• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.200-230
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• 2012

Objectives: Ginseng, Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Korean Medicine. Red ginseng can be made by a steaming process of white ginseng changing a variety of ginsenosides and ingredients such as dencichine. This article reviews red ginseng for mechanisms for pharmacodynamics and toxicity based on the content of ginseng's active ingredients, ginsenoside changed by steaming. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct and Chinese Scientific Journals full text database (CQVIP), and KSI (Korean Studies Information) from their respective inceptions to June 2012. Results: Compared with unsteamed ginseng, the content of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 called red ginseng-specific ginsenosides increased after the steaming process. Different ginsenosides have shown a wide variety of effects such as lowering or raising blood sugar and blood pressure or stimulating or sedating the nervous system. Especially, the levels of Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 were increased by the steaming process, showing a variety of pharmacodynamics in biological systems. Also, various processing methods such as puffing and fermentation have been developed in processing crude ginseng or red ginseng, affecting the content of ginseng's ingredients. The safety issue could be the most critical, specifically, on changed ginseng's ingredients such as dencichine. The level of dencichine was significantly reduced in red ginseng by the steaming process. In addition, the possible toxicity for red ginseng was affected by cytochrome P450, a herbal-drug interaction. Conclusions: The variety of pharmacological and toxicological properties should be changed by steaming process of Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng. Even if it is not sure whether the steaming process of white ginseng would be better pharmacologically, it is sure that steaming reduces the level of dencichine causing a lower toxicity to the nervous system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, acute oral toxicity test of pomace Schisandra chinensis extracts was conducted in order to up-cycling to a high value-added industry using by-products discarded in the production process of Schisandra chinensis products and active ingredients such as dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in Schisandra chinensis. Methods : Pomace Schisandra chinensis extracts were orally administered to SD-rats(female, n=3) without a control group according to the 'OECD guidelines'. After, mortality and clinical signs were observed, and the deceased animals were subjected to an autopsy. In addition, acute oral toxicity test was sequentially performed in step I (300 mg/kg), step II(300 mg/kg), step III(2,000 mg/kg), and step IV(2,000 mg/kg) according to the mortality. Results : There were no abnormalities caused by pomace Schisandra chinensis extracts in step I and step II. However, one animal each died in step III and step IV. In addition, clinical signs(salivation, decrease in food intake, prone position, decrease of locomotor activity, loss of locomotor activity, convulsion, hypothermia, lacrimation, staining around mouth, soiled perineal region, reddish urine, chromaturia, decrease of fecal volume, lying on side, blackish stool, no stool, compound-colored stool, refusal to feed, excitement, hypersensitivity, rigidity, dorsal position, etc.) were observed. But, no clinical signs were observed from 5th day, and experiment animals recovered completely. Conclusions : As a result of this study, pomace Schisandra chinensis extracts may exhibit acute toxicity at concentrations of 2,000 to 5,000 mg/kg, and the GHS classification was designated as 'Category 5'.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2003

The Bupleuri Radix, called as "Siho" in Korea has been widely used in Korea, China, and Japan as Traditional Herbal Medicine since ancient times and currently. Although saikosaponins isolated from the Bupleuri Radix had metabolic and anti-inflammatory action, it's toxicity was not screened completely. Recently, many herbal medicines are imported from China but safety of these was not evaluated. (omitted) (omitted)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.126-133
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• 2011

Objective: We report a case of non-specific Aconiti Tuber poison complaining only of severe peripheral neurotoxicity without cardiac dysfunction. Methods: The authors evaluated the symptom changes of a patient who was hospitalized in an Oriental hospital for fourteen days. The patient received acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion and analgesics. Result: No abnormality in examination for cardiac function or biochemical parameters was present. The severity of pain and dysesthesia in lower extremities gradually receded during the period of treatment with herbal and western medicines. Conclusion: This study provides helpful information for treatment of Aconiti Tuber toxicity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.135-135
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• 2002

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.51-55
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• 2005

Objectives: Literary investigation of existing data was conducted to verify effects of Bezoar Bovis and its herbal acupuncture, and determine quality management through component analysis. Results: Following results were obtained through literary investigation. 1. Bezoar Bovis is dried cystic stone from a cattle. Its characteristics are cool, no toxicity, and bitter taste. Known actions are: quells heat and detoxifies Fire Poison, extinguishes internal movement of Liver Wind and stops convulsion, vaporizes phlegm, and opens orifice. It is mainly used for treating tremor, stroke, delirium, sore throat, oral furuncle, boil, and others. 2. Bezoar Bovis is effective for eliminating liver toxicity, protecting against brain damage, and has anti-microbial activities. 3. Bezoar Bovis is mixed with bear gall bladder and deer musk to be used as herbal acupuncture, and this mixture is effective is invigorating liver functions as well as treating arthritis, headache, and etc. 4. Principal components of Bezoar Bovis are bilirubin-type pigments and cholic acids. The amount of bilirubin can be used as a standard to determine the quality of Bezoar Bovis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2005

Objectives : This experiment was conducted to reevaluate $LD_{50}$ of Korean bee venom acupuncture as many changes have occurred over the years. Methods : ICR mice were used as the experiment animals and bee venom acupuncture was manufactured under the protocols of Korean Institute of herbal Acupuncture. Based on the previous reports, experiment was divided into pre and main sections. Results : 1. Presumed $LD_{50}$ value is at 5.25mg/kg 2. Deaths of experiment animals occurred within 48 hours. 3. Reduced toxicity of the bee venom acupuncture is likely to be the results of more refined manufacturing process and production. Conclusion : Comparing with the values of the previous results, toxicity of the bee venom acupuncture showed significant changes and more accurate findings on $LD_{50}$ value must be accomplished to lead further studies on the bee venom acupuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) for cervical cancer. Ten electronic databases including Pubmed, Cochrane library, Embase, Korean databases, and Chinese medical databases were systematically searched up to October 2019. All randomized controlled trials with HM combined with CT to treat cervical cancer were included. A total of 21 trials were included for analysis. Compared to the control group, HM combined with CT group significantly increased tumor response (complete and partial response) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.15-1.33, p < 0.00001) and Karnofsky performance score (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.41-2.01, p < 0.00001). Also, HM combined with CT group remarkably reduced CT toxicity. In Conclusion, our study suggests that HM might be a potential option for cervical cancer to enhance curative efficacy and reduce CT toxicity.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.123-140
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• 2006

This experiment was carried out to study on the safety assessment of Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zuccarini for Hebal-acupuncture. SD rats and ICR mice were used for acute toxicity test, the results were summerized as follows; 1. In rats and mice, $LD_{50}$ value could not be measured. 2. There were no abnormal finding in acute toxicity test treated Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zuccarini for Hebal-acupuncture.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.09a
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• pp.394-395
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• 2011