• 대한한의학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.114-123
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• 2014

Objectives: Evidence-based medicine(EBM) advocates the use of up-to-date "best" scientific evidence from health care research as the basis for making medical decisions. EBM also has been applied to traditional Korean medicine(TKM), especially in the field of safety. Recently, the standard prescription for TKM by Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine was published based on toxic index from various toxicity tests. However, there are some limitations when the results from the study based on EBM are applied in clinics. To overcome these imitations, the term "evidence-based practical medicine" was developed and defined as clinically applicable results from the study based on EBM. And safety classification for TKM was suggested as an example of evidence-based practical medicine. Methods: For safety classification for TKM, the data for $LD_{50}$(50% lethal dose), which was transformed to theoretical $LD_1$(1% lethal dose), was analyzed as one of tools for EMB study and divided by maximum dose used in clinics. Results and Conclusions: As a result, human equivalent dose(HED)-based MOS(margin of safety) for korean traditional medicine was calculated and used for safety classification with 5 categories. These categories would be helpful for oriental medicine clinicians to decide the increase and decrease of dosage according to various factors such as patient's sensitivity, potential toxicity of herbal medicines, clinician's experience for better cure. Thus, this safety classification provides some evidences enough that evidence-based practical medicine should be not the same with EBM and defined differently from EBM.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권11호
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• pp.1336-1341
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• 2013

아시아에서 한방약초로 널리 알려진 당귀 추출물의 미백활성을 알아보기 위하여 tyrosinase 저해활성을 측정한 결과 1,000 ${\mu}g/ml$의 농도에서 70% 이상의 활성을 나타내었다. 또한 당귀 추출물에 대한 멜라노마 세포(B16F10)의 세포생존율을 확인한 결과 500 ${\mu}g/ml$의 농도에서 99% 이상의 세포생존율을 확인할 수 있었다. 미백 관련 인자인 MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 및 tyrosinase의 mRNA 발현량을 측정한 결과 50 ${\mu}g/ml$의 농도에서 각각 85.7%, 123.9%, 68.8%, 208%로 당귀 추출물을 처리하지 않은 군보다 감소하였음을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 연구 결과에 따라 당귀 추출물이 melanin 합성과 관련이 있는 유전자 발현의 억제효과가 있음을 확인할 수 있었으며, 미백 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하였다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.102-114
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• 2009

Objectives: HMCO5 is an extract obtained from 8 different herbal mixtures. We undertook a safety evaluation of HMCO5 for a dose range finding (DRF) toxicity test in specific pathogen free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) male and female rats. Methods: The male and female rats were divided into 4 groups, respectively; G(0), treated with distilled water: G(1), treated with 222 mg/kg HMC05: G(2), treated with 667 mg/kg HMC05, and G(3), treated with 2,000 mg/kg HMC05; HMC05 was administered orally for 4 weeks. The safety evaluation examined clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food consumption, water consumption, ophthalmic findings, urinalysis, hematological values, absolute & relative organ weights, and necropsy findings during the tests. Results: There were no changes in clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food consumption, water consumption, and ophthalmic findings examined during the test periods. In serum biochemical values, triglyceride was increased in male group G(3) and Na$^+$ decreased significantly in male groups G(2), G(3) and G(4). In male group G(4), spleen weight decreased relatively and increases of absolute & relative left ovary weights were found. In addition, an adhesion of liver to diaphragm was found in male group G(2). However, we could not find any dose-interrelationships in these changes. Conclusions: These results indicate that HMC05 extract did not show any toxicity in the DRF toxicity study. Therefore, it suggests that establishment of 1,000, 333 and 111 mg/kg dosages are moderate in a repeated dose 26-week oral toxicity study of HMC05.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose: Herbal preparations have long been used for medical purposes by traditional cultures, and their use is increasing in modern societies. However, many herbal agents produce specific cardiovascular toxicities in humans. We performed this study in order to investigate the clinical characteristics of the cardiac toxicities associated with herbal remedies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 45 patients (mean age $57{\pm}10$ years) who presented with cardiotoxicity between January 2007 and May 2011 due to ingestion of herbal remedy substances. Patients were identified as suffering cardiotoxicity if they presented with chest pain, EKG abnormality, and elevation of cardiac enzyme. Results: Of the 45 total cases, 17 included hemodynamic instability (37.8%), 7 with increasing cardiac enzyme (15.6%), 2 with cardiac arrest (4.4%) and one case of mortality (2.2%). The cardiotoxic herb group that demonstrated the worst clinical course was Ranunculaceae. Conclusions: In our study results, 57.6% of the herbal intoxication patients demonstrated the effects of cardiotoxicity. Thus, we recommend careful monitoring of herbal intoxication patients.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2000

Objective : In order to find antiviral compounds against Herpes simplex virus type I(HSV-1) and II(HSV-2) from herb medicines, a convenient virus-induced cytopathic effect(CPE) inhibition assay was introduced. Methods : Fourteen purchased herbal medicines, and their toxicity of infected cell and anti-viral activities were evaluated. Among them, the major part of herbal medicines showed cell stability compared with the contrast. Results : Cytotoxic concentration (CC) of the $H_2O$ extracts of Hyongbangpaedoksan against HSV-1 and HSV-2 was 181.12. This is high level cytotoxic concentration compared with the contrast. Therefore, we assumed that the high level cytotoxic concentration of herbal medicine play a major role in improvement of antiviral activity at the first infective cell. But antiviral effect was unable to figure out for selective index(Sl)=CC50/EC50. The other herbal medicines were unable to showed potent anti-HSV activity. Conclusions : The antiviral activation using herbs in this thesis have unlimited objects, to select research object will help to show the direction of antiviral drug development that have less side effect and more excellent efficiency.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.187-197
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find a reasonable solution to a current status of drug classification between the drugs of western conventional (allopathic) medicine and Korean medicine. A clear and distinct concept on the drugs of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine based on reasonable concepts and broad consensus is a pressing issue in Korea, and will facilitate the development of herbal medicinal products and pharmaceutical industry. Methods : Considering the issue of drug classification from domestic and international regulations, we reviewed the current Drug Law of Korea and China, Guidance for Industry, Botanical Drug Products of USA, Directive 2004/24/EC of the European parliament and of the council. Results : In Korea, the drug classification of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine is quite vague even though differential licensure system is enforced for the clinicians of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine field. According to the definition in the Drug Law, the scope of Korean medicine drug is so broad that even a drug made of single-compound material, as well as herbal extract of crude mixture, is regarded as a drug of Korean medicine, as long as the material may be separated from medicinal herbs, animal tissues, or mineral resources. Only new compound not found in natural resources are outside of the scope of Korean medicine drug. In USA and EU, medicinal products manufactured from herbs are approved by separate regulations for the herbs with special waivers. In China, the category of new medicine and the definition of allopathic medicine and traditional chinese medicine are clearly specified and classified. Conclusions : As medicines are validated therapeutic materials for efficacy and toxicity, we suggest that generally the concept of conventional medicines is based on a single compound that has been synthesized and individually validated and that of Korean medicines is based on a compound extracted from natural materials or a complex of compounds that has been validated as a whole in its totality.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.44-55
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• 2021

Objectives: As the use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) increases worldwide, systematic verification of the safety of HMPs is required. The induction of cardiotoxicity is one of the major factors in post-approval withdrawal of medicinal products, and drug-induced cardiotoxicity assessment is emerging as an important step in drug development. In the present study, we evaluated human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel-related cardiotoxicity to predict the risk of cardiac arrhythmia in thirteen herbal medicines known to have cardiac toxicity. Methods: We measured the inhibition rate of hERG potassium channel activity of 13 medicinal herbal extracts in hERG-expressing HEK 293 cells using an automated patch-clamping system. Quinidine was used as a positive control for inhibition of hERG activity. Results: Extracts of Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber potently inhibited the activity of hERG, and IC₅₀ values were 3.158, 19.87, and 41.26 ㎍/mL, respectively. Cnidi Fructus, Ephedra Herba, Lithospermi Radix, Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Visci Ramulus et Folium, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, and Scolopendra weakly inhibited hERG activity, and the IC₅₀ value for each herbal medicine was more than 400 ㎍/mL. Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber and two types of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Po and Yeom) had weak inhibitory activity against hERG, and the IC₅₀ values were more than 700 ㎍/mL. The IC₅₀ value of quinidine against hERG was 1.021 𝜇M. Conclusion: Evodiae Fructus, Strychni Semen, and Corydalis Tuber acted as potent inhibitors against hERG. These herbal medicines may cause cardiac arrhythmia through QT prolongation, so care should be taken when taking them.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 1990

Aconiti Tuber is the root of Aconitum sp (Ranunclaceae) which has been considered as one of the most important medicinal plant having cordiotonic, diuretic and analgesic effect. On the other hand, it has been known that Aconiti Tuber contained toxic agent, aconitine alkaloids so that only processed Aconiti Tubers have been used as herbal drug traditionally. For the safety evaluation of processed Aconiti Tuber, quantitative determination of aconitine and acute, subacute toxicity test were performed on 5 commercial processed Aconiti Tubers. Arapid and precise method using HPLC has been developed for the separation and determination of aconitine. Samples were extracted with hydrochloric acid (pH3) and hot water decoction. In case of d-HCL extracts, the contents of aconitine were from 0.08 mg/g to trace. But in case of hot water decoction extracts, the contents of aconitine were not detected. For the investigation of Aconiti Tuber toxicity in rats, hot water decoction samples and methanol extracts were tested. 1) Acute toxicity test Hot water decoction sample and methanol extracts from Aconiti Tuber did not show any toxic effects in rats by an oral administration. $LD_50values of 2 extracts were above 10.0 g/kg. 2) Subacute toxicity study In the repeated administration study, hot water decoction samples were given orally to Sprague-Dawlay rats for 2 week at daily doses of 5.0 g/kg. The results are as follows; No toxic manifestation, body weight changes and lethality were observed during wxperimental period. There were no significant changes in serum enzyme activities such as GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP between treated and control groups. However CPK values were decreased in the Subuja-treated group. (P<0.01). In addition, no gross and microscopic changes were noted in Aconiti Tuber-treated groups.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.369-378
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• 2005

An herbal water extract of Bojungikkeehapdaechilkitang(BDT) was prepared to test it for single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity, genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, and to obtain a 50% lethal dose$(LD_{50})$, approximated lethal dose(ALD), and approximated target organs for BDT. The extract was tested on female and male ICR mice according to KFDA Guideline 1999-61 at doasge level of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 125mg/kg/10mL In this study, clinical signs, mortalities and gross findings of principal organs were observed for 14 days of single dosing, and afterwards in some cases. The ALD and $LD_{50}$ of BDT extract obtained in this study was>2000mg/kg for both male and female ICR mice. Also, any possible digestive toxicity of BDT extract was found to be above 1000mg/kg in both male and female ICR mice. The results of this study strongly suggest that BDT extract has no toxic effect at dosage level below 500mg/kg.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.63-67
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the single-dose oral toxicity of the super key (processed sulfur). Methods: All experiments were conducted at Medvill, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate the oral toxicity of super key. We administered it orally to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The SD rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of super key 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 10 mL/kg, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rates, weights, clinical signs, gross findings and necropsy findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. (Approval number: A01-14018). Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. Although slight decreases in the weights of some female rats were noted, no significant changes in weights or differences in the gross findings between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that administration of 500 - 2,000 mg/kg of super key did not cause any changes in the weights or in the results of necropsy examinations. Neither did it result in any mortalities. The above findings suggest that treatment with super key is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.