Objectives The aim of this study was to make an analysis of clinical characteristics and status of Sasang constitutional medicine of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who visited a Korean medicine hospital. Methods We studied 287 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who visited a Korean medicine hospital from March 1, 2010 to February 30, 2012. We retrospectively collected medical history and characteristics of subjects using data of EMR (electronic medical record). Results The proportion of female was higher than male. Most patients was suffered from chronic gastrointestinal disorder. And they were not under western medicine treatment. Among the 287 patients, 139 persons (48.43%) were Soyangin, 88 persons (30.66%) Taeeumin and 60 persons Soeumin (20.91%). The proportion of Soyangin was higher than other Sasang types. In the distribution of prescription according Sasang Constitutional Medicine symptomatology, the proportion of exterior disease's prescription was higher than interior disease in Soyangin (93.53%). And the proportion of interior disease's prescription was higher than exterior disease in Taeeumin (75.86%) and Soeumin (95.00%). The majority of disease were Gyolhyung-symptom (51.54%) and Mangeum-syndrome (46.15%) of exterior disease in Soyangin, Dry-febrile symptom (73.56%) of interior disease in Taeeumin, and Taeeum-syndrome (95.00%) of interior disease in Soeumin. Conclusions By analyzing on clinical characteristics and distribution of Sasang Constitutional Medicine symptomatology could contribute to the development of guideline for treatment of gastrointestinal disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine.

Objectives The aim of this study is to develop a Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire (KS-15) with practicality and validity. Methods The data of body shape, temperament and symptoms were collected from 11 nationwide multi-centers in Korean Medical Clinics between Nov. 2009 to Aug. 2012. KS-15 algorithm was developed through Multinomial Logistic Regression and was applied for test group to verify it's classificatory function. Results The weight value of variables of KS-15 were different between male and female. The concordance of KS-15 with the expert in training group was 58.34% (72.8% in Tae-eumin, 54.8% in Soeumin, and 44.1% in Soyangin). The concordance of KS-15 with the expert in test group was 63.1% (63% in Tae-eumin, 83.3% in Soeumin, and 51.9% in Soyangin). Conclusions KS-15 seems to have suitable implement with practicality and validity. Further study is necessary to verify it accuracy and cut-off.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to design a research to find clinical factors involved in the decision-making process for determining the constitutional prescription based on prospective clinical data. Methods We have created a draft of the case report form. Therefore, seven constitutional experts was interviewed for additional items to be important used to determine the constitutional prescription in clinic. Interviews were done from December 2012 to March 2014, experts per person 2-3 times, took time of about 120 minutes per interview. Since then, we developed the final case report form through the expert meeting. At the same time, the developing the electronic case report form (eCRF) and the protocol to collect constitutional treatment cases was also discussed. Results & Conclusions The items of the case report form were subject general, lifestyle, health measurement, record of expert, prescription and evaluation after medication. The part of the clinical symptoms of the record of expert allowed to be recorded in the 5-point scale for the collection of quantitative data as much as possible. Assuming a re-visit of the patient, if necessary, twice the recording were to be possible. At the same time, the eCRF and the protocol to collect constitutional treatment cases were also developed. In this study, it will be able to more objectively standardize the medical decision making process that the experts of constitutional prescription decision. As a result, it will be possible to provide the standardized constitutional medical services.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out whether or not there are differences of effects when we count breaths on inspiration or expiration, and how differently the effects show up according to gender or Sasang Constitution Methods A group of 79 participants were enrolled and diagnosed Sasang Constitution by Sasang Constitution Diagnosis System of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. Physical responses to respiratory changes were measured by Biofeedback sensors that were attached to the participants while they were seated comfortably on a sofa and breathing normally without counting for 5 minutes, counting on inspiration for 5 minutes, and counting on expiration for 5 minutes. Results and Conclusions 1. Mean heart rate and respiration rate decreased in association with breathing counting on inspiration and expiration more than breathing normally without counting. Especially respiration rate was stabilized during counting on inspiration and mean heart rate was stabilized during counting on expiration. 2. Interaction between breathing methods and gender did not appear. In comparison between gender, LF/HF ratio was higher in male during breathing normally without counting and counting on inspiration. Body temperature was higher in male during counting on inspiration and expiration. 3. Interaction between breathing methods and Sasang Constitution did not appear. In comparison between Sasang Constitution, mean heart rate was higher in Soyang-in, Soeum-in than Taeeum-in and abdominal amplitude was lower in Taeeum-in than Soeum-in.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GalGunSeungGi-Tang (GST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) induced by 2,4-dintrochlorobenzone (DNCB) Methods In this study, The changes of body weight, ear weight, ear thickness, spleen weight, dorsum skin thickness, symptom score by eyesight, histological finding, proliferation rates of splenocyte in vitro and in vivo are investigated to check effects of GST. The mice are divided into four group; Normal (naive mice), Control (DW administered), GST-L (GST 500mg/Kg/day administered), GST-H (GST 1,000mg/Kg/day administered). Results GST inhibited weight of ear significantly (P < 0.05) and also thickness (P < 0.01). In addition, There are significant decrease in thickness of dorsum skin and proliferation rates of splenocyte in vivo in GST administered group. Finally, GST reduced symptom score and hyperkeratosis, hyperpigmentation, increase of granulocyte and parakeratosis in histological finding. Conclusions These results suggest that GST can decrease symptoms of ACD.

Objectives This study aimed to observe the effect of Taeumjowi-tang on the cisplatin-induced gastrointestinal dysfunctions in rats. Methods Four groups, each of 8 rats per group, were used in this study. Saline and distilled water treated control rats were intact vehicle control group. Delayed gastrointestinal motility was induced by intraperitoneal treatment of cisplatin 2mg/kg, once a week for 5 weeks(Cisplatin control group). Taeumjowi-tang aqueous extracts(TJ) were orally administered in a volume of 5ml/kg, once a day for 14 days from 4th cisplatin treatment(TJ group). Ondansetron 1mg/kg was subcutaneously treated, in a volume of 1ml/kg, as same as TJ(ondansetron group). We measured the body weights, intestinal charcoal transit ratio, fecal parameters, fundus MDA(malondialdehyde), GSH(glutathione) contents and SOD(superoxide dismutase), CAT(catalase) activities, TPH(tryptophanhydroxylase) and MAO(monoamine oxidase) activities, pyloric gastrin and serotonin contents with their immunoreactive cells, colonic serotonin-immunoreactive cells, the histopathology of pylorus, fundus mucosa and colon. Results 1) The body weight gains, the small intestinal charcoal transfer rates, the fecal parameters(numbers, weights and water contents) were increased in TJ, ondansetron group. 2) The inhibit of fundus antioxidant defense systems by cisplatin were decreased in TJ, ondansetron group. 3) The pyloric TPH activities were increased and the pyloric MAO activities were decreased in TJ group. 4) The pyloric gastric contents and the gastrin-immunoreactive cells were increased and the pyloric serotonin contents and the pyloric and colonic serotonin-immunoreactive cells were decreased in TJ group. 5) The pylorus atrophic changes and the gastric surface erosive damage regions by cisplatin were favorably inhibited by treatment of TJ group. Conclusions The results obtained in this study suggest that TJ favorably retarded the cisplatin related GI(gastrointestinal) dysfunctions and constipation through modulations of GI enterochromaffin cells, serotonin and gastrin-producing cells and antioxidative systems.

Objectives To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of modified Yuldahanso-tang (MYH) in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. Methods 1) Four groups (each of 8 rats per group) were used in this study. 2) The neuroprotective effect of MYH was examined in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. C57BL/6 mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 30 mg/kg/day), intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 5 days. 3) The brains of 2 mice per group were removed and frozen at $-20^{\circ}C$, and the striatum-substantia nigra part was seperated. The protein volume was measured by Bradford method following Bio-Rad protein analyzing kit. Using mouse/Rat Dopamine ELISA Assay Kit. 4) The brains of 2 mice per group were separated and removed. TH-immunohistochemical was examined in the MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of MYH on ST and SNpc. 5) Two mice out of each group were anesthetized and skulls were opened from occipital to frontal direction to take out the brains. The brains added TTC solution for 20 minutes for staining. 6) The water tank used for morris water maze test was filled with $28^{\circ}C$ water, and a round platform of 10cm in diameter was installed for mice to step on. The study was carried out once a day within 30 seconds, keep exercising to step on the platform in the pool. 7) The brains of two mice out of each group were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and paraphillin substance was infiltrated. They were fragmented by microtome, and observed under an optical microscope after Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. 8) A round acrylic cylinder with its upper side open was filled with clean water and depressive mouse models were forced to swim for 15 minutes. After 24 hours the animals were put in the same equipment for 5 minutes and were forced to swim. 9) The convenient, simple, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determination of Neurotransmitters in MPTP-MYH group. Results 1) MYH possess Dopamine cell protective effect on MPTP-induced injury in striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta. 2) MYH inhibits the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreacitive (TH-IR) cells in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. 3) MYH possesses improvement effect on MPTP-induced memory deterioration in C57BL/6 mice through the reduction of prolongated Sort of lost time by MPTP injection using the Morris water maze test. 4) MYH possesses hippocampal neuron protective effect on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. 5) MYH possesses improvement effect on MPTP-induced motor behaviour deficits and depression in C57BL/6 mice through the reduction of prolongated losing motion by MPTP injection using the Forced swimming test. 6) MYH increases serotonin product amount on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions This experiment suggests that the neuroprotective effect of MYH is mediated by the increase in Dopamin, TH-ir cell, Hippocampus and Serotonin. Furthermore, MYH essential oil may serve as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent regarding Parkinson's disease.

Objectives Purpose of this study was to examine difference of taste score in herbal medicine among Sasang Constitution groups. Methods Seventy-three healthy students tasted salt solution, sucrose solution, four herbal medications (Hyangsayangwi-tang, Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang, Yeoldahanso-tang, and Mihudeungsikjang-tang), and then immediately scored intension of stimuli for each taste which they felt. Data of sixty-four final participant were analyzed by SPSS version 18, as follows: frequency analysis for characteristic data of participants, Kruskal-wallis test for difference in taste score among Sasang Constitution groups, and Pearson correlation analysis for the correlation between taste score of single taste stimuli and taste scores of herbal medications. Results Significant difference was shown in sweet taste score of Hyangsayangwi-tang among Sasang Constitution groups, that Soyangin showed higher sweet taste score of Hyangsayangwi-tang than Soeumin's. No significant difference was shown in other tastes or other herbal medications. Positive correlation between taste score of sucrose solution and sweet taste score of herbal medication was shown in Soemin. Conclusions There is difference in sweet taste score of Hyangsayangwi-tang among Sasang Constitution groups. There is positive correlation between sweet taste score of sucrose solution and herbal medication. This research has limitation, so well-designed research is needed.

Objectives This study was designed to report treatment of Soyangin Mangeum with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods We treated two patients suffering from dyspepsia and chest discomfort. A female patient was treated with Hyeongbangjiwhang-tang. A male patient was treated with Hyungbangsabaek-san. The progress was evaluated with the visual analogue scale for dyspepsia, chest discomfort, and other symptoms. Results A female patient's symptoms such as dyspepsia, chest discomfort were almost cured. but they increased with patient's emotional state repeatedly. A male patient' symptoms such as abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, heart burn was successfully disappeared. Conclusions Hyeongbangjiwhang-tang and Hyungbangsabaek-san can be considered as a treatment for patient with Soyangin Mangyin diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease.