• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2019

The $S{\bar{u}}tra$ of Great Dhāraṇī of the Uṣṇīṣa-cittā is one of the most widely published scriptures of Esoteric Buddhism during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasty. The sutra is often referred to as a Buddhist medical scripture whose recitation is believed to allay diseases such as difficult birth, chest pain, and infectious and incurable diseases. It utilizes two major methods for healing: reciting and copying the sutra or copying the dharani and talisman which appear at the end of the text with fine cinnabar and ingesting them with aromatic water. In order to understand the medical and historical value of this sutra, this study examines the historical background of its establishment in early China and its migration to Korea in the Goryeo period. This study also investigates the identity and value of the scripture in Buddhist medical history. The oldest known printed texts of the sutra in Korea are dated to the late 11th century. Because of the material benefits of the text, the tradition of printing and distributing the sutra was very popular between the 13th and 19th centuries. Therefore, examples of the sutra having been used for medicinal purposes during rites are found in historical records. Finally, the study tries to identify the relationship between the treatment methods of the Sutra and those of Korean traditional medicine focusing on several Korean traditional medical texts such as the Hyangyak-Jibseongbang (Compilation of Native Korean Prescriptions), the Donguibogam, and the Euibang-Hapbu.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.122-122
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• 2019

Protaetia brevitarsis (PB) extracts has been traditionally used as medicinal stuff to treat blood stasis, occlusion of menstruation, tetanus and liver cancer in Asian countries (Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, India and Myanmar). Especially, Donguibogam, which is traditional korean medicinal book, described the PB extracts as traditional medicine to treat hepatic diseases and vascular disorders. The PB extracts has been considered as highly nutritional food. The major constituents of PB extracts are rich in protein, healthy fats, iron, calcium. Recent studies announced that PB extracts has hepatoprotective effect and anti-microbacterial effect. However, the effect of PB on ulcerative colitis has not been uncovered yet. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of PB extracts in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Cytotoxicity of PB was determined by MTT assay and the antiinflammatory effect of PB extract was investigated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production. PB extracts did not show any cytotoxicity. AIso, PB extracts supressed NO production in LPS-stimulated mice peritoneal macrophages. To determine whether PB could be an effective treatment on ulcerative colitis, DSS was administered in BALB/c mice for 10 days. PB extract significantly improved the clinical signs of DSS-induced UC, including body weight loss, colon length shortening, and disease activity index increase, with histological markers of colon injury. These findings indicated the possibility of PB as a therapeutic agent on ulcerative colitis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2019

Objectives : This report describes 45 studies related to the use of Rhizoma dioscoreae main blended prescription from Donguibogam. Methods : The following conclusion were reached through investigations on the prescriptions that use Rhizoma dioscoreae as a key ingredient. Prescriptions that Rhizoma dioscoreae was taken as a monarch drug are utilized for 18 therapeutic purposes, for example, internal injury, stool disease, pediatric disease. In paticular, 24% of prescriptions appear in the chapter of internal injury, and 18% of those appear in the chapter of stool. Results : Prescriptions that utilize Rhizoma dioscoreae as the main ingredient are used in the treatment of indigestion, diarrhea and paralysis. Rhizoma dioscoreae is used in pathogenic factors such as water, water with damp, and used in pathology related to stomach system. Conclusions : The dosage of Rhizoma dioscoreae is 8li(about 0.29 gram) to 3jeon(about 11.25 gram), however 1jeon(about 3.75 gram) has been taken the most for clinical application. Sagunjatang and Siljangsan is the most useful base prescription which use the Rhizoma dioscoreae as the main ingredient.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.293-304
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• 2022

Objectives : Sagunja-Tang is a famous prescription used in Korean medicine for the purpose of promoting vital energy, and there are few studies using Sagunja-Tang on cerebrovascular diseases yet. As previous studies confirmed that Sagunja-tang is highly likely to be used effectively for stroke, this study was intended to predict the mechanism through which Sagunja-tang would act effectively on stroke. Methods : In this study, a network pharmacology analysis method was used, and oral bioavailability (OB), drug likeness (DL), Caco-2 and BBB permeability were utilized to select compounds with potential activity. For the values of each variable used in this study, OB ≥ 30%, DL ≥ 0.18, Caco-2 ≥ 0, and BBB ≥ 0.3 were applied. Using the above variables, the relations between target genes and diseases that are presumed to be involved in the selected bioavailable compounds were constructed in a network format, and proteins thought to play a major role were identified. Results : Among the compounds included in Sagunja-Tang, 26 bioavailable compounds were selected and it was confirmed that these compounds can be effectively used in cerebrovascular diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. These compounds are considered to act on proteins related in cell death and growth. The most important mechanism of action was predicted to be apoptosis, and the protein that is thought to play the most key action in this mechanism was caspase-3. Conclusions : In our future study, Sagunja-Tang will be used in an ischemic stroke mouse model, and the mechanism of action will be explored focusing on apoptosis and cell proliferation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.67-83
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, the anticancer activity of water extracts of three herbal medicine formulas, Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgitang (DCGT) and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH) listed in Donguibogam, was evaluated in HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Methods : We investigated whether the cell viability of HepG2 cells was inhibited by the treatment of water extracts of three prescriptions, and whether their viability inhibitory effect was related to the induction of apoptosis. In addition, the role of autophagy on the induction of apoptosis by the treatment of these extracts was investigated. Results : The anticancer activity of the three water extracts on HepG2 cells was due to induction of apoptosis, not necrosis. Among them, BGH activated the caspase-dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathway associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, autophagy was induced more than 2-fold in DCGT-treated HepG2 cells, and the anticancer activity of DCGT was enhanced 1.5-fold in the presence of an autophagy inhibitor, but was attenuated in BGH and MHBRH-treated cells. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that DCGT-induced autophagy was involved in the inhibition of apoptosis, whereas autophagy by BGH and MHBRH was related to induction of apoptosis.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.77-99
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• 2024

Objectives : This study examined the possibility of therapeutic application of natural pigments in the Joseon Period other than aesthetic purposes. Methods : The medicinal properties of natural pigments as written in the texts Sangayorok, Gyuhapchongseo, Imwongyeongjeji were searched and analyzed in the texts Bencaogangmu, Encyclopedia of Eastern Medicine, and the Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicinals focusing on their Qi, flavor, effects and application. Of the conditions they treated, we examined whether they treated skin conditions using external application. The Korean Medical effects of these pigments were examined based on the content of the skin chapter of the Donguibogam. Results : We were able to extract 47 kinds of natural pigments, most of which had cold nature and bitter tasting properties. In addition, most of the pigments had the effect of treating skin conditions, illnesses due to micro-organisms, and of detoxifying. Conclusions : After consideration of medicinal properties and effects of the herbs that were used as pigments in the Joseon period, it could be concluded that as these herbs not only function as pigments but also hold properties that prevent skin conditions, their therapeutic functions could have been considered when using them as pigments.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.11-30
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• 2024

Objectives : Not many studies have been done on the mechanism of the Gangeum or Gangpyoeum method which treats the Soyang Exterior Pattern, nor on which collective or individual roles the Gangeum medicinals play. Therefore in this study, four medicinals categorized as Gangpyoeum which are Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo, were analyzed in terms of their individual and collective effects. Methods : Content analysis based on the verses in the Donguisusebowon, and medicinal analysis on contents from the Donguibogam, Bencaogangmu, and Benjingshuzheng were carried out followed by a medicinal combination analysis using the InSAm 1.1 program. Results : The four medicinals Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duhuo had the common effect of normalizing the Wei qi, allowing for unobstructed Qi flow to prevent production of dampness and phlegm, which ultimately lowers Yin[降陰, gangeum] and helps to preserve the Kidney Yin Qi. Jingjie works at the highest position of the upper body; Fangfeng, the most basic medicinal of the Soyangin pattern, works mostly at the upper body although it defends the entire body from wind-dampness. Qianghuo and Duhuo are more or less similar. The difference is that Qianghuo mostly pulls Yang qi upwards while eliminating pathological byproducts, and Duhuo stabilizes the lower body that pulls Wei qi upwards. Conclusions : Analysis on the relationship between Gangpyoeum of the Soyangin pattern and Wei qi, the individual and collective effects of the four Gangpyoeum medicinals were carried out. Further research on other major Soyangin medicinals, along with those of other constitution patterns is anticipated.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.57-77
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• 2010

Objective : This study reviews the recent trend of oriental medical prescription research. The data examined are the articles published in the Korean Journal of Oriental Medical Prescription from 1990 to 2009. Method : The data are retrieved through the internet database Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) and the collection of the Korean Journal of Oriental Medical Prescription. The number of articles examined is 385, published in 25 volumes of the journal. This study examines the nature of the articles, research methods, subjects, and author information. Research subjects are sorted out by the OASIS key words for the articles published before 1999, and by key word indexes cited in the abstracts for the articles published sinceafter. Results : Among the 385 articles collected, 206 are research articles, 143 philological articles, 35 case studies, and 1 special contribution. A majority of research articles are experimental studies (199 articles or 96.6%), while clinical reports (5 articles or 2.43%), and others studies (2 articles) occupy a small portion. Most of experimental studies (183 articles or 91%) examine the effectiveness of certain prescriptions or treatments. Among the effectiveness studies, 114 articles (62.3%) employ in vivo experiment design, 52 articles (28.42%) in vitro experiments, and 17 articles (9.29%) both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In terms of research subject, the most frequently indexed key words are hepatotoxicity among diseases (9 articles), Bojungikgitang (Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang) among prescriptions (10 articles), Buja (Acontii Tuber) among meteria medica (4 articles), immunity and anti-oxidation among efficacy terminology (6 articles each), and Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑) among references in the key words (25 articles). Universities are the main affiliation of authors (76.42%), followed by university hospitals (6.71%), non-academic research institutes (5.55%), local clinics (4.67), academic research institutes (2.81%), hospitals (2.38%), and others (1.44%). The most affiliated institute of the first and correspondent authors is Wonkwang University. In terms of authorship, co-authorship outnumbers sole-authorship by 82.08% to 17.92%. The proportion of authors of a single article is 63.54% which is near the author productivity distribution described by Lotka's law.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

1. Objective : The purpose of this study is to understand the origin, changes and composition of Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang. 2. Methods : 1) Analyzed the context of the progressive transformation of soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang in related passages from "Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑)", "Donguisusebowon Chobongwon (東醫壽世保元 草本卷)", "Donguisusebowon Gabobon (東醫壽世保元 甲午 本)", "Donguisusebowon Sinchukbon (東醫壽世保元 辛丑本)", "Dongmuyugo (東武遺稿)" 2) Examined the differences between the utilization of Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang in pre-existing manuscripts according to pathological pattern and more specifically at a pathological stage. 3) Analyzed the total primary effect of the herbs as a prescriptive category, as well as the herbal properties of each component. 3. Results and Conclusions : 1) Originally Dongwon's Bojungikgi-tang was prescribed as a stomach & spleen organ tonifying medicine so it was easily applied and established as a prescription appropriate for Soeumin constitutional types with a weaker spleen organ. 2) From Gabobon(甲午本), Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang was modified, excluding Bupleurum falcatum(柴胡), Cimicifuga heracleifolia (升麻) and substituting Teucrium chamaedrys(藿香), Ophiopogon japonicus(蘇葉) which are herbs appropriate for the Soeumin constitutional type. 3) In the Gabobon(甲午本), the Gegi-tang which has yang raising properties is included in the Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang. In Sinchukbon(辛丑本), the Gegi-tang of the Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang in the Gabobon was excluded and the Gegi-tang mutated into Hwangigyeji-tang. 4) In the Gabobon(甲午本), as the Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang was prescribed for Soeumin disease regardless of favorable-unfavorable patterns and mild-severe patterns, the stage of the disease when to prescribe Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang was not clarified. 5) As of the Sinchukbon(辛丑本) edition, as Soeumin's prescriptions have been obvious, the soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang was applied to Mang-yang disease with Hwangigyeji-tang and Seungyangikki-tang 6) As of the Sinchukbon(辛丑本) edition, the Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang has been applied to parients having both exterior-heat Mang-yang disease and Greater-yin disease, at the same time. 7) As of the Sinchukbon(辛丑本) edition, finally, the Soeumin's Bojungikgi-tang formula has been established as gathering Qi and middle tonification with Panax ginseng(人蔘), Astragalus membranaceus(黃芪), keeping the spleen healthy with Artractylodes japonica(白朮), keeping the spleen strong with Angelica acutiloba(當歸), rooting the spleen with Citrus reticulata(陳皮), raising Yang and middle jiao with Teucrium chamaedrys(藿香), Ophiopogon japonicus(蘇葉), middle tonification with Glycyrrhiza glabra(甘草灸), Zingiber officinale(生薑), Zizyphus jujuba(大棗).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2010

In the Joseon Dynasty, various fruit teas were popularized to promote health, with spread of Donguibogam and Hyangyag gugeupbang. As interest in fruit tea has recently increased, studies on its manufacture have become necessary. We used response surface analysis for rediscovery and commercialization of grape tea. Major materials of traditional grape tea are grape juice, pear juice, ginger juice, and honey, and the sugar contents of these materials were 12.3, 14.1, 3.3 and 75 $^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. When sensory examinations were conducted with subjects aged 40-60 years, the difference between dilution ratios of 100% and 150% was not significant, but tea diluted by 150% showed somewhat higher scores than did tea diluted by 100%. Ginger taste and sweetness were found to have the greatest effect on overall acceptance. Regression analysis on color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptance values, with reference to ginger juice and honey as independent variables, revealed that the $R^2$ values were 0.8411, 0.6717, 0.9499, and 0.9015, respectively. Contour maps were superimposed to obtain an optimal combination of ingredients for traditional grape tea, and the indicated levels of ginger juice and honey were 0.46-0.69% and 3.85-5.20%, in combination with grape juice, pear juice, and water concentrations of 28%, 9% and 60% (all w/w), respectively. Thus, it is now possible to prepare traditional grape tea.