• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.19-32
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• 2005

Objectives : to evaluate the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture on Choksamni (ST36) in the collagen-induced arthritis rats and investigate the role played by serotonergic receptor subtypes (5-HT1a, 5-HT2a) in the antinociceptive effect of bee venom acupuncture in a thermal hyperalgesia test Methods : Experiments were performed on 5 week-aged 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats according to National Institute of Health guidelines and the ethical guidelines of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Arthritis was induced with arthrogenic collagen emulsion (Bovine type II collagen ${\mu}g$ with incomplete Freund's adjuvant $100\;{\mu}g$). The onset of arthritis was considered to be present when erythema and swelling were detected in at least one joint. The thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated weekly with tail flick test in the rats of severity grade 3 without any injury at tail and foot (including inflammation, ulceration, snap). In the fourth week after first immunization, the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture (Choksamni, ST36) was measured with consecutive tail flick latency after intraperitoneal injection of spiroxatrine (1mg/kg) and spiperone (1mg/kg). Results : Chronic inflammatory pain was induced as time elapsed after the immunization of arthrogenic collagen and the maximum value was reached from third to fifth week. Chronic inflammatory pain induced by CIA was inhibited by bee venom acupuncture on the left ST36. The analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture was inhibited by intraperitoneal injection of 5-HT1a antagonist spiroxatrine and 5-HT2a antagonist spiperone. Conclusions : Therefore, a conclusion. that the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture in the chronic inflammatory pain is partially mediated by 5-HT1a and 5-HT2a receptors can be made.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.51-65
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was built to investigate the effect of Trachelospermi Caulis herbal-acupuncture on the Collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of Bovine type II collagen solution into base of tail. Experimental group were divided into 5 groups ; Normal(N) group, Control(C) group, Trachelospermi Caulis high(TH) group, Trachelospermi Caulis low(TL) group, Saline(S) group(n=7 for each group). Normal group was had no management. Control group was injected with Bovine type II collagen solution and taken no treatment. Trachelospermi Caulis high group was injected with Bovine type II collagen solution and taken high-intensity(10mg/kg) herbal-acupuncture treatment on $ST_{36}$. Trachelospermi Caulis low group was injected with Bovine type II collagen solution and taken low-intensity(5mg/kg) herbal-acupuncture treatment on $ST_{36}$. Saline group was injected with Bovine type II collagen solution and taken saline injection on $ST_{36}$. Body weight, paw edema volume and ankle joint thickness were measured during experimental day. On the last experimental day, we analyzed WBC count, TNF-$\alpha$ & IL-$1{\beta}$ concentration, c-fos immunohistochemistry and NADPH-d histochemistry for evaluating the effect of Trachelospermi Caulis herbal-acupuncture. Results : The results were as follows ; 1. In the change of paw edema volume, TH group only has significant difference compared with C group. 2. In the change of ankle joint thickness, TH group only has significant difference compared with C group. 3. In WBC count of serum, TH, TL groups have significant decrease compared with C group. 4. In TNF-$\alpha$ concentration of effusion, TH, TL groups have significant decrease compared with C group. and TH group has significant decrease compared with TL group. 5. In IL-$1{\beta}$ concentration of effusion, TH, TL groups have significant decrease compared with C group. and TH group has significant decrease compared with TL group. 6. In c-fos positive neurons of S1S2(cortex) region, TH, TL, S groups have significant decrease compared with C group. 7. In NADPH-d positive neurons of CPu(caudate putamen) region, TH, TL groups have significant decrease compared with C group. 8. In NADPH-d positive neurons of Tfp(transverse fibers of pons) region, TH, TL, S groups have significant decrease compared with C group. and TH group has significant decrease compared with S group. Conclusions : According to above results, we hope that Trachelospermi Caulis herbal-acupuncture may have the effect that decreases progression and development of CIA. And it can be suggested that Trachelospermi Caulis herbal-acupuncture may reduce the expression of c-fos and NOS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.14-25
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Aurothiomalate acupuncture containing Sodium Aurothiomalate on Type II collagen-induced arthritic DBA/1 mice. Methods : The mice were divided into three groups, one control group and two test groups. The control group was injected with saline on Choksamni(ST36) and the two test groups were injected either with Aurothiomalate acupuncture into Choksamni(AT1 group), or with Aurothiomalate acupuncture into Hwando(G30, AT2 group). We measured the incidence of arthritis, the mean index of arthritis, the number of arthritic limbs for the clinical examination and evaluation. We also examined the changes in the level of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. Results : 1. The incidence of arthritis in mice of the AT1 and AT2 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. 2. The mean indices of arthritis in mice of the AT1 and AT2 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. 3. The mean number of arthritic limbs in mice of the AT1 and AT2 groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. 4. The levels of TNF-$\alpha$ of the mice in the AT1 and AT2 groups were significantly different from that of the control group. 5. The levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ of the mice in the AT1 and AT2 groups were not significantly different from that of the control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that the treatment with Aurothiomalate acupuncture could improve the clinical status of Arthritis by suppressing immune responses in the mice of Type II collagen-induced arthritic.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.227-241
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• 2005

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Asari Herba Cum Radice herbal-acupuncture solution(AHCR-HAS) on arthritis of mice induced by Collagen II at Joksamni(ST36). The author performed several experimental items. First, it is the cell survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts and expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells. Second, it is the incidence rate of arthritis and the weight of spleen. Third, it is the levels of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, INF-${\gamma}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum Fourth, it is histological analysis of the mice joint. Fifth, it is expression ratio of CD3e+ to CDl9+ cell, CD4+ to CD8+ cell, CD69+/CD3e+ cells, CD11+/CD19+ cells and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Result : 1. The highest survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts were measured in the 1% AHCR-HAS, and the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells were significantly decreased in the 1% AHCR-HAS. 2. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, the incidence of arthritis and the weight of spleen were significantly decreased. 3. In AHCR-HAI & AHCR-HAII groups, the levels of IL-6, INF-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice were significantly decreased. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, and the collagen fiber expressions in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups were similar with that of the Normal group. 5. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HA II groups, the expression ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell and CD4+ to CD8+ cell were similarly maintained as Normal group in lymph nodes, and CD69+/CD3e+ cells and CD11a+/CD19+ cells were decreased in Iymph nodes, and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells were decreased in synovium. Conclusion : Taking all these observations into account, AHCR-HA is considered to be effective in prophylaxis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and then more effective in prophylaxis than treatment, so put to practical use in future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.