• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.100-112
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunological effect of Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture on the cellular immune response in mice with LPS induced arthritis. Methods : All the BALB/C mice used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free mouse colony and were 6wk of age at the start of the experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injeciton of 300${\mu}g$/kg LPS in mice knee joint. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture was injected into Yangnungchon(Gb34) of mice 2daily for 14days. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to assess CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 expression in common iliac lymph nodes and synovial menbrane after stimulation with Ramulus Cinnamomum. Electron microscopy was carried out to assess change of synovial membrane. Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation group was compared to control group and non stimutated with aqua-acupuncture. Resutts : At day 14 post arthritis onset, Immunohistological studies using monoclonal antibodies showed that Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture goup had decreased expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD11b, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2R and CD106 at common illiac lymph nodes and synovial membrane compared with control group. Conclusions : Ramulus Cinnamomum aqua-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of cellular immunity to LPS-induced arthritis in mice. Thus, aqua-acupuncture stimulation may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases. The effects of AA on immune function and disease activity in patients with RA warrant further investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.177-188
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the immunohistological effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture in treating the arthritis, performed several experimental items : those are paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$. Methods : All the male Sprague Dawley rats used in this study were bred and maintaned in our pathogen-free rat colony and were 8 weeks of age at the start of to experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of $50{\mu}g/{\mu}{\ell}$ adjuvant(mineral oil mixed Mycobacterium butyricum). Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture was injected into ST36(足三里) of rats daily for 21 days. Immunohistological analysis was carried out to assess paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ expression in synovial membrane and sera Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture injected. Results : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture group showed a decrease with statistical significance, in paw edema, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ in synovial membrane and sera compared with control group. Conclusion : Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture stimulation inhibited the development of immunity to adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Thus, Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture may have preventive effects on autoimmune inflammatory joint diseases as arthritis. The effect of Buthus martensi Karsch Herbal-acupuncture on the immune function and the disease activity in patients with arthritis warrants further investigation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.261-267
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• 2003

The periodontal diseases are infections caused by bacteria in oral biofilm, a gelatinous mat commonly called dental plaque, which is a complex microbial community that forms and adhere to tooth surfaces. Host immune-pathogen interaction in periodontal disease appears to be a complex process, which is regulated not only by the acquired immunity to deal with ever-growing and -invading microorganisms in periodontal pockets, but also by genetic and/or environmental factors. However, our understanding of the pathogenesis in human periodontal diseases is limited by the lack of specific and sensitive tools or models to study the complex microbial challenges and their interactions with the host's immune system. Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology research have demonstrated the importance of the acquired immune system in fighting the virulent periodontal pathogens and in protecting the host from developing further devastating conditions in periodontal infections. The use of genetic knockout and immunodeficient mouse strains has shown that the acquired immune response, in particular, $CD4^+$ T-cells plays a pivotal role in controlling the ongoing infection, the immune/inflammatory responses, and the subsequent host's tissue destruction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2005

Objective: Although the effect of Ulmus davidiana Planch (UD) extracts on collagen-induced-arthritis (CIA) and bone metabolism has been studies, research on its effect on human immunomodulatory activity is further a due. The objective of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of UD on cellular and humoral immunity. Methods : Oral administration of the ethanolic and water extracts of UD, at doses of 20, 100 and 200 mg/kg in mice, dose dependently potentiated the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction induced both by sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and oxazolone. Results : It significantly enhanced the production of circulating antibody titre in response to SRBC in mice. Extracts of UD failed to show any effect on macrophage phagocytosis. Chronic administration of UD extracts significantly ameliorated the total white blood cell count and also restored the myelosuppressive effects induced by cyclophosphamide. Conclusion : The present investigation reveals that UD extracts possesses immunomodulatory activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Pollen has been used for prevention or treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes arthritis or cancer in traditional medicine. Among various pollens, pine tree pollen is known to relieve hypertension, suppress fatty liver progression, and facilitate the digestion, but its immunological activities are less known. To evaluate immunological reactivities and immunotoxicities of pine tree pollen, BALB/c mice were administered to the poller through oral route. Pine tree pollen suspended in distilled water or extracted with methanol has been administered at the concentration of 0, 10, or 100 mg/kg five days per week for four weeks. Polyclonal activation of splenic T cells with phytohemagglutinins did not induce a significant difference in IL-4 and $IFN_{\gamma}$ production between the pollen-administered mice groups and the control mice. Furthermore, polyclonal activation of splenic B cells with lipopolysaccharides did not result a significant difference in IgG1 and IgG2a production among the groups. These findings imply that the intake of pine tree pollen does not bring any humoral and cellular immune-dysrequlation. Whereas, viability of Listeria monocytogenes was suppressed in the mice administered with 100 mg/kg bw methanol extract, indicating the potential ability of pine tree pollen to enhance cell-mediated immunity mediated by type-1 helper T cells. In addition, aberrant upregulation of plasma IgG1 level was observed in the pollen-administered mice, which suggests a possibility of allergic response induction through the pine tree pollen uptake. Overall, pine tree pollen-mediated modulation of humoral or cellular immunity is worthy of further systematic investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.51-63
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigated that effect of Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture solution (BRHS) on the celluar immune response in mice with adjuvant induced arthritis, performed several experimental items : those are paw edema, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, PNF-a and $PGE_2$. Methods : All the male Sprague Daeley mice used in this study were bred and maintained in our pathogen-free mouse colony and were 8 weeks of age at the start of the experiment. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of $50{\mu}g/{\mu}{\ell}$ adjuvant(mineral oil mixed Mycobacterium butyricum). Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture solution (BRHS) was injected into $ST_{36}$(足三理) of mice daily for 21 days. Immunohistological analysis was carried out to assess paw edema, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, PNF-${\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$expression in synovial membrance and sera Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture solution(BRHS) injected. Results : At day 21 post arthritis onset, immunohistological studies using monoclonal antibodies showed that Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture solution (BRHS) group had decreased expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, PNF-${\alpha}$ and $PGE_2$ at inflamatory cytokines production and edema compared with control group. Conclusion : Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture solution (BRHS) inhibited infammatory cytokines production and edema in adjuvant induced arthritic mice. Thus, Herbal-acupuncture solution may have prevention.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.177-196
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• 2004

Objective : Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that pathogenesis is not fully understood and one of the most intractable musculoskeletal diseases. The concern in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has been increased since 1980's and many immunotherapeutic agents including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were developed and became the mainstay of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cure of the disease has hardly been achieved. In oriental medicine, rheumatoid arthritis is related to Bi-Zheng(痺證), that presents pain, swelling, andlor loss of joint function as major clinical manifestations, and also known to be deeply involved in suppression of immune function related to weakness of Jung-Ki(正氣). The herbal medicine, empirically used, could be a potential resource of development of new immunotherapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We developed a search strategy using terms to include "rheumatoid arthritis and herbal medicine" combined with "Chinese medicine" and/or "Oriental medicine". The search was focused on experimental studies of herbal medicine (January 1999 to May 2004), which is known to have effects on immune function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Computerized search used Internet databases including KISS and RISS4U (Korea), CNKI (China), MOMJ (Main Oriental Medicine Journal, Japan), and PubMed. The articles were selected from journals of universities or major research institutes. Results : The literature search for experimental studies on effects of herbal medicine on immunity of rheumatoid arthritis retrieved a total of 21 articles (Korea; 8, China ; 12, Japan ; 1). Of 21 articles, 10 were related to single-drug formula, 2 to drug interaction, and 9 to multi-drug formula. Single-drug formula was mainly used for aqua-acupuncture and researches on active components. Studies of drug interaction emphasized harmony of Ki-Hyul(氣血) and balance of Han-Yeul(寒熱). Multi-drug regimen was mainly found among formulas for Bo-Ki-Hyul(補氣血) and Bo-Sin(補腎). Conclusion : Studies on rheumatoid arthritis were performed both in vitro and in vivo in vitro study, LPS-stimulated splenocytes and synoviocytes were treated with herbal medicine, resulting in proliferation and activation of immune cells and suppression of cytokine activities in vivo study CIA animal model demonstrated that herbal medicine decreased antibody production and improved function of immune cells. In cellular and molecular study herbal medicine showed profound effects on the level of mRNA expression of certain cytokines related to immune function. This study revealed that herbal medicine has significant immune modulatory action and could be used for recovery of immune dysfunction of rheumatoid arthritis patients.