help to improve skeletal muscle function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1294-1317
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• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.208-218
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• 2024

We report a case of generalized dystonia that developed from oromandibular dystonia and improved following Korean medicine treatment. The patient was hospitalized for 18 days and treated with herbal medicine, mainly Hyeongbangsabaek-san and Soyangbowi-tang, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, and moxibustion. To evaluate the clinical effects of the treatment, we used the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) and Global Dystonia Severity Rating Scale (GDS) and checked dyskinesia occurrence in a diary recorded by the patient's guardian. After 18 days of hospitalization, the UDRS for the trunk, upper extremities, and lower face improved by more than 50%, and the GDS for the whole region, except the larynx and lower face, also improved. In addition, the maximum duration of dystonia decreased from 6 hours to 3 hours, and the pain and numbness associated with dystonia disappeared. This case suggests that Korean medicine treatment is effective in treating generalized dystonia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.41-58
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• 2023

Objectives: This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Cheongpebaedok-tang, a traditional Korean herbal medicine, provided via telemedicine to patients with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 in Korea. Methods: From February to April 2020, a retrospective analysis investigated COVID-19 patients treated via Korean telemedicine. The study involved asymptomatic to mild cases receiving Cheongpebaedok-tang more than three times, along with continuous Korean medicine care in convalescence. Diagnoses and treatment adhered to the telemedicine guidelines of the Association of Korean Medicine, with varied Cheongpebaedok-tang prescriptions based on symptom severity. Symptom evaluation involved a detailed assessment using a 15-item tool at initial and final sessions. Results: The study included 27 patients, with a mean age of 48.7 ± 2.3 years (mean ± standard error). Patients began self-administering oral Cheongpebaedok-tang for an average of 19.4 ± 1.8 days after the date of COVID-19 diagnosis confirmation and continued the medication for 15.8 ± 1.2 days. The reported side effects of the Cheongpebaedok-tang included palpitations (11.1%), insomnia (7.4%), dizziness (3.7%), and diarrhea (3.7%). All side effects disappeared after adjusting the prescription according to standard treatment guidelines. The occurrence of all COVID-19-related adverse symptoms, except fatigue and myalgia, decreased. Fatigue was the most common chronic symptom persisting after 6 months (51.9%), followed by ocular symptoms (37.0%) and sore throat (22.2%). Conclusions: This study implies Cheongpebaedok-tang may offer a potentially safe, symptom-alleviating approach for managing mild COVID-19 cases via telemedicine, although further comprehensive research is warranted.