In Korea, Rhus verniciflua Stokes is used to purge hardness, alleviate blood stasis, and treat cancer. However, the mechanisms of related anti-cancer activity are not fully understood in human cancer cells. This study investigated the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of Rhus verniciflua Stokes on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and found that treatment with a Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract resulted in time- and concentration-responses that indicated growth inhibition of breast cancer cells by induced apoptosis. This was followed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential; the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9; and the up-regulation of tBid. Caspase-dependent apoptosis was induced through the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the Akt signaling pathway. This study provides evidence that Rhus verniciflua Stokes might be useful for the treatment of breast cancer.

Objectives: This study provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of essential tremors (ETs) using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Nine databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, OASIS, NDSL, CNKI, Wanfang, J-STAGE, and CiNii) and the keywords "Essential tremor", "Benign tremor", "Familial tremor", and "Acupuncture" were used to compile RCTs that used acupuncture to treat ETs. Studies that were not RCTs, such as case studies, reviews, and essays, were excluded. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed. Results: Initially, 819 studies were found, but 773 were excluded after title and abstract screening. After further screening of the resulting 46 papers, eight RCTs were selected that had been published between 2003 and 2016, and the total effective rate (TER) was used as the primary evaluation method for all eight studies. It was found that the TER was significantly higher in treatment groups (83.33-96.7%) than in control groups (56.5-80.0%), and seven studies included in the meta-analysis showed positive results for acupuncture for ETs (Risk Ratio: 1.43, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-1.69, P<0.0001) Confidence Interval. Conclusions: This meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that acupuncture is effective for treating ET patients; however, further studies are needed or larger populations to prove its effectiveness.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of Raynaud's disease. Methods: This review was conducted using nine electronic databases (CINAHL, CiNii, CNKI, EMBASE, J-STAGE, NDSL, OASIS, PubMed, and WANFANG) and the keywords "Raynaud's disease", "Raynaud disease", "acupuncture", and "needling". Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture for Raynaud's disease were included, and the methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results: After screening, six RCTs were selected among 67, and the total effective rate and peripheral blood flow were used as evaluation methods. In five studies, the total effective rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. In three studies, peripheral blood flow was higher in the intervention group than in the control group, with two studies being statistically significant and the remaining study not being statistically significant. Conclusions: Acupuncture could be a suitable treatment without adverse effects for Raynaud's disease because it improves peripheral blood flow. However, further studies, including randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind methods, and clear evaluation criteria are needed.

Objectives: This study assessed the application of Oryung-san (Wuling-san or Gorei-san), a common diuretic in traditional medicine, as an antihypertensive agent. Methods: Experimental studies of the pharmacological properties of Oryung-san, including diuretic action and lowering effects on blood pressure, and toxicology and clinical trials were reviewed. Results: In pharmacology, various, relatively safe diuretics are used to lower blood pressure and are the oldest and most studied antihypertensive agents. Despite many new drug approvals, antihypertensive diuretics are frequently used in Korea and Japan where high levels of sodium uptake are common. Oryung-san has been demonstrated to have diuretic, antihypertensive, and nephroprotective effects. Conclusions: Oryung-san might be effective for lowering blood pressure based on the results of this literature review. Further evaluations and large-scale clinical trials of Oryung-san to treat primary hypertension are warranted.

Objectives: This study evaluated the correlation between taste function and spleen qi deficiency in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and compared subgroups of BMS (i.e., dysgeusia and non-dysgeusia subgroups). Methods: This study included 60 participants categorized into two groups: a BMS group and healthy control (HC) group. Taste threshold was measured within six levels using solutions of four basic taste qualities. Subjects' Oral Health Impact Profiles (OHIPs-14) and Spleen qi Deficiency Questionnaire (SQDQ) scores were analyzed. Results: Taste thresholds for sweet (sucrose) and salty (NaCl) tastes were significantly lower in the BMS group than in the HC group, but sour (citric acid) and bitter (quinine HCl) tastes showed no significant differences between groups. In the dysgeusia and non-dysgeusia subgroups, no significant differences in the four basic taste thresholds were found. SQDQ scores were significantly higher in the BMS group compared to the HC and in the dysgeusia group compared to the non-dysgeusia group. OHIPs-14 and SQDQ scores for the BMS group were significantly and positively correlated. Conclusions: Spleen qi deficiency is related to taste function and can be used to treat BMS patients with taste dysfunction.

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Douchi Hataedock on Th2-skewed conditions to control allergic rhinitis. Methods: NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups: 10 mice were assigned to the control group (CTRL; no treatment), 10 mice to allergic rhinitis-induced (ARE) without treatment group, and 10 mice to the allergic rhinitis-induced (FGT) after Douchi Hataedock treatment group. The 3-week-old mice of the FGT group were given one 10 mg/kg dose of Douchi Hataedock extract and resensitized to allergic antigens at weeks four, five, and six. Allergic rhinitis was induced primarily in mice nasal cavities for five days after one week of final sensitization. The second induction used the same method one week after the first induction was completed. After one week, the nasal mucosal tissues of each group were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, STAT6, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, p-IkB, and iNOS in the nasal mucosa was also performed. Results: The FGT group had less respiratory epithelial damage and less mucin secretion in goblet cells than the ARE group and showed a 62% decrease in IL-4, 85% decrease in STAT6, 71% decrease in CD40, 69% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 43% decrease in substance P, 49% decrease in MMP-9, 43% decrease in NF-kB p65, 38% decrease in p-IkB, and 73% decrease in iNOS compared to the ARE group. Conclusions: Douchi Hataedock lessens inflammation in epithelial and goblet cells and reduces inflammatory mediator secretion in a mouse allergic rhinitis model.

Objectives: This study provides evidence for clinical practices by analyzing present clinical Korean medicine articles about benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Methods: Articles published up to July, 2017 were found by searching "BPPV", "Benign positions", and "Vertigo" as keywords in three domestic electric databases (i.e., OASIS, NDSL, RISS). Results: The initial search resulted in 228 articles; however, only 20 articles satisfied the selection criteria and were analyzed. Of these, 40% were published in the Journal of Korean Oriental Internal Medicine, and 35% were published in 2003. When diagnosing BPPV patients, VAS scores are primarily used for clinical assessments rather than objective diagnostic tools. Banhabaekchulcheonmatang was the most frequent herbal medicine used to treat BPPV, and the most commonly used therapeutic acupuncture point was Jok-samni (ST36). The most common diagnosis of BPPV was dam-eum according to nine studies. Conclusions: Systematic and large-scale research for the standardization of BPPV treatment is needed.

Objectives: This clinical study reports the effects of Cheonggansoyo-san (CSS) on three patients with glossodynia. Methods: Three patients with glossodynia were treated with CSS (i.e., an herbal medicine) and acupuncture. Numeric rating scales (NRSs) for glossodynia and dry mouth and hwa-byung questionnaire scores were evaluated, and the results from heart rate variability (HRV) evaluations were analyzed. Results: After treatment with CSS, three patients' glossodynia symptoms, such as burning sensations, tingling, and numbness of the tongue, were improved. NRS ratings for glossodynia and dry mouth and the hwa-byung questionnaire scores also improved, and HRV parameters were closer to the normal range. Conclusion: Cheonggansoyo-san could be used to treat glossodynia.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of traditional Korean medicine on a patient with hyperthyroidism, who could not use antithyroid medication due to an adverse reaction to methimazole. Methods: Herbal medicine was administered and acupuncture was carried out. A thyroid function test was used to evaluate the effects of the treatment. Results: After treatment with traditional Korean medicine and therapy, the patient showed significant improvements in symptoms and FT4 levels. Conclusion: This case proved that traditional Korean medicine can be used for patients who have adverse reactions to antithyroid medication; however, studies of larger populations are required in the future.

Objectives: This study describes how two patients diagnosed with type-II diabetes mellitus were successfully treated using herbal medicine. Methods: The patients were given Yuldahanso-tang to reduce the effects of Taeumin's dry-febrile symptom. Results: Type-II diabetes mellitus symptoms experienced by patients with Taeumin's dry-febrile symptom included thirst, fatigue, weight loss, and numbness in the hands and feet. After administering Yuldahanso-tang, all numerical levels for blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glycosuria, and proteinuria recovered to within normal levels. Conclusions: Treatment of patients with Taeumin's dry-febrile symptom and type-II diabetes mellitus with Yuldahanso-tang was effective, and this new evidence supports the use of herbal medicine for treating such patients.

Objectives: Gastro-esophageal reflux-induced chronic cough is not easy to diagnose and treat. In this study, three patients diagnosed with this disease were treated with Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san. Methods: Three patients with chronic cough, suspected to be gastro-esophageal and reflux-based, were diagnosed according to symptoms and abdominal examinations. They were treated with the herbal medicine, Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for measuring the severity of a cough and the Korean version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-K) were used to determine the patients' quality of life. Results: After administration of Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san, the severity of the patients' coughing decreased based on VAS scores and quality of life improved based on LCQ-K scores for all patients. Conclusions: Ojeok-san plus Saengmaek-san is a potent therapeutic agent for gastro-esophageal reflux-induced chronic cough.

Objectives: This study discusses the effects of constitution therapy on adolescent ulcerative colitis. Methods: A 12-year-old male patient was treated with western medication for six months and herbal medicine for one year and six years; however, his abdominal pain, mucousy stool, bloody stool, and diarrhea persisted. He was diagnosed as having Taeumin according to Sasang constitution classification and treated with Sasang constitutional medicine (i.e., Yeuldahanso-tang and food restrictions based on constitutional medicine theory). Before the first treatment, his Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score was 35, but this score decreased to 15 within six months and was maintained at 10 by 18 months of treatment. He took the herbal medication for 38 months, and his PUCAI score was 0 at the end of treatment. His liver functioned normally despite long-term drug use, and a follow-up colonoscopy showed no ulcerative colitis except melanosis, which was presumed to be caused by the herbal medicine. Ulcerative colitis in pediatric adolescents requires treatment with pharmacotherapy and dietary control based on constitutional medicine to maintain disease remission. Conclusions: Constitutional therapy is effective for treating adolescent ulcerative colitis. More clinical data are needed for patients with ulcerative colitis.