• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.30-45
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• 2009

Background: The safety of herbal products is an important issue in Korea. It is more complicated because of the concomitant use of conventional western drugs and herbal medicine, including prescribed medicine, folk herbs and food supplements. Although both western and traditional Korean medical doctors have studied on the safety of HMP, their results did not show relevant or consistent conclusions because of the poor quality of studies, including bias. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the studies in Korea related to drug induced liver injury (DILI) systematically. We tried to estimate the proportion of causative materials of DILI and evaluate the clinical difference of DILIs from different materials. Methods: Systematic searches were performed on MedRIC and MEDLIS in Korea. The extraction of data as well as selective screening of the studies was carried out independently by two of the authors. There were no restrictions on the types of publication, including grey literature. Results: Twenty-one articles were included. Of them only 7 adapted prospective design and only 6 were published in peer-reviewed journals. The proportion of conventional drugs associated with hepatotoxic injuries in all DILI ranged from 15.8% to 83.3% and that of herbal medicine was from 28.9% to 44.7%. However, the criteria for herbal medicine were not clearly defined and concomitant medications were not fully investigated in most studies. There were limited objective data in the clinical differences of liver injuries from different materials and their results were conflicting. Conclusions: The causality assessments regarding DILI of herbal medicine were not performed properly and causative materials were misclassified in most of the studies published in Korea. These make the safety issue still ambiguous because of the limitations and lack of objectivity of the studies. More rigorous studies are required for clearly addressing these conflicting issues with cooperative investigation between traditional Korean and western medicine.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.71-84
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• 2014

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate preferred herbal medicine packaging. Methods The study used questionnaires for the caregivers, who have administered their children herbal and western medicine. 106 of them were visited the Department of Pediatrics, the Oriental Medicine Hospital of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ University, during the period between in 2014. We used PASW Stastics 18.0 to analyze different dosing methods, and preferred packaging and drug formulations. Results 1. 77.4% answered that they use cups to administer medications, 9.4% transferred it to other plastic bottles, 8.5% used straw to drink from the pouch, 4.7% drank as it is inside the pouch. Method of taking it was not very significant depending on the age. 2. Compare to pills and capsules, 48 responders answered that pills and capsules are easier to take, 11 answered herbal medication is easier to take. 32 answered that there were no significant difference. 3. 45.3% reported vinyl pouch was preferable, 44.3% answered spout pouch was preferred, 5.7% answered bottles are convenient, and another 5.7% responders thought cup was fine. Others include syrup bottles had 1 person. These varying preferences were not depending on the age variations. 4. 56.3% answered that price was the main reason why they prefer one over the other. Others 29.2% stated convenience, 12.5% reported safety, and 10.4% people answered ease of administration as their main reason for their preferences. Conclusions Based on this study, numbers of parents felt inconvenient administering herbal medicine as a vinyl pouch, and felt necessary to improve this. However, price and other reasons made vinyl pouch still more preferable option. Vinyl pouch that we are using today didn't show any safety issues. Therefore, it is recommended to still use vinyl pouch, but with caps on top to improve administration and distinguishing issues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2018

Recently, the international standardization of ISO in the field of Oriental Herbal Medicine has been progressing rapidly under the direction of China's promotion. China's intention to promote international standardization is to extend its influence to the world and beyond the domestic market. The Oriental medicine system in East Asia has similar roots in academic terms, but the medicines that can be supplied and received in each country are different and have developed independently. The international standardization of medicinal herbs is expected to function in a direction that weakens such differentiation and independence. From a commercial point of view, international standardization is no different from creating evaluation criteria for oriental medicinal products, and it is expected that its potential impact on domestic and overseas markets and producers will be large. In particular, the international standardization centered on China can lead to favorable evaluation criteria for China, which may further negatively affect the market competitiveness of domestic raw materials, which have been pushed back by Chinese manufacturers. If the domestic production base is weakened, not only will the farmers suffer but the supply and demand of raw materials will also be manipulated, safety management control will be reduced, and the development of oriental herbal products using domestic raw materials will be hurt. Therefore, in the promotion of international standardization, it is necessary not only to reflect the value of Korean herbal medicine but also to provide strategic responses to protect the domestic production base. However, in the case of recent initiatives, there is no precedent in analyzing influence on the production partners and the related industries. In addition, there are few related papers and reports on the subject, so the publicity process has not been done sufficiently. In response to this, this study will examine the countermeasures against the international standardization of herbal medicines through reviewing its present status and evaluating the agenda of the Korean initiative.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Most of the cholesterol is synthesized by liver in the body while about one of third is taken via dietary. The main functions of cholesterol is to protect membranes in cell surface, avoid the arterial bleeding by hypertension, and prolong the life of erythrocytes, and so on. However, overload of cholesterol leads to arteriosclerosis associated with leading death cause. Lack of physical activity, emotional and environmental stress, and low intake of protein or vitamin E induce the unbalance between HDL- and LDL-cholesterol so become a basis of ischemic disorders in heart, brain and elsewhere in the body. So far, four major classes of medications for hyperlipidemia are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, and fibric acids. The statins can lower LDL and levels triglyceride, but may induce myopathy and an elevation of liver enzyme levels. The bile acid sequestrants lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels with no effect on triglyceride levels but side effects of gastrointestinal (GI) distress, constipation, and a decrease in the absorption of other drugs. Nicotinic acid and fibric acids lower LDL and triglyceride levels with showing flushing, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, GI distress, and hepatotoxicity dyspepsia, gallstones, myopathy, and unexplained noncardiac death as adverse effects. Above western drugs lower cholesterol by 15 to 30% while all have notable adverse effects. In traditional medicine, hyperlipidemia is regarded as retention of phlegm and fluid disease. Etiology and pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia is basically based on Spleen-Deficiency and Phlegm-Stagnation, accumulation and stasis of -heat, and Qi & blood stagnation induced by Phlegm-damp, water-dampness, and blood stasis. Thereby, strengthening Spleen and dissolving Phlegm, clearing away heat and diuresis, and supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation are commonly used therapeutic methods for hyperlipidemia. The traditional herbal medicine, have been used for patients with CVA, hypertension or hyperlipidemia in Oriental hospital or Oriental clinic. The lock and key theory is used to develop most of western medicine, however many diseases are caused by mixed factors in body-complex system. We expect that Oriental pharmacological theory could be newborn as a novel drug showing high advantage of blood levels of lipidsand QOL of performance without side effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.78-89
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• 2004

Background : A report published by the National Institute of Toxicological Research (NITR) in January 2004 about toxic hepatitis in Korea contained the result of analysis on 55 cases of severe toxic hepatitis from 7 university hospitals for 8 months. NITR claimed that the extrapolated annual frequency of severe toxic hepatitis in Korea was 1904 cases per year. They also claimed that the most frequent etiology of severe toxic hepatitis were herbal medications and similar plant preparations (61.7%), contrasted with traditional therapeutic preparations and healthy foods (29.1%). I have investigated that report to be certain of the result because it is a very important subject for public health and society in Korea. Results : The NITR report has too many problems to have faith in its results. They include the following: 1. The report uses only 55 cases to estimate annual prevalence rate of severe toxic hepatitis in Korea. 2. There was a large regional preponderancy in the NITR report (2 cases in Seoul from a population of 10.17 million, 19 cases in Gwangju from a population of 1.4 million) 3. There was another preponderancy that selected much fewer cases caused by western medication (9.1%) than other reasons. 4. The NITR report used a modified scale than that officially recognized to diagnose toxic hepatitis. 5. There was a mistake using the scale to adapt the right indications. 6. They collected cases before beginning the study, although it was a prospective study. There was also not any questionnaire or other materials concerned with alcohol, drugs, or history of past liver disease. Conclusions : NITR is one of the important official arms of the government of Korea. Nevertheless, there is a severe problem in validity because of selection bias, uncertain accuracy, and insufficiency of raw materials in the report. Therefore it seems incorrect to generalize the results of the report and there is a lack of confidence in it as a national study publishing by the NITR.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2011

Object: Any medication can have the risk of liver damage. To prevent this risk, liver function tests should be monitored carefully during every course of medication. This paper is a psoriasis case report on liver damage related to Scutellaria Radix medication. Shown by this case, herbal medicine has the possibility of liver damage, too. Therefore it should be carefully used under the direction of Oriental Medical Doctors who specialize in it. The purpose of this case report is to suggest this, and that more cases of liver damage related to herbal medicine should be reported. Methods: To monitor the medication's effect on the liver, liver function was evaluated during medications. Reflotron plus was used to evaluate AST and ALT by analyzing peripheral blood. Results: By this test, a case was identified as liver damage caused by a medication including Scutellaria Radix. Conclusion: This case suggests that Scutellaria Radix medication caused liver damage in a certain patient. Therefore, to prevent liver damage related to Scutellaria Radix, doctors should monitor patient's liver function regularly.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to discuss the diagnostic classification of the traditional medicine for pilosis, and the hair removal treatments in traditional medicine and its clinical application. Backgrounds : In recent years, appearance and beauty have become main interest that have positioned in the medical area. In clinical Korean medicine, a variety of methods such as moxibustion, superficial bleeding, multiple microneedling, facial meridian massage, herbal medicine facial pack, laser acupuncture, and intense pulsed light (IPL) have been applied. Methods and Results : Pilosis, a condition of abnormal hair growth, is stated for the first time in the publication, [Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases] by Chao Yuan-fang in 610 A.D. It shows that pilosis has been recognised as a disease for ages in Asia. Reviewing several publications, we found multiple approaches to pilosis were already existed in korean medicine. They include internal medicinal classification and its' medications. Acupuncture treatments also focused on regulation of radical causes and superficial removal of abnormal hairs. Specific treatments includes body and ear acupuncture, ear acupressure, hypodermic acupuncture, hypodermic acupuncture injection, laser acupuncture treatment. Physical and chemical methods of hair removal were widely invented. we resulted that significant scientific approaches to pilosis are under way in the korean medical field, and found a variety of medical treatments such as herbal medicines and dermatological methods. Conclusions : Hair removal treatments for pilosis in traditional medicine has a long history. Combined with advanced modern technology it can achieve greater advance in cosmetology.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.1082-1093
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• 2021

Objective: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive, irreversible brain damage and cognitive decline. Although the diagnosis and treatment of the prodromal symptoms of dementia are important, no treatment for mild cognitive impairment has been currently established. Herein, we report the case of an 80-year-old female patient with memory complaints treated with Gugijihwang-tang, a traditional Korean medicine herbal formula, as an add-on medication. Case Presentation: The patient was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment based on clinical examinations using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, Global Deterioration (GDR) Scale, and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale. She was treated with Gugijihwang-tang bis in die for 12 months while continuing her original medications, including 5-mg donepezil and 590-mg acetyl-l-carnitine. The MMSE score in the Korean Version of the CERAD Assessment Packet increased from 21 to 27 during the 12-month treatment period, and the CERAD 2 score increased from 33 to 62. The instrumental ADL scale score improved from 11 to 5. Other clinical examination results also showed improvement. The patient was satisfied and experienced no significant adverse events related to the Gugijihwang-tang treatment. Conclusion: This case suggests that Gugijihwang-tang could be considered as a treatment method for patients with mild cognitive impairment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report on the effectiveness of Korean medicine to improve symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Some patients are treated with medication, but medications may have no effect in some patients. Korean medicine treatments have been used in such patients, but few reports exist. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old female patient with CIPN reported symptoms of bilateral limb pain and tingling sensations as well as cold sensations in bilateral lower legs and hands, fatigue, and bilateral limb weakness. To reduce the patient's symptoms, we provided Korean medical treatment, including herbal medicine (Uchashinki-hwan), acupuncture, and moxibation. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used a numeric rating scale (NRS), the manual muscle test (MMT), the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire about CIPN (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20). After 49 days of treatment, the NRS scores decreased for bilateral limb pain and tingling, for bilateral lower leg and hand cold sensation, and for fatigue. The MMT results for the upper and lower extremities were improved. CTCAE Grade and EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 score were also decreased. Conclusion: According to these results, Korean medicine treatment may be considered an effective treatment for CIPN. Prospective studies are needed in the future to confirm and expand these findings.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.416-420
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• 2008

Many classes of drug, such as antineoplastic drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs, have potential to induce interstitial lung disease. Herbal medicines are also believed to have the potential to induce pneumonitis. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports of pneumonitis caused by herbal medications in the Korean medical database. We report a case of recurrent pneumonitis caused by a self rechallenge of the Herbal medicine Bojungikgitang (Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang : Hochu-ekki-to).