• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-107
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• 2005

To study the effects of EF(Eriobotryae Folium) herbal acupuncture on asthma, we injected EF-HAS into Jok-samni(ST36) of C57BL/6 mice Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EF-HA(herbal acupuncture) at ST36 on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week). Experimental groups were treated with concentrations(1%) of EF-HA at Jok-samni(ST36) for the later 8 weeks(3times/week). Result : 1. The weight and total cells of lung of the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with that of Control group. 2. Total Leukocytes and Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with those of Control group. 3. The sticking of collagen on histological analysis of lung sections, the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with those of Control group. 4. The concentration of IgE, IL-4, IL-5 in BALF of the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with those of Control group. 5. The concentration of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in Serum of the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with those of Control group. 6. The number of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+,\;CD3^-/CCR3^+,\;CD4^+,\;CD8^+,\;CD3e^+/CD69^+$ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with EF-HA decreased significantly compared with those of Control group. 7. The cytokine's manifestation of mRNA of the mice group treated with EF-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with that of Control group. Conclusion : We conclude that EF-HA is effective on OVA-induced asthma of C57BL/6 mouse.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2006

Objectives : To test the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture applied to PC6 and ST36 for the relief of fullness of epigastrium or epigastric pain. Subjects and Methods : We enrolled fifty patients in a case series study The patients were mainly female (94 %) with an average age of 55 years $({\pm}15.0)$; the average age of the male patients was 51 years $({\pm}20.0)$. Twenty four percent of patients were in acute phase which epigastric pain had lasted below 1 month. Twenty eight percent of patients were in chronic phase which the pain had lasted over 6 month. The rest were in subacute phase. Acupuncture needles were inserted into PC6 and ST36 bilaterally. The acupuncture treatments were performed 2 times a week for 4 weeks. One treat session was lasted for 30 min. At each visit, overall symptomatic improvement, frequency and intensity of symptoms were checked on a 4 scaled questionnaire. Results : After acupuncture treatment, a progressive improvement of pain intensity was reported in 46 of the 50 patients, including 23 of excellent and 23 of good. The progress of symptom was more superior in subacute phase to acute or chronic phase. The symptom of 22 of 24 patients in subacute phase was improved. No patient experienced minor side-effects during acupuncture treatment. Conclusion : These preliminary data suggest the acupuncture treatment provides good pain relief for most patients presenting with epigastric pain. Randomized trials with appropriate control groups are needed to validate the effectiveness of this therapy in the treatment of epigastric pain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.47-57
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• 2016

Objectives : Six command points are individual points that have strong and broad effects on their related part of the body, but there is a controversy about which acupoints are should be included in the six command points. This research was reviewed which acupoints are suitable for the construction of the six command points. Methods : We searched acupoints mentioned six command points in literatures, then investigated the effects of the acupoints to identify that they can be included in the six command points. And we deliberated which acupoints are suitable for the six command points. Results : Acupoints mentioned the six command points are LU7, LI4, ST36, BL40, PC6, TE6, GV26, ouch point, GB34 and SP6. Among the acupoints, LU7, LI4, ST36, BL40 and PC6 was included in the six command points in all of searched literatures. And GV26, ouch point, GB34 and SP6 were excluded because GV26 and ouch point were not fit the definition of the six command points, ST36 can be an alternative to SP6 based on their effects, and GB34 has a similar but little effect compared to TE6. Conclusions : Based on the definition of six command points and the effect of the acupoints, we suggest that the six command points should be composed of LU7, LI4, ST36, BL40, PC6 and TE6.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.117-137
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• 2007

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Gentianae macrophyllase Radix herbal-acupuncture solution(GR-HAS) at Joksamni(ST36) on Collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in DBA/1J mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze arthritis evaluation, change of weight, spleen size and adhesion rate, change of cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II , change of immunocyte count, histological change of CIA mouse joint related with RA. Results : 1. In the GR-HA group, the arthritis index, the incidence of arthritis and joint edema were significantly decreased. 2. In GR-HA group, there were no weight loss and similarly maintained as normal group. Spleen size, adhesion rate and the edema and transformation of knee joint were low and similarly maintained as normal group. 3. In the GR-HA, cytokine level, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II were significantly decreased. 4. In the GR-HA, the change of immunocyte count were similarly maintained as normal group. 5. In the histological changes of the CIA mouse joint, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the GR-HA(Hematoxylin and eosin stain). The collagen fiber expressions in the GR-HA were similar with that of the normal group(Masson's Trichrome stain) Conclusions : These results suggest that GR-HA at ST36 has an effect to control immune reaction and suppress inflammation, synovial cell proliferation and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.195-209
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• 2009

Objectives : Transient inflammation has been demonstrated to alter visceral sensory function in animal models and acute mucosal inflammation may precede the manifestation of visceral hyperalgesia. Thus in this study we compared effects of herbal acupuncture of Nidus Vespae (NV) applied to the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) intracolonic injection in rats. Methods : In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250 ~ 400 g, TNBS (5 mg/kg) was infused intrarectally through a silicon rubber catheter into the anus under isoflurane anaesthesia. Under general anesthesia, acupoints of LI4 (Hapkok), SI25 (Cheonchu), ST36 (Joksamni), BL25 (Daejangsu) were intramuscularly injected by NV. Expressions of cFos protein in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), nucleus of solitary tract (Sol), and the 6th lumbar spinal cord (L6 s.c.) were observed at 24 hrs after TNBS induced colitis by immunohistochemistry. Results : The expression of c-Fos protein in L6 s.c., Sol, LC and PAG increased 24 hrs after TNBS injection into colorectum as compared to normal group. NV herbal acupuncture also inhibited the expression of c-Fos protein in Sol but not L6 s.c., LC, and PAG. NV to ST36 inhibited significantly the c-Fos expression in Sol and PAG. NV to ST25 inhibited the c-Fos protein expression all over the observation area. NV to BL25 showed the inhibitory effects in the areas except LC. Whether or not a role of endogenous opioids, intrathecal injection of naltrexone (30 ug / 30 ul) was applied before the 2nd herbal acupuncture treatment 24 hrs after TNBS-induced colitis in rat. Naltrexone reversed the inhibition of c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord and brainstem under different conditions such as type of herbal acupuncture compound and choice of acupoint. Conclusions : In summary, these data show that herbal acupuncture of NV inhibits signal pathways such as spinal cord and brain stem ascending hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis. This effect may be mediated by acupoints through the endogenous opioid system involving the pain modulation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review which acupoints and meridians are selected to treat visceral pain in articles published in international journals and to investigate quality of reporting acupuncture intervention according to the STRICTA guidelines. Methods : Electrical and hand search were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library for acupuncture studies on visceral pain in human and animals. Reporting quality of intervention was evaluated using the revised STRICTA guidelines. Results : We included 51 articles (7 clinical studies and 44 animal studies) in this study. The most frequently adopted meridians and acupoints were Stomach meridian, Spleen meridian, Conception Vessel meridian, and ST36, CV4, SP6, LI4, PC6, SP9, ST25, ST37 in clinical studies. In animal studies, Stomach meridian, Conception Vessel meridian, Pericardium meridian and ST36, ST37, CV12, PC6 were most frequently used. Animal studies showed significantly lower quality of reporting compared to clinical studies. According to the analysis on the effect of year of publication of articles, announcement of STRICTA guidelines did not improve the quality of reporting for studies on visceral pain. Conclusions : These results suggest that both proximal and distal acupoints based on meridian theory were used to study the underlying mechanisms of visceral pain both in human and animal studies. Guidelines of acupuncture intervention reporting for animal study is necessary to improve the quality of evidence, and it will also allow us the integrative understanding of the mechanisms and clinical effects of acupuncture treatment in human and animal.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-192
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• 2004

Objectives : This study is designed to investigate the pathology, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy applicable of the dementia through literature of oriental medicine. Results : The findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The cause of dementia is internal damage of seven emotions(七情內傷), deficiency of the kidney essence(腎精不足), retention of dampness in the mental(痰迷心竅). 2. The acupuncture meridians used often for dementia are $Tok-maek(GV),\;Chok-t'aeyang\;Pang-gwang-Ky\check{o}ng(BL),\;Chok-yangm\check{o}yng\;Wi-Ky\check{o}ng(ST),\;Su-gwor\check{u}m\;Shimp'o-Ky\check{o}ng(PC),\;Su-so\check{u}m\;Shim-Ky\check{o}ng(HT)$. 3. The spots on the body suiTable for acupuncture used for therapy of the dementia are 98 points and extra points are 6 points, total therapeutic acupunture points are 104 points. And acupunture points are frequently used Shinmun(神門-HT7, 24), Paek'oe(百會-GV20, 19), Chok-samni(足三里-ST36, 18), Sugu(水溝-GV26, 17), P'ungnyung(豊隆-ST40, 16), Taech'u(大椎-GV14, 14), $Sam\check{u}mgyo(三陰交-SP6,\;14)$, Shimsu(心兪-BL15, 14), $Taen\check{u}ng(大陵-PC7,\;11)$, Nogung(勞宮-PC8, 11), Sosang(少商-LU11, 10), Kansa(間使-PC5, 10), Naegwan(內關-PC6, 10). 4. The acupoints used often on moxibustion are Paek'oe(百會-GV20), Chang-gang(長强-GV1), Taech'u(大椎-GV14), Kansa(間使-PC5). Conclusion : It is recommended that further study of many sided investigations in the future.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.119-127
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the study is to analyze various studies subjected to sachonghyeol (SCH; Four command points) including ST36, BL40, LU7, LI4 in Korean literature. Methods : To analyze the results of SCH studies, The search was made through OASIS database. The search terms used were "ST36 OR BL40 OR LU7 OR LI4". Of 147 papers, 2 irrelevant papers were excluded and finally 145 papers were analyzed. Results : Thirty two studies were associated with pain control in various conditions using SCH. The pain control study of SCH covered 22 % of total studies. The next study topic was digestive function of SCH. Conclusion : To expand the clinical usage of SCH, the studies based on regulating function of SCH on ascending and descending ki, and coming in and out of ki are required to be performed in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.924-928
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of Zusanli(ST 36) electro-acupuncture(EA) on the small intestinal motility in rat. The motor activity of the rat small intestine was evaluated by intestinal transfortation rate. Changes in the motility in vivo of ileum was measured before and 10 minutes after acupuncture. In order to examine whether EA effect was affected by stimulated duration and left or right sides of ST36 acupoint, both of the difference effects of left or right sides on acupoints of ST 36 and the stimulated duration of 10, 20, 30 min. were investigated on the motility in vivo of ileum. These results suggest that effect of Zusanli(ST36) for increasing the small intestinal motility should stimulate more than 20 minutes, left ST36 EA has stronger effect than right ST36 EA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-54
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (n=8), LPS control (n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n=8), and LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n=8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-10 (IL-10), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue were compared before and 5 hrs after inflammation induction. Results : In CV4 and CV12 groups, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels increased by LPS injection, significantly decreased 5 hrs after injection (p<0.05). For CV12 group, plasma IL-10 concentration significantly increased (p<0.05). Liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 levles significantly decreased in CV4 and CV12 groups (P<0.05), while normal and LPS control groups were not significantly different in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 levels. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in CV12 group, while there was no significant difference among LPS control and pharmacopuncture groups for liver TBARS concentration. Conclusions : Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.