• Title/Summary/Keyword: Common herbs

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Research Trends in Korean Medicine Treatment for Sarcopenia: Scoping Review (근감소증에 대한 한의 치료 연구 동향: 스코핑 리뷰)

  • Seo-Eun Kim;Yun-Hee Han;Seung-Kwan Choi;Jung-Ho Jo;Hyeon-Jun Woo;Byeong-Hyeon Jeon;Won-Bae Ha;Jung-Han Lee
    • Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.97-113
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    • 2023
  • Objectives This study examined the trends in domestic and international research on the treatment of sarcopenia and analyzed the effectiveness of the treatment. Based on the results, we suggest directions for future Korean medicine research on sarcopenia. Methods The study was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology. It included three international databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) and five domestic databases (Korean studies Information Service System, Korean Medical database, Oriental Medicine Advanced Search Integrated System, Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON) were used. Literatures published until April 30, 2023, including the contents of 'sarcopenia' and Korean Medicine treatment', were searched. Results A total of 45 studies were included in the analysis. The number of studies on Korean medicine treatments for sarcopenia is steadily increasing, with the majority of studies coming from Asian countries. Of the 45 studies, 30 were conducted in the field of medicine, and the study design was analyzed into 10 clinical studies and 35 non-clinical studies. Among the 10 clinical studies, the most common treatment interventions were herbs (n=4), followed by Daoist exercises (n=3). The most common diagnostic criteria used in clinical studies were those published by the Asian working group for sarcopenia, and various physical examinations and laboratory tests were used as outcome measures. Conclusions The future direction of Korean medicine research on sarcopenia should be to expand the number of clinical studies applying Korean medicine treatment interventions.

A Clinical Study of Tinnitus (耳鳴에 관한 임상적 연구)

  • Choi, In-Hwa
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.134-145
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    • 2001
  • Introduction: Noises in the ear, whether real or imagined, are called tinnitus. Subjective causes of tinnitus(which is heard only by the patient) are extremely common and the majority of them are treated conservatively. For certain individuals their tinnitus is a major handicap; for others a trivial concern. The most common from of subjective tinnitus is a rushing, hissing or buzzing noise; it is frequently associated with sensorineural heanng loss. The patient may be unaware of the hearing loss, especially if it is a high frequency deficit of moderate severity. The character of the tinnitus may give a clue to the etiology. But the patient often has difficulty in explaining his/her tinnitus in absolute terms, as they have no other tinnitus with which to compare it but their own Tinnitus, like pain, is a subjective state and trying to objectively assess the severity is problematic. Audiological techniques to match subjective loudness to machine-produced noise may offer some help, in that sound intensity matches can bear little correspondence to subjective complaint. In spite of many studies, most patients presently seen complaining of tinnitus are told by their doctors that there is no treatment and that they will have to learn to live with this symptom. Objectives: To perform a clinical analysis of tinnitus and estimate the efficacy of Oriental Medical treatment according to the Byeonjeung(辨證). Subject: We studied 34 patients with complaints of tinnitus who had visited Pundang Cha Oriental Medicine Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology from March 1998 to February 2000. All of them had been treated 2 or 3 times a week with acupuncture treatment and had taken herbs according to the Byeonjeung(辨證) method. It was therefore possible for me to know whether their symptoms improved or not. Parameters Observed and Method: We treated them with acupuncture & herb-medication. Sometimes we gave them moxibustion or negative therapy with bloodletting at the acupuncture points(耳門, 聽宮, 聽會). Parameters Observed 1) Distribution of age & sex 2) Chief complaints 3) The sites of tinnitus 4) The quality of tinnitu 5) The duration of disease 6) The problem induced tinnitus 7) Factors increasing disease severity 8) The classification of the Byeonjeung(辨證) 9) The efficacy of treatments Results: 1. Age and sex distribution: The most common occurrence was found in males in their twenties: 6 males($17.7\%$), and in females in their thirties and over sixty: 8 females($23.5\%$). Total patient numbers for men and women were 20 men($58.8\%$), 14 women ($41.2\%$). 2. The most frequent major complaints were hearing disturbances related to tinnitus; and dizziness with tinnitus; each comprising 10 cases($29.4\%$). There were also 7 patients($20.6\%$) with only tinnitus. 3. Tinnitus sites: 13($38.2\%$) said that they felt tinnitus in both ears, equally. In the right ear, 9($26.5\%$), in the left, 6($17.7\%$). 4. The most frequent descriptive symptoms of tinnitus were: humming, hissing, buzzing etc. 5. The duration of disease. 14cases($41.2\%$) had a duration of less than 1 year. 6. 15cases($44.1\%$) complained that it was hard to watch TV or make a phone call because of tinnitus. 10 cases($29.4\%$) complained about depression. 7. Factors increasing severity of tinnitus: ⅰ) fatigue: 18cases($52.9\%$) ⅱ) stress/ tension: 10 cases($29.4\%$) ⅲ) alcohol and tobacco: 5cases($l4.7\%$) 8. Classification through Byeonjeung : ⅰ) 19 cases($55.9\%$) were classified as showing Deficiency syndrome. ⅱ) 15 cases($44.l\%$) were classified as showing Excess syndrome. The deficiency of Qi was 7($20.6\%$), deficiency of Xue, 8($23.5\%$) and insufficiency of the Kidney Yin & Yang, 4($11.8\%$). The flare of Liver fire was 8($23.5\%$) and phlegm-fire, 7($20.6\%$), 9. The efficacy of treatments showed: an improvement in 17cases($50.0\%$); no real improvement or changes in 13 cases($38.2\%$); and some worsening in 4 cases($11.8\%$). In the group with deficiency in Qi, 4($57.1\%$) improved, 1($14.3\%$) showed no change and 2($28.6\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of deficiency in Xue, 6($75.0\%$) improved, 2($25.0\%$) showed no change. In the cases of insufficiency of Kidney Yin & Yang, 3($75.0\%$) showed no change and 1($25.0\%$) were aggravated. In the group of flare of Liver fire, 4($50.0\%$) improved, 3($37.5\%$) no change and 1($12.5\%$) were aggravated. In the cases of phlegm-fire, 3($42.9\%$) improved, 4($57.1\%$) showed no change. Conclusion: We would recommend that any further studies of tinnitus utilize trial treatments of longer than 2 months duration, as any positive effects observed in our study showed that improvement occurred fairly slowly. And we suggest that this study could be utilized as a reference for clinical Oriental Medical treatment of tinnitus. If we try to apply music or sound therapy treatment properly combined with ours, we expect it to provide psycological stability in addition to inducing masking effects, even though it may not directly decrease or completely remove tinnitus.

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The essay of Bijeung by chinese doctors in 20th century - Study of - (20세기(世紀) 중의사(中醫師)들의 비증(痺證)에 대(對)한 논술(論述) 연구(硏究) - 《비증전집(痺證專輯)》 에 대(對)한 연구(硏究) I -)

  • Kim, Myung Wook;Oh, Min Suk
    • Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.547-594
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    • 2000
  • I. Introduction The essence of Oriental medicine consists of ancient books, experienced doctors and succeeded skills of common society. Many famous doctors studied medical science by their fathers or teachers. So the history of medical science is long. $\ll$DangDaeMyeongIImJeungJeongHwa(當代名醫臨證精華)$\gg$ written by SaWoogWang(史宇廣) and DanSeoGeon(單書健) has many medical experience of famous doctors. So it has important historical value. Bi(痺) means blocking. BiJeung is one kind of symptoms making muscles, bones and jonts feel pain, numbness or edema. For example it can be gout or SLE etc. So I studied ${\ll}BiJeungJuJip{\gg}$. II. Final Decision Following decisions of Chinese doctors of 20th century are as follows ; 1. JuYangChun(朱良春) emphasized on IkSinJangDok(益腎壯督) to treat BiJeong. And he devided WanBi(頑痺) as PungHanSeup(風寒濕), DamEo(痰瘀), YeolDok(熱毒), SinHeo(腎虛). He used insects for medicine. 2. ChoSuDoek(焦樹德) introduced past prescription. He used ChiBiTang(治痺湯) to treat HaengBi(行痺), TongBi(痛痺), ChakBi(着痺). He insisted that Han(寒; coldness) and Seup(濕; dampness) be Eum(陰) and Pung(風; wind) can change his character to be Eum. After all BiJeung is usually EumJeung. So he used GaeJi(桂枝) and BuJa(附子). By the way he used ChungYeolSanBiTang(淸熱散痺湯) for YeolBi, BoSinGeoHanChiWangTang SaBok(王士福) emphasized on the importance of medicine. He introduced many treatments like CheongYeol(情熱) for YeolBi and YiO(二烏) for HanBi. And he divided BiJeung period for three steps. At 1st step, we must use GeoSa(祛邪), at 2nd step, we must use BuJeong(扶正) and at 3rd step, we must use BoHyeol(補血), he insisted. And he introduced many herbs to treat BiJeung. 4. JeongGwangJeok(丁光迪) said that GaeJi(桂枝), MaHwang(麻黃), OYak(烏蘖) and BuJa(附子) are very important for TongRak(通絡). And pain usually results from Han(寒), so he liked to use hot-character herbs. 5. MaGi(馬志) insisted that BiJeung usually result from ChilJeong(七情). And he liked to use insects for treatment of BiJeung. 6. WeolSeokMu(越錫武) introduced 8 kinds of treatments and divided BiJeung period. Also he divided BeJeung for PungBi(風痺), HanBi(寒痺) and SeupBi(濕痺). 7. SeoGeaHam(徐季含) observed many patients and concluded that 86.7% of BiJeung is HeuJeung(虛症). 8. YuJiMyeong(劉志明) said that YeolBi is important and CheongYeol is also important. So he emphasized on DangGyuiJeomTongTang(當歸拈痛湯) and SeonBiTang(宣痺湯). 9. WangLiChu(汪履秋) studied cause of WanBi. Internal cause is GiHyeolHeo(氣血虛) and GanSinHeo(肝腎虛) and external cause is SaGi(邪氣) he insisted. 10. WangSaSang(王士相) said that YeolBi can be SeupYeolBi or EumHeuYeolBi(陰虛熱痺) and HanSeupBi(寒濕痺) is rare. He use WooBangJaSan(牛蒡子散) and BangPungHwan(防風丸) for SeupYeolBi, DangGyuiSaYeokTang(當歸四逆湯) for HanSeupBi. 11. JinTaekGang(陳澤江) treated YeolBi with BaekHoGaGyeJiTang(自虎加桂枝湯) and SaMyoSan(四妙散). If they don't have effect, he tried to cure BiJeung step by step. And he used e term of GeunBi(筋痺) and BangGiMogwaEIInTang(防己木瓜薏苡仁湯) was good for GeunBi. 12. MaSeoJeong(麻瑞亭) said that PungSeupYeokJeul(風濕歷節) is BiJeung and it is related to GanBinSin(肝脾腎; liver, Spleen, Kindey). And he emphasized on balance WiGi(衛氣) and YoungHeul(營血). 13. SaJeJu(史濟桂) said that GeunGolBi(筋骨痺) is similar to arthritis and sometimes called ChakBi. And SinBi(腎痺) is terminal stage of ChakBi, he said. He also used insects for treatment. 14. JeongJeNam(丁濟南) tried to cure SLE and used GyeJi, CheonCho(川椒), SinGeunCho(伸筋草), SunRyeongBi(仙靈脾), HyconSam(玄蔘) and GamCho(甘草). 15. JinGYungHwa(陳景和) emphasized on diagnosis of tongue. If the color of tongue is blue, it usually has EoHyeol(瘀血), for example. And he also used insects. 16. JuSongI(朱松毅) tried to devide YeolBi with OnByeong(溫病), Wi(衛), Gi(氣) and Hyeol(血). 17. RuDaBong(蔞多峰) said that JyeongHeo(正虛), OiSa(外邪) and EoHyeol are closely related. And he explained BiJeung by deviding the body into the part, for example head, neck, shoulder, waist, upper limb and lower limb. 18. YuMuBo(劉茂甫) defined PungHanSyubBi as chronic stage and YeolBi as acute stage.

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The Clinical Aspects of Wild Plant Poisoning (야생식물 중독의 임상 양상)

  • Ok, Taek-Gun;Park,, Chan-Woo;Cho, Jun-Hwi;Cheon, Seung-Whan;Lee, Seung-Young;Kim,, Sung-Eun;Choi, Ki-Hoon;Bae, Ji-Hoon;Seo, Jeong-Yeul;Ahn, Hee-Cheol;Ahn, Moo-Eob;Cho, Byung-Ryul;Kim,, Yong-Hoon
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.79-85
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: With the recent boom in 'eating healthy', many adults are interested in dieting to prevent future diseases. However only well trained experts can distinguish between what are edible vegetables and herbs from their poisonous look-alikes. In cases where a patient unknowingly ingests a poisonous herb, is caught off guard by the poisonous side effects that occur because of their lack of knowledge of what they have ingested. This paper will focus on the need to educate the public about the risks involved with ingesting wild vegetables and herbs and study the emergency diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients that enter the emergency room. Method: This study was done in the spring of 2004 (from March to May) in the Kangwon Young-Seo districts of Korea. 15 subjects used in this study, entered the emergency room showing signs of toxic symptoms. Data was collected by examining subject's records. Additional data was collected by collaborating with physicians in the hospital that diagnosed and treated the subjects. Identifying the poisonous vegetable or herb is the first step to proper diagnosis and treatment. Subjects admitted to the emergency room, underwent a battery of tests: laboratory examination, ECG, radiological exam and etc. Results: The demographics of the study encompassed subjects with the average age of $50{\pm}19$ years old. There were 10 men and 5 women. Common symptoms of this study included; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and so on. In the case of Caltha palustris ingestion, additional symptoms were present; bradycardia and hypotension which lasted for a long time. While cases that ingested Scopolia parviflora had little effect on vital signs but manic episodes lasted for about three days. Veratrum patulum ingestion showed signs of bradycardia and hypotension but contrary to Caltha palustris recovery was shorten by treating with dopamine. However, dizziness, headache and paresthesia of the extremities continued for a long time. Finally Sium ninsi ingestion showed visual disturbance, paresthesia of the extremities, dizziness as their initial symptoms. Conclusion: The risks involved with ingesting wild plants without the proper knowledge can lead to serious side effects and steps need to be taken to educate the public. In addition, all emergency physicians need to have a working knowledge of the symptoms and signs associated with ingesting toxic wild plants and need to treat accordingly.

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Recent Natural Products Involved in the Positive Modulation of Melanogenesis (Melanogenesis 양성적 조절 에 관여하는 최근 천연물의 동향)

  • Kim, Moon-Moo
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.28 no.6
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    • pp.745-752
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    • 2018
  • Melanogenesis is involved in the pigmentation of the hair, eyes, and skin in living organisms. Various signaling pathways stimulated by ${\alpha}-MSH$, SCF/c-Kit, $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$, nitric oxide and ultraviolet activate melanocyte, leading to melanin production by tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 expressed via the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). However, the abnormal regulation of melanogenesis causes dermatological issues such as graying hair and vitiligo. Therefore, the activators that promote melanogenesis are crucial for the prevention of graying hair and the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders. Many melanogenesis stimulators have been studied for the development of novel drugs derived from synthesized compounds and natural products. Here, in addition to providing a description of a common signaling pathway in the melanogenesis of graying hair and the vitiligo process for the development of novel anti-hair graying agents, this article reviews natural herbs and the active ingredients that promote melanin synthesis as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of vitiligo. In particular, compounds such as Imatinib and Sugen with a stimulating effect on melanogenesis as a side effect of the drugs, are also introduced. Recent advances in research on natural plant extracts such as Polygonum multiflorum, Rhynchosia Nulubilis, Black oryzasativa, and Orysa sartiva, widely known as traditional and medicinal extracts, are also reviewed.

Standardization and unification of the terms and conditions used for diagnosis in oriental medicine. II (한의진단명과 진단요건의 표준화 연구II (표준화 실례) - 2차년도 연구결과 중간 보고-)

  • Yang, Ki-Sang;Choi, Seung-Hoon;Choi, Sun-Mi;Park, Kyung-Mo;Jeong, Woo-Yeal;Ahn, Kyoo-Seok;Eom, Hyun-Seob;Kim, Seung-Hoon;Jeon, Byun-Hoon;Kim, Jeung-Beum;Kwon, Young-Kyu;Park, Jung-Hyeon;Kim, Dong-Hui;Jang, Hye-Ok;kim, Sung-Woo;Shin, Sang-Woo;Ko, Hyun
    • Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.381-401
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    • 1996
  • The diagnostic requirements were suggested and explained regarding the systems of differentiation of syptoms and signs in the second year study of standardization and unification of the terms and conditions used for diagnosis in oriental medicine. The systems were as follows : -differential diagnosis according to condition of body fluid, differentiation of syndromes according to the state of qi and blood, differential diagnosis according to reletive excessiveness or deficiency of yin and yang(氣血陰陽津液辨證) -differentiation of diseases according to pathological changes of the viscera and their interrelation(臟腑辨證) -analysing and differentiating of febrile diseases in accordance with the theory of the six channels(傷寒辨證) The individual diagnosis pattern was arranged by the diagnostic requirements in the following odor : another name(異名), notion of diagnosis parrern(證候槪念), index of differentiation of syptoms and sings(辨證指標), the main point of diagnosis(診斷要點), analysis of diagnosis pattern(證候分析), discrimination of diagnosis pattern(證候鑑別), a wayof curing a diseases(治法), prescription(處方) , herbs in common use(常用藥物), dieases appearing the diagnosis pattern(常見疾病), documents(文獻調査). This study was carried out on the basis of the Chinese documents and references.

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4 Weeks Repeated Oral Dose Toxicity Studies with LMK02-Jangwonhwan in SD Rats (LMK02의 Sprague-Dawley 랫드를 이용한 4 주간 반복 경구투여 DRF 독성시험)

  • Lyu, Yeoung-Su;Kim, Ji-Hwon;Park, Hyun-Je;Yi, Kyung-Hee;Lee, Jong-Hwa;Kang, Hyung-Won
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.24 no.6
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    • pp.1034-1041
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    • 2010
  • The oriental medicine Jangwonhwan, which is a boiled extract of 12 medicinal herbs/mushroom, has been prescribed for patients with cognitive dysfunction and it is originally from the Korean medical text, DonguiBogam(amnesia chapter). Recently, a modified recipe of Jangwonhwan (LMK02-Jangwonhwan) consisting of seven medicinal plants/mushroom, was shown to reduce ${\beta}$-amyloid deposition in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer disease. The toxicity of LMK02 was investigated in SD rats by oral repeated adminstration for 4 weeks and we tried to determine test does for 13 weeks repeated study. Quality control of tablet form of LMK02 was established by estimating indicative components, Ginsenoside Rg3 of Red Ginseng and Decursin of Angelicagigas Nakai. The toxicity of LMK02 was investigated in 6 weeks old specific pathogen free (SPF) Sprageu-Dawley rats by oral administration. Each test group were consist of 5 male and 5 female and they received doses of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day of test substance for 4 weeks. The clinical signs, death rate, body weight, food consumption, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemistry, organ weight and pathological changes were examined and compared with those of control group. Urinalysis : We observed increase of PRO(p<0.01), SG(p<0.01) in female rats of 1,000 mg/kg/day and 2,000 mg/kg/day(p<0.01). Also, we observed increase of pH and KET in female rats of 1,000 mg/kg/day(p<0.05) and of 2,000 mg/kg/day(p<0.01). WBC in female rats in 1,000 mg/kg/day and 2,000 mg/kg/day were on increase. Hematological test : We observed increase of MCV in male rats of 250 mg/kg/day. (p<0.05) Serum biochemistry test : We found increase of CHO in female rats of 2,000 mg/kg/day(p<0.05). During the experimental period, there were no animals dead or moribund. There were no treatment related changes of general symptom, food and water consumption, organ weight and autopsy According to the results of 4-week repeated dose range finding study, the highest dose was established as 1000 mg/kg for 13-week repeated dose toxicity study and we determined to put 2 more groups by common ratio two.

A Review of the Applicability of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection during Pregnancy (임신 중 코로나바이러스감염증-19 감염의 한방치료 적용 가능성에 대한 고찰)

  • Park, Jin-Kyung;Yun, Hyo-Won;Lee, Hye-Jung;Lee, Chang-Hoon;Jang, Jun-Bock;Lee, Jin-Moo
    • The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.91-104
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    • 2022
  • Objectives: This study was performed to review the impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy and the applicability of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Methods: We searched 6 data bases on August, 2022 and articles about the impact of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, TCM treatment of COVID-19 infection, TCM treatment of pregnancy common cold (姙娠 感冒) or cough (姙娠 咳嗽) were reviewed. Results: COVID-19 infection can bring out negative effects both on pregnant women and fetus. In the case of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, the symptoms and treatment are similar to those of general COVID-19 infection, but the safety of drug intervention has not been completely verified. Herbal medicine treatment can be applied according to the severity, stage and TCM syndrome types of COVID-19 infection, but the prohibited herbs list during pregnancy and its dosage should be checked carefully. Also, when it comes to pregnancy disease, the effect of "Stabilizing Fetus" should be considered in the perspective of TCM treatment strategy. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Scutellariae Radix have been widely used on COVID-19 infection and the safety of them during pregnancy have been verified. In the case of acupuncture treatment, acupoints also can be selected according to the severity, symptoms, and TCM syndrome types of COVID-19, but acupoints with strong Qi sensitivity or acupoints located in lower abdomen should be avoided during pregnancy. Conclusions: TCM treatment can be applied to COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Clinical studies and systematic reviews of the efficacy and safety of TCM treatment on COVID-19 infection during pregnancy are required.

Anti-cholesterol Effects and Molecular Mechanism Study of Mixture of Atractylodes Macrocephala and Amomum Villosum Extracts (백출과 양춘사 추출 혼합물의 항콜레스테롤 효과 및 기전 연구)

  • Ha Rim, Kim;Ye Seul, Kim;Kang Beom, Kwon;Hyun Jong, Jung
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.181-186
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    • 2022
  • Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) and Amomum villosum (AV) are the most common herbs in Korean Medicine to treat digestive diseases. In this study, we investigated the cholesterol lowering effects of mixtures of AM and AV extracts on high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced dyslipidemia mouse model. We classified animals into six different groups; Group 1: Normal diet, Group 2: HCD, Group 3: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:1) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 4: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:2) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 5: AV extracts : AM extracts (1:3) (200 mg/kg) + HCD, Group 6: Simvastatin 40 mg/kg + HCD. After 4 weeks of oral administration of respective drugs, we checked body, liver and epididymal fatweights along with liver and serum triacylglyceride (TG) concentration, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in serum. Moreover, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGCR), LDL receptor (LDLR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) were detected by RT PCR or western blot analysis. The overall results showed that mixtures of AM and AV extracts inhibited HCD-induced increases of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in serum. Those effects seem to be caused by AM and AV extracts through inhibition of HMGCR expression. And thus blood cholesterol is induced into the liver by increasing LDLR expression, which is regulated by SREBP2 transcrption factor. The cholesterol lowering effects and mechanism of mixtures of AM and AV extracts was similar to the statin. We have identified the potential mixtures of AM and AV extracts as a new treatment for dyslipidemia.

Does the Health Supplement HemoHIM Cause Liver Injury? (건강기능식품 헤모힘이 간손상을 일으키는가?)

  • Seok Jeong Yang;Jeong-Sook Park;Byung-Sun Kim;Kwang-Jae Lee
    • Journal of Industrial Convergence
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    • v.21 no.6
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    • pp.37-42
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    • 2023
  • This study aimed to examine the safety of HemoHIM, a dietary supplement containing methoxsalen. HemoHIM is a dietary supplement marketed globally, and a competitor to ginseng. It has been reported to contain methoxsalen, a plant extract for treating psoriasis and vitiligo. Methoxsalen is known to cause hepatotoxicity, but most of the cases has been reported from ingestion as a drug, not a food. There are no reports of hepatotoxicity from the consumption derived from natural products such as Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, which are the main ingredients in the HemoHIM. However, a recent case of acute hepatitis was reported in Hong-Kong after ingestion of HemoHIM. It is difficult to conclude that hepatitis was caused by HemoHIM, because there was no check of co-occurring medications with a higher risk of hepatotoxicity, no description of the progress, no quantitative comparison of methoxsalen in HemoHIM to it in common foods such as carrots and celery, and no description of the patient's underlying diseases. On the other hand, there was a study that suggest hemoHIM is safe, and that study had adequate number of subjects even though more studies are needed to ensure safety.