• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.464-472
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• 2007

Objectives : Nowadays the combined use of oriental herbal medicines and western biomedical medicines has been prevalent but controversial. Warfarin has been much reported to interact with some herbal medicines so that it influences prothrombin time(PT) & international normalized ratio(INR). This study was aimed to examine how much warfarin interacts with herbal medicines during treatment of stroke patients Methods : This was a retrospective case control study of 53 patients whowere treated with concomitant treatment of herbal medicines & warfarin. They were within normal limit in liver function, renal function, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count at first admission lab. We classified them into 2 classes: study group (taking herbal medicines including Panax ginseng, Angelica sinensis, Zingiber officinale, Salvia miltiorrhiza that were reported to interact with warfarin to impact PT (INR) and control group (taking other herbal medicines). We followed up PT (INR) at 5-10 days interval with AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Results : AST, BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count were not changed significantly between first and final tests during the admission period. Only ALT decreased significantly in the control group. Neither baseline nor peak PT (INR) was significantly different between the groups. However, only warfarin dose was significantly correlated with PT and INR (r=0.810, r=0.798, p<0.01). Conclusions : It was concluded that PT(INR) was not influenced with herbal medicines and warfarin but by far dependent on warfarin dose in stroke patients restricted with normal liver function, renal function, and hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet count. Further prospective study is needed on larger samples to conclude that the combined therapy of herbal medicines and warfarin is safe.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), one of the most abundant protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, exerts excellent neuroprotective effects even though it has low intracephalic exposure. Purpose: The present study aimed to elucidate the apparent contradiction between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Rb1 by studying the mechanisms underlying neuroprotective effects of Rb1 based on regulation of microflora. Methods: A pseudo germ-free (PGF) rat model was established, and neuroprotective effects of Rb1 were compared between conventional and PGF rats. The relative abundances of common probiotics were quantified to reveal the authentic probiotics that dominate in the neuroprotection of Rb1. The expressions of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, including GABAA receptors (α2, β2, and γ2) and GABAB receptors (1b and 2), in the normal, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and I/R+Rb1 rat hippocampus and striatum were assessed to reveal the neuroprotective mechanism of Rb1. Results: The results showed that microbiota plays a key role in neuroprotection of Rb1. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus helveticus (Lac.H) increased 15.26 fold after pretreatment with Rb1. I/R surgery induced effects on infarct size, neurological deficit score, and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were prevented by colonizing the rat gastrointestinal tract with Lac.H (1 × 10⁹ CFU) by gavage 15 d before I/R surgery. Both Rb1 and Lac.H upregulated expression of GABA receptors in I/R rats. Coadministration of a GABA_A receptor antagonist significantly attenuated neuroprotective effects of Rb1 and Lac.H. Conclusion: In sum, Rb1 exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating Lac.H and GABA receptors rather than through direct distribution to the target sites.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2017

Objectives : Infectious diseases by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a growing problem worldwide. Characteristic of MRSA is endlessly mutation to resist antibiotics. Daehwanggo (DHG) is one of the oriental medicine prescriptions contained in Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine. Daehwanggo was mainly used for external preparation from old times. The purpose of this study is to confirm possibility as supplementary drug of DHG about antibiotics through observation of synergy effect between DHG and commercial antibiotics and to observe restriction on growth of MRSA on any pathway through observation of mechanism. Methods : The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DHG against MRSA is $500{\sim}2000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ by broth dilution method. In the checkerboard method, the combinations of DHG with antibiotics has partial synergistic effect or synergy effect and DHG markedly reduced the MICs of the antibiotics oxacillin (OX), gentamicin (GT) against MRSA. In the inhibition of resistance mechanism of DHG against MRSA, the expression of resistance gene and protein about ${\beta}-lactam$ antibiotic was reduced. Also, we observed the effect of DHG about cell membrane permeability against MRSA, and confirmed that DHG suppressed growth of strains by increasing cell membrane permeability. Results : Basis on the result, we speculate that DHG increase antibacterial activity of antibiotics against MRSA by changing the structure of cell wall of MRSA. Conclusions : These data suggest that Daehwanggo possesses possibility as supplementary drug about antibiotics against MRSA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2022

Background: Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy has been associated with various mental illnesses in the offspring. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a major bioactive compound obtained from ginseng that has an anti-T. gondii effect and attenuates microglial activation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. GRh2 also alleviated tumor-associated or lipopolysaccharide-induced depression. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of GRh2 on depression-like behavior in mouse offspring caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy have not been investigated. Methods: We examined GRh2 effects on the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring, caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy, by measuring depression-like behaviors and assaying parameters at the neuronal and molecular level. Results: We showed that GRh2 significantly improved behavioral measures: sucrose consumption, forced swim time and tail suspended immobility time of their offspring. These corresponded with increased tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, and attenuated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase or enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the prefrontal cortex. GRh2 ameliorated neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex. Molecular docking results revealed that GRh2 binds strongly to both TLR4 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GRh2 ameliorated the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring of maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy by attenuating the excessive activation of microglia and neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. It suggests that GRh2 could be considered a potential therapy in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in the offspring mice of mothers with prenatal exposure to T. gondii infection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives : The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of formulas for purging five viscera for curing the sthenic syndrome of five viscera through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's formulas for purging five viscera, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of them. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's formulas for purging five viscera based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine", the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's formulas for purging five viscera are Sagantang, Saseemtang, Sabeetang, Sapyeotang, and Pyeongshintang. Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of five viscera according to the five elements doctrine : in case of Sagantang purging the liver, purging the heart and invigorating the lung ; Saseemtang, purging the heart, purging the spleen and invigorating the kidney ; Sabeetang, purging the spleen, purging the lung and invigorating the liver ; Sapyeotang, purging the lung, purging the kidney and invigorating the heart ; Pyeongshintang, purging the kidney, purging the spleen and invigorating the spleen. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of five viscera, the methods of purging five viscera, and invigorating five viscera should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's formulas for purging five viscera are combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.26-47
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• 2005

In this dissertation, I will focus on the channel entry, the effect, and the treatment throughout books of oriental medicine from ancient to modern in order to classify the medicines of the liver as main or supplementary organ. The results are as follows: 1. The kinds of the medicines of working of the liver(本臟) were 29, which were Amydae carapax(鱉甲), Chrysanthemi Flos(菊花), Cassiae Torae Semen(草決明), Plantaginis Semen(車前子), Scirpi Seu Sparganii(三稜), Ulmi Pasta Semen(蕪荑), Cinnamomi Cortex(肉桂), Fraxini Cortex(秦皮), Chaenomelis Fructus(木果), Corii Asini Colla(阿膠), Chuanxiong Rhizoma(川芎), Adenophorae Radix(沙蔘), Coicis Semen(薏苡仁), Acanthopanacis Cortex(五加皮), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁), Picrorrhizae Rhizoma(胡黃連), Gentianae Radix(草龍膽), Citri Reticulatae Virdie Pericarpium(靑皮), Paeoniae Alba Radix(白芍藥), Paeoniae Rubra Radix(赤芍藥), Bupleuri Radix(柴胡), Peucedani Radix(前胡), Naturalis Indigo(靑黛), Citrus unshiu(橘葉), Rhinocerotis Cornu(犀角), Aucklandiae Radix(木香), Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Farfarae Flos(款冬花), Evodiae Fructus(吳茱萸), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(陳皮) . 2. The kinds of the medicines of working of other viscera(他臟) were 7, which were Astragaliadix(黃耆), Ginseng Radix(人蔘), pinelliae Rhizoma(半夏), Myristicae Semen, Euryales Semen, Arecae Semen, Piperis Longi Fructus. 3. Medicines, effected on the heart functioned through any other viscera are as follows: Arecae Semen works to treat Spleen Gi Entering the Liver(脾氣入肝), Piperis Longi Fructus, pinelliae Rhizoma(半夏), Euryales Semen and Myristicae Semen operate to treat Spleen Cold Entering the Liver(脾冷入肝), Astragali Radix(黃耆) and Ginseng Radix(人蔘) work to treat Spleen Vacuity Entering the Liver(脾虛入肝). In the study of concerning the medicines effected on the liver, It is considered that it dedicated to development of the medicines related to the disease of the liver and making efficient use of the medicines.

• Journal of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2009

Poria cocos has been traditionally used for the treatment of edema, scanty urine, dizziness due to retention of fluid, reduced appetite due to asthenia of spleen, loose stool, diarrhea, distraction, sudden palpitation and insomnia in East Asia. The aim of this study was to confirm whether Poria cocos wonfire whethe(PCWE) and Poria cocos ointment (PCO) have a preventive e of ter Pthe development of afire wdethe(PCWE (AD) in 2,4-Diniwhochlorobenzene (oria)-applied Balb/ wme e. Oral administration (12.5wmg/kg, 25wmg/kg) of PCWE and fire al application (O.5wmg/mouse, 1.0mg/mouse) of PCO decreased the development of AD-like skin lesions, ear swelling, spleen weight, total serum IgE. PCWE and PCO significantly also inhibited the infiltration of mast cells in the dorsal skin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5201-5205
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• 2014

Emodin, a natural anthraquinone isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Radix rhizoma Rhei, can induce apoptosis in many kinds of cancer cells. This study demonstrated that emodin induces apoptosis in human colon cancer HCT116 cells by provoking oxidative stress, which subsequently triggers a p53-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Emodin induced mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss, increase in Bax and decrease in Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial translocation and release of cytochrome c to cytosol in HCT116 cells. In response to emodin-treatment, ROS increased rapidly, and subsequently p53 was overexpressed. Pretreatment with the antioxidant NAC diminished apoptosis and p53 overexpression induced by emodin. Transfecting p53 siRNA also attenuated apoptosis induced by emodin, Bax expression and mitochondrial translocation being reduced compared to treatment with emodin alone. Taken together, these results indicate that ROS is a trigger of emodin-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells, and p53 expression increases under oxidative stress, leading to Bax-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.165-178
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• 2007

This article explores how non-dominant medical practitioners shape their own self-images and the identity of relevant medicine and in what ways fashioning of self-images and accompanying modalities of medical practice informs the social evolution of the medicines at specific times and over specific places, by means of the historical configuration of osteopathy and chiropractic in the UK and the US. Attention is directed onto motivations and pursuits for professional recognition and actual strategies and activities of non-dominant medicines and its practitioners by turning to historical instances such as osteopathy and chiropractic in the UK and the US, not least drawing focus on professional desires with regard to circumstances it faces within and without. Some non-dominant medicines as a way with which to acquire and protect the exclusive monopoly of its knowledge and practical skills, adopted various forms of professionalism project, as dominant biomedical groups pressed up non-dominant medicines by virtue of marginalizing tactics. Meanwhile, non-dominant medicines took somewhat distinctive professionalisation strategies from each other. Strategies they took were diversified depending on medical philosophy, healing modality, the degree of occupational solidarity embodied as forms of medical organisation, and especially vocational aspiration and prospect. Change of socio-medical culture and the state's policy seems to have wielded critical influenceon the determination of the ups and downs of non-dominant medicines. From the perspective of long-term time span, dominant biomedicine eventually did not have much influence on the ups and downs of marginalized medicines in so far as in the case of osteopathy and chiropractic in Englandand the U. S.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

In this study, the purification of the MeOH extract from the stems and leaves of Pourthiaea villosa var. brunnea using column chromatography furnished a main compound, lyoniside. The structure was elucidated on the basis of $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopic data. Quantitative analysis of lyoniside was conducted by HPLC method and the highest content of lyoniside was found in 50% MeOH reflux extraction. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the lyoniside, we measured nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 levels in lipopolysaccharide-induced murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. As a results, lyoniside decreased the level of nitric oxide and IL-6 in concentration dose dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells.