• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2005

Objective: We have evaluated UDHA into the joint for its effectiveness on immune responses to CII in the rat CIA. In an attempt to gain further insight into the mode of action of UDHA, we also investigated the effects of UDHA on the incidence and development of arthritis in rat CIA with 2 different regimens: (1) started prior to a primary immunization, (2) started on the day of a primary immunization. Methods : Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of $200\;{\mu}g/100g$ of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats were then given intraperitoneal(i.p) stimulation of Ulmus davidiana Planch herbal acupuncture(UDHA) or saline during the experiment. Lymph node cells were obtained from rats 14 days after immunization and cultured in vitro with CII. When compared with rats treated with saline as control, UDHA at doses of more than $20\;{\mu}g/100\;g$ rat once a day for 7 days inhibited the ability of inguinal lymph node cells to produce T cell cytokines interleukin-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$. When rats were injected intraperitoneally with SRBC, hemaglutination titers in UD-treated and control rats did not differ significantly when low doses of UD was given to rats. However, i.p injection of UD at doses of more than $10\;{\mu}g/100\;g/day$ for 7 days slightly suppressed antibody production. Results : The present results show that treatment with UDHA can inhibit the onset and development of arthritis and the immune responses to collagen. Conclusion: Therapeutic i.p injection with UD affect the clinical course of the disease and the immune responses to CII.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.133-160
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• 2006

Objectives : Scolopendrae Corpus has a broad array of clinical applications in Korean medicine, including treatment of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. To explore the global gene expression profiles in human Raw cell lines treated with Scolopendrae Corpus herbal-acupuncture solution (SCHAS), cDNA microarray analysis was performed. Methods : The Raw 264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SCHAS, or both. The primary data was normalized by the total spots of intensity between two groups, and then normalized by the intensity ratio of reference genes such as housekeeping genes in both groups. The expression ratio was converted to log2 ratio. Normalized spot intensities were calculated into gene expression ratios between the control and treatment groups. Greater than 2 fold changes between two groups were considered to be of significance. Results : Of the 8 K genes profiled in this study, with a cut-off level of two-fold change in the expression, 20 genes (BCL2-related protein A1, MARCKS-like 1, etc.) were upregulated and 5 genes (activated RNA polymerase II transcription cofactor 4, calcium binding atopy-related autoantigen 1, etc.) downregulated following LPS treatment. 139 genes (kell blood group precursor (McLeod phenotype), ribosomal protein S7, etc.) were upregulated and 42 genes (anterior gradient 2 homolog (xenopus laevis), phosphodiesterase 8B, etc.) were downregulated following SCHAS treatment. And 10 genes (yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae intergeneic sequence 4-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, etc.) were upregulated and 8 genes (spermatid perinuclear RNA binding protein, nuclear receptor binding protein 2, etc.) were downregulated following co-stimulation of SCHAS and LPS. Discussions : It is thought that microarrays will play an ever-growing role in the advance of our understanding of the pharmacological actions of SCHAS in the treatment of arthritis. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of SCHAS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.174-181
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• 2006

Objective : Based on the immunological dysfunction in RA and the immunological feature of Clematis mandshurica Maxim. herbal acupuncture solution (CM-HAS), this study examined whether subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of CM-HAS has anti-inflammatory effects on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat. Methods : Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured, and polyarthritis index was scored. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg) to the Sinsu-hyul (BL 23) acupuncture point subcutaneously (s.c.) inhibited the inflammatory response and restored the weight of body and immune organs of AA rats. In this study. inhibitory effect of CM-HAS on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was evaluated. The plant material selected for this study has been used in Korean medicine for the treatment of various diseases that are considered as inflammatory in nature, e.g. asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, fever, edema, infections, snakebite and related inflammatory diseases. Results : There were significant secondary inflammatory reactions in AA rats, accompanied with the simultaneous decrease of body and immune organs weight. The administration of CM-HAS (2, 5, 10 mg/kg, s.c.) improved the above changes significantly. CM-HAS showed inhibitory activity against COX-2, which supports their traditional uses. In this study, aspirin and indomethacin were used to contrast with CM-HAS as the COX-2 inhibitors. Conclusion: The findings of this study may explain at least in part why CM-HAS has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-55
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of Astragali Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(AR-HAS) at $ST_{36}$(jok-samni, $Z\acute{u}s\bar{a}n$ Li) on collagen- II -induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods : DBA/1J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen(CII) on days 0 and 21 to induce arthritis. The mice were divided into 5 groups : normal group(no CIA), control group(CIA+no treatment), needle prick group(CIA+single prick with an injection needle), saline group(CIA+saline injection) and ARHA group(CIA+ R-HA treatment). The needle prick, saline injection, and AR-HA groups were injected on the right $ST_{36}$(jok-samni) of mice for 9 weeks, 3 times a week, beginning 4 weeks after the booster immunization. Results : 1. The incidence of arthritis, AI(arthritis index), and joint edema decreased in the AR-HA group. 2. Weight gain, hypertrophy of the spleen, adhesion of the tissues, and transformation of the joint were restrained in the AR-HA group. 3. The concentrations of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ in CIA mouse serum and $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-10 in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the AR-HA group. 4. Total cell counts increased significantly, and the ratio of $CD3e^+$ to $CD45R^+$, $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$, and $CD4^+$ to $CD25^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture of the AR-HA group. 5. Total cell counts decreased significantly, and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ and $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse lymph nodes of the AR-HA group. 6. $CD3e^+/CD69^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group. 7. The histological examination showed that cartilage destruction and synoviocyte proliferation decreased in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group, and collagen fiber was expressed similar to that seen in the normal group. Conclusions : Our experiments show that at $ST_{36}$, an anti-inflammatory mechanism of AR-HA controls synovial cell proliferation and protects against cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.137-146
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• 2008

Objectives : The leaves of Artemisia argyi L. have been used for the treatment of bleeding-related diseases in traditional korean medicine. But the immunological activities with macrophage have not been sufficiently reported. This study is to investigate the immunological bioactivities of the herbal acupuncture solution obtained from leaves of Artemisia argyi L. (AAAS). Methods & Results : Against Nicotine and Acetaldehyde, AAAS increased significantly the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) within mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells above the concentration of 10 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against EtOH. And AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against Nicotine, Acetaminophen, and Acetaldehyde. Conclusions : These results suggest that AAAS could be thought to have the immunological activities related with the production of hydrogen peroxide and NO in macrophage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2006

Objectives : Deer antler Herbal-Acupuncture (DHA) solution represents one of the most commonly used medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. But, mechanisms of its antiarthritic activities are still poorly understood. Identification of common DHA aqua-acupuncture capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. Results : We determined if DHA could prevent the binding of $IL-1{\beta}$ to its cellular receptors. DHA addition to rat chondrocytes treated with $IL-1{\beta}$ or with reactive oxygen species(ROS) prevents the activation of proteoglycan synthesis. After treatment with $IL-1{\beta}$, DHA increased the expression of mRNA encoding the type II $IL-1{\beta}$ receptor. These results emphasize the potential role of two regulating proteins of the $IL-1{\beta}$ signaling pathway that could account for the beneficial effect of DHA in osteRArthritis. The present study also identifies a novel mechanism of DHA-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion : It is shown that DHA inhibits both $IL-1{\beta}-$ and $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ NO production in normal human articular chondrocytes. The observed suppression of IL-1-induced NO production is associated with inhibition of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) mRNA and protein expression. In addition, DHA also suppresses the production of IL-1-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6. The constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase-1, however, was not affected by the sugar. These results demonstrate that DHA expresses a unique range of activities and identifies a novel mechanism for the inhibition of inflammatory processes.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Hyangsayangwi-tang (Xiangshayangwei-tang) intravenous herbal acupuncture (HYT-IVHA) on emesis and gastric hypomotility induced by chemotherapy in rats. Methods : The experimental animals were randomly allocated into six groups (normal, cisplatin, saline, HYT-1, HYT-2, HYT-3), and each group included five rats. The rats in the normal group did not receive any treatment. Those in the cisplatin group had no additional treatment after intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7 mg/kg). Those in the saline group were injected with saline $0.4m{\ell}$ via the tail vein after the injection of cisplatin. Those in the HYT-1 group, HYT-2 group, HYT-3 group were injected with $0.4m{\ell}$ of Hyangsayangwi-tang (Xiangshayangwei-tang) intravenous herbal acupuncture solution (HYT-IVHAS) via tail vein after the injection of cisplatin, and the concentrations were 0.199 g/kg, 0.066 g/kg, 0.022 g/kg respectively. Then we measured body weight, food intake and kaolin consumption before and at 12h, 24h and 36h after the injection of cisplatin. The remaining amount of food within the rat's stomach was also measured at 36h after cisplatin injection. Results : Kaolin consumption was significantly increased in the cisplatin group compared to the normal group, while significantly reduced in HYT-1, HYT-2, HYT-3 groups compared to the cisplatin group. The remaining amount of food in stomach was significantly increased in the cisplatin group and HYT-1 group compared to the normal group, but significantly reduced in the HYT-3 group compared to the cisplatin group. Conclusions : HYT-IVHA has an therapeutic effect on chemotherapy-induced emesis and gastric hypomotility.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Alismatis Rhizoma Herbal-acupuncture( AR-HA) at $KI_{10}$(Umgok) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rat. Methods : Rats were injected with LPS to induce nephritis. The rats in $KI_{10}$-AR-HA group were treated with AR-HA, $KI_{10}$-NP group with needle prick, $KI_{10}$-saline group with normal saline injection respectively at $KI_{10}$ three times for a week. Several experimental items were performed including measurements of the numbers of RBC, WBC, neutrophil in blood, the levels of creatinine, $TNF-{\alpha}$, CINC-1 in serum, creatinine, total protein in urine, MPO in kidney. Results : Needle prick stimulation at $KI_{10}$ significantly reduced WBC in blood of LPS-stimulated rats. Saline injection at $KI_{10}$ significantly reduced WBC in blood, $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum, total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. AR-HA at $KI_{10}$ significantly reduced WBC, neutrophil in blood, $TNF-{\alpha}$, CINC-1 in serum, creatinine, total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusion : AR-HA at $KI_{10}$ has a therapeutic effect on nephritis in LPS-stimulated rat. There may be a synergism between $KI_{10}$(Umgok) stimulation and AR-HA solution.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.107-123
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• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba herbal-acupuncture (ACH-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia induced with alloxan injection and high fat diet in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results: 1. ACH-HA solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat liver cells. 2. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in hyperlipidemic rats. 4. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that ACH-HA at GB34 may have therapeutic and preventive effects on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.129-142
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Eucomiae Cortex herbal-acupuncture solution(EC-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on arthritis of mice induced by Collagen II. Methods : The author performed several experimental items. First, it is the cell survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts. Second, it is the incidence rate of arthritis and arthritis index of CIA. Third, it is the levels of IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $IL-{\beta}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum and the level of IFN-y,$IFN-{\gamma}$/IL -4 ratio in CIA mouse spleen cell culture. Fourth, it is histological analysis of the mice joint. Fifth, it is expression ratio of $CD3e^+$ to $CD19^+$+ cell, $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$ cell, $CD69^+/CD3e^+$/cells, $CD11a^+/CD19^+$/cells, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ cells. Results & Conclusion : 1. In the EC-HA, the incidence of arthritis and arthritis index were significantly decreased. 2. In EC-HA, the levels of IL-6, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice and the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, $IFN-{\gamma}$/lL-4 ratio in CIA mouse spleen cell culture were significantly decreased. 3. In the histological study, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the EC-HA, and the collagen fiber expressions in the EC-HA were similar with that of the Normal group. 4. In the EC-HA, the expression ratio of $CD3e^+$ to $CD19^+$ cell and $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$ cell were similarly maintained as Normal group in lymph nodes, and $CD69^+/CD3e^+$ cells and $CD11a^+/CD19^+$ cells were decreased in lymph nodes, and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ cells were decreased in synovium. These results suggest that EC-HA at ST36 has an effect to control synovial cell proliferation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, and to be put to practical use in the future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.