• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study is to analyze Korean patients' characteristics, who were concurrently treated with both Korean herbal medicines and Western chemical medicines using nation-wide database. Method : Using the patients sample data (HIRA-NPS 2018) provided by Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, a group of patients who co-administered Korean herbal and Western medicines was selected, and their basic characteristics, diagnosis, and prescribed chemical medicines were analyzed. Results : Out of the 1,481,921 sample population, 17,629 patients (1.2%) were selected as a concurrent medication group. Compared to the whole sample, the concurrent medication group was composed of more women (65.8% vs. 51.1%), the more elderly people (65 or older years old) (44.5% vs. 14.6%), and the higher prevalence of chronic diseases (49.1% vs. 22.2%). The most frequent diagnosis treated with Western medicines was mental and behavioral disorders, musculoskeletal and circulatory disorders. Frequently used drugs among concurrent medication group were anti-anxiety drugs, gastric ulcer treatment drugs, and senile diseases treatment drugs. Conclusion : The evidence reported in this study is expected to provide herb-drug interaction researchers with important reference to set the priorities of research topics in the future.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2021

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Mental sequelae occurring in patients with COVID-19 and the general population are important concerns. In Korea, herbal medicine is used nationwide to respond to this pandemic. It can be prescribed by COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean medicine (KM). Among some herbal medicines, Gamiguibi-tang is the only herbal medicine prescribed for individuals with mental health, especially for those with insomnia. In this mini-review, the objective of this study was to summarize the evidence of some promising herbal medicines available for treating primary insomnia based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Methods: A research team was formed for KM clinical practice guidelines for insomnia (version 1.0). Team members were provided with a list of references of relevant herbal medicines for insomnia. To gather evidence from clinical studies with appropriate sample sizes, among the list of references, randomized controlled trials for primary insomnia that included 50 subjects or more per arm and used herbal medicine were included in the final analysis. Moreover, pre-clinical studies examining the mechanism of action of each herbal medicine and studies on herb-drug interactions, were searched and summarized. Results: Four herbal medicines (Ondam-tang, Sanjoin-tang, Guibi-tang, and Hyeolbuchugeo-tang) were reviewed based on existing clinical and preclinical studies. Based on findings of existing studies, some suggestions of herbal medicines for insomnia in the COVID-19 era in Korea were suggested. Conclusions: Data of this study could be used to prepare a future revision of the manual of COVID-19 telemedicine center of KM.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2022

The spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, has increased due to the frequent use of antibiotics. Inhibition of the quorum-sensing systems of biofilm-producing strains using plant extracts represents an efficient approach for controlling infections. Torilis japonica is a medicinal herb showing various bioactivities; however, no studies have reported the anti-biofilm effects of T. japonica extracts against drug-resistant S. aureus. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of T. japonica ethanol extract (TJE) on biofilm production in methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) KCTC 1927, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) KCCM 40510, and MRSA KCCM 40511. Biofilm assays showed that TJE could inhibit biofilm formation in all strains. Furthermore, the hemolysis of sheep blood was found to be reduced when the strains were treated with TJE. The mRNA expression of agrA, sarA, icaA, hla, and RNAIII was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to determine the effect of TJE on the regulation of genes encoding quorum sensing-related virulence factors in MSSA and MRSA. The expression of hla reduced in a concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with TJE. Moreover, the expression levels of other genes were significantly reduced compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, TJE can suppress biofilm formation and virulence factor-related gene expression in MSSA and MRSA strains. The extract may therefore be used to develop treatments for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are typical opportunistic pathogens. Moreover, these bacteria are known to possess multidrug-resistant (MDR) properties. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of six fermented products, which have varying efficacies against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus. To identify novel candidate genes, differential expression analysis was performed using an annealing control primer. In the disk diffusion method, Fig vinegar (FV) and Diospyros kaki Thunb vinegar (DTV) showed the greatest increase in inhibition compared to other fermented products, whereas fermented Korean traditional nature herb (FKTNH) had no antibacterial effect. This study identified down-regulation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ompW gene for outer membrane protein W, whereas gene for synthetic construct Lao1 gene for L-amino acid oxidase were up-regulated in E. coli treated with 5% FV. Consuming fermented vinegar helps prevent bacterial infections. Especially, FV and DTV are potentially useful alternative natural products for multidrug resistance. Furthermore, both are expected to be used as effective natural antimicrobial agents, such as disinfectants.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.29-43
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• 2018

Objectives : Araliae Continentalis Radix(AC) is a medicinal herb belonging to the drug efficacy group treating musculoskeletal disorders(MSD) with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic action. However, due to morphologic and onomastic similarity, adulterants(Angelicae Pubescentis Radix: AP, Gypsophilae Oldhamianae Radix: GO, Levistici Officinalis Radix: LO) have been included or replaced the standard. Methods : Multilateral methods were carried out on the identification of AC and its adulterants. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were observed by using stereoscope and microscope. For the comparison of chromatogram pattern, standard compounds were analyzed simultaneously using high performance liquid chromatography. Results : 1. The macroscopic identification of original plants was determined by the phyllotaxis type, the inflorescence type, the leaf margin and the color of flowers. The macroscopic identification of herbal materials was examined by oil spots, the cambium, heteromorphic vascular bundles, and the pholem. 2. For the microscopic identification, the fact whether its xylem ray is proliferated or not was first determined. Then medicinal herbs were secondly divided by cellular inclusions, fiber bundles, the distribution of secretary canals and the shape of cambium. 3. AC and its adulterants showed different chromatographic fingerprints. AC was containing continentalic acid and kaurenoic acid. AP was containing osthole and columbianadin. LO was containing osthole and falcarindiol. None of the compounds were found in GO. Conclusions : This recent identification keys of might be helpful to discriminate the pharmacopoeia standard and its adulterants for the right usage in clinics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2019

Objectives : Recently, natural bioactive components catch a major attention for their potent anticarcinogenic activity. In this study, the inhibitory effect of Cinnamomi Cortex (CC) was examined in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Methods : The toxicity of CC extract was evaluated with cell viability and cell morphology. The activity of Yes associated protein (YAP) was tested with qRT-PCR for the target gene expression such as CTGF and AMOTL2. Western blotting was performed for the evaluation of phospho-YAP level. For cell motility analysis, cellular motility was imaged by live imaging system for 6 hr. Successive images were used for the generation of movie file. Using this movie file, cellular migration was manually tracked and analyzed using time-lapse microscope and Fiji software. Results : Cytotoxicity of CC extract was not detected at $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ or below concentration. Although $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of CC extract reduced CTGF and AMOTL2 gene expression as YAP target genes, it was not statistically significant (CTGF expression P=0.0605, AMOTL2 expression P=0.4478). However, phosphorylated YAP was highly enhanced by CC extract treatment, when normalized with total YAP protein expression, suggesting YAP activation was inhibited. Finally prostate cancer cell motility was markedly reduced by $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of CC extract. Conclusions : CC extract suppresses cancer cell motility and migration ability through inhibiting YAP activation without prostate cancer cell death, suggesting that this herb might be effective therapeutic drug for prostate cancer metastasis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.919-928
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• 2022

As seen in the COVID-19 pandemic, unexpected emergence of new viruses presents serious concern on public health. Especially, the absence of effective vaccines or antiviral drugs against emerging viruses significantly increases the severity of disease and duration of viral circulation among population. Natural products have served as a major source for safe and effective antiviral drugs. In this study, we examined the virucidal activity of medical herb extracts with a view to discover novel antiviral agents with desired levels of safety and antiviral efficacy. Ethanol extracts of ten selected medical herbs were tested for antioxidant activity and in-vitro cytotoxicity in various animal cell lines. Of note, the herbal extracts showed broad and potent virucidal activities against rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and influenza A virus. The extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis showed strong virucidal activities against influenza A virus. We also examined whether the extracts of Sorbus commixta and Glycyrrhiza uralensis can be used as inactivating agents to prepare an inactivated viral vaccine. In a mouse model, influenza A virus inactivated by the extracts elicited high levels of neutralizing antibodies, and the vaccination provided complete protection against lethal challenge. These results suggest that herb-derived natural products can be developed to antiviral drugs as well as inactivating agents for preparation of inactivated viral vaccines.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.349-354
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• 1974

Survey results concerning the general information on health status of 7,050 inhabitants (1,141 households) which have been selected within Keumsan Gun, Chung Choung Nam Do area are as follws: 1. The average family size is $6.18{\pm}2.17$ persons per household. Tertiary sex ratio is 105.5 population composition of Kumsan Gun shown a pyramidal form consisting of 51.6% of the inhabitants under 20 years of age. 2. Rate of illiteracy amounts to 12.1% and only 4.1% of villagers were graduated from high schools, 80% of the inhabitants have some kind of jobs: 46.1% of them are engaged in agriculture, 95.2% of villagers have their own houses, and remaining 4.8% do not have their own. 3. 72% of households made use of health services provided provided by health centre or subcentres during a period of 1 year from April 1, 1973 to March 31, 1974. 26.8% of them visited health centre of sub-centres 2-4 times annually for the following purposes: 1) Vaccination: 35.7% 2) Diagnosis or treatment: 26.7% 3) Family planning: 24.1% 4) Maternal and child health: 10.5% 4. Utilization rate of health facilities is on an average 4.4 times per household and 0.75 times per capita. 5. Birth rate in the area is 1.91% and death rate is 0.75%, indicating the natural increase rate is only 1.16% that is lower than the nationwide rate of 1.8-2.2% in 1970 and 1.5-1.9% in 1973. 6. 37.7% of fertile women (20-40 years old) in the area are still unmarried, Fertility rate is the highest in the age group of 63-40 years old showing a value of 17.1%. 7. The unmarried population in this area amounts to 61.4% : 61.4% in male and 57.6% in female. 8. Number of inhaibtants who practice family planning is 612 persons(22.6%) among the married (2.771). This value consists of 8.3% of married males and 34.8% of married females. Only 16.0% of the people who put family planning in practice undergo permanent contraceptive methods and remaining 84.0% of them do temporary measures. 9. Only 57.7% of the subjects took vaccinations as follows: 1) B.C.G. vaccination: 82.7% 2) D.P.T. vaccination: 76.2% 3) Poliomyelitis vaccination: 67.9% 4) Smallpox vaccination: 62.6% 10. In the utilization of medical facilities in case of sickness drug stores (32.15%) comes first and hospitals or clinics (28.65%), health centre of health sub-centres (17.96%), herb drug stores (7.36%) and herb gerneral practioners (6.31%), etc., in decreasing order. Sickness that people living in this area suffer from are neuralgia, disease digestive troubles, respiratory diseases and skin lesions, etc.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.71-83
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• 1996

Hyang-Yack-Ku-Keup-Bang(鄕藥救急方) is our own, medical work written about the middle of the time of Korea Dynasty. I restored and researched this book because it needed to be illuminated about its medico-historic value and then I came to some conclusions as follows. 1. Hyang-Yack-Ku-Keup-Bang was published in Dae-jang-do-kam(大藏都監) of Kanghaw island(江華島) about the middle of Korea Dynasty. Choi Ja-ha(崔自河) republished it on original publication ground in Euiheung(義興) of Kyungsang-Province(慶尙道) in July, Taejong's(太宗) 17th year of Chosen Dynasty (A.D.1417) and this book was published again in Chungcheng Province(忠淸道) in Sejong's(世宗) 9th year(A.D.1427). The book published in Taejong's days was in the possession of books department of Kung-nae-cheng(宮內廳) in Japan and was the oldest medical book of existing ones. 2. Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu(方中鄕藥目草部) of this book was originally intended to be adjusted in each division with the title of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock(方中鄕藥目). But Herb part(草部) only followed editing progress of Jeung-Lew-Bon-Cho(證類本草), the rest is not divided into each part and is together arranged at the below of Herb part with the title of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu. The Korean inscriptions on some drugstuffs in this book are different between Native Name(鄕名) of three volumes of provisions and general-spoken(俗云) of Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu. In this, it is estimated that the publishing time and editor of tile volume of provisions and Bang-Jung-Hyang-Yack-Mock-Cho-Bu are different. I think Choi Ja-ha compiled this behind three volumes of provisions when he published. 3. This book picked some prescriptions which consisted of obtainable drugs with ease in Korea in the books of Chell-Keum-Yo-Bang(千金要方), Oi-Dae-Bi-Yo(外臺秘要), Tae-Peong-Sung-Hye-Bang(太平聖惠方), Ju-Hu-Bang(?後方), Kyung-Hum-Yang- Bang(經驗良方) Bo-Je-Bon-Sa-Bang(普濟本事方) Bi-Ye-Baik-Yo-Bang(備預百要方) and so on and got together our own prescriptions. On the whole Bi-Ye-Baik-Yo-Bang was a chief referrence book, On this, other books referred to and corrected. 4. In provisions quoted from Hyang-Yack-Jip-Sung-Bang(鄕藥集成方), there are seven provisions; leg-paralysis part, coughing part, headache part, obstetrics part, etc. don't show in this book. This is why Choi Ja-ha published only certain texts on Dae-jang-do-kam edition his own posession. So we can think the existing edition has a little misses compared with original edition. 5. This book recorded only names of drugstuffs in animal drug department like fowls, crab, goldbug, earthworm, etc. and didn't tell us ways of taking those. This is effect of Buddhist culture on medicine. This is efforts to practice 'Don't murder';one of Five Prohibition of Buddhism. 6. Beacause this book was published at the time, when our originative medicine would be set forth. This followed the Chinese ways in Theory, Treatment, Prescription and used 'Hyang Yack' in Medication out of theory of Korean medicine, which was a transitional form. So this is all important material which tell us aspects of development of 'Hyang Yack' the middle of Korea Dynasty.and this is also the beginning of originative, medical works like Dong-Eui-Bo-Kam(東醫寶鑑), Dong-Eui-Su-Bo-Won(東醫壽世保元). 7. There are few contents based on 'Byen-Jeung-Lon-Chi(辨證論治)'in this book. So we can see this book is not for doctors who study medical thoughts but for general public who suffer from diseases resulted from war. Because this book was written for a first-aid treatmeant, this is an index of medical service for the people those days. And this is also an useful datum for first-aid medicine or military medicine in these modern days. 8. Nowadays, parts of learned world of Korean medicine disregard essential theories and want to explain Korean medicine only by the theories or the methods of Western medicine. Moreover they don't adopt Chinese and Japanese theorys & thoughts about Oriental medicine in our own style and just view in there level. What was worse, there is a growing tendency for them to indulge in a trimming policy of scholarship and to take others' ideas. I think these trends to ignore our own medical thoughts involving growth of 'Hyang Yack' in the middle of Korea Dynasty, Dong-Eui-Bo-Kam and Dong-Eui-Su-Se-Bo-Won. So we, as researchers of Korean medicine, must get out of this tendency, and take over brilliant tradition and try to develop originative Korean medicine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate on the antimicrobial effect on the periodontal pathogens and anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba has been used for treating as Artemisiae Capilaris Herba in Korea. Methods : Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was prepared by extracting medicinal herb with water. We investigated antimicrobial activity by the minimun inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. We also investigated inhibition of IL-$1{\beta}$-induced collagenase-l(MMP-l), stromelysin-1(MMP-3), interleukin-6 gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts. Results : The antimicrobial effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with MIC against periodontopathogens; Porphyromonas gingivalis 2561, W50, A7A1-28, 9-14K-1, Prevotella intermedia28, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4, MICs of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba were 0.156 mg/ml, 0.625 mg/ml, 0.313 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. The anti-inflammatory effect of Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba was evaluated with Influence of herbs on the IL-$1{\beta}$-induced expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6, IL-$1{\beta}$ increased MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 mRNA levels. Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba significantly inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$-induced MMP-1, MMP-3, interleukin-6 gene expressions in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggested that Artemisiae Iwayomogii Herba might reduce the excessive proteolytic capacity of the gingival fibroblast during inflammation and could be developed a new drug in periodontitis.