• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2019

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zingiberis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture(ZP) at GB30 and ST36 in neuropathic pain induced SD rats by the block of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1(TRPV1). Methods : Neuropathic pain in rats was induced by tibial and common peroneal nerve transection of right leg. The rat subjects were divided into 6 groups : normal(Nor, n=5), control(Con, n=5), neuropathic pain plus 2 mg/kg ZP injection at GB30 and ST36(ZP-A, n=5), 10 mg/kg ZP(ZP-B, n=5), 20 mg/kg ZP(ZP-C, n=5) and 0.45 mg/kg Tramadol(Tra, n=5). Three days after the surgery, injections were administered once a day for 17 days. Withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs were measured by stimulating the paw of Right leg with von frey filament, acetone and radient heat on day 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 after surgery. After all treatments were completed, c-Fos in the midbrain central gray and TRPV1 & TRPA1 of DRG(L5) were analyzed. Results : Groups ZP-B and ZP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the withdrawal response of mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia compared to the control group(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). Groups ZP-B and ZP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the expression of c-fos and TRPV1 protein level compared to the control group(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001). Conclusions : These results suggest that Zingiberis Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture at GB30 and ST36 could decrease mechanical & cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by block the TRPV1 on the model of neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.177-182
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• 2022

Purpose: The efficacy and safety of low-dose pregabalin and alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy were evaluated and analyzed. Materials and Methods: This study designed a retrospective study that included patients with diabetic neuropathic pain. From 2009 to 2022, 100 patients who suffered from diabetic neuropathic pain were included in this study. The patients were divided into group I (pregabalin 150 mg/day with alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day) and group II (pregabalin 300 mg/day with alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day). The visual analogue scale (VAS), medication side effects, and neurometer results were compared. Results: The mean follow-up period of the above patients was 120.23 weeks in group I and 149.05 weeks in group II. The average VAS score in group I decreased by 3.23 points, and the average VAS score in group II decreased by 2.86 points. Approximately 24.3% of group I had side effects, such as dizziness, sleepiness, and gastrointestinal trouble, while 76.7% of patients in group II had side effects. Sixtyseven patients had a neurometer examination before and after the medication, and there is no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The combination of low-dose pregabalin (pregabalin 150 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy had a similar clinical effect and less frequent medication side effects than regular dose pregabalin (pregabalin 300 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid. Therefore, low-dose pregabalin (pregabalin 150 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid should be considered in treating diabetic neuropathy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.47-67
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• 2004

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of Scolopendrid Water-Alcohol Extract (SWAE) applied to acupuncture point BL23 (Shinsu) on the neuropathic pain was examined. A common source of persistent pain in humans is the neuropathic pain. Anti-convulsant drugs are used to treat the neuropathic pain. In the oriental medicine, Scolopendrid was used for long time to treat convulsant syndrome and back pain, etc. Methods : On the bases of the Scolopendrid clinical application, the effect of SWAE applied to the acupuncture point was tested in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, One hundred microliter of SWAE was applied into the ipsilateral BL23 point at a dose of 10 mg/ml under enflurane anesthesia. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : SWAE injection increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 4h, suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. SWAE applied to BL23 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 4h. However, neither contralateral BL23 point, ST25 (Chonchu) point, nor LR3 (Taechung) point produce as much increase of mechanical sensitivity as ipsilateral BL23 point. And, this increase of mechanical sensitivity was dose-dependent. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. In addition, the analgesic effect of Scolopendrid 4 mg/kg injection is equivalent to that of gabapentin 50 mg/kg injection. The relations between SWAE-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS)/neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) were also examined. Results were turned out that both NO production and nNOS/iNOS protein expression which are increased by nerve injury were suppressed by SWAE injection applied to BL23 point. Conclusions : The data suggest 1) that SWAE produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat and 2) that SWAE-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS/iNOS protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.59-76
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to yangno$(SI_6)$ on the neuropathic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in human is a neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : EA increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 1 hr. suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. EA applied to SI6 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 1 h. However, $ST_{36}$ point did not produce any significant increase of mechanical sensitivity. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effort was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $ST_{36}$. In addition, this analgesic effect of EA is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control of spinal cord from the brain. Conclusions : The data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat; and 2) that EA-induced analgesia is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control in a point specific manner.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2011

Objectives : We have studied to know analgesic effects of the combination of Aconitum Cilliare Tuber with honey in the models of peripheral neuropathic pain. Methods : Neuropathic pain model was made by ligating left 5th lumbar spinal nerve. After 3 days, combination of Aconitum Ciliare Tuber and honey extract was administrated each alternate day. Administration was divided three groups, that is NP-OA1(0.06 mg/ml), NP-OA2(0.24 mg/ml), and NO-OA3(0.96 mg/ml). After that, we examined the withdrawl response of neuropathic rats legs by von Frey filament and acetone stimulation. And also we examined c-Fos, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase(GPT) and change of weight. Results : Mechanical allodynia in NP-OA1 groups were significantly decreased compared with the control group. Cold allodynia in all experimental groups were no significant differences with the control group. c-Fos protein expression on the central grey, all experimental groups were lower than that of control groups. But, there were no statistically significant differences. Change of weight in all experimental groups were significantly increased compare with the control group. In blood serum GOT in NP-OA1, NP-OA2 groups were significantly decreased compare with the control group. In blood serum GPT in all experimental groups were no significant difference with the control group. Conclusions : We had noticed that the combination of Aconitum Ciliare Tuber and honey decreased mechanical allodynia in the model of neuropathic pain compared with the control group and it has not efficacy in elevation of GOT, GPT and weight loss etc., the element of which becomes damage to liver. This study can be proposed that Aconitum Ciliare with Honey may be applicable to neuropathic pain in clinic. But it is reliability not that cold allodynia and c-Fos expression have effectively to control pain. Therefore we have to follow up about that.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.23-29
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• 2006

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of automatically controlled rotating acupuncture (ACRA) on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, and to examine whether the endogenous opioid system mediates the effects of ACRA. Methods : For the neuropathic surgery, the right superior caudal trunk was resected at the level between S1 and S2 spinal nerves innervating the tail. Two weeks after the nerve injury, ACRA stimulation with 4 different stimulation conditions (i.e., angle and frequency of rotation: 90o+1Hz, 90o+1/4Hz, 360o+/1Hz, and 360o+1/4Hz) was delivered to the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint for 15 min. The behavioral signs of thermal allodynia were evaluated by the tail immersion test (i.e., immersing the tail in cold $(4^{\circ}C)$ or warm $(4^{\circ}C)$ water and measuring the latency to an abrupt tail movement) before and after the stimulation. In an additional set of experiments, we examined the effects of naloxone (opioid Results : ACRA stimulations under all of the conditions above significantly relieved thermal antagonist, 2mg/kg, i.p.) on the action of ACRA stimulation. allodynia. There is no difference in the anti-allodynic effects among the 4 stimulation conditions. In addition, the effect of ACRA on thermal allodynia was reversed by naloxone pretreatment. Conclusion : These results indicate that ACRA stimulations have relieving effects on thermal allodynia in neuropathic pain rats, irrespective of stimulation parameters, and that this is mediated by the endogenous opioid system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2011

Nardostachys chinensis;Anti-proliferation;Cell cycle arrest;Differentiation;U937 cells; This study was conducted to determine the analgesic effect of Sokyungwhalhyul-tang(SKWHT) using the model of peripheral neuropathic pain model. A model of neuropathic pain was made by ligating left 5th lumbar spinal nerve of rats. After 1 days, the extract of SKWHT was orally administered daily. Rats were divided into four groups; (1) Control group(n=6), (2) Experimental group I(SKWHT-OA1, 100 mg/kg, n=6), (3) Experimental group II(SKWHT-OA2, 300 mg/kg, n=6), (4) Experimental group III(SKWHT-OA3, 500 mg/kg, n=6). After that, we examined the withdrawl response of neuropathic rats legs by von Frey filament and Hot plate at pre, $1^{th}$, $4^{th}$, $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days after the induction of neuropathic pain. And also we examined c-fos, GOT, GPT and histological study of Liver at 21th days. von Frey filament and Hot plate were increase in experimental group I, II, III than Con. especially group III was most significantly analgesic effect than the other groups at $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days. In c-fos protein expression on spinal cord, group III was most significantly reduction immunoreactivity at $21^{th}$ days and in blood serum GOT & GPT levels and histologic finding of Liver in all experimental groups were no significant difference with Con at $21^{th}$ days. According to the above results, SKWHT(500 mg/kg) may have a significant analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain.