• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.104-111
• /
• 2018

Objective:This study is to evaluate both the single-dose intravenous injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of Water-soluble Danggui Pharmacopuncture (WDP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Toxicity experiments were conducted at Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratory in Biotoxtech Co., according to the regulations of GLP. WDP injection of dose 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal were experimental groups and normal saline injection group was control group. WDP and normal saline were injected once to 6- week old 5 male and 5 female SD rats at the tail veins at approximately 2 mL/min. During 14 days after the injection, general symptoms were observed and weight were measured. After the observation period, hematological and blood biochemical examination, macroscopic autopsy, topical resistance test at the injection area were performed. Results: RThe WDP 0.5 mL/animal injection group in 4 cases of male rats and all cases of female rats showed hematuria 30 minutes after the administration. However, after 1 hour, no more abnormal general symptoms were observed. The WDP did not affect weight, hematological and blood biochemical examination, macroscopic autopsy, and topical resistance test at the injection area. Conclusion: WDP single dose intravenous injection results showed that WDP have no toxic effects and a lethal dose of WDP should be over 0.5 mL/animal in male and female rats under the study condition. So WDP may be safe.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2003

The activity of phase II enzyme in the liver of mice was examined following the application of Cnidium officinale Makino aqua-acupuncture solution (COMAS). The application of COMAS $CV_{12}$ to mice for 7 days increased quinone reductase(QR) activity. The glutathione S-transferase(GST) activity was also increased with COMAS. A greater increase was observed in the glutathione(GSH) levels than in the QR and GST activities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.76-85
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Radix Ginseng has been traditionally used as an adaptogen that acts on the adrenal cortex and stimulates or relaxes the nervous system to restore emotional and physical balance and to improve well-being in cases of degenerative disease and/or old age. Radix Ginseng has been used for a long time, but the safety of ginseng pharmacopuncture needs testing. This study was done to analyze the single-dose toxicity of water- soluble ginseng pharmacopuncture (GP) intramuscular injections in rats. Methods: All experiments were performed at Biotoxtech, an institution authorized to perform non clinical studies under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Each group contained 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 males and 5 females. GP was prepared in a sterile room at the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute under regulations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). GP dosages were 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mL for the experimental groups; normal saline was administered to the control group. The animals general condition was examined daily for 14 days, and the rats were weighed on the starting day and at 3, 7 and 14 days after administration of the pharmacopuncture. Hematological and biochemistry tests and autopsies were done to test the toxicological effect of GP after 14 days. This study was performed with approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of Biotextech. Results: No deaths were found in this single-dose toxicity test of intramuscular injections of GP, and no significant changes in the general conditions, body weights, hematological and biochemistry tests, and autopsies were observed. The local injection site showed no changes. Based on these results, the lethal dose was assumed to be over 1.0 mL/animal in both sexes. Conclusion: These results suggest that GP is relatively safe. Further studies, including a repeated toxicity test, are needed to provide more concrete evidence for the safety of GP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.42-50
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The aims of the study were to test the single- dose intravenous toxicity of Daebohwalryeok pharmacopuncture (DHRP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to estimate the crude lethal dose. Methods: The experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech Co., a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratory, according to the GLP regulation and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Biotoxtech Co. (Approval no: 110156). The rats were divided into three groups: DHRP was injected into the rats in the two test groups at doses of 10 mL/kg and 20 mL/kg, respectively, and normal saline solution was injected into the rats in the control group. Single doses of DHRP were injected intravenously into 6 week old SD rats (5 male and 5 female rats per group). General symptoms were observed and weights were measured during the 14 day observation period after the injection. After the observation period, necropsies were done. Then, histopathological tests were performed. Weight data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by using statistical analysis system (SAS, version 9.2). Results: No deaths and no statistical significant weight changes were observed for either male or female SD rats in either the control or the test groups during the observation period. In addition, no treatment related general symptoms or necropsy abnormalities were observed. Histopathological results showed no DHRP related effects in the 20 mL/kg DHRP group for either male or female rats. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, the results from single-dose intravenous injections of DHRP showed that estimated lethal doses for both male and female rats were above 20 mL/kg.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.131-152
• /
• 2000

The effects of Cervus elaphus aquapuncuture and Ginseng Radix aquapuncuture on the growth, protein efficiency ratio, contents of total protein, total cholesterol, and triglyceride in serum were studied for thirty four days. The results were summarized as follows. 1. Weight significantly increased in $0.3\%$ Cervus elaphus aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci and in $0.2\%$ Ginseng Radix aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci compared to normal saline aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci. 2. Protein efficiency ratio significantly increased in $0.2\%$ and $0.3\%$ of Cervus elaphus aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci and $0.1\%$, $0.2\%$ and $0.3\%$ of Ginseng Radix aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci compared to nonnal saline aquapuncture on Chunchu loci. 3. Total protein significantly increased in $0.2\%$ and $0.3\%$ of Cervus elaphus aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci compared to nonnal saline aqriapuncture On Chunchu loci. whereas it had a tendency to increase in $0.2\%$ Ginseng Radix aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci compared to normal saline aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci. 4. Total cholesterol increased a little in $0.3\%$ Cervus elaphus aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci compared to normal saline aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci. 5. Triglyceride significantly increased in $0.2\%$ Ginseng Radix aqua puncture group on Chunchu loci compared to normal saline aquapuncture group on Chunchu loci. Significance was acknowledged in the effect by density difference of medicines. In the Cervus elaphus group, there was the most significant increase in density of $0.3\%$ aquapuncture, whereas in Ginseng Radix group, there was the most significant increase in density of $0.2\%$ aquapuncture. So setting up density of medicines is important and many various studies for clinical application are required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.177-196
• /
• 2004

Objective : Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that pathogenesis is not fully understood and one of the most intractable musculoskeletal diseases. The concern in the immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has been increased since 1980's and many immunotherapeutic agents including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were developed and became the mainstay of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cure of the disease has hardly been achieved. In oriental medicine, rheumatoid arthritis is related to Bi-Zheng(痺證), that presents pain, swelling, andlor loss of joint function as major clinical manifestations, and also known to be deeply involved in suppression of immune function related to weakness of Jung-Ki(正氣). The herbal medicine, empirically used, could be a potential resource of development of new immunotherapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : We developed a search strategy using terms to include "rheumatoid arthritis and herbal medicine" combined with "Chinese medicine" and/or "Oriental medicine". The search was focused on experimental studies of herbal medicine (January 1999 to May 2004), which is known to have effects on immune function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Computerized search used Internet databases including KISS and RISS4U (Korea), CNKI (China), MOMJ (Main Oriental Medicine Journal, Japan), and PubMed. The articles were selected from journals of universities or major research institutes. Results : The literature search for experimental studies on effects of herbal medicine on immunity of rheumatoid arthritis retrieved a total of 21 articles (Korea; 8, China ; 12, Japan ; 1). Of 21 articles, 10 were related to single-drug formula, 2 to drug interaction, and 9 to multi-drug formula. Single-drug formula was mainly used for aqua-acupuncture and researches on active components. Studies of drug interaction emphasized harmony of Ki-Hyul(氣血) and balance of Han-Yeul(寒熱). Multi-drug regimen was mainly found among formulas for Bo-Ki-Hyul(補氣血) and Bo-Sin(補腎). Conclusion : Studies on rheumatoid arthritis were performed both in vitro and in vivo in vitro study, LPS-stimulated splenocytes and synoviocytes were treated with herbal medicine, resulting in proliferation and activation of immune cells and suppression of cytokine activities in vivo study CIA animal model demonstrated that herbal medicine decreased antibody production and improved function of immune cells. In cellular and molecular study herbal medicine showed profound effects on the level of mRNA expression of certain cytokines related to immune function. This study revealed that herbal medicine has significant immune modulatory action and could be used for recovery of immune dysfunction of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.37-51
• /
• 2005

Mast cell is a cell that functions mainly in our body with a respect to inflammation and allergic response. Bee venom has been progressed in a study as a model related to mechanism in alleviation of pain until now, but it is being progressed in a study relevant to immunocyte in anti-inflammation or anti-allergic response. The present study is aimed to present the basis related to a future study of gene, by researching the influence of melittin and MCD Peptide, which are major ingredients in Bee venom, upon the expression of gene in the mast cell strain. In this study, it dealt with melittin and MCD Peptide respectively, in the effective concentration after passing though the experiment of cytotoxicity by using human mast cell strain. Also, with the respect in the aspect of expression in gene that changes at this time, information was obtained through the technique of analyzing microarray. Through experimental statistics, when regarding a case that global M is significant in more than 1 or -1, in melittin, all 7 genes were accelerated, and 8 inhibited. In MCDP, 7 genes were accelerated and 17 genes inhibited. The function in the body to which these genes are related, was associated with the protein binding within a cell, the activation in the function of lymphocyte, the acceptor related to macrophage antigen. In cell nucleus, substance related to GABA A receptor, protein associated with cAMP reactive element, substance related to complement system No.8 and to B-cell, protein substance related to polycystic kidney disease, substance related to inflammation, and the protein substance of influencing coagulation of blood. Through these results of analysis, it could obtain more useful materials in clarifying the mechanism of action in melittin and MCD peptide, which are in charge of mainly medical action in the abdomen. Also, it is thought that an in-depth study on the influence of main ingredients in Bee venom, the wholly honey bee venom aqua upon anti-allergic response or anti-inflammation are further required.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2007

Objectives: Our previous studies have clearly demonstrated that the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protective effect of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and inhibition of cytochrome P450 isozymes (CYPs) from the Circium japonicum aqua-acupuncture solution (CJAS). But, Circium japonicum water extracted solution (CJWS) was weakly reported in cardiovascular diseases such as oxidative stress-mediated atherosclerosis or its value evaluated. Methods: CJWS was assessed to determine the mechanism of its scavenging activity of ROS and inhibitory effect of CYP 2E1. Results: CJWS exhibited a concentration-dependent scavenger of DPPH and superoxide anions radicals using different assay systems. In addition, CJWS showed dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity, including hydroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite, and nitric oxide. The CJWS was also found to be effective in protecting rat liver homogenate against LPO. Futhermore, the CJWS showed significant inhibition of CYP 2E1 induced by pyrazol in a rat liver microsome. Conclusion : ROS and CYPs may play a role in several diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Our study demonstrated that the CJWS has excellent scavenging activity of ROS. Hence, it is worthwhile to investigate the potential effectiveness of CJWS in preventing oxidative stress-mediated cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.503-509
• /
• 2015

This is a case report on a deep vein thrombosis(DVT) patient whose pain, numbness, and swelling in the left leg have been decreased with Korean Medicine. The 59 year-old male patient who was diagnosed with DVT and showed the classic symptoms of DVT(pain, numbness and swelling in the left leg). Although he was treated with medication(100mg of aspirin, 20mg of rivaroxaban) for five weeks, his symptoms did not improved. Then, he was gaven Sunkihwalhyul-tang three times a day and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture once a day for two months. Conservative therapy including leg elevation and an elastic stocking was co-administered. During our treatment period, the size of the thrombus in the left external iliac vein was decreased according to sonography compared with the pre-hospital's sonography, and the patient felt his symptoms had improved. This case report suggests Korean Medicine may play a role in improving the deep vein thrombosis symptoms.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.42-48
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of water-soluble Carthami-flos and Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (WCFC) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The study was conducted at Biotoxtech Co. according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) after approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dosages for the control, high dose, middle dose and low dose groups were 0.5 mL/animal of saline and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 mL/animal of WCFC, respectively. WCFC was injected into the muscle of the left femoral region by using a disposable syringe (1 mL, 26 gauge). The general symptoms and mortality were observed 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first injection and then daily for 14 days after the injection. The body weights of the SD rats were measured on the day of the injection (before injection) and on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after the injection. Serum biochemical and hematologic tests, necropsy examinations, and histopathologic examinations at the injection site were performed after the observation period. Results: No deaths, abnormal clinical symptoms, or significant weight changes were observed in either male or female SD rats in the control or the test (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal) groups during the observation period. No significant differences in hematology and serum biochemistry and no macroscopic abnormalities at necropsy were found. No abnormal reactions at injection sites were noted on the topical tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this single-dose toxicity study show that WCFC is safe, its lethal doses in male and female SD rats being estimated to be higher than 0.5 mL/animal.