• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2013

Objective: Pyungwi-san (PWS) plays a role in a number of physiologic and pharmacologic functions in many organs. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that generate slow waves in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of PWS in mouse small-intestinal ICCs. Methods: Enzymatic digestion was used to dissociate ICCs from the small intestine of a mouse. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record membrane potentials from the cultured ICCs. Results: ICCs generated pacemaker potentials in the GI tract. PWS produced membrane depolarization in the current clamp mode. Pretreatment with a $Ca^{2+}$-free solution and a thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, eliminated the generation of pacemaker potentials. However, only when the thapsigargin was applied in a bath solution, the membrane depolarization was not produced by PWS. Furthermore, the membrane depolarizations due to PWS were inhibited not by U-73122, an active phospholipase C inhibitor, but by chelerythrine and calphostin C, protein kinase C inhibitors. Conclusions: These results suggest that PWS might affect GI motility by modulating the pacemaker activity in the ICCs.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Oldenlandia diffusa extract on WiDr human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Methods : We examined cell death by (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay and the caspase 3 and 9 activity assay with Oldenlandia diffusa extract. To examine the inhibitory effects of Oldenlandia diffusa extract, we performed a cell cycle (sub-G1) analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential for the WiDr cells after 24 hours with Oldenlandia diffusa extract. Results : 1. Oldenlandia diffusa extract induced cell death in WiDr cells. 2. The sub-G1 peak was increased by Oldenlandia diffusa extract in WiDr cells. 3. Oldenlandia diffusa extract leads to increase the mitochondrial membrane depolarization in WiDr cells. 4. Oldenlandia diffusa extract increases caspase 3 and 9 activities in WiDr cells. 5. Oldenlandia diffusa extract combined with several anti-cancer drugs (paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, ectoposide, doxorubicin and docetaxel) markedly inhibited the growth of WiDr cells compared to Oldenlandia diffusa extract and anti-cancer drugs alone. Conclusions : Oldenlandia diffusa extract has an apoptotic role in human colorectal cancer cells and a potential role in developing therapeutic agents against colorectal cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2016

An ethanolic extracts of Scutellaria Baicalensis GEORGI are used to treat cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an ESBG on the growth and survival of 5637 cells, a human bladder carcinoma cell line. Cells were treated with different concentrations of an ethanolic extract of Scutellaria Baicalensis GEORGI (ESBG), and cell death was assessed using a MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Analyses of the sub G1 peak, caspase-3 and -9 activities, and mitochondrial membrane depolarizations were conducted to confirm cell death by apoptosis. ESBG had a cytotoxic effect on 5637 cells, and increased the sub G1 peak, caspase-3 and -9 activities, and mitochondrial depolarization, indicating ESBG induced apoptosis. Furthermore, MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) inhibitors suppressed this apoptosis. In an in vitro study, a combination of sub-optimal doses of ESBG and paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, or docetaxel noticeably suppressed tumor growth by 5637 cells. Our findings provide insight of the mechanisms underlying cellular apoptosis induced by ESBG, and suggest new therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.721-727
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to review the current situation of Sasang typology studies and get a recommendation for ameliorating it by systematically reviewing articles published in Korea from 2000 to 2009. Six hundred seventy-seven articles were found by searching the representative Korean databases such as KISS, RISS, KISTI, DBPIA, NDSL and also by hand search. Yearly analysis was performed by academic field, journal, author and affiliation, type of article and content. The analysis showed that the number of published articles has increased from 61 in 2000 to 86 in 2009. 607(89.6%) were related to medical field, 627(92.6%) were published in Korean Citation Index-listed journals, and 413(68.8%) were published in the Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. The authors listed on one article were 3.98 persons and affiliated in 1.66 departments in average. Sixty six percents are for the clinical studies or case reports, and twenty-five for Sasang type diagnosis. This study showed that more active collaborations with diverse research fields and various research methods are needed for the improvement of Sasang typology studies and the scope expansion of Korean traditional medicine.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.15-19
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Sophorae Radix (SR) and doxorubicin (DOX) in human gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. We used the human gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (MKN-45 and WIDR cells, respectively). We examined cell death by using the MTT(3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the caspase 3 assay with SR. To examine the inhibitory effects of SR, we performed a cell cycle (sub G1) analysis for the MKN-45 and WIDR cells after three days with SR. The reversibility of SR was examined for one-day to five-day treatments with SR. SR inhibited the growth of MKN-45 and WIDR cells in a dosedependent manner. Also, we showed that SR induced apoptosis in MKN-45 and WIDR cells by using the MTT assay, the caspase 3 assay and the sub-G1 analysis. SR combined with DOX markedly inhibited the growth of MKN-45 and WIDR cells compared to SR or DOX alone. After 3 days of treating MKN-45 and WIDR cells with SR, the fraction of cells in the sub-G1 phase was much higher than that of the control group. Our findings provide insights into unraveling the effects of SR on human gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and into developing therapeutic agents for use against gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san, a herbal product used in traditional Chinese medicine, on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in mice. Methods: The in vivo effects of Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san on GI motility were investigated by measuring the intestinal transit rates (ITRs) using Evans blue in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction (GMD). GMD was induced by injecting acetic acid or streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Results: In normal Institute of Cancer Research mice, ITRs were significantly and dose-dependently increased by Shengmaisan (0.01~1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01~1 g/kg). The ITRs of acetic acid induced peritoneal irritation model and streptozotocin-induced diabetic model mice were significantly reduced compared to normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by Shengmai-san (0.01~1 g/kg) and Pyungwi-san (0.01~1 g/kg). Conclusions: These results suggest that both Shengmai-san and Pyungwi-san are a good candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GMD.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2021

Obejectives : The purpose of this study is to find out the efficacy of pacemaker potentials of interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) by Fermented Lotus Root (FLR) in small intestine. Methods : Enzyme digestions were used to separate the ICC. Using electrophysiological methods, pacemaker potentials were measured and intestinal transit rates (ITR) experiments were conducted to identify in vivo gastrointestinal motility. Results : 1. FLR (0.5-10 mg/ml) caused membrane depolarization by electrophysiological methods. 2. In the case of pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution and thapsigargin, the pacemaker potential disappeared and in this case, FLR did not have a membrane depolarization reaction. 3. Lowering the concentration of extracellular Na⁺ concentration stoped the pacemaker potentials and inhibited the reaction caused by FLR. Flufenamic acid also inhibited the reaction by FLR. 4. In mice, ITR was increased by FLR. Conclusions : This study shows that FLR can control ICC by an internal/external Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. It also shows that FLR can be a good candidate for gastrointestinal motility medication development.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.247-261
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• 2024

Objectives : Zuojin Pill, recognized as an effective herbal remedy, has undergone investigation for its potential in alleviating symptoms like indigestion, vomiting, and abdominal distension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of digestive function activation through network pharmacology, particularly focused on improving functional dyspepsia. Methods : The two components, Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus, constituting Zuojin Pill were analyzed based on broad information on chemical and pharmacological properties, confirming 40 active compounds and 115 digestive-related molecular targets. Concentration analysis revealed impacts on various pathways related to digestive functions. Results : According to network pharmacological analysis of Zuojin Pill, quercetin and beta-sitosterol were exhibited relatively numerous targets, suggesting their potential significance in the therapeutic activity of Zuojin Pill and by a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, JUN, RELA, MAPK1, HSP90AA1, TP53, TNF, AKT1, IL6, MAPK14, ESR1, FOS, MYC were identified. Also, berberine exhibited the highest contribution index (92.58%), indicating that this compound may be a major contributor to the digestive activity of Zuojin Pill. Additionally, functional interaction analysis by GeneMANIA indicated that targets of Zuojin Pill could functionally interact through various mechanisms, implying similarities in pharmacological roles. Conclusions : These findings contribute valuable insights into the digestive function activation mechanism and highlight the therapeutic potential of Zuojin Pill in improving functional dyspepsia.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2016

Objectives In human, there is a diversity in the breathing pattern, for instance inspiratory and expiratory time, volume, breathing frequency, and breath-to-breath variation. Expecially, respiratory variability can provide important information about breathing regulation and physiological flexibility. it is significant to not only breathing index but also physiological index.Methods Thus this paper reviews the literature on respiratory variability with the aim of clinical application.Results We could find the interrelationships and respiratory variability between emotions, psychopathy, sighing, mental and physical activity.Conclusions As a result, respiratory variability can serve an important physiological index in the clinical area and reflects how our bodies act in diverse environments under various condition.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.84-97
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• 2005

Background and and purpose : The aim of this study is to define the concept and to arrange symptoms of Blood stasis(瘀血) by review of other thesises, literatures connected with it and reserch trend, in order to making a questionnaire of Blood stasis(瘀血) Methods: By review of other thesises and literatures connected with it, we defined the concept and arranged. symptoms of Blood stasis(瘀血). Results: The concept of Blood stasis(瘀血) is summarized as stasis of blood, pollutant of blood and external blood of vessel. The causes and Symptoms of blood stasis is arranged. Conclusion: Review of literatures led to the selection of 48 items describing blood stasis pattern(瘀血證)