This paper aims to reinterpret an ancient Chinese medical book called "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine" (Hwangjenaegyeong in Korean) from the perspective of melatonin and antioxidant action. In the main body of the paper, we will first explain the changes in circadian rhythms according to the seasons through the first chapter of Somun "Sagijosindaelon". Spring, summer, autumn, and winter are introduced, and their relevance to disease is discussed. Next, the role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in regulating circadian rhythms in mammals and the synchronization of peripheral clocks with seasonal changes is described. The relationship between light stimulation and melatonin synthesis is then addressed, noting that melatonin synthesis is normally inhibited in the presence of light and produced in the dark. However, recent studies have shown that there are more forms of melatonin that are produced in the presence of sunlight. Finally, it emphasizes the effect of light exposure on the biological clock and the importance of melatonin produced in the mitochondria, suggesting that we should focus on increasing melatonin levels. This paper reinterprets "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine" from the perspective of melatonin metabolism and provides insights into healthy living.

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Levodopa has a good effect for a period of two to five years, but long-term use reduces the effectiveness of the drug and accompanies side effects. To date, there is no strategy that has been able of fundamental treatment of Parkinson's disease. We developed Hepad S9-1 composed of 5 herbal materials (Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Uncaria sinensis Havil, Spatholobus suberectus Dunn, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer). This in vitro study was conducted to search a novel disease-modifying drug, observing the effect of Hepad S9-1, a plant derived compounds on the apoptotic process of PC12 cells which was induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine the effect of MMP+ or Hepad S9-1 on cell viability in PC12 cells. In addition, we examined cell protective effect of Hepad S9-1 in MPP+-induced PC12 cells. And gene and protein expression level of various factors that regulate apoptosis were confirmed by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. As a result of the study, Hepad S9-1 significantly inhibited MPP+-induced neuronal cell death. Also, Hepad S9-1 inhibited apoptosis-inducing Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) gene and protein expression, cytochrome C protein expression, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activation. In addition, the neuroprotective ability was objectively confirmed by up-regulating the genes and proteins expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xl) that defend at apoptosis. Therefore, it seems that Hepad S9-1 can be additionally applied to the treatment of Parkinson's disease to suppress the progression of dopaminergic neuronal cell death.

Renal fibrosis (RF) is a prominent pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD), characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, resulting in progressive renal function loss. The fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) plays a pivotal role in renal fibrosis pathogenesis, driving aberrant deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and disruption of tissue architecture. Targeting FMT has emerged as a promising strategy to combat renal fibrosis and preserve kidney function. Silymarin, a flavonoid extract derived from Silybum marianum seeds, has gained attention for its therapeutic potential, particularly in liver diseases, due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its effects on FMT remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of silymarin in inhibiting FMT in NRK-49F renal interstitial fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) plays a crucial role in promoting FMT through the activation of intracellular signaling pathways and induction of key fibrotic markers, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin. Silymarin demonstrated significant downregulation of FMT markers, including α-SMA and vimentin, in TGF-β1-stimulated NRK-49F cells. Our findings highlight silymarin as a promising therapeutic candidate for mitigating renal fibrosis and managing CKD.

We conducted an online survey to understand the current status of Korean Medicine clinical practice related to Gastric Cancer(GC) to develop the GC Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Using the self-written survey method of the online survey platform, subjects who wanted to participate in the survey for adults aged 19 or older used to answer each questionnaire online from September 20 to October 22, 2021. All raw data were systematically cleaned and analyzed. A total of 134 respondents participated in the online survey, and all respondents had experience in gastric cancer treatment. We also obtained data related to the specific methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis management for gastric cancer patients used at various sites of care. This online survey will help us develop a GC CPG that will contribute to the standardization of Korean Medicine guidelines and improve their reliability. Our findings will provide valuable data and resources for future clinical studies on GC.

This study examined the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment with Mutong(No-pain) pharmacopuncture (MP) as the main treatment for a patient with plantar fasciitis. A 58-year-old man diagnosed with plantar fasciitis visited OOO KM clinic with pain in his right heel that persisted even after 2 months of physical therapy from more than 6 months after the onset, and underwent 4 treatments focusing on MP. Treatment effect was measured by NRS, FFI, PDI, and EQ-VAS. All scores improved after treatment. In particular, about 70% of symptoms improved at the first treatment, and improved to an asymptomatic state at the end of treatment. No recurrence of symptoms was confirmed until about 4 months after the end of treatment. This study suggests that KM treatment focusing on MP may reduce pain and improve function in a short period of time in patients with plantar fasciitis. More evidence will be needed.