• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2019

Objectives : Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) laser, a high power laser has been used for pain management, dermatology, and surgery and laser acupuncture and moxibustion as well, since it had been oscillated in 1964 at Bell Telephone Laboratories in the US. The purpose of this study is to investigate the history of $CO_2$ laser acupuncture through reviewing studies published in early stage of laser medicine. Methods : To investigate the early history of $CO_2$ laser acupuncture, studies were searched in the electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, J-STAGE, CiNii, KTNP, and OASIS, since 1964. Articles in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean were included, and there were no limitations in literature types such as reviews, essays, clinical trials, animal experiments and veterinary research. Results : We found that the first $CO_2$ laser application to acupoints was done by a research team in Shanghai in 1976. They used $CO_2$ laser for acupuncture treatment and it was also the first laser acupuncture treatment in China. Since the first case report of $CO_2$ laser for leukopenia, it has been applied to various diseases in China, Korea, Japan and other western countries. It has been widely applied in the fields of dentistry and veterinary medicine, as well as clinical applications. Conclusions : Not only $CO_2$ laser can be used as laser acupuncture by stimulating the acupoints and meridians, but also can produce moxibustion effect by using heat stimulus. Therefore, it is expected that it will be used in various clinical fields in the future.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to identify the origin of meridian-based psychotherapy, and thereby utilize this technique more flexibly and widely, as well as use our findings as the base data for the development of unique and oriental medicine-based psychotherapies. Methods : This study investigated various activities and references of meridian-based psychotherapy developers in historical order. For the books that have been translated into Korean, the translated books were examined as priority. Otherwise, examination was based on original books. Results : The study results were as follows. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a technique completed by combining the psychological reversal, acupuncture point tapping, and gamut series in TFT (Thought Field Therapy), and the affirmations that were formed by reflecting the deep understanding on languages derived from NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). ESM (Emotional Self Management) can be viewed as having applied the implications of cognitive therapy and hypnosis while accepting the treatment of TFT as it is. Roger J. Callahan developed TFT by adopting theories such as AK(Applied Kinesiology), acupuncture, NLP, quantum mechanics, and split brains. On the EFT, ESM, TFT, the method for stimulating acupuncture points appears to be tapping, which is one technique of the oriental traditional exercise and manual techniques(導引按蹻). Tapping may be the English translation of Bak-beop(拍法). Conclusions : When the oriental medicine techniques that enable meridian tuning are applied along with accommodating Western psychological theories actively, this can not only help use meridian-based psychotherapy more flexibly, but also enable the development of new oriental medicine-based psychotherapies.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a 4 weeks Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment on blood pressure reducing in hypertensive patients. Methods : We measured the blood pressure of 3 patients who were visited in the Gwacheon Health center from 21th November 2007 to 17th December 2007. Eligible participants had systolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 120 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 80 mmHg with antihypertensive drug. Blood pressure measurements were after the patient had been in rest for at least 10 minute. Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment over 4 weeks were performed in the patients. Blood pressure were measured twice before and after each session. Results : After 4 weeks, blood pressure reduction was observed in the treatment patients, with an average decline of systolic blood pressure up to 5.67 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure up to 0.17 mmHg. But, it was not statistically significant. Blood pressure increased between measurements taken before and after an Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment session, although individual responses were quite variable. No significant difference was found in the immediate effect. Conclusion : Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment do not seem to control hypertension. Further research is required to determine whether Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment can enhance clinical management of hypertension if it is used in combination with more enrolled participants, over longer periods, or randomized controlled trial.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.210-225
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• 2018

Objective : This research is aimed to compare the three sets of Dongin(K-1, K-2, K-3) to Chosun and Chinese acupuncture bronze men, and through literature review of acupuncture points and meridians to see how acupuncture of Chosun affected the Japan's acupuncture bronze men. Methods : Using 3D scanning, we compared the location of acupoints by the proportional bone measurement method of the three sets of Dongin to those of Chosun and China. We also compared the meridians and acupuncture points of the three sets of Dongin to Doningyosodo. Results : Dongin K-1 and K-2 have all the unique characteristics of ChimGuemDongIn. Their heads were made about 30% larger than the location of points by the proportional bone measurement method and their necks were shortened to get the right proportion. Their gender was not specified. Their hands were sticking forward, and knees were slightly bent, and the arms and legs were carefully crafted to record acupuncture points. Dongin K-1 and K-2 marked the meridians and acupuncture points according to Doningyosodo. In particular, BL39 in Dongin K-1 and K-2 has been marked as in ChimGeumDongIn, which is considered to have come from DongUiBoGam. These characteristics do not exist in Chinese acupuncture bronze men. The location of points by the proportional bone measurement method was marked on the right side of the Dongin K-3, while the eight extra meridians were marked on the left side. Conclusions : In summary, Dongin K-1 and K-2 indicate the Japanese history of acupuncture which may have influenced from Chosun.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.48-57
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• 2019

Objectives : This study examined the inhibitory effects of Wisaengtang(WST) on inflammatory mediators($NF-{\kappa}B$, COX-2, iNOS, IL-6) in cellular inflammatory responses induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods : To investigate the cytotoxicity of WST, MTT assay was used. The inhibitory effects of inflammatory mediators were confirmed by real-time PCR and DPPH scavenging activity was measured to confirm the antioxidative effect. Results : When the $NF-{\kappa}B$ mRNA expression was inhibited, the levels of COX-2, iNOS, and IL-6 mRNA in the inflammatory response decreased significantly. iNOS is involved in the production of nitric oxide (NO), and it is confirmed that WST inhibits the expression of iNOS mRNA and thus the production of NO. Conclusions : These results suggest that WST can be a therapeutic substance for oxidation and inflammation through elimination of DPPH free radical and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2019

Objectives : Teaching the standardized acupuncture point locations and improving the accuracy of acupoint locations through objective evaluation is a very important part of Korean medicine education. The aim of this study is to develop a dummy system for evaluation and support of teaching acupoint location in meridian and acupoints classes and to introduce the developed system. Methods : We established a protocol for the development of the system. The protocol included definition of usage purpose, definition of its essential performance, and set of scope. The system compares the amount of light at the target acupoint with the amount of light at the other sites to determine whether the target acupoint is properly specificated. Results : A prototype of the system was built according to the protocol and consists of light emitter, dummy, control/operation, input part and output part. The light emitter projects laser beam passing through the skin of the dummy. Light sensors were attached inside the acupoints of the dummy. Three types of light sensors were selected depending on the location of the acupoints. The arithmetic, input, and output parts were constructed using Arduino and Raspberry pi boards. The developed system was applied in class. Conclusions : It is thought that the dummy system for evaluation and support of teaching acupoint location can be used as a training model in order to help teach standardized acupoint locations and objective evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2018

Objective : This case study reports the therapeutic effect of Korean Medicine (KM) treatments including CS(care special pain) and BV(bee venom) pharmacopuncture on herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of lumbar spine(L-spine). Methods : Two patients diagnosed with HIVD of L-spine were treated with CS and BV pharmacopuncture on GV3 and EX-B2, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. The Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), the Oswestry low back pain Disablility Index(ODI) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ) scores were evaluated before and after treatment for comparison. Results : Low back pain(LBP) and radiating pain was improved with a decrease in patients' NRS, ODI and RMDQ scores. Conclusion : These results suggest that KM treatments including combined CS and BV pharmacopuncture could be an effective treatment on patients with HIVD of L-Spine.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.132-141
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• 2022

Objectives : Some acupoints are commonly utilized to treat a variety of diseases. The acupoints appear to have a wide range of effects caused by several mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to investigate into the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the multipotent effects of individual acupoint stimulation. Methods : We examined the miRNA expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of neuropathic or inflammatory pain rats following ST36 and GB34 electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation. Neuropathic pain was induced by L5 spinal nerve ligation. Inflammatory pain was induced by knee joint injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). EA was given under gaseous anesthesia with the same parameters (1mA, 2Hz, 30 min) in 5 consecutive days. Pain behaviors and miRNA expressions were analyzed. Results : In rats with neuropathic and inflammatory pain, EA treatments significantly enhanced the paw withdrawal threshold and weight-bearing force. After nerve injury, 36 miRNAs were upregulated in the DRG of neuropathic rats, while EA downregulated 10 of them. Furthermore, 14 miRNAs were downregulated following nerve damage, while one was increased by EA. 15 miRNAs were increased in the DRG of inflammatory rats following CFA injection, while 5 were downregulated by EA. Furthermore, 17 miRNAs were downregulated following CFA injection, while 7 were increased by EA. The miRNAs rno-miR-335, rno-miR-381-5p, rno-miR-1306-3p, and rno-miR-1839-3p were regulated by EA in both models. Conclusions : In two pain models, EA applied to ST36 and GB34 regulated miRNA expression differently. There appeared to be both acupoint-specific and non-specific miRNAs, and miRNA regulation of differential protein expression may modulate a variety of EA mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2024

Objectives : This study aimed to predict the effectiveness and potential of Schizonepeta tenuifolia as an anticancer treatment for non-small cell lung cancer through network-based pharmacology and cellular experiment. Methods : To identify the major bioactive compounds in Schizonepeta tenuifolia, we used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems. The target genes for the cancer treatment were selected using the UniProt database and the networked using Cytoscape. We performed functional enrichment analysis based on the Gene Ontology Biological Process and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathways to predict the mechanisms. To investigate the effect of Schizonepeta tenuifolia on lung cancer cell growth, we treated A549 cells, a lung cancer cell line, with different concentrations of the drug and used the MTT assay for cell viability. Results : Research has shown that the most effective mechanism of active compounds from Schizonepeta tenuifolia is through the pathway of cancer. The results of the network pharmacology analysis indicate that Schizonepeta tenuifolia has potential medicinal value as an adjuvant in anticancer treatment. The concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability was observed on A549 cells. Furthermore, synergistic anticancer activity with Doxorubicin was also observed. Conclusions : Through a network pharmacological approach, Schizonepeta tenuifolia was predicted to have potential as an anticancer agent, and its efficacy was experimentally demonstrated using A549 cells. These findings suggest that Schizonepeta tenuifolia is a promising candidate for future research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.140-150
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• 2021

Objectives : The increase of osteoclasts could cause osteoporosis and bone-related diseases. Also, the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation is important in treating bone-related diseases. Traditionally, Psoraleae Semen has been used for geriatric diseases, aging and musculoskeletal diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Psoraleae Semen ethanol extract (PS) on osteoclast differentiation and its function. Methods : To confirm the effect of PS on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption activity, various levels of concentrations of PS (5, 10, 20 and 40 ㎍/ml) were tested on RAW 264.7 cells cultured with RANKL. We measured tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, TRAP activity, pit formation and F-actin ring formation. The expressions of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc1) and c-Fos were confirmed through western blot and reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Also, the expression of bone resorption and fusion-related genes in osteoclast was confirmed by RT-PCR. Results : PS decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and the TRAP activity. In addition, PS significantly inhibited the formation of pit and F-actin ring. Furthermore, PS decreased the expression of osteoclast related genes. Conclusions : PS inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption ability through inhibition of the expression of osteoclast-related genes. This indicates that PS may be a potential therapeutic agent to osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclastogenesis.