Objectives : Medical qigong, originated from Mawangdui Daoyintu (馬王堆 導引圖), mainly consists of meditation, physical movements, and breathing exercises. It has been widely used to cure a variety of diseases as a regimen in Oriental medicine. This study was aimed to analyze the characteristics of medical qigong movements in the Mawangdui Daoyintu and to observe a link between each medical qigong movement and meridian system. Methods : We extracted fourteen medical qigong movements from forty-four figures in Mawangdui Daoyintu. We compared the 14 medical qigong movements of the Mawangdui Daoyintu with other types' movements of medical qigong methods. We also analyzed each movement of medical qigong in Mawangdui Daoyintu with a perspective of meridian system. Results : We found that there were common features between the medical qigong movements of the Mawangdui Daoyintu and other types' movements of medical qigong methods, including Yukjagyeol (六字訣), Paldangum (八段錦), Yukgengyeng (易筋經) and so on. From the comparison of each movement and meridian qi flow, we also found several movements related with Liver meridian and one movement related with several meridians. Conclusions : Our findings would be beneficial to understand the movements of medical qigong in the Mawangdui Daoyintu from the perspective of meridian system. This would be useful to develop a new medical qigong movements applying the meridian qi system for health and healing.

Background : Qigong is an energy-healing intervention used to prevent and cure ailments and to improve health through regular practice. Although qigong-neither itself nor its postulated mechanism of action-are within the paradigm of modern Western medical science, its effects on the human body could be possible. Objectives : This study aims to review the bibliography, biological responses and therapeutic effects of Qigong. In the process, this review will grasp trends in this field of studies and will direct further researches into the right direction. Method : The computerized Korean databases were searched from their respective inceptions up to January 2008. The search terms used were 'qi', 'qigong', 'doin', 'training', 'bioenergy', 'life nurturing' and random or Korean language terms related to qigong. Several specialized journals were also manually searched for relevant articles. Result : Since the 1990s, Qigong papers in the Korean Literature are increased. The articles on Korean traditional medicine had been published more than those on physical education or nursing etc. However, since the majority of the trials determine questionnaire, it was difficult to determine the efficacy of a specific intervention. The methodological quality of the trials was generally low (Jadad score: mean, 1.3; range, 1 to 4), questioning their reliability. Conclusions : More profound studies for Qigong are needed. Further rigorous clinical trials with more objective outcome measures that include sham procedures should be performed. Specifically, we think it should be clinical studies and qualitative research methods for evaluation are needed.

Objective : To make comprehensive picture of clinical trials using moxibustion and their results by today, then help a strategy for moxibustion-derived clinical studies in the future. Methods : Surveyed literatures containing randomized controled clinical trial (RCT) from PubMed and Korean journals. Analysis was performed according to distribution mainly by study subject, target diseases, study design, and its efficacy. Results : Fifty two literatures were selected according to inclusion criteria of randomized controled clinical study. Moxibustion-derived RCT have been rapidly increased from 2003 since the first was published in China in 1992. The main subjects of RCT are associated with immunity, cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis and urogenital disorders, which are connected to cold-elated pathogenesis. The average number of subjects was 94, and direct-moxibustion was mainly applied. The control groups were set up by giving conventional therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture or only observation. The most of RCTs showed positive results. Conclusions : This study would be helpful for designing or conducting RCTs to develop the scientific development of moxibustion.

Objectives : It is considered not easy to diagnose the condition of acupoints or meridians. Oriental Medical instruments have rarely complied with Oriental Medical diagnostic/therapeutic theories. The aim of this study was to develop a system which measures meridian electric potential(MEP) in proportion to bio-electric charge for the purpose of Oriental Medical diagnosis. Method : To evaluate a meridian energy measurement system(MEMS), we carried out a performance test. For significance test, we conducted a clinical trial which measured the MEP of ST36(Chok-samni) on Stomach Meridian(ST). Results & Conclusions : We could evaluate the balance or the imbalance of the MEPs on the left/right ST36. Also, through the comparison of MEPs before and after meals, we could identify the correlation between the MEP and the condition of internal organs. Namely, MEP reflects the condition of acupoints/meridians and internal organs, therefore, we propose this new method for measuring and analyzing the condition of meridians and acupoints for Oriental Medical diagnosis.

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Dianthi Semen Herba herbal-acupuncture (DS-HA) at KI10 (Umgok) on nephritis induced by LPS in rat. Methods : Rats were injected with LPS and treated with DS-HA at KI10 3 times for a week(DS-HA), N.P. group was treated 26 gauge needle at KI10, saline group was treated with normal saline at KI10. To estimate the effects of DS-HA at KI10 on nephritis in rats, WBC, neutrophils in blood, BUN, creatinine TNF-${\alpha}$, CINC-1 in serum, urinal volume and creatinean and total protein in urine, reanl TNF-${\alpha}$, renal MPO were measured and histological analysis of renal tissue was performed. Results : DS-HA at KI10 significantly decreased WBC and neutrophil in blood and BUN and creatinin in serum, MPO in kidney, and significantly increased urinary volume in LPS-stimulated rats. DS-HA at KI10 reduced accumulation of neutrophil in renal tissue of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions : Taken together, DS-HA at KI10 has a protective or therapeutic effect for nephritis in LPS-stimulated rat. Therefore, it is suggested that DS-HA at KI10 may be an useful therapeutics in clinical field after further researches.

Objective : In 1960's Bonghan Kim's team found BongHan(BH) ducts which were presumed as acupuncture meridians and BH corpuscles. They asserted Bonghan theory and SanAl theory which was involved in cell division and cell restoration. However, many other experiments which had been operated to demonstrate and find the existence of BH ducts had failed because of the secret of blue stain drugs. During the last several years, BongHan theory has been revived through experimental researches to find the anatomical structures of BH ducts and corpuscles by Soh's Biomedical Physics Lab. Soh's research team used the staining with Janus Green B, Alcian blue, nanoparticles and Acridine Orange. We used DAPI staining to find the existence of BH ducts and the corpuscles and to observe nuclear arrangement. Methods : We used japan white rabbits as experimental animals. BH ducts and corpuscles were stained with DAPI. The nucleus configuration in BH ducts stained with DAPI were observed with microscope. Results : In this study, we found thread like structures in silver white color distinguished from the blood vessels, nerves and lymph vessels. These thread like vessels in the linear duct shape were connected to same colored mass in the ball shape. Thread like structures we found could be separated easily from the surrounding other organ mass. The nuclei of the thread like structure in DAPI staining, are about 10${\sim}$20${\mu}m$ length, in rod shape and linear arrangement. Conclusion : We concluded that the thread like structure we found was same vessel reported by Soh's research team, BongHan ducts and corpuscle.

Objective & Methods : The present study was to investigate the effect of Moutan Cortex Radicis Herbal-acupuncture (MCR-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis induced by high fat diet in rats. Results : 1. Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture infusion solution (MCR-HAS) increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased serum total cholesterol level, and increased serum phospholipid/total cholesterol in rats with high fat diet. 3. MCR-HA at GB34 decreased atherogenic index in rats with high fat diet. 4. MCR-HA at GB34 increased hepatic catalase activity in rats with high fat diet. Conclusion : These results suggested that Moutan Cortex Radicis herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and related complications in rats with high fat diet.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of high frequency electro-acupuncture (hf-EA) at Yanglingquan(GB34) on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. Methods : The author performed several experimental items, including measurements of body weight and liver weight, hematological analysis for RBC, WBC, PLT, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and biochemical assays for ALT, AST, ALP and total cholesterol in serum, and histological analysis of liver tissue. Results & Conclusion : 1. WBC level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 2. Lymphocyte level in blood was decreased by $CCl_4$-intoxication and significantly increased by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 3. Neutrophils level in blood was slightly reduced by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 4. ALT and AST in serum were reduced significantly by acupuncture and hf-EA at GB34. 5. The pathological changes of liver tissue induced by $CCl_4$ was reduced by hf-EA at GB34. 6. No significant difference was found between the effects of acupuncture and hf-EA on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.

Objectives : We studied anti-allergic effects of Cinnamomi Ramulus(CR) herbal acupuncture and Cinnamomi Ramulus extract. Methods : In vivo, animals were herbal-acupunctured with CR at both ST36s three times for 5 days. Then, we induced active systemic anaphylatic shock using compound 48/80 in ICR mice, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis using anti-DNP IgE in Sprague Dawley rat. In vitro, we measured cell viability, ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase release and the expressions of IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of various concentrations of CR extract. Results : In vivo, CR herbal acupuncture pretreatments at both ST36s inhibited compound 48/80-induced active systemic anaphylatic shock. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was inhibited by CR herbal acupuncture pretreatments at both ST36s and optional points. In vitro, CR extract treatments did not affect on cell viability and inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. CR extract treatments also decreased the expressions of IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that CR herbal acupuncture and CR extract should be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal-acupuncture with Lycii Fructus (LF-HA) at KI10 (Eumgok) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) ddy mice. We carried out several experimental items which were known to be related with osteoporosis. Results : 1. Tibial BMD was significantly increased in the LF-HA group. 2. Tibial Ca level was significantly increased in the LF-HA group. 3. Osteoclast like cell in tibia was significantly decreased in the LF-HA group. 4. Histological change of tibia was improved, the trabecular bone thickness was significantly increased and the growth plate length was significantly decreased in the LF-HA group. Conclusion : These results suggest that LF-HA at KI10 has therapeutic effects on osteoporosis especially by way of suppressing osteoclast cells in ovariectomized ddy mice.