• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.39-51
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• 2009

Objectives : In Korea the practice of folk remedies is widely spread. One of the main uses is the utilization of pumpkin in postpartum edema. While this practice is widely propagated no one could exactly define the evidence of its uses. Therefore we aimed to provide literature evidence of correct prescription in postpartum edema. Methods : As the use of pumpkin in postpartum edema is particular to korea, we revised all the medical book published from the 17th century, the time supposed to have been introduced pumpkin in Korean peninsula. We also researched the prescription mainly used in postpartum edema, and the common main herbal component, succium. As pumpkin and succium is homophony to 'Ho bak' in korean it had the possibility of being misinterpreted. Results : On our literature research we found the precautions of pumpkin to provoke gi-stagnatio and dampness obstruction and that it was restricted while the recovery of all kind of diseases as well as in puerperium. The main reason of postpartum edema is caused by blood stasis which when the blood gains its normal circulation, edema is dispersed by itself. For this propose main prescription was Jogyeongsan調經散 type with its main component succium which medical properties are cited in all medical classics consistently. From the literature of "Juchonsinbang" and "Uibanghapbu" we found three different prescriptions, Hobakgo琥珀膏, Hobakgo胡朴膏, and Namgwago南瓜膏 which contents and their medical proposes were equal. Conclusions : By these finding we could refer that the use of pumpkin in postpartum edema was caused by homophonic reasonal misinterpretation of succinum in korean. This research provides the literature evidence to correct pumpkin's misuse and also the necessity of restriction of the use of even most common products for medical proposes and/or at least the importance of being guided by the experts.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.42-62
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• 2011

Objective: This study was designed to identify and explore the pathological patterns of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. We also evaluated the usefulness of the Pattern Identification Questionnaire by comparing it with other assessment tools for FD. Methods: We recruited 97 FD patients based on the Rome III criteria for FD diagnosis. The pathological patterns of the subjects were determined by the Pattern Identification Questionnaire. Their dyspepsia-related symptoms were assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (GIS) and the Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san) Patternization Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life with the Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life (FD-QoL) Questionnaire. Tongue coating was measured by the Digital Tongue Diagnosis System (DTDS). Results: The male to female ratio was 1:1.1, and the forties and fifties age groups were largest in number. The spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness pattern was the most common pattern found among the FD patients. No significant differences in the GIS, BDI, FD-QoL, and DTDS scores were found among the five pattern types. All pattern types showed significant correlation with GIS, Pyeongwi-san Patternization Questionnaire, and FD-QoL scores. Conclusions: Pattern Identification Questionnaire can not only identify the pathological pattern types of FD patients but also evaluate the severity of their symptoms. Compared to conventional assessment tools for FD, it could enable a more dynamic evaluation of FD patients reflecting the severity of dyspeptic symptoms and the quality of life. Further studies on the Pattern Identification of FD patients are anticipated in order to improve the diagnosis and therapy for Korean FD patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.122-152
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was designed to develop a standard tool for pattern identification of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. Methods: Korean and Chinese literature was selected that mentioned pattern identification of GERD. We gathered the pattern identification and their symptoms and a Chinese medical doctor proficient in Korean translated the Chinese characters into Korean. A Korean linguist then confirmed the translation results to develop a draft of the standard tool for pattern identification of gastroesophageal reflux disease (PIGERD). The final PIGERD was developed after assessment by an expert committee composed of professors from the Korean Medicine University, using the following items: inclusion of the pattern identification and its symptoms, importance of items, and validity of translation. Results: Six pattern identifications and 94 symptoms were selected from 45 references and translated into Korean. Four pattern identifications [pattern/syndrome of liver qi invading the stomach (肝胃不和), spleen-stomach weakness (脾胃虛弱), spleen-stomach dampness-heat (脾胃濕熱), and stomach yin deficiency (胃陰不足)] and 49 symptoms were then selected through the Delphi method by the expert committee. The final standard PIGERD tool was completed after the assessment of translation validity and reflection of individual opinions by the expert committee. This tool consists of 40 items including tongue and pulse diagnosis. The weighted value was also computed from assessment of the importance of items. Conclusions: We developed a standard tool for pattern identification of gastroesophageal reflux disease (PIGERD) to clarify the pattern identification of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease for standardized diagnosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.507-515
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• 2008

To make a bibliographical review on the most frequently used prescriptions and herbs in treating the uterine carcinoma. 43 texts in China and 6 texts in Korea published since 1980 were reviewed for this objective. 590 Oriental Herbal Medicine formulas composed of 457 herbs were investigated. The frequency and efficacy of each herb used were statistically analyzed. The most frequently used herbal medicine formulas were Danchisoyosan in hepatic Qi stasis, Sihosogan-tang mixed with Lungeumdaebo-tang in damage of conception and thoroughfare vessel, Danchisoyosangagam in blood heat, Hoangyunhaedok-tang in pattern of retained dampness-heat, Jibapjihang-tang in iver-kidney yin deficiency pattern, Naebohyunhapsamyoungbaekchulsan in spleen-kidney yang deficiency pattern. The herbal medicines most frequently used were; Angelicae gigantis radix(126 times), Phellodendri cortex(91 times), Borneolum(87 times), Glycyrrhizae radix and Paeoniae radix alba(82 times), Realgar and Alumen(80times), Poria(77 times), Astragali radix(75 times), Moschus and Myrrha(74 times), Coicis semen and Olibanum(73 times), Codonopsis pilosulae radix and Scutellaria bardata Don(70 times) etc. The effect of the most frequently used herbs were : heat-clearing medicine(12), blood-circulation and stasis-dispelling medicine(9), tonifying and replenishing medicine(5), ointments(5), heat-clearing and blood-cooling medicine(3) and etc. The most frequently used herbs may be applied in future animal studies and clinical trials. Also this data can be used as a reference in formulating new Oriental Herbal Medicine formulas for uterine carcinoma.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-192
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• 2004

Objectives : This study is designed to investigate the pathology, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy applicable of the dementia through literature of oriental medicine. Results : The findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The cause of dementia is internal damage of seven emotions(七情內傷), deficiency of the kidney essence(腎精不足), retention of dampness in the mental(痰迷心竅). 2. The acupuncture meridians used often for dementia are $Tok-maek(GV),\;Chok-t'aeyang\;Pang-gwang-Ky\check{o}ng(BL),\;Chok-yangm\check{o}yng\;Wi-Ky\check{o}ng(ST),\;Su-gwor\check{u}m\;Shimp'o-Ky\check{o}ng(PC),\;Su-so\check{u}m\;Shim-Ky\check{o}ng(HT)$. 3. The spots on the body suiTable for acupuncture used for therapy of the dementia are 98 points and extra points are 6 points, total therapeutic acupunture points are 104 points. And acupunture points are frequently used Shinmun(神門-HT7, 24), Paek'oe(百會-GV20, 19), Chok-samni(足三里-ST36, 18), Sugu(水溝-GV26, 17), P'ungnyung(豊隆-ST40, 16), Taech'u(大椎-GV14, 14), $Sam\check{u}mgyo(三陰交-SP6,\;14)$, Shimsu(心兪-BL15, 14), $Taen\check{u}ng(大陵-PC7,\;11)$, Nogung(勞宮-PC8, 11), Sosang(少商-LU11, 10), Kansa(間使-PC5, 10), Naegwan(內關-PC6, 10). 4. The acupoints used often on moxibustion are Paek'oe(百會-GV20), Chang-gang(長强-GV1), Taech'u(大椎-GV14), Kansa(間使-PC5). Conclusion : It is recommended that further study of many sided investigations in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 2004

Spatholobus suberectus belonging the family Leguminosae has been used for promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, tonifying the blood, relaxing tendons, stopping internal bleeding and eliminating dampness in oriental traditional medicine. This study investigates whether the water extracts of S. suberectus induce apoptotic cell death in Jurkat T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Jurkat cells were increased inhibitions of cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner by S. suberectus, as measured by cell morphology. The capability of S. suberectus to induce apoptosis was associated with proteolytic cleavage of specific target protein such as poly (ADP­ribose)polymerase protein suggesting the possible involvement of caspases. The purpose of the present study is also to investigate the effect of S. suberectus on cell cycle progression. G1 checkpoin related gene products tested (cyclin D1, cyclin dependent kinase 4, retinoblastoma, E2Fl) were decreased in their protein levels in a dose-dependent manners after treatment of the extract. These results indicate that the increase of apoptotic cell death by S. suberectus may be due to the inhibition of cell cycle progression in wild type p53-lacking Jurkat cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1105-1111
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• 2005

In order to investigate the meanings and bases of transforming theories of diseases(病傳論), several relevant theories were collected from medical books since . The outside-to-inside changing process(pyoree jeon) was the fundamental pattern in febrile diseases regardless of slang han and wen bing after Han dynasty. But in case of numb disease the three exogenous pathogenic factors of wind, cold and dampness got into each viscera through five tissues like skin, vessesl, flesh, tendons, bones respectively. It was called corresponding changing process(sanghap jeon) here. The pathogenic changing process(byungsa jeon) had complicated details to explain pathologic processes, but could give useful informations on evaluating relative strength of pathogens and tendency ahead. The changing process of diseases of internal injuries were explained in case of emotional distress which is outbroken abruptly didn't follow regular order of viscera-emotion relations. So it was named random changing process(bulcha jeon) after 's usage. And marasmus and asthenic disease followed top-to-down or down-to-top changing process(sangha jeon) based on . There are many types of changing process of diseases between viscera and viscera or viscera and bowels like generation changing process, restriction changing process, changing process between couple, changing process of mutual transmission based on attributions of each element by the theory of 5 phases(五行論). And changing process to a neighbor doesn't have any special relations within two organs but has anatomical contiguity and physiological continuity between them. The transforming theories of diseases bring forth useful understanding on comings and goings of pathogenic factors and tendency and prognosis of disease, so they are needed to be taught in the course of pathology class.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.911-920
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• 2010

The basic principles in the "Spleen-stomach theory(脾胃論)" sets up the phases and roles of spleen-stomach (脾胃) by establishing Earth(地 坤 土) and exposing the reality of spleen-stomach(脾胃) of human body which has its own shape and form with Heaven's reality exhibited. The meaning of Earth is based on the constant meaning of Earth in 'Earth Original-Earth as extended and stable ground(坤元一正之土)' giving form and shape, and Earth's movement with circulation, then exposes itself as 'Earth as plowing land(耕種之土)' concerning both the application of Five Phases and the physical characteristics of Earth. The Yin-Yang recognition on Earth is revealed as Yin Earth(陰土)-Yang Earth(陽土). Spleen(脾) was established as Yin Earth(陰土) and Stomach(胃) as Yang Earth(陽土). The seasonal assignment of Earth is Indian Summer(長夏), which is divided from Summer, and becomes Heat(熱), and the Yin-Yang recognition of Earth comes to be the meaning of the center and border. According to the Five Phasic recognition, it becomes Earth(土) and gets to be Dampness(濕) in accordance with Six Qi(六氣). 'Extreme Yin(至陰)' indicates Qi's status exposing the fundamental meaning regarding the role of creating, changing, and propelling Spleen-Stomach(脾胃) as a characteristic Yin Earth. Earth comprehends 'Four Courses(四維)' meaning, recognizes them as four parts of the 12 Earth's Branches(辰戌丑未) and the terminals of four seasons(四季之末), and has the meaning of the president of the change in four seasons. The theory of principle in the "Spleen-stomach theory(脾胃論)" stands on the basis of the 'Form Qi theory(形氣論)' and that of 'Upbearing, Downbearing, Floating, and Sinking theory(升降浮沈論)'. It manifests the theory of movement in the interaction between Form(形) and Qi(氣), and 'Qi Interior Form Exterior(氣裏形表)' indicates that Qi(氣) moves interiorly and Form(形) exteriorly.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.262-266
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• 2008

We plan to make the standardization of the pattern identifications for stroke and differentiate them by tongue diagnosis. We make a case report form which has questionnaires for tongue diagnosis in stroke patients. And we collected cases from the multi center network which consists of twelve university hospitals and one local hospital. The cases confirmed by diagnosis of medical specialists and residents are 321 cases. They are divided into Qi Defficiency 30.84%, Dampness& Phlegm 25.55%, Fire & Heat 22.43%, Eum Defficiency 18.69% and Blood Stasis 2.49%. We analyzed the markers which classified into the color of tongue body, the color of fur, the quality of fur, the dryness of tongue, the shape of tongue. To make a stroke pattern identification standard, we must try variable ways.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.636-642
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• 2014

In the theory of Korean medicine, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (ADR) can expel wind and relieve exterior syndrome, and eliminate dampness. Recently, ADR has been reported to have possibilities as anti-inflammatory agent and cosmetics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ADR on contact dermatitis (CD). In order to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ADR on CD, we investigated the effects of ADR on ear thickness, ear weight, skin lesion and histopathological changes in mice with CD induced by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). In addition, the effect on spleen weight was also measured. In our results, topical application of ADR lowered ear thickness and weight respectively. ADR treatment also improved skin lesions such as erythema and scale. In the histopathological observation, ADR-treated group showed diminished epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in inflammed tissues compared to those of non-treated control group. In conclusion, These data suggest that ADR has anti-inflammatory action in inflammed skin tissue, resulting in improving skin lesion and histopathological abnormalities of CD.