• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.81-97
• /
• 2007

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of Cnidii Rhizoma herbal-acupuncture solution(CR-HAS) at Joksamni($ST_{36}$) on arthritis induced by Collagen II in mice. Methods : The author performed several experimental items. The severity of arthritis, changes of mouse weight, size of the spleen and the degree of stenosis, changes of cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II, changes of immunocyte count, histological changes of the CIA mouse joint were analyzed. Results: 1. In the CR-HA, the arthritis index, the incidence of arthritis, the degree of joint edema was significantly decreased. 2. In the CR-HA, weight, spleen size and stenosis rate was low and maintained as the normal group was. 3. In the CR-HA, cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II were significantly decreased. 4. In the CR-HA, on changes of immunocyte count were maintained to the levels of normal group. 5. In histological changes of the CIA mouse joint, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CR-HA at the $ST_{36}$ has an important role to control the immune reactions and suppress inflammatory response on the collagen induced rheumatoid arthritis. This study can be a significant supporting evidence that CR-HA will be chosen to be the principal therapy for clinical practice of the rheumatoid arthritis in the future.

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

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.151-162
• /
• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-allergic effect in vivo, and to observe single toxicity in mice of Armeniacae Semen herbal acupuncture solution (ASHA). Methods : We investigated anti DNP IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rodents and compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylatic shock in mice after treatment at both BL13 with ASHA of 25 ${\mu}{\ell}$(mice) or 50 ${\mu}{\ell}$(rats) 3 times for 5 days. To ascertain safety and toxicity of ASHA, we examined single toxicity test. In single test, three groups were treated with different dosages of ASHA (ASHA250, ASHA500 and ASHA1000) according to on Korean Food and Drug Administration, respectively. We observed attentively motality, abnormal clinical sign, body weight change, and organ weight of mice after ASHA treatment. Results : ASHA inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and active systemic anaphylatic shock by oral administration. During toxicity experiment period, there was no difference in body weight change, and organ weight among different dose groups. Death were not found in single test i.p. group. (ASHA250, ASHA500 and ASHA1000). Several individuals of single test i.p. group were observed yellow brown discharge around anus in early period after administration. Conclusions : These results indicate that ASHA have inhibition effects on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and active systemic anaphylatic shock, and suggest that has some toxicity in high dosage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2007

Backgrounds : Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is known as the chronic inflammatory diseasethat induces persistent inflammation in the joint cavity. The destruction of cartilage occurs as the result of bones destoyed by pannus, several influential cytokines induced by the synovial capsulitis, varieties of proteinases, $O_2$ radicals, and the secondary degenerative changes of articular cartilage. The type 2 collagen-induced arthritis model is used in recent experimental research on rheumatoid arthritis. Cervus elaphus sibiricus (Nockyong) has the effect of relieving pain by nourishing the muscles, joints, and bones. It is also known to be efficacious in promoting and enhancing the immune system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture to inhibit the generation of proinflammatory enzyme on type 2 collagen-induced arthritis. I investigated the inhibition of mRNA transcription of MIF(macrophage migration inhibitory factor), $TNF-{\alpha}$(Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$) and MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) of Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture using an in vitro test. Also investigated was the inhibition of differentiation of Th 1 cells and activation of cytokines(MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-9), which are known to cause initial RA ,and are also related to the morphology of the synovial membranes of the joint capsule, by an in vivo test, using CIA(collagen induced arthritis) model mice. Materials & methods : The laboratory animals used in this experiment were 4 week-old DBA female mice, weighing approximately 20 grams, and adjusted to the laboratory environment. The experiment was divided into the normal group(NOR)-no treated group, control group(CON)-CIA induced group, and sample group(SAM)-Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture treated group. RA was induced in the mice via injection of $50{\mu}{\ell}$ C II mixed CFA. The Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution was applied on $GB_{35}$(陽陵泉) for 26 days from the 3rd day of RA inducement. The concentration of the solution was determined via a MTT assay. To research the effect on the expression of MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 mRNA, RT-PCR was performed on synovial membrane cells from the knee joint of CIA mice. C II induced RA knee joint's histo-chemical synovial membrane was observed using a specimen model via the Hematoxilin and Eosin dying technique. Results : The expression of mRNA of RA-related cytokines such as MIF, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and MMP-9 dosedependently decreased in the cell from the synovial membranes of the joint, which is treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture solution. In mice treated with Cervus elaphus sibiricusherbal acupuncture, the damage of synovial membranes of the joint was lessened, and differentiation of Th 1 cells was suppressed. The activation of RA-related cytokines such as MIF was suppressed, and the generation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and MMP-9 showed a statistically significant decreas. Conclusions : It is speculated that Cervus elaphus sibiricus herbal acupuncture has the therapeutic effect of palliating the damage of the tissue impaired by RA by inhibition of the initial RA progression and by regulating excessive differentiation of Th 1 cell as it suppresses the generation of RA-related cytokines during the highest stage of RA by acting on pro-inflammatory enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.25-46
• /
• 2010

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal- acupuncture with Achyranthis Radix(AR-HA) at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum and liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results : 1. Achyranthis Radix herbal acupuncture solution increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. AR-HA at GB34 decreased the level of serum total cholesterol, and increased the ratios of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol, phospholipid to total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rat. 3. AR-HA at GB34 decreased the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity in hyperlipidemic rat. 4. AR-HA at GB34 increased the hepatic GSH level in hyperlipidemic rat. Conclusion : From the above results, it is suggested that AR-HA at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.141-153
• /
• 2003

To study the effects of anti-cancer, anti-metastasis and immune response improvement of herbal-acupuncture with Eclipta prostrata diffuse herba infusion solution(ELP-HAS), we injected ELP-HAS into Chok-samni(St36) of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma. We have reached the following conclusion through the effect on the number of $CD25^+/CD4^+$, $CD8^+/CD3e^+$, $CD69^+/B220^+$, $NK1.1+/CD3e^+$ cells in mouse PBMCs, the effect on the pulmonary colony number, and the effect on MST(Median Survival Time) and ILS(Increase of Life Span) of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma The results were obtained as follows: 1. In the experiment groups treated with ELP(Eclipta prostrata) Herbal-Acupuncture, the spleen cell proliferation in Balb/c mouse was significantly increased compared with control group. 2. In the experiment groups treated with ELP(Eclipta prostrata) Herbal-Acupuncture, the percentage of $CD25^+/CD4^+$, $CD8^+/CD3e^+$, $CD69^+/B220^+$, $NK1.1^+/CD3e^+$ cells in C57Bl/6 mouse PBMCs was increased compared with control group. 3. In the experiment groups treated with ELP(Eclipta prostrata) Herbal-Acupuncture, the pulmonary colony number of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma was decreased significantly compared with control group. 4. In the experiment groups treated with ELP(Eclipta prostrata)Herbal-Acupuncture, MST(Median Survival Time) and ILS(Increase of Life Span) of C57BL/6 mice implanted intravenously with B16-F10 melanoma were increased significantly compared with control group.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.5-14
• /
• 2003

Objective : Recently, Herbal-acupuncture therapeutics has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Especially, we have been interested in chemical mediators concerned with inflammation such as prostaglandin, cytokine, nitric oxide. The purpose of this study is investigated that the effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, performed several expeimental items : those are prostaglandin E. nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2. Method : The cytotoxicity of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were measured by MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. In order to observe cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, RT-PCR was used. Prostaglandin $E_2$ formation and nitric oxide production was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay and Griess assay. Results : 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that cytotoxic effect of Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were not appeared before concentration of 5mg/mL 2. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 3. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 4. Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ formation in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion : On the basis of these results, It was shown that Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution is significantly able to inhibit the production of $PGE_2$ and NO, as well as COX-2 mRNA expression. Our results may provide new mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix-acupuncture solution accounts for its beneficial effect on accelerating wound healing and anti-inflammation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.191-206
• /
• 2006

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix herbal-acupuncture solution(APR-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on collagen IT induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze several cytokines and immune cells related with RA. Results : 1. In the APR-HA group, the incidence of arthritis and arthritis index were significantly decreased. 2. In APR-HA group, the levels of IL-6, $INF-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG, IgM, $IL-{\beta}$ and Anti-collagen II in serum of the CIA mouse were significantly decreased. 3. In APR-HA group, the level of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4 in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture were significantly decreased. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the APR-HA group, and the collagen fiber expressions in the APR-HA group were similar with that of the Normal group. 5. In the APR-HA group, CD3e+/CD19+ and CD4+/CD8+ were similarly maintained as Normal group in the CIA mouse lymph nodes, 6. In the APR-HA group, CD3e+/CD69+ was significantly decreased in the CIA mouse joint. 7. In the APR-HA group, CD11a+/CD19+ and CD11b+/Gr-l+ were significantly decreased in the CIA mouse lymph nodes 8. In the APR-HA group, CD4+/CD25+ was decreased in the CIA mouse spleen cell. 9. In the APR-HA group, CD4+/CD25+ was similarly maintained as Normal group in the CIA mouse lymph nodes.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.89-105
• /
• 2005

Objective & Methods : This study is performed to observe the effect of Herbal-acupuncture with Notopterygii Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(NR-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on Collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. Result : 1. The highest survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts were measured in the 1% NR-HAS, and the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in synovial cells were significantly decreased in the 1% and 10% NR-HAS. 2. The incidence of arthritis and the spleen weight were significantly decreased by Notopterygii Radix Herbal-acupuncture(NR-HA) at ST36. 3. The levels of IL-6, $INF-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG, IgM, anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice were significantly decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased by NR-HA at ST36, and the collagen fiber expressions in the NR-HA I II groups were similar with that of the normal group. 5. In lymph node, the expression ratios of $CD3e^+\;to\;CD19^+$ cell and $CD4^+\;to\;CD8^+$ cell in the NR-HA I II groups were similarly maintained as those in the normal group. 6. In lymph node, $CD69^+/CD3e^+$ cells and $CD11a^+/CD19^+$ cells were decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 7. In the articular joint, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells were decreased by NR-HA at ST36. 8. NR-HA at ST36 did not make a considerable difference in DBA/1J mice without CIA 9. Throughout the overall experimental result, NR-HA I group showed more predominant effect than the NR-HA II group. Conclusion : These results suggest that NR-HA at ST36 has an effect to control synovial cell proliferation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as prophylaxis is important to treat rheumatoid arthritis in clinic.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.95-110
• /
• 2004

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract identified mainly for diarrhea, stomachache, hemafecia. The source and pathologic mechanism about ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are still unknown but stress, infection, a genetic factor, environmental factors etc. may be the cause of chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract recently. Methods : Because ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is recognized as Ha-ri(下痢) or Jang-Byok(腸?) in Oriental Medicine, Rhizoma Coptidis Herbal acupunctures were injected in hapgok $(LI_4)$ which is used to treat intestinal disease in clinic. All animals were subjected to the injection of saline $(300\;{\mu}l,\;500\;{\mu}l)$ for a study control and TNBS $(300\;{\mu}l,\;500\;{\mu}l)$ into the lumen of the colon, 8cm proximal to the anus through the intestine. Rhizoma Coptidis Herbal (20 mg/ml, 0.4 ml) acupuncture solution was injected to the $LI_4$ (both hands) at the secondary injection time of TNBS in rats. And body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, Paw edema rate, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed to study the effects of Rhizoma Coptidis Herbal acupuncture in hapgok $(LI_4)$. Results : In results, Rhizoma Coptidis Herbal acupuncture in hapgok $(LI_4)$ on TNBS-induced colitis reduced the rate of weight loss but had no effect on RBC and WBC count. And it reduced total protein concentration, paw edema, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels. Conclusion : Data suggest that injection of Rhizoma Coptidis herbal acupuncture solution into hapgok has significant therapeutic effect on the colitis.