• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.417-428
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• 2022

Herbal medicine, a multi-component treatment, has been extensively practiced for treating various symptoms and diseases. However, its molecular mechanism of action on the human body is unknown, which impedes the development and application of herbal medicine. To address this, recent studies are increasingly adopting systems pharmacology, which interprets pharmacological effects of drugs from consequences of the interaction networks that drugs might have. Most conventional network-based approaches collect associations of herb-compound, compound-target, and target-disease from individual databases, respectively, and construct an integrated network of herb-compound-target-disease to study the complex mechanisms underlying herbal treatment. More recently, rapid advances in high-throughput omics technology have led numerous studies to exploring gene expression profiles induced by herbal treatments to elicit information on direct associations between herbs and genes at the genome-wide scale. In this review, we summarize key databases and computational methods utilized in systems pharmacology for studying herbal medicine. We also highlight recent studies that identify modes of action or novel indications of herbal medicine by harnessing drug-induced transcriptome data.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.380-388
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• 2002

The inhibitory effects of the traditional herbal medicine Hwao-tang on the progression of the atherosclerotic lesions were studied using the spontaneous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) model, Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. Hwao-tang is activate blood circulation, vital energy and regulate menstruation, etc. Nowadays, Hwao-tang is mainly used for the treatment of inflammation, hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis. However, pharmacological mechanisms of Hwao-tang on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis formation are poorly understood. We have investigated the pharmacological effects of Hwao-tang on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis using a spontaneous experimental model. In conclusion, the protection of extracts of HOT and its herbs on the ischemic infarction induced artificially might be related to their inhibitory effects on DIC, platelet coagulation and thrombic action. These suggest that Hwao-tang has inhibitory effects on the development of atheromatous plaque formation in spontaneous FH model rabbits. It is possible that the anti oxidative effects of Hwao-tang on LDL led to the beneficial effects observed in this study.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Bojungbangdocktang (BJBDT), a formula of eight Oriental herbs, is a modified herbal prescription of Bangdoktang and Bojungbangamtang. Recently, BJBDT was demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, enhance hematopoiesis and protect cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in normal MCF-10A breast cells. Nevertheless, there is no safety study of BJBDT before clinical trial so far. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the toxicity about ethanol-extracted BJBDT. Male and female Spraque Dawley (SD) rats were given orally by BJBDT at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs and measured change of body weight, food consumption and water consumption were observed. In addition, we performed ophthalmologic, urinary, hematological, blood serum biochemical and histopathological examination. Any general toxicity was not found in BJBDT treated group. Also, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as body weight, food consumption and water consumption, a lot of urine and blood factor levels except HCT, MCHC, Ca, TG, Glucose and T-Bilirubin level compared with control group. Although HCT was elevated and TG was decreased in male rats, and MCHC, Glucose and T-Bilirubin were elevated and Ca and HCT were decreased in female rats, these were within normal ranges. Finally, we determined that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1000 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BJBDT is very safe to SD rats.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.287-296
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• 2014

Objectives: Alzheimer's Dementia is somewhat common in clinical stages, and there are many reports and papers regarding this subject. We explain the present state of Alzheimer's Dementia in JON (The Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry) for the benefits of clinical practice. Methods: We searched for articles in JON from 1990 to 2014 and selected ones that were related to Alzheimer's Dementia; then, we analyzed the data and placed it in four categories, like experimental study, case study, Clinical Data-Analysis study, and clinical trial. Results: 1) We found 47 articles relating to Alzheimer's Dementia in JON from 1997 to 2014: 41 experimental studies, 1 case study, 1 Clinical Data-Analysis study, and 4 Clinical trials. 2) There were Chung-kyung Acupuncture Method, Auricular acupuncture, and Cha-rak Acupuncture Method to treat Alzheimer's Dementia. 3) There were many additional treatments, like aroma therapy. 4) In the experimental study, they reported on several herbs, including herbal prescriptions that affected the suppression of related mRNAs and genes. 5) There were 4 clinical trials regarding herbal prescription that was effective for treating Alzheimer's Dementia. Conclusions: In JON, regarding Alzheimer's Dementia, the majority dealt with experimental studies. Therefore, we also have to expand our sight into other fields of study. We need more clinical trials and case studies for the treatment of Alzheimer's Dementia in Oriental Neuropsychiatry.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1277-1283
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• 2002

Silsosangami(SSG) is a formula of treaditional korean medicines as an effective biological response modifier for augmenting host homeostasis of body circulation. Little is known of the biological activity of SSG and previous studies have focused mainly on their anti-thrombosis8). There is a growing interest in the pharmacological potential of the SSG due to the recent finding by our group that SSG and each constituent herbs of SSG were able to inhibit NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. In this paper, the effects of SSG on platelet aggregation and hemolysis in human blood were studied. SSG provoked remarkable inhibiting effect on platelet aggregation, and APTT were sensitive to the presence of this SSG. Using an in vitro system, APTT was delayed with the increment of the concentrations of these seven compounds. These results suggested that SSG might be used as a novel antithrombotic therapeutic agents in post-myocardial infarction. A SSG reduced NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, without the influence on the activity of iNOS being observed. SSG significantly reduced mouse paw edema induced by carrageenan. Western blot analysis showed that SSG reduced the expression of iNOS. The results indicate that SSG exerts anti-inflammatory effects related to the inhibition of NO production, which could be due to a decreased expression of iNOS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.240-255
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to research trends in Korean medicine treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods : We reviewed 73 studies about diabetes mellitus, which had been published from 2008 to 2013. The article search was performed on the Korean institute of oriental medicine (KIOM) database. Results : 1. Patterns of study design were as follows : 14 review studies, 44 experimental studies, 7 clinical studies, 8 case reports. 2. From the 14 review studies, we noted that literature studies about definition, pathologic mechanism, treatment, pathologic pattern identification of DM and previous study analyses were done. 3. From the 44 experimental studies that are the most common type of DM studies, various Korean medicine treatments such as single medicinal herbs, herbal complexes, diets and pharmacopuncture were used. Anti-diabetic effects were demonstrated in most of the studies. 4. 7 clinical studies about acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, etc. were reported. 5. 8 cases about DM complications and comorbidities were reported. Clinical symptoms improved in all of studies, blood sugar level decreased in four studies. Conclusions : Further clinical and case study based on experimental researches should be performed.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.11-36
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• 2012

Objectives : Sleep Disorders are very common in clinical stages and there are many reports and papers regarding this subject. I try to understand the present state of sleep research in JON (The Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry) for the benefits of clinical practice. Methods : We searched and read every article on JON from 1990 to 2012 and selected ones that are related to Sleep Disorder; then analyzed the data to 5 categories, like literature study, case study, Clinical Data-Analysis study, experimental study, and clinical trial. Results : 1. We Found 41 articles relating to sleep disorder in JON form 1999 to 2012, and there were 9 literature studies, 13 case studies, 13 Clinical Data-Analysis studies, 4 experimental studies, and 2 clinical trials. 2. There were Sa-Am Acupuncture Method, Pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, and Auricular acupuncture to treat Sleep Disorder. 3. There were many additional treatments like Purgative Therapy, etc. 4. They reported the ordinary sleep pattern of Soeumin and Soyangin, too. 5. In the experimental study, they reported several herbs, herbal prescription on the expression of melatonin receptors, and Punsimgeimgamibang on insomnia, anxiety, emotionality in rats. 6. There were 2 clinical trials, one for Hwabyung-patient with insomnia by acupuncture treatment and another for insomnia in the elderly by ETF-I program. 7. There were 2 case of other sleep disorder (enuresis, sleepwalking) and 2 literature study of dream. Conclusions : In JON regarding sleep disorder, the majority was due to insomnia. Therefore, we also have to expand our sight into other sleep diseases. We need more clinical trials and experimental researches for the construction of EBM Sleep Disorder in Oriental Neuropsychiatry.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.389-397
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• 2011

This study tried to integrate the traditional oriental medical theories and results of experimental studies of herbaceous plants on anti-diabetes. And I tried to analyze recent experimental study trend on the anti-diabetic herb. I searched anti-diabetic herb studies on 4 korean databases and 10 korean journals by keywords, 'diabetes', 'blood glucose', 'glycometabolism', 'pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell', etc. In order to see detail review, searching was performed from 2000 to 2010. And I searched 125 study cases concerning anti-diabetic herb and 72 varieties herbaceous plants used in study of anti-diabetes. and I analyzed the choice motives of each herb for anti-diabetic study, the extract methods and anti-diabetic evaluation contents. And I analyzed anti-diabetic herbs from a traditional oriental medical point of view. When the researchers chose herb for anti-diabetic experiment, just 8.8% of the choice was based on the oriental medical evidences. I found that 60.6% of the herb shown to be effective in diabetes experimentally had oriental medical theory-based Properties(性). There were studies with whole plants(16.8%), aqueous extract(45.6%), methanol extract(8.0%), ethanol extract(8.0%) and comparative studies of more than 2 types of extracts or various fractions(18.4%). The most frequent experimental diabetic models was diabetic mouse induced by streptozotocin(STZ)(87.8%). And there were db/db mouse(6.7%), ob/ob mouse(1.1%), etc. 33.6% of all studies just measured hematological indices of diabetes, and 66.4% researches analyzed details. To improve herbaceous plants study on diabetes, we oriental medical scientists have to integrate the oriental medical theories and results of experimental studies.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2002

Obesity is a serious medical disorder because it can cause a myriad of health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, and adult-onset diabetes. While conventional medical treatment for obesity has limitations, there is enormous public enthusiasm for complementary and alternative treatments of obesity. This article reviews currently commonly used complementary and alternative therapies for obesity, such as medicinal herbs, nutritional supplements and acupuncture. Beneficial effects and possible adverse effects associated with these treatment are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Objectives : The 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10) was held in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010, during which an international convention on access to genetic resources and conventional knowledge and sharing of benefits thereof was adopted. The Oriental Medicine field uses medicinal herbs based on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge about genetic resources. As such, if Korea, China and Japan compete over the ownership of such traditional knowledge, it will almost certainly trigger disputes over the payment of royalties among other problems. Notably, since the traditional medicine industry is closely related with China, it is highly likely this will adversely affect Korea's production of medicines using natural materials, including Korean herbal doctors' prescription, formulation and preparation of medicinal herbs. Methods : This study also analyzed the recent situation in Japan, which is the chair nation of the Nagoya Protocol and a member nation like Korea. It analyzed the Japanese people's awareness of the Nagoya Protocol and its strategies in the two years since its adoption, as well as the Guidelines for Genetic Resources, which were newly revised in 2012. Conclusions : The Nagoya Protocol requires the preparation of legislative and administrative measures and policies in order to pave the way for sharing the benefits deriving from the use of genetic resources and the relevant traditional knowledge with the providers of such resources. Thus, corresponding domestic legal measures need to be taken. Such measures include the refining of the procedure of accessing genetic resources, the designation of liaison offices, a competent agency and a supervisory agency, and the building of a system designed to issue internationally acknowledged certificates. It is also important to operate related professional consulting offices, as is the case in Japan. In addition, in the case of genetic resources, there is a need to seek multinational and bilateral cooperation including free trade agreements. Regarding traditional knowledge about genetic resources, measures need to be prepared to enable the three East Asian countries, namely, Korea, China and Japan, to commonly use ancient literature on Oriental medicine and to claim exclusive rights to such intellectual properties. Notably, with China now moving to expand the scope of traditional knowledge through the WIPO, Korea needs to prepare response measures.