• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2015

Background: Korean ginseng is a well-known medicinal herb that has been widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including asthma. Ginseng can be classified as white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG), according to processing conditions. In this study, the authors compared the efficacies of these two ginseng types in a mouse model of acute asthma. Methods: To produce the acute asthma model, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide, and then challenged with OVA. WG and RG extracts were administered to mice orally. The influences of WG and RG on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), immune cell distributions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG1, and IgG2a in serum were investigated. Cytokine production by lymphocytes isolated from peribronchial lymph nodes and histopathological changes was also examined. Results: In OVA-sensitized mice, both WG and RG reduced AHR and suppressed immune cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar regions. BALF OVA-specific IgE levels were significantly lower in RG-treated OVAsensitized mice than in the OVA-sensitized control group. WG and RG also suppressed inflammatory cytokine production by peribronchial lymphocytes. Histopathological findings showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and airway remodeling (e.g., epithelial hyperplasia) in WG- and RG-treated OVA mice compared with OVA controls. Conclusion: In this study, WG and RG showed antiasthmatic effects in an OVA-sensitized mouse model, and the efficacies of RG were found to be better than those of WG.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.5-9
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• 2005

Observation of intra-vascular threadlike structures in the blood vessels of rats is reported with the images by differential interference contrast microscope, and fluorescence inverted microscope of the acridine-orange stained samples. The confocal microscope image and the hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed the distinctive pattern of nuclei distribution that clearly discerned the threadlike structure from fibrin, capillary, small venule, arteriole, or lymph vessel. Physiological function of the intra-vascular thread in connection with acupuncture is discussed. Especially, this threadlike duct can be a circulation path for herb-liquid flow, which may provide the scientific mechanism for therapeutic effect of herbal acupuncture.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was evaluated to elucidate the inhibitory potential of Bodusan (BDS) and its components, Strychnos ignatii semen (SIS) and Glycyrrhizae Radix (GR), on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) migration and production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 by $TNF-{\alpha}$ treatment. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of BDS and its components on HASMC was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth- oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Effect of BDS, SIS and GR on $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ HASMC migration underside of matrigel filter was stained with hematoxylin-eosin. And total number of cells that migrated to the underside of the filter was counted. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was evaluated by gelatin zymography assay. Results : The matrigel migration assay showed that BDS effectively inhibited the $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ migration of HASMC. Moreover, BDS significantly inhibited MMP-9 activity. Our present study demonstrates that BDS and its components inhibits $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ HASMC migration and MMP-9 activity. The inhibitory effect of BDS extract is more potent than that of its component herb extracts. Conclusions : These results provide evidence that BDS has multiple effects in the inhibition of HASMC migration and may offer a therapeutic approach to block HASMC migration.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.47-57
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• 2021

Objective : For the purpose of developing Convoivulaceae plants recorded in Korean Herbology in Korea, the literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article. Methods : Books and research papers about Herbology which published at Korea and other countries were examined. Results : A list was made about Convoivulaceae plant which were cultivated or grew naturally in Korea, after investigated the data on domestic and foreign Convoivulaceae plants. Convoivulaceae(grew in Korea) were divided into 6 classes with 18 species. Out of those, 6 classes with 13 species were found serviceable which indicates approximately 72% of all. Out of all 18 species of Convoivulaceae family, Calystegia genus were found 6 species, which were shown the most. Among 4 genus of Calystegia species, medicinal plants were all one species each. Out of all serviceable parts in Convoivulaceae, Herb·Radix·Tuber·Semen·Flower·Stem and Folium parts took first place as 8 species. There are 2 species toxic, the survey said. 6 Classifying medicinal plants among the Convoivulaceae plants by part, whole Herbs are found to be 8 separate species each. When it comes to the nature of taste, 10 kinds of taste without action and 7 kinds of sweet taste are the most common. For channel tropism, kidney channel has the largest number of 7 types. Conclusion : A total of 6 genera and 18 species of Convoivulaceae was found in the Korean among which 6 genera and 13 species(approximately 72%) were medicinal plants. Two species toxic drugs were detected.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2005

Obesity can be defined as a metabolic disease due to an increased fat accumulation in the body caused by an imbalance of calorie intake and output The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over the past 2-3 decades in developed and developing countries. The health impact of weight gain is so marked that obesity has now been classified as a major global public health problem In order to investigate the effect of diet conversion and oral administration of Platycodon grandiflorum extracts on the treatment of obesity, male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: a group converted to normal diet (Control group), a group maintained high fat (30%) diet (H), and two groups with Platycodon grandiflorum extract added to the previously mentioned two groups. All animals were fed high fat diet for 7 weeks to induce the obesity. Then they were divided as mentioned above. Animals were fed experimental diet and Platycodon grandiflorum extract (150 mg/ml/rat/day) for 7 weeks. Body weight, adipose tissue weight (subcutaneous, epididymal, peritoneal fat pads) and serum lipids (total cholesterol and triglyceride) showed some differences among groups. The Platycodon grandiflorum feeding markedly decreased both body weight and adipose tissue weight in control group compared to H, high fat diet maintaining, group. Platycodon grandiflorum extracts significantly decreased the concentrations of serum lipids compared to H group. Fat cell numbers and sizes were significantly reduced in the oriental medicinal herb extract administrated group. Increased fatty acid binding protein (FABP) expression in high fat diet group was decreased by the dietary conversion to normal diet and the oral administration of Platycodon glandiflorum extracts. In contrast, there was no significant effect on FABP expression in the high fat maintenance group. In this study, the conversion from high fat diet to low fat or normal diet had a beneficial effect on body weight loss and serum lipid profiles. Dietary Platycodon glandiflorum extracts had an additive beneficial effect on the prevention and treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.393-406
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• 1998

Twenty five cases of the patient admission-treatment from chiefly complained of neck pain observed clinically from first January 1997 to thirty first December 1997 in the Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Oriental Hospital, Taejon University, Taejon, Korea. And the results were obtained as follows; 1. The distribution of sex was male 13(52%) cases, female 12(48%) cases and the male to female ratio was 1.1 : 1. The distribution of age was the most predominant as the fifties 6(24%) cases. 2. The contributing factors were the most predominant as the reason unknown 9(36%) cases, unstable position 5(20%) cases. 3. The distribution of duration was the most predominant of 9(36%) cases in a week. 4. The distribution of before admission-treatments were the most predominant as west-medication 13(32.5%) cases. 5. The distribution of patient's condition of first treatment was the most predominant as Gr.III 13(52%) cases. 6. The distribution of duration for admission was the most predominant as 13(52%) cases in a week. 7. The distribution of radiological studies were the nust predominant as the HIVD 26(63.4%) cases. 8. The distribution of clinical symptoms were the most predominant as neck pain 25(21.0%) cases, radiating pain to the upper extremities 23(19.3%) cases. 9. The distribution of located on clinical syrnptoms were the most predominant as neck-shoulder and back-upper extremities 11(44%) cases. 10. The distribution of clinical diagnosis was the most predominant as HIVD 16(45.7%) cases. 11. The distribution of methods of treatment were the most predominant as Acupuncture -­ Herb Medication - Electro Acupuncture treatment 8(32%) cases. 12. The effect of treatment by discharge was the most predominant of 11(44%) cases as Good result.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.120-132
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine clinical studies on the treatment of dysmenorrhea treatments and analyze the results to provide sufficient evidence to provide adequate evidence of the efficacy of the ear-acupuncture treatment on dysmenorrhea patients. Methods: The search for foreign papers used 'Pubmed', a research engine in the America National Library of Medicine. Used searching terms were 'dysmenorrhea' and 'menstrual pain' in all cases. And among these studies, we searched by using key word 'auricular acupuncture' or 'ear acupuncture' or 'auricular acupressure' or 'ear acupressure'. Results: Overall 53 studies, 7 studies were finally selected to this study. There was 1 controlled study, 3 clinical trials, and 3 randomized-control studies. About acupoints in study, the endocrine was used in all 7 papers. Internal genitals, shenmen, sympathesis, kidney, liver were used in 4 papers, central rim, hypo-cortex, uterus were used in 2 papers, central of cymba auriculae was used in 2 paper. In 4 papers, the effect of ear acupuncture treatment was effective in relieving menstrual pain. Moreover, we can see that ear acupuncture therapy was effective in reducing menstrual pain than in oriental herb medicine. Conclusions: As a result of the 7 papers, we found that patients with menstrual pain decreased after ear acupuncture therapy. However, there was little research and it was limited to achieving the results of the analysis. A vigorous clinical study should be conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of ear acupuncture therapy and standardize treatment methods.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.32-47
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical studies on the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment on growing pains in China, and to seek better methods to treat and study for growing pains in South Korea. Methods The clinical studies from the China Academic Journal (CAJ) in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) that were published up to January 2019 were reviewed. The key word used were '生長痛', '發育期痛', '治療', '中?治療', '中藥'. Then, the literature were analyzed in regards to the treatment methods and results. Results Among the 35 searched studies, 1 randomized controlled trials, 16 case series, and 3 case reports were selected and analyzed. In most of the studies, the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment on growing pains was significantly positive. The most commonly used herbs for oral administration were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (牛膝), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (山藥), Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Astragali Radix (黃?), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮), Poria Sclerotium (茯?) Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (熟地黃), Lycopodii Herba (伸筋草). Other treatment methods such as, external application of herb medicine, massage, acupuncture were also used to treat growing pains. Conclusion Based on the results of the clinical studies from China, the use of chinese medicine for treatment of growing pains has been shown to be effective. Additional clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2012

Human skin is the first line of defense for the protection of the internal organs of the body from different stimuli. Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation induces skin damage and inflammation through the secretion of various cytokines, which are immune regulators produced by cells. To prevent the initiation of skin inflammation, keratinocytes that have been irreversibly damaged by radiation must be removed through the apoptotic mechanism. Ixeris dentata (family: Asteraceae) is a perennial medicinal herb indigenous to Korea. It has been used in Korea, China, and Japan to treat in digestion, pneumonia, diabetes, hepatitis, and tumors. To gain insight into the anti-inflammatory effects of I. dentata, we examined its influence on UVB-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), by observing cells that were stimulated with UVB in the presence or absence of I. dentata. In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis to measure the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs). I. dentata inhibited UVBinduced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 in a dose-dependent manner. Further, I. dentata inhibited the UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Furthermore, I. dentata inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and p38 MAPKs, suggesting that it inhibits the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and COX-2 expression, by blocking MAPK phosphorylation. These results suggest that I. dentate can potentially protect against UVB-induced skin inflammation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2023

Objectives : Present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects and the optimal mixing ratio of fermented Schizandrae Fructus Pomace (fSFP) and Hoveniae Semen Cum Fructus (HSCF) extract combination in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury mice. Methods : ICR mice were orally administered with 200 mg/kg of fSFP, HSCF and mixtures of fSFP and HSCF [MSH (w:w); 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, and 8:1] for 7 consecutive days. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered as a reference drug. 0.5 mL/kg of CCl₄ was injected intraperitoneally to induce acute liver injury. Body weight gain, relative liver weight, serum chemistry, histopathological analysis, and hepatic endogenous antioxidants capacities were observed. Results : All diverse combinations of MSH significantly reduced relative liver weight increase by CCl₄. In addition, MSH administrations significantly decreased the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities by CCl₄. Histopathological observation indicated that all MSH treatments significantly reduced the increase of degenerated hepatocytes, inflammatory cell infiltration, and histological activity index score by CCl₄. Moreover, all MSH administrations reduced the elevation of malondialdehyde contents, and ameliorated the reduction of hepatic glutathione contents, superoxide dismutase activity, and catalase activity. Among the various mixing ratio of MSH combinations, MSH 1:1 and 2:1 showed the most potent anti-oxidative stress, and hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion : Present results suggest that 1:1 and 2:1 combinations of MSH is promising herbal formulation with the hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress.