• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.385-396
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• 2016

It is a fact that the existing pharmacological research method is difficult to explain the effect and mechanism of action of herbal formula of Korean medicine. We are now very pleased with the development of modern science and the development of a methodology for studying herbal formula characterized by network targets and multi-component therapeutics over the human body. In this review, systems pharmacology or network pharmacology is demonstrated how these are applied to explain the effectiveness of herbal medicine. The post-genomic era provides a unique opportunity for the two fields to understand and benefit from each other. In particular, recent research trends, research methodology, useful databases and results of research on herbal formula are introduced. China already has a policy of scientific development of traditional chinese medicine (TCM) and the development of Chinese medicine industry with a focus on herbal formula research at national level, and in Korea, it is urgent to support and nurture the methodology appropriate to the characteristics of the herbal formula in order to study the safety and efficacy of Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.439-454
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• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.513-517
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• 2001

Objective : Recently many studies of herbal medication to promote growth have been implemented. The purpose of this study was to identify the feasibility and safety of herbal medication on short stature. Methods : 143 patients(87 males, 56 Females)who visited with short stature at Kangnam CHA Oriental Hospital From February 1999 to January 2000 and were treated during 6 months, were available for this study. We treated with 5 herbal medications.(Soeumin hyangbujapalmultang-gagambang, Soyangin yukmijihwangtang-gagambang, Taeumin chungsimyunjatang-gagambang, Boa-tang, Boikyangwi tang) At the begining of the treatment and after 6 months treatment, We measured height, weight and body mass index(BMI). And we investigated changes of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), creatinine. Results: The distribution of ages was from 5 years old to 17 years old. After herbal treatment, mean height, mean weight, mean BMI and mean percentile grade increased $138.5{\pm}15.6$ to $141.9{\pm}15.1$, from $36.9{\pm}13.2$ to $38.9{\pm}13.2$, from $18.5{\pm}3.29$ to $18.7{\pm}3.21$, from $3.2{\pm}1.2$ to $3.4{\pm}1.2$. The contents of AST, ALT, BUN, ALP and Creatinine were not showed any significant change. Conclusions : In the results We recognized Short stature was showed prominent feasibility and safety of herbal medication. Herbal Medication in patients with short stature will improve height velocity without liver and kidney function disorders.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this report was to provide the information activity and safety of Palmul-tang by analyzing domestic/international papers and theses about Palmul-tang, Methods: Domestic/international papers and theses related to Palmul-tang were reviewed and analyzed, These papers were then classified by year, experimental method and subject, Results: The following results were obtained in this study. 1. The study of Palmul-tang started from 1985 and was continuously increased. The study was mainly forcused on experimental model rather than clinical study. 2. As these studies were classified by subject, papers related to immune intensification were most abundant by 20 papers, Besides there were several papers related to cardiovascular activity, reproductive activity, anti-apoptotic activity and cerebral hemodynamics. 3. Among the papers related to immune intensification. the studies on recovery of fatigue were mostabundant by 10 papers and the studies of on immune cell and cytokine express were six. In addition to. several studies were associated with anti-cancer activity and anti-allergic activity. Recovery of fatigue was determined by measurement of fatigue markers in a living body such as lactate. CPK, pyruvate and triglyceride and assessment of exercise capability of animals such as swimming test. slopped plate test. Rota-rod test, and activity cage test after Palmul-tang treatment. 4. According to experimental data. it is supported that Palmul-tang has been used as Qi and Blood intensifier with immune intensification and recovery of fatigue. 5. The paper related to safety of Palmul-tang was only one paper which is studied on acute toxicity of Palmul-tang with experiment with ICR mouse. There was no study on evaluating safety by observing liver and kidney functions after Palmul-tang treatment Conclusion: Palmul-tang is being used in various ways associating with immune intensification. cardiovascular activity and reproductive activity. However. studies on efficacy and mechanism of Palmul-tang should be conducted at the molecular biology level and studies on safety of Palmul-tang need to be completed at the clinical level.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.150-158
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to establish safety and efficacy of using herbal medicine during pregnancy. Methods: We investigated 18 patients of visiting Dongshin university Kwangju Oriental Hospital. from september 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007, who had taken herbal medicine in pregnancy for medical treatment. And we investigated birthhistory, newborn babies's condition, satisfaction of herbal treatment and so on. Results: 15 cases delivered normally, and they had no congenital malformation, 2 patients were pregnant yet, and 1 patient had an abortion. Most newborn babies had on the average height and weight, and were healthy condition. And patients's satisfaction score of herbal treatment was 3.4 point. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that using herbal medicine in pregnancy is safe and effective.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.426-429
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity and safety of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) in Sprague-Dawley rat though the current regulatory guideline. The preliminary study showed that the single oral administration of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) did not induce any toxic effect at a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. Based on the results, 2000 mg/kg was selected as the limited dose. In this study, 10 rats of each sex were randomly assigned to two groups of 5 rats each and were administrated singly by gavage at dose levels of 0 and 2000 mg/kg. After single administration, Mortalities, clinical signs, body weight changes, gross findings were observed for the 15-day period. Throughout the study period, no treatment-related deaths were observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, and gross findings at all treatment groups. These results showed that the single oral adminstration of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) did not cause any toxic effect at the dose levels of 2000 mg/kg in rats. In conclusion, the $LD_{50}$ of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg body for both sexes.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.185-199
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was designed to establish safety and efficacy of using herbal medicine during pregnancy. Methods : We searched through 23 sources, which had been previously published frome 1988 to 2007, concerned patients that used herbal medicine during pregnancy. We searched diseases for that used herbal medicine, kinds of herbal medicine taken, the period of herbal medicine taken, the duration of herbal medicine taken and results of herbal medicine taken. Results: 1. Whaltae(habitual abortion) was the most of diseases that used herbal medicine during pregnancy. Second disease was hyperemesis gravidum. Third disease was Taegibulan (fetal restlessness). 2. The most of Herb medicines of used for Whaltae was Kyoesamultang and Anjeonecheontang. The most of Herb medicines of used for hyperemesis gravidum was Bosaengtang. The most of Herb medicines of used for Taegibulan was Kyoesamultang. 3. The time of herbal medicine taken mostly was the first period of pregnancy. The rate was 78%. 4. The duration of herbal medicine taken mostly was $18.58{\pm}14.24day$ at mean. 5. The rate of normal delivery was 85% and herbal medication during pregnancy does not cause any deformity to the newborn and of patients used herbal medicine. 6. The patients of taken herbal medicines were recovered from their symptoms and prevented miscarriage. The rate of recovery was 87%. Conclusion: The results of this study show that herbal medication during pregnancy is effective to cure disease and maintain the pregnancy. It is thought that have to actively try to treat diseases and symptoms on pregnancy by using herbal medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.129-153
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: Researchers searched papers through 5 online databases including The Cochrane Library Central, Pubmed, China Academic Journal (CAJ), Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and Korean studies Information Service System (KISS). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used herbal medicine as treatment were included. Results: Twenty three studies were selected by the selection and exclusion criteria. The treatment group was treated with herbal medicine alone or with herbal medicine and conventional medicine. The control group was treated with conventional medicine. Most common evaluation index was Bone Mineral Density (BMD) followed by total efficacy rate and level of bone metabolism markers, level of sex hormones, etc. Compared with the control group, the treatment group was more effective and safer in all of 23 studies. Conclusions: Herbal treatment alone could be an effective and safe option in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Moreover herbal treatment with conventional medicine could improve its therapeutic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis as well.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of Gumiganghwal-tang (Jiuweiqianghou-tang) in Sprague-Dawley rats though the current regulatory guideline. Methods : The preliminary study showed that the single oral administration of Gumiganghwal-tang(Jiuweiqianghou-tang) did not induce any toxic effect at a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. Based on the results, 2000 mg/kg was selected as the limited dose. In this study, 10 rats of each sex were randomly assigned to two groups of 5 rats each and were administrated singly by gavage at dose levels of 0 and 2000 mg/kg. Mortalities, clinical signs, and body weight changes were monitored for the 15-day period following administration. At the end of observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. Results : Throughout the study period, no treatment-related deaths were observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, and gross findings at all treatment groups. Conclusions : These results showed that the single oral adminstration of Gumiganghwal-tang(Jiuweiqianghou-tang) did not cause any toxic effect at the dose levels of 2000 mg/kg in rats. In conclusion, the $LD_{50}$ of Gumiganghwal-tang (Jiuweiqianghou-tang) was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg body for both sexes.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2008

In recent years, there has been a globally increasing application of herbal medicines and dietary supplements to treat various chronic diseases and to promote health. However, there are increasing clinical reports on the organ toxicities associated with consumption of herbal medicines. In general, most xenobiotics are metabolized by Phase I reaction(the main enzyme : cytochrome P450) and Phase II reaction. However, reactive oxygen species, free radicals and electrophils are produced inevitably during xenobiotics metabolism. These toxic species and metabolites are increased whenever the endogenous substances and enzymes for Phase II reaction not available. In addition, herbal-drug interactions are pharmacokinetic, with most actually or theoretically affecting the metabolism of the affected product by way of the cytochrome P450 enzymes. This review updated the knowledge on metabolic activation of herbal components and its clinical and toxicological implications. Also, the possible way for preventing the side-effects by herbal-medicine use was suggested.