• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.29-41
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• 2004

Objective : This experimental studies were performed in order to prove the effect of Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture by using rats that had neuronal damage due to the Middle Cerebral Artery Occulsion(MCAO). Method : We observed the change of extracellular concentrations(${\mu}M$) of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, HIAA, glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glysine, taurine, alanine, and tyrosine as extracted by vivo microdialysis, in the Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture administrated rats($240{\sim}260g$, Sprague-Dawley) subjected to the MCAO. The dialysates were extracted three times before the MCAO and six times after the MCAO every 20 minutes, and analysed by highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Results : Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture significantly inhibited glutamate, aspartate, and tyrosine which are stimulant neurotransmitters at brain ischemia, and it significantly decreased glycine, GABA, taurine, and alanine which are inhibitory neurotransmitters at brain ischemia. Conclusion : Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture may prevent delayed neuronal death(DND) in selectively vulnerable focal areas of the brain effectively.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.61-74
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate analgesic effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZM) pharmacopuncture on formalin-induced pains in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and ICR-mice. Methods : The subjects were divided 8 weeks aged rats with constant pain sensitivity into five groups; normal (treated with normal saline at Taegye (KI3) and before injected with normal saline at hindpaw), Con-1 (treated with normal saline at KI3 before injected with formalin at hindpaw), Lido-1 (treated with lidocaine at KI3), ZMWG-1 (treated with Hot water extraction pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim at KI3), ZMEG-1 (treated with ethanol extraction pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim at KI3). After 35 minutes, we measured ultrasonic vocalization (USV) and enzyme activities of both Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in rat serum. In addition, Tail flick test is performed by injecting ICR mice at 5 weeks of age. And it classified into 4 groups (Con-2, Lido-2, ZMWG-2, ZMEG-2) according to the kind of drug (normal saline, lidocaine, ZMW, ZME). After each drug injection, we examined the reaction by placing the tail in water at $50^{\circ}C$. Results : ZME had analgesic effects in the early and late phase of USV during the formalin test. There were no significant differences between ZMEG-1 and Lido-1 in early and late phase of USV. Also, No significant differences observed in serum AST and ALT activity in ZMWG-1 and ZMEG-1 compared with Con-1. For tail-flick test, analgesic effect on warmth significantly increased in Lido-2 and ZMEG-2 compare to that of Con-2. Conclusion : ZME pharmacopuncture had analgesic effects on formalin-induced pain without liver toxicity. Also, tail-flick test suggest that ZME pharmacopuncture could be useful technique on analgesic effect on warmth and treatment of pains.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the single dose toxicity of Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. Doses of Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 1.0 mL, was administered to the control group. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethic Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. No significant changes in weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs or tissues except in one case, where interstitial infiltrating macrophages were found in one female rat in the 0.5-mL/animal experimental group. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that treatment with Chukyu (spine-healing) pharmacopuncture is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of cultivated wild ginseng extract on primary cultured preadipocyte and adipocytes. Methods Diminish preadipocyte proliferation does primary role to reduce obesity. So, preadipocytes and adipocytes were performed on cell cultures with using Sprague-Dawley rats and treated with 0.01-1mg/ml cultivated wild ginseng extract. Result At all concentrations, cultivated wild ginseng extract wasn't show the suppress proliferation of preadipocytes significantly and failed to show effects on decomposition of adipocytes except high dosage. Conclusion Based on these findings, cultivated wild ginseng is not a suitable choice for the treatment of localized obesity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.111-122
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• 2006

Objectives : We studied the effects of Scutellariae Radix pharmacopuncture solution (SRHAS) on the type 1 hypersensitivity. Methods : In vivo, we measured compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylactic shock using ICR mice and anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) using Sprague Dawley rats. In vitro, we showed effects on cytotoxicity and ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ release from RBL-2H3 cells. Results : In vivo, SRHAS pretreatments (100% or 50%) at BL13 inhibited active systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80. PCA was only inhibited by pretreatments of SRHAS at optional points. In vitro, $0.1{\sim}2%$ SRHAS treatments did not affect cell viability while ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release was significantly inhibited. Conclusions : These results suggest that SRHAS may be beneficial in the inhibition of type I hypersensitive inflammatory response.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.12-19
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was done out to evaluate the effects of Sida rhombifolia methanol extract (SRM) on diabetes in moderately diabetic (MD) and severely diabetic (SD) Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: SRM was prepared by soaking the powdered plant material in 70% methanol and rota evaporating the methanol from the extract. Effective hypoglycemic doses were established by performing oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in normal rats. Hourly effects of SRM on glucose were observed in the MD and the SD rats. Rats were grouped, five rats to a group, into normal control 1 (NC1), MD control 1 (MDC1), MD experimental 1 (MDE1), SD control 1 (SDC1), and SD experimental 1 (SDE1) groups. All rats in the control groups were administered 1 mL of distilled water (DW). The rats in the MDE1 and the SDE1 groups were administered SRM orally at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (BW), respectively, dissolved in 1 mL of DW. Blood was collected initially and at intervals of 1 hour for 6 hours to measure blood glucose. A similar experimental design was followed for the 30-day long-term trial. Finally, rats were sacrificed, and blood was collected to measure blood glucose, lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results: OGTTs indicated that two doses (200 and 300 mg/kg BW) were effective hypoglycemic doses in normal rats. Both doses reduced glucose levels after 1 hour in the MDE1 and the SDE1 groups. A long-term trial of SRM in the MD group showed a reduced glucose level, a normal lipid profile, and normal GSH and TBARS levels. In SD rats, SRM had no statistically significant effects on these parameters. Normal weight was achieved in the MD rats, but the SD rats showed reduced BW. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that SRM has potential to alleviate the conditions of moderate diabetic, but not severe diabetes.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.57-62
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the single-dose intravenous toxicity of Guseonwangdo-go glucose 5% pharmacopuncture (GWG5). Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five males and five females per group: an intravenous (IV) injection of 1.0 mL of normal saline solution per animal was administered to the control group; IV injections of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL of GWG5 per animal were administered to the experimental groups (G: 0.1, G: 0.5, and G: 1.0). Observation of clinical signs and body weight measurements were carried out for 14 days following the injections. At the end of the observation period, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological tests, as well as necropsy examinations, were performed on the injected parts. Results: No mortalities or adverse clinical signs were observed in any of the groups. The body weights of all groups continuously increased. In the hematological and the biochemical tests, females in G-0.1 had minimal changes, but those changes were not dose dependent. On necropsy examination, no abnormalities were observed. In the histopathological test, focal inflammatory cell infiltrations were observed in two female rats, one in the control group and one in G-1.0. Also, one female rat in the control group had an epidermis crust. These changes were concluded to have been caused by the insertion of the needle into a vein. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that the lethal dose of GWG5 administered via IV injection is more than 1.0 mL per animal in both male and female rats. Further studies are needed to establish more detailed evidence of its toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-47
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• 2010

Objectives: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; LPS control (n=6), LPS+cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV4 (n=6), LPS+cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV17 (n=6), and LPS+cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at Ex-HN1 (n=6). Pharmacopuncture (0.1 ml) was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5 mg/kg). Blood, liver tissue, and peritoneal lavage fluid were taken and proinflammatory cytokines and other related factors were analysed. Results: Compared with the control group, CV4 and Ex-HN1 pharmacopuncture groups significantly attenuated plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ increase at 2h and 5h after LPS injection (P<0.05). A significant difference from control group emerged at 5 h for plasma IL10 (P<0.05). For liver cytokines analyzed at 5 h after LPS injection, only CV4 pharmacopuncture group showed significant difference in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 (P<0.05). Blood CD4/CD8 ratio and the phagocytic activities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were not different from those of control group in all pharmacopuncture groups (P>0.05). CV4 pharmacopuncture significantly attenuated increase of plasma ${NO_3}^-/{NO_2}^-$, Intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) compared with the control group (P<0.05). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, $PGE_2$, and CINC-1 level of CV4 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different from those from the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV4 may have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.7-17
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• 2014

Objectives: Condurango is widely used in various systems of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) against oesophageal and stomach ailments including certain types of cancer. However, until now no systematic study has been conducted to verify its efficacy and dose with proper experimental support. Therefore, we examined if ethanolic extract of Condurango could ameliorate benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in rats, in vivo to validate its use as traditional medicine. Methods: Fifteen male and 15 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.28 mg/kg of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) (high-dosage group) and the same numbers of male and female SD rats were treated with 0.2 mL/kg of normal saline (control group) for 13 weeks. We selected five male and five female SD rats from the high-dosage group and the same numbers of male and female SD rats from the control group, and we observed these rats for four weeks. We conducted body-weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses and hematology, biochemistry, histology tests. Results: A histological study revealed gradual progress in lung tissue-repair activity in Condurango-fed cancer-bearing rats, showing gradual tissue recovery after three months of drug administration. Condurango has the capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may contribute to a reduction in anti-oxidative activity and to an induction of oxidative stress-mediated cancer cell-death. Condurango-activated pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, cytochrome-c, apaf-1, ICAD and PARP) and down-regulated antiapoptotic-Bcl-2 expression were noted both at mRNA and protein levels. Studies on caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage by western blot analysis revealed that Condurango induced apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway. Conclusion: The anticancer efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Condurango for treating BaP-induced lung cancer in rats lends support for its use in various traditional systems of medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Purpose : This research was conducted to investigate the effect of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture on paw edema, pain index, anti-inflammatory factor, AST, ALT and complete blood cell count of a rat model with Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis. Methods : Five experimental groups were formed with each consisting of six rats: normal group, control group, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture group, lower level laser acupuncture group, and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, lower level laser acupuncture group. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by two injections of Freund's adjuvant into the left knee joint of Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. The second injection of Freund's adjuvant was given ten days after the first one. Ten days later, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture were administered separately or together by assigned groups at $GB_{34}$ and $GB_{39}$ of rats twice a week for a total of six times. Thereafter, edema rate, pain index, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, aspartate aminortansferase, alanine aminotransferase and complete blood cell count were measured. Results : We noticed synergic effects of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture according to the results of the paw edema and Von Frey pain index. The sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture(BVA) and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture+ low level laser acupuncture(BVA+LLA) groups experienced a more significant effect when compared with the control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture at GB34 and GB39 have a significant anti-inflammatory effect on Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats.