• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.128-139
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• 2003

Juglans sinensis Dode has been reported to have antioxidant activity. However, the effect of Juglans sinensis Dode aquacupuncture(JS) on reactive oxygen species(ROS)-induced alterations in membrane transport function in renal tubular cells. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of JS on the organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide(tBHP)-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-dependent phosphate($Na^+$-Pi) uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established renal proximal epithelial cell line. tBHP inhibited $Na^+$-Pi uptake in a time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of tBHP was prevented by JS over concentration range of 0.05-1mg/100ml in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic studies showed that tBHP caused an decrease in Vmax for $Na^+$-Pi uptake without any a significant change in Km. $Na^+$-dependent phosphonoformic acid binding, a irreversible inhibitor of renal $Na^+$-Pi uptake, was decreased by tBHP treatment. The reduction in Vmax and phosphonoformic acid binding by tBHP was prevented by JS. tBHP induced lipid peroxidation and its effect was completely inhibited by JS and antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. These data suggest that the oxidant inhibits phosphate uptake by a reduction in the number of active carrier across the membrane. JS may prevent oxidant-induced inhibition of membrane transport function by a mechanism similar to antioxidants in renal epithelial cells. Although the precise constituents remain to be explored, JS may be employed as a useful candidate herb for drug development to prevent and treat oxidant-mediated renal failure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.41-55
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• 2004

Objective : To investigate the possible molecular mechanism (s) of melittin as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, we examined the effects of the compound on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Methods : Growth inhibitory study, flow cytometry analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and in vitro caspases activity assay were performed. Results : Melittin treatment declined the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Melittin treatment down-regulated the levels of Bcl-XS/L mRNA and protein expression of A549 cells, an anti-apoptotic gene, however, the those of Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, were up-regulated. Melittin induced the proteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease in a dose-dependent manner without alteration of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family and Akt expression. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR data revealed that the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 were also remained unchanged. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that melittin-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products, and melittin may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.7-18
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Miso facial acupuncture on facial reduction and improvement of skin condition. Methods : From March to May 2012, 20 women in their twenties to forties with no facial diseases were recruited. Miso facial acupuncture was performed on the both side of their face twice a week, total seven times. The 3D face photographs of each participant were checked 5 times ; before treatment, after 1st treatment, 4th treatment, 7th treatment and 10 days from the last treatment using RS-400FL(Morpheus Co. Korea) and REAL FACE. The surface distances of the 4 lines on the face were measured using Renai MEF program. The improvement of skin condition was evaluated by water content, trans epidermal water loss(TEWL), erythema index and melanin index using MPA 5. They were checked 4 times ; before treatment, 4th treatment, 7th treatment and after 10 days from the last treatment. We analyzed data using Paired t-test(p<0.05) and Wilcoxon signed rank test(p<0.05). Results : One case was dropped out due to pain and edema after 4th treatment. The surface distances of the 4 lines on face were significantly reduced and maintained after 10 days from last treatment. Water content was significantly increased and maintained after 10 days from last treatment. TEWL was significantly decreased. Erythema index was significantly decreased from the 3rd evaluations. Melanin index was slight decreased with no significance at the 2nd evaluations. Conclusions : These results show that Miso facial acupuncture can reduce sizes of the face and improve skin condition such as water content, TEWL and erythema index except melanin index.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.75-89
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Methods : From February to September 2010, the number of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who volunteered for this clinical study was 16 and 7 out of 16 patients complained both hands. Total 23 cases of hands were randomly divided by 2 groups. We injected Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture on PC7(Daereung) twice a week for 4weeks for experimental group(n=11), and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture with the same methods for control group(n=12). One case was dropped out due to itchiness of allergic response in the experimental group. Improvement of the symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, Tinel's sign, Phalen's sign and Nerve Conduction Velocity. Nerve Conduction Velocity was checked at baseline and the end of the trial and others were checked at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, but no significant difference between two groups. Only the control group showed significant reduction of the 'poitive response' in the Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign. However, no groups improved in Nerve Conduction Velocity. Conclusions : These results showed that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture could decrease the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Further studies will be required to examine more cases for the long period and use more various concentration and amount pharmacopuncture for the effect on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.85-92
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effect between method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture on peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 30 cases of patient with peripheral facial paralysis who visited at Dept. of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, of Oriental Medicine Dong-eui University from November 29, 2010 to May 15, 2011. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups, group A and group B. We applied method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire twice or three times a week for group A and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture with same cycle for group B. We measured the effect of treatment to each group five times by using Yanagihara's unweighed grading system. at first examination, after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in Yanagihara's scores. And group A was improved better than group B for two weeks from the first examination significantly. But after one week from then, the Yanagihara's scores of group B were higher than those of group A significantly. There were no significant differences during other period. Conclusions : Method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire is more effective than sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture on peripheral facial paralysis during acute period. And after acute period, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture is more effective than method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.209-223
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• 2007

Objectives : Facial Nerve Paralysis is one kind of common diseases and it can be treated by natural therapy and the efficiency of treatment is relatively high. In clinical trial, it is not difficult to find patients who were not completely recovered from Facial Nerve Paralysis, so the symptoms are fixed permanently. This leads many doctors and patients to have interests in the progress and prognosis of the disease, so this study was to analyze clinical prognosis factors and verify the effects of Electrodiagnostic Test. Methods : The 378 subjects were chosen from 987 patients who were suffering from Peripheral Facial Palsy, diagnosed with Bell's palsy and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and had admission treatment. They got Oriental-Western Medicine Treatment within two weeks after outbreaks of the disease and treated at least over 3 weeks using Oriental-Western Medicine Treatment. Results : 1. There was a significant difference in the results of treatment according to gender, age, types of Facial Palsy, existence of Post Auricular Pain, existence of Labyrinth Symptom, HBGS, and existence of onsets of recovery as clinical prognosis factors of Peripheral Facial Palsy, However, a statistically significant difference was not shown in the results of treatment according to the position of Facial Palsy(left or right), existence of a relapse, and diabetes, hypertension. 2. As a result of overall treatment, 77.2% of patients were recovered almost entirely and 22.8% were not, and the quelae of incomplete recovery were Synkinesis, facial contracture, facial spasm, crocodile tears and scheroma in order of frequency. 3. The results of electrodiagnostic test represented useful correlation to predict the final effects of treatment. Conclusion : Based on the above results, the prognosis factors, the degree of recovery, and the sequelae of incomplete recovery were analysed and the effects of electrodiagnostic test was verified.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.143-154
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of cervical acupotomy & acupunture on facial&trigemial nerve branch for peripheral facial paralysis and postauricular pain. Methods : We investigated 30 patients with peripheral facial paralysis who had visited at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine of Korean Medicine Hospital of Dong-Eui University from April 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2014. Group A was treated by acupuncture and pharmacopuncture on facial&trigemial nerve branch and Cervical acupotomy and group B was treated by acupuncture and pharmacopuncture on routine facial paralysis acupuncture point without acupotomy. Results : The improvement of Yanagihara's score in group A is higher than group B during every period. The improvement of VAS score in group A is higher than group B during every period. Conclusions : These results suggest that cervical acupotomy and acupunture on facial & trigemial nerve branch may be effective for peripheral facial paralysis and postauricular pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine whether Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract (SbG) exerts the protective effect against oxidant-induced alterations in organic cation transport in the renal proximal tubule. Methods : Organic cation transport was estimated by examining alterations in tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake in rabbit renal cortical slices. The slices were treated with 0.2 mM tBHP for 60 min at $37^{\circ}C$. tBl-IP caused an inhibition in TEA uptake by renal cortical slices. Such an effect was accompanied by depressed Na+-K+-ATPase activity and ATP depletion. Result : SbG prevented tBHP-induced inhibition of TEA uptake in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration ranges of 0.05-0.1%. SbG also prevented H2O2-induced reduction in TEA uptake. tBHP-induced inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity and ATP depletion were significantly prevented by 0.05% SbG. Oxidants increased LDH release, which was blocked by SbG. Oxidants caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and its effect was prevented by SbG. Conclusion : These results suggest that SbG prevents oxidant-induced alterations in organic cation transport in rabbit renal cortical slices. Such protective effects of SbG may be attributed to inhibition of peroxidation of membrane lipid.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of this research was to investigate the depressive effect of acupuncture on Dong and depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) in stroke patients. Methods : We measured the blood pressure of the patients who were admitted in the Oriental Medical hospital of Dongeui medical center from 21. Dec. 2001. to 2. Oct. 2002. 41 stroke patients were devided into two groups. 15 patients were treated by acupuncture on Dong. The other 26 patients were treated by depletion on Fungchi-point(G20). The activity of daily living was measured. If systolic blood pressure was over 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure was over 90mmHg, acupuncture on Dong and depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) were performed. Then 30 minutes and 60 minutes later, systolic. diastolic blood pressure and pulse rates were measured. Results : After 30 minute of treatment, both acupuncture on Dong and depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) significantly depressed systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. After 60 minute of treatment, both acupuncture on Dong and depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) were significant in depressing systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Pulse rates significantly changed in depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) but did not significantly change in acupuncture on Dong. Conclusions: These results suggest that both acupuncture on Dong and depletion on Fungchi-point(G20) are effective in depressing systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Sumsu (Bufonis venenum) pharmacopuncture on insomnia and depression. Methods : We investigated 32 patients with a sleep disorder who had been recruited at a Korean medical hospital from March $1^{st}$, 2014 to April $16^{th}$, 2015. We divided subjects into two groups : The control group(N=15) was treated with Normal Saline and the experimental group(N=17) was treated with Sumsu(Bufonis venenum) pharmacopuncture. The subjects were injected with 0.05 ml~0.1 ml, for a total of 0.6 ml on each acupuncture point. These were Pungbu ($GV_{16}$), Pungi ($GB_{20}$), Gyeonjeong ($GB_{21}$), and Anmyun(EX-$HN_{20}$). Both groups were evaluated with the beck depression inventory(BDI) and given an insomnia score before treatment, after one week, two weeks and four weeks from the initial visit. Results : The Insomnia score and BDI decreased significantly in the experimental group. In comparing the control group with the experimental group, there was a more significant improvement of the insomnia score in the experimental group during all periods of this study. However, the difference of change in BDI between the control group and experimental group was only significant in the first week. Conclusions : Sumsu (Bufonis venenum) pharmacopuncture can be used as an effective treatment for patients with insomnia and depression.