• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2014

This study was to determine the correlation between endothelial function and neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network through observing the changes of NEI network under the different endothelial dysfunction models. Three endothelial dysfunction models were established in male Wistar rats after exposure to homocysteine (Hcy), high fat diet (HFD) and Hcy+HFD. The results showed that there was endothelial dysfunction in all three models with varying degrees. However, the expression of NEI network was totally different. Interestingly, treatment with simvastatin was able to improve vascular endothelial function and restored the imbalance of the NEI network, observed in the Hcy+HFD group. The results indicated that NEI network may have a strong association with endothelial function, and this relationship can be used to distinguish different risk factors and evaluate drug effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.572-584
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• 2002

Rapid development in molecular biology and recent advancement in recombinant technology increase identification and commercialization of potential protein drugs. Traditional forms of administrations for the peptide and protein drugs often rely on their parenteral injection, since the bioavailability of these therapeutic agents is poor when administered nonparenterally. Tremendous efforts by numerous investigators in the world have been put to improve protein formulations and as a result, a few successful formulations have been developed including sustained-release human growth hormone. For a promising protein delivery technology, efficacy and safety are the first requirement to meet. However, these systems still require periodic injection and increase the incidence of patient compliance. The development of an oral dosage form that improves the absorption of peptide and especially protein drugs is the most desirable formulation but one of the greatest challenges in the pharmaceutical field. The major barriers to developing oral formulations for peptides and proteins are metabolic enzymes and impermeable mucosal tissues in the intestine. Furthermore, chemical and conformational instability of protein drugs is not a small issue in protein pharmaceuticals. Conventional pharmaceutical approaches to address these barriers, which have been successful with traditional organic drug molecules, have not been effective for peptide and protein formulations. It is likely that effective oral formulations for peptides and proteins will remain highly compound specific. A number of innovative oral drug delivery approaches have been recently developed, including the drug entrapment within small vesicles or their passage through the intestinal paracellular pathway. This review provides a summary of the novel approaches currently in progress in the protein oral delivery followed by factors affecting protein oral absorption.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2013

Traditional medicine has been exchanged constantly from prehistoric times up to the present. As the global market trade on traditional medicine increases, people now emphasized the importance of traditional medicine. Previously, knowledge about herbal medicines are taught or learned indirectly. Most of it was learned through medical books. But in these contemporary times, herbal medicine's knowledge is shared through journals, congress and some other events in where traditional medicine's information are shared. In the international congress gathering; traditional medicine's experts from many countries shared some additional knowledge. First, "an attitude to medicine that emphasizes on Naturalism". Second, "respect for experienced in traditional medicine". Third, "respect for locality on traditional medicine". Fourth, "a protection for domestic traditional medicine industry" Fifth, "acceptance of traditional medicine from other countries according to domestic health care system".

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2023

Drug-induced dyskinesia is an involuntary muscle movement caused by various dopamine receptor-blocking drug exposure, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiemetics. Causative drug removal is the main treatment for drug-induced dyskinesia whenever possible because its pathophysiology lacks a universally accepted mechanism; however, the symptoms can persist for years or decades in many patients even after causative drug removal. Herein, we present a case of drug-induced dyskinesia in a 61-year-old female patient who consumed medication for approximately 10 years for her depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Cervical and facial dyskinesia was suggested to be related to perphenazine and levosulpiride administration. The patient received acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, and chuna treatment for 81 days during hospitalization. The symptoms were evaluated using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, Tsui's score, and Numeric Rating Scale, which revealed remarkable improvement, suggesting the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine for drug-induced dyskinesia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5599-5608
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• 2013

With the high morbidity and mortality caused by cancer, finding new and more effective anti-cancer drugs is very urgent. In current research, biotransformation plays a vital role in the research and development of cancer drugs and has obtained some achievements. In this review, we have summarized four applications as follows: to exploit novel anti-cancer drugs, to improve existing anti-cancer drugs, to broaden limited anti-cancer drug resources and to investigate correlative mechanisms. Three different groups of important anti-cancer compounds were assessed to clarify the current practical applications of biotransformation in the development of anti-cancer drugs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.219-227
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the side effects (ADR) of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) injections by age, injection type, symptoms, and causes, and to find preventive solutions for ADR. For the ADR of TCM injection data collected during the search period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020, the correlation between each section was analyzed by subdividing it into age, injection type, symptoms and causes. CNKI, PubMed, and EMBASE were used to collect the clinical data. 'Chinese herbal injection', 'Traditional Chinese Medicine injection', 'Chinese herbal injection side effect', 'Chinese herbal injection adverse drug reaction' were used for the keyword from the database. All data were collected mainly for TCM injection and the causes of ADR due to TCM injection. However, data not related to the relevant study or TCM injection were excluded from this study. Among a total of 941 studies collected during the search period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020, a total of 10 studies were selected for final analysis. In 1462 clinical data sets, ADR by gender was higher in males than females. By age, 41 to 60 years were the most common. The incidence of ADR by injection type was highest in the blood regulating injection type. Data analysis showed Xueshuantong injection had the highest ADR. Among the symptoms of ADR, skin diseases were the most common. The most common cause of ADR was the unreasonable use of drugs. In China, for ADR management, the use of TCM injections is recommended according to the basic principles for the clinical use of TCM injections established by the Chinese government. In this study, we analyzed the current status and causes of ADR in TCM injections, and found a preventive solution. It is expected that it can be used as basic data to increase the usability of pharmacopuncture and herbal medicines in Korea in the future.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.647-657
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• 2024

Gefitinib is the well-tolerated first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. As it needs analgesics during oncology treatment, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease, where patients are more susceptible to contract high fever and sore throat. This has increased the likelihood of taking both gefitinib and antipyretic analgesic acetaminophen (APAP). Given that gefitinib and APAP overdose can predispose patients to liver injury or even acute liver failure, there is a risk of severe hepatotoxicity when these two drugs are used concomitantly. However, little is known regarding their safety at therapeutic doses. This study simulated the administration of gefitinib and APAP at clinically relevant doses in an animal model and confirmed that gefitinib in combination with APAP exhibited additional hepatotoxicity. We found that gefitinib plus APAP significantly exacerbated cell death, whereas each drug by itself had little or minor effect on hepatocyte survival. Mechanistically, combination of gefitinib and APAP induces hepatocyte death via the apoptotic pathway obviously. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage accumulation are involved in hepatocyte apoptosis. Gefitinib plus APAP also promotes the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and downregulated the antioxidant factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), by inhibiting p62 expression. Taken together, this study revealed the potential ROS-mediated apoptosis-dependent hepatotoxicity effect of the combination of gefitinib and APAP, in which the p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway participates and plays an important regulatory role.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2001

In the result of investigating traditional chinese medical literatures to understand drug-processing about Pyritum, we could reach conclusions as follows: 1. Pyritum are divided into fresh Pyritum, calcining Pyritum, tempered Pyritum with vinegar by methods of drug-processing. 2. The methods of drug-procession about Pyritum like calcination, quenching, refining drugs with water or medicinal broth of Glycyrrhizae Radix(licorice), boiling with medicinal broth of Glycyrrhizae Radix(licorice) were used complicately. 3. Calcining Pyritum are grinded easily, convenient to apply a pill and powder and As, S are easily removed. Quenching Pyritum act on liver channel and then are reinforced the effects of relieving blood stasis, Pain and gushed out effecive ingredients. Refining Pyritum with water are reinforced the effect of tranquilizing the mind and clearing heat. above results indicates that using calcination, quenching and refining drugs with water together is the best method of drug-processing about Pyritum.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2023

Diabetes is an untreatable metabolic disorder characterized by alteration in blood sugar homeostasis, with submucosal insulin therapy being the primary treatment option. This route of drug administration is attributed to low patient comfort due to the risk of pain, distress, and local inflammation/infections. Nanoparticles have indeed been suggested as insulin carriers to allow the drug to be administered via less invasive routes other than injection, such as orally or nasally. The organic-based nanoparticles can be derived from various organic materials (for instance, polysaccharides, lipids, and so on) and thus are prevalently used to enhance the physical and chemical consistency of loaded bioactive compounds (drug) and thus their bioavailability. This review presents various forms of organic nanoparticles (for example, chitosan, dextron, gums, nanoemulsion, alginate, and so on) for enhanced hypoglycemic drug delivery relative to traditional therapies.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2015

With the diversification and internationalization of the food industry and the increased focus on health from a majority of consumers, food safety policies are being implemented based on scientific evidence. Risk analysis represents the most useful scientific approach for making food safety decisions. Total diet study (TDS) is often used as a risk assessment tool to evaluate exposure to hazardous elements. Many countries perform TDSs to screen for chemicals in foods and analyze exposure trends to hazardous elements. TDSs differ from traditional food monitoring in two major aspects: chemicals are analyzed in food in the form in which it will be consumed and it is cost-effective in analyzing composite samples after processing multiple ingredients together. In Korea, TDSs have been conducted to estimate dietary intakes of heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, persistent organic pollutants, and processing contaminants. TDSs need to be carried out periodically to ensure food safety.