Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Goryeon-hwan (GRH), which is mentioned in ≪Donguibogam≫ that treats leukorrhea. Methods: In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of GRH was evaluated by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and ROS production through RAW264.7 cells. The concentration of GRH cytotoxicity was confirmed through the cell viability of RAW264.7 cells, and the production of NO, the production of Cytokine through ELISA assay, and the expression of genes through Real-time PCR were measured to evaluate anti-inflammatory efficacy. Protein phosphorylation and protein expression were measured through Western blot analysis. Results: As a result of the experiment, GRH contained polyphenol and flavonoid, and concentration-dependent increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production. The anti-inflammatory efficacy measurement results showed a significant decrease in NO and Cytokine production in the GRH administration group compared to the control group. In terms of gene expression and protein expression, there was a significant decrease in iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α depending on the concentration, and a significant increase in HO-1 and NQO1. Protein phosphorylation measurements showed a concentration-dependent significant decrease in the GRH group at ERK and p38. Conclusions: As a result, the study experimentally confirmed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GRH, suggesting that it may be used as a treatment for various gynecological inflammatory diseases including vaginitis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of case reports published in the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology from April 2019 to February 2024, compared with January 2015 to March 2019. Methods: Case reports were selected by searching from archive on the website of society of the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology. The quality of the case reports were assessed based on CAse REport (CARE) guideline. Results: A total of 30 case reports was finally included for the assessment. Overall quality of reporting for case reports published from April 2019 to February 2024 was improved compared to one of previous study. However, the 4 items of CARE guidelines with an unreported rate of 50% or more - patient's perspective on interventions (96.67%), diagnostic challenges (93.33%), intervention adherence and tolerability (93.33%), adverse events (56.67%) - are items that require active description in future case reports. In addition, Keyword and timeline have more than 50% reported to be 'Not-sufficient' in both previous and present studies. So active efforts by researchers are needed to include 'Case report (or Case study)' in keywords, and to include intervention by period, symptom changes in a timeline. Conclusions: Despite the overall improvement in the quality of reporting in the Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, efforts to improve the quality of case reports should be continued.

Objectives: This systematic review of animal studies was designed to examine the therapeutic mechanisms of herbal medicines of insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome and composition of them. Methods: Studies were searched from PubMed, CNKI and Medline up to February 2024. Data was extracted and organized as animal model characteristics, treatment period, experimental and control group settings, evaluation index of treatment, therapeutic mechanism of herbal medicine and Composition of prescription. Results: In the 15 studies finally selected, the herbal medicine used in the study was effective in regulating the insulin resistance index, sex hormones and blood lipid index and improving the histological morphology of the ovaries. The herbal medicine prescriptions used in each of the 15 papers were different, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (丹參), Wolfiporia cocos (茯苓) and Epimedii Herba (淫羊藿) were most frequently used herbs, 7 times. Conclusions: The results showed that herbal medicine is effective in treating insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome through several mechanisms. The herbs used in more than 4 papers had effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, estradiol hormone production control and glycolipid metabolism control. More diverse clinical studies on insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome are needed.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of urinary incontinence treatment using catgut embedding therapy. Methods: Using electronic databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, and CAJ, we looked for randomized controlled trials that treated urinary incontinence with catgut embedding that were published between January 2000 and December 2023. The chosen clinical studies' interventions and outcomes were examined. Results: Ultimately, eight randomized controlled trials met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Treatment group was treated with catgut embedding alone in 3 studies, and with Biofeedback Electrical Stimulation Therapy (Biofeedback EST), Kegel exercises, Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Injection in 5 studies. Control group was treated with Biofeedback EST, Kegel exercises, Herbal Medicine, Vitamin B, Electroacupuncture (EA), Denitine Tolterodine Tartrat with Bladder Drill, Tension-free Vaginal Tape Obturator (TVT-O) and Acupoint Injection Therapy. Outcome measures are total efficacy rate, Urine pad test, Urinary frequency, Maximum bladder capacity, VRP, POP-Q, etc. 關元 (CV4) was the most frequently used acupoint in catgut embedding therapy. In all of 8 studies, treatment group was more effective for urinary incontinence than the control group. Conclusions: According to this study, catgut embedding may be useful in enhancing the therapeutic outcome for urine incontinence, either by itself or in conjunction with standard medical treatment.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review the acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. Methods: We searched articles in 3 search engines with keywords related to 'Polycystic ovary syndrome', 'PCOS', and 'Stein-leventhal' in February 2024. Clinical researches and case reports that used acupuncture on PCOS were included. Animal studies and non clinical data were excluded. Data on acupuncture treatment such as methods, site, duration, frequency, and period were analyzed. Results: Of 60 selected articles, there were 51 randomized controlled trials, 5 clinical trials and 4 case reports. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture, electro acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, warm needling and laser acupuncture. Most studies used more than one acupoint, and there were 78 acupoints selected for acupuncture treatment for PCOS. The most commonly used acupoint was 三陰交 (SP6)(n=50). By analyzing the network of acupoints, 關元 (CV4), 氣海 (CV6), 中脘 (CV12), 三陰交 (SP6), 血海 (SP10), 天樞 (ST25), 足三里 (ST36) were located in center of the network. The mean treatment time, number of treatments, and duration were 28.63±4.48 minutes, 34.52±29.26 times, and 98.18±38.25 days. Conclusions: The results of this study could be useful in establishing the evidence for performing standardized acupuncture treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: This study is aimed to survey public's experience of medical use for developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline of female infertility. Methods: The study engaged women who had experienced infertility despite regular conjugal relations, selected from an online survey company's national panel. Participants were surveyed from November 3 to 8, 2021. The questionnaire, developed from prior studies on Korean medicine, was emailed to 29,465 adults; 550 responses were analyzed after exclusions. The study received an IRB exemption from Pusan National University Korean Medicine Hospital and utilized Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis. Results: Among 550 respondents, 32.2% had experienced infertility, predominantly due to unexplained causes (52%). About half had received medical treatment (49.3%), primarily at hospitals and general hospitals (54.2%) and obstetrics and gynecology clinics (49.4%), with Korean medicine facilities also utilized (24.7% for clinics, 14.4% for hospitals). The most common treatments included herbal medicine in Korean medicine and ovulation induction in Western medicine, with most treatments lasting less than six months (71.4%) and costing between 1 to 5 million won (50.5%). Efforts to conceive included lifestyle adjustments such as maintaining a warm lower abdomen, supplement intake, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Conclusions: It is necessary that the guidelines be revised to address female infertility and to integrate recommendations for combining Korean medical treatments and Western medical treatments, which will enhance patient care in managing female infertility.

Objectives: This research aimed at investigating the trends of acupuncture treatment for Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) patients in IVF. Methods: Studies were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI up to April 2024. Terms as 'Implantation failure', 'Recurrent implantation failure', 'Repeated implantation failure', 'RIF' and 'Acupuncture', 'Electroacupuncture', 'Needling' were used. Results: Of 136 screened, 10 studies are selected and analyzed. Studies were conducted using manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture. The results showed that acupuncture (electroacupuncture) treatment for RIF patients is effective in improving clinical pregnancy rate, endometrial blood flow, uterus morphology, endometrium thickness. The most frequently used acupoints were 三陰交 (SP6) and 子宮 (EX-CA1). Conclusions: Included studies showed that acupuncture (electroacupuncture) might have effect on RIF. Further research and meta-analysis should be conducted to verify its therapeutic mechanisms and safety.