• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the contemporary perception of traditional Korean medical doctors (TKMDs) on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) policies and issues. Methods: A questionnaire that included traditional medicine policy- and treatment-related issues was sent to 130 TKM medical centers and 4,300 TKM local clinical offices in Korea, and received responses from total 648 TKMDs in 122 TKM medical centers and 465 TKM local clinical offices. Results: Of the responding TKMDs, 40% believed that unification of Western and traditional medicines would benefit both modes of medical treatment, 67.6% were against allowing Chinese doctor certification to be effective in Korea through the Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and 57.8% believed that the number of TKMDs should be reduced. We also found that 46.1% of TKMDs believed that more lectures on Western medicine would be needed in schools of TKM. Moreover, 87.5% of respondents regarded medical knowledge as necessary for treatment, and 49.4% believed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (NCCAOM) would be not necessary. TKMDs regarded governmental efforts as more vital than education in schools or individual efforts for enhancement of the traditional medical care market in Korea. To efficiently provide the advantages of complementary CAM, such as cost and safety, detailed research is required when policy is made. Conclusions: The TKM industry must implement policies how the relationship with Western medicine can be better defined under the current dual medical system. On the issue of human resources, more research will be needed on the current policy, which serves to maintain the status quo by blocking the importation of Chinese practitioners and by reducing the number of new practitioners.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Background : There has been renewed interest in complementary alternative medicine around the world far a decade. On the other hand, the issue of safety of herbal medicine in Korea has been continuously questioned. Issues raised have included not only chemical residue or heavy metals caused by pollution, but also the toxicity of herbal medicine itself. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review some herbal medicines subject to controversy of toxicity and figure out what kind of problems they evidence. Methods : In this review, PubMed was used to search medical journals. Keywords such as 'herb, or herbal medicine', 'safety, or adverse events, or adverse effect, or toxicity, or liver injury' were applied. Journals were selected by four inclusion criteria, as objectives should be human, researchers should be medical doctors, literature written in the English language, and types of journals should be meta-analysis or practice guideline or reviews. Finally, 9 cases from 60 journals were included in this review. Results : We reviewed 13 herbal medicines for controversy of toxicity such as ephedra(Mahuang), Arisolochia fangchi, Aristolochia manshuriensis, licorice, skullcap , germander, Syo-saiko-to(Xiao-chai-hu-tang), Chelidonium majus, mistletoe, Dictamnus dasycarpus and madder. Conclusions : It suggested that 'who it is prescribed for' is one of the most important factors to identify the causes of toxicity in herbal medicine and dietary supplements, under specific conditions in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.5-21
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• 2020

Bungkang (Syzygium polyanthum) is a medium to tall plant which produces medicinal root-bark, the plant is normally found along inland river bank and produces small white flowers and fruits. Essential oils are among the most interesting components of the plant extracts consisting mostly of monoterpenoid or sesquiterpenoids. They are used as therapeutic agents in ethno, conventional, and complementary alternative medicines. Investigation and evaluation of the essential oil of Syzygium polyanthum as well as the antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal activity was ascertained. The experiment was performed. 100 chemical constituents were obtained and two pure compound was isolated as Eugenol (1) and Farnesol (2). Significant growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, (ATCCⓒ25923) Klebsiellia pneumonia (ATCCⓒ19155), Salmonella typhi (ATCCⓒ14028) and Escherichia coli (ATCC©25922) and the fungal strains Aspergillus flavin, Aspergillus niger, Candida, tropicalis, and Fusarium oxysporium was observed from the essential oil at concentration of 500 ㎍/mL. Antioxidant potential was observed to be strong of 18.42 ㎍/mL when compared to the control of 15.23 ㎍/mL. The result indicated that the oil obtained from root-bark of Syzygium polyanthum can be considered as an agent for antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal in pharmaceutical food and cosmetic industries trails.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.353-364
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• 2021

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a series of hollow organs that is responsible for the digestion and absorption of ingested foods and the excretion of waste. Any changes in the GI tract can lead to GI disorders. GI disorders are highly prevalent in the population and account for substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. GI disorders can be functional, or organic with structural changes. Functional GI disorders include functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Organic GI disorders include inflammation of the GI tract due to chronic infection, drugs, trauma, and other causes. Recent studies have highlighted a new explanatory mechanism for GI disorders. It has been suggested that autophagy, an intracellular homeostatic mechanism, also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of GI disorders. Autophagy has three primary forms: macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy. It may affect intestinal homeostasis, host defense against intestinal pathogens, regulation of the gut microbiota, and innate and adaptive immunity. Drugs targeting autophagy could, therefore, have therapeutic potential for treating GI disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of current understanding regarding the evidence for autophagy in GI diseases and updates on potential treatments, including drugs and complementary and alternative medicines.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.6
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• 2020

The Karafs is a dried herb of whole plant of Apium graveolens L. from Apiaceae (carrot family). The seeds (fruits) of Apium graveolens are known as Tukhm-e- Karafs in Unani Medicine. Karafs is known as Celeri in French, Apio in Spanish, Selderiji in Dutch, Syelderey in Russian and Chin in Chinese. It is cultivated in different parts of the world for its seeds as spice and green leaves and root as salad crop. Its seeds are also used for medicinal purposes in complementary and alternative medicines. In Unani it is used as a single drug or as an ingredient in compound formulations used for management in various ailments. The seeds have various pharmacological actions like hepatoprotective, diuretic and lithotriptic etc. It is commonly found in Western Asia, Europe, North Africa and various parts of India like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh etc. In Unani its actions are described as Mudirr-i-Bawl (Diuretic), Mufattit-i-Hasāh (Lithotriptic), Dafi'-i-Tashannuj (Antispasmodic) and Kāsir-i-Riyāh (Carminative). It is used for the treatment of Hasah al-Kulya (Nephrolithiasis), Nafkh al-Mi'da (Flatulence), Istisqā' (Oedema) and Ihtibās al-Bawl (Retention of urine) etc.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.373-376
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• 2010

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) belongs to a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is widely used in food, cosmetics and medicines. This study was carried to investigate the variation of essential oil content and its composition during callus subculture of M. piperita. For callus induction from the leaf explant of peppermint, the basal medium was supplemented with various concentrations of 2, 4-D. The best callus induction rate (93%) of M. piperita. was obtained in MS medium containing 2 mg/l 2, 4-D. The induced peppermint callus maintained on Lin-Staba medium were studied during a period of 20th subcultures for the stability of essential oil production. Growth rates of peppermint callus increased during prolonged subculture. However, there was a progressive decrease of essential oil content and unstability of monoterpene productions when callus cultures were serially subcultured.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.173-178
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• 2011

Homeopathic Pulsatilla 30C was evaluated in 4 clinical cases of ophthalmic complications with concomitant separation anxiety in dogs. Separation anxiety in dogs is excessive anxiety regarding to the separation from owners and is one of the most common behavioral problems in dog. In addition, ocular diseases is sometimes related with abnormal behaviors. Holistic approach is good alternative method to treat dogs with physical problem associated behavior problem. Homeopathy is one of the complementary and alternative medicines and bases on healing of patients themselves which includes mind healing, not the disease itself. Among the material medical remedy of homeopathy, the Pulsatilla is used as homeopathic remedy for ocular problems, earache, cough, cold, and anxiety from lost attention. These case studies described the successful treatment of ocular diseases and separation anxiety by application of Pulsatilla 30C as homeopathy in 4 dogs. During the homeopathy, these dogs did not receive any other treatments, and were performed the physical exam to check the ocular problems. These dogs were completely cured of physical and behavior problem within 10 days. On following up, any clinical signs were not observed at one month after the last therapy. In addition, as from the treatment the anxiety problem of patients has been much better improved. According to these case studies, we know that an application of homeopathic remedy may be useful therapeutic choice to treat both problems of physical and behavior.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.7
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• 2016

In view of greater attention given to the incidence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women of reproductive age, particularly in urban and semi-urban population in India, research works in both the regimens of orthodox and complementary and alternative medicines have been rejuvenated in recent years. We report here relative efficacy of two potentized homeopathic remedies, Calcarea carbonica (Calc) and Lycopodium clavatum (Lyco) used traditionally for the removal of ovarian cysts. These drugs are most frequently used based on guiding symptoms of individual patients. Effects of either of these remedies on its ability of removing cysts, along with amelioration of certain other hormones and hormone-related parameters of PCOS, such as follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, Estradiol, Testosterone (Free/Total), Dehydroepiandosterone, Prolactine, Progesterone (17- Hydroxyprogesterone), TSH including T₃, T₄, and Insulin were studied. The Insulin-related parameters like changes in fasting or postprandial glucose levels were also studied. The mentioned hormones play some- direct or indirect roles in causing irregular menstrual cycle and PCOS. The data collected at three fixation time points, namely, at 6, 12, and 18 months were considered. Results showed that out of 40 patients initially having PCOS, cysts were totally removed in 21 patients along with amelioration of other relevant symptoms. Both Calc and Lyco had amelioration of similar nature. Results of this study therefore validate safe and effective use of both Calc and Lyco in homeopathy, to patients with basic guiding symptoms for either drug, and can be recommended for patients with PCOS as they do not have any reported side-effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.147-159
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complementary and alternative medicines can be used to alleviate climacteric symptoms that significantly affect the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Isoflavones are the most common plant-based therapies for postmenopausal changes, but the results of previous studies have been controversial. MATERIALS/METHODS: To investigate whether isoflavones would affect menopausal symptoms as well as ovarian hormones, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were used to perform the systematic search. Included studies were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of isoflavone supplementation on menopausal symptoms. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included for the final quantitative assessment. Isoflavone intervention was varied between 49.3 and 135 mg of isoflavones per day for 12 wk-2 yrs. The meta-analysis showed that supplementation of isoflavones significantly increased the estradiol levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.615, P = 0.035) and Kupperman index (SMD = 3.121, P = 0.003) but had no significant effect on hot flashes, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, both estradiol and the Kupperman index showed significant heterogeneity among studies (I² = 94.7%, P < 0.001 and I² = 98.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results showed a significant SMD in estradiol and the Kupperman index, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity. Further validation with a larger RCT will be necessary. Overall, isoflavone supplementation has distinct effects on the climacteric symptoms and hormonal changes in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was aimed to facilitate mutual comprehension between Western and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) by analyzing recognition of medical school students on traditional medical prescription and treatment such as herbal medicines and acupuncture. Methods : We conducted a survey targeting medical school students of four medical schools from April through May 2009, and analyzed 208 cases responded. Results : Survey results revealed that medical school students took knowledge of traditional medicine from TV programs and on the Web in general. They thought they had considerable traditional medical knowledge but did not almost understand for professional contents. Regardless of some positive recognition for traditional herbal medicine, negative perspectives were more common and its safety and efficacy on the drug reference were considered as a major reason. On the other hand, recognition on acupuncture was comparatively positive. Scientific data for both herbal medicine and acupuncture are lacking in reality but the attitude only for acupuncture was different. Of the survey respondents, 57.8% had negative attitude against diagnostic methods of TKM and 59.1% opposed to the usage of modern medical equipments by TKM doctors. With regard to the future position of TKM, they tacitly approved that TKM would be absorbed into the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and importance of TKM objectification, followed by Government's support. Conclusions : Medical school students neither affirm nor deny TKM as a whole but the state of awareness for each item was similar to the physician. In terms of TKM its internal and external innovation would be required to continuously establish objectification of TKM prescription and scientific research on treatment technology.