• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2022

Objective : This study examines the historical changes of Ssangwha-'tang', traditional restorative medicine, to a type of tea in tea rooms(Da-bang) named Ssangwha-'cha' in the modern era in South Korea. The goal is to understand how traditional Korean medical culture has been related to the food culture of everyday life. Method : We analyzed traditional medical texts, newspaper articles and advertisements, literary works, and folk song lyrics in which Ssangwha-tang and Ssangwha-cha are mentioned. Results : Ssangwha-tang used to be mentioned as a medicine to tonify 'Yang' energy(Bo-yang) in traditional medical texts from the late Goryeo dynasty to the mid-Joseon dynasty. Since the late Joseon dynasty, it has also been prescribed for cold, as the tonifying method(Bo-beop) gradually prevailed from the royal family to the public. Since then, Ssangwha-tang has been more popular with the public, with the emergence of the patent medicine(Mae-yak) market since the Opening port period and the Colonial period. As the number of Da-bang sharply increased nationwide amid the period of the country's liberation, Ssangwha-tang has been included in the Da-bang menu served as Ssangwha-cha, corresponding to the increasing demands of the public and government policy that tends to favor traditional beverages over coffee. Conclusion : The historical process in which Sssangwha-tang, a type of herbal medicine, became also considered as tea, Ssangwha-cha, provides an example of how Korean traditional medical culture emphasizing the tonification of the body is interconnected with the daily lives of the public and food culture.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

Objectives : This study aimed to provide basic data for future policies regarding the expansion of health insurance, through investigating the current status of Oriental herbal medicine insurance as perceived by the public. Methods : Questionnaire was developed through literature searches, in-depth interviews, item generation and item reduction. The questionnaires were further refined by a focus group. 221 surveys were retrieved from the general public. Results : The in-depth interviews, reveal that the public is aware of the various forms of Oriental herbal medicine formulas, except for the use of mixture of which are soluble granules covered by insurance. The public awareness of the soluble granules turned out to be so low that enhanced awareness of it is required. The public identified decoctions as the most preferred formula as well as the most effective formulas out of all Oriental herbal medical formulas. They also suggested that it should be the first to be included when the insurance policy expands in the future. The public had frequent experienced not choosing Oriental herbal prescription due to the high cost. Insurance coverage of Oriental herbal prescription is much needed. The public indicated that they will make frequent visits to the KMD if the insurance covers Oriental herbal prescriptions. Conclusions : The current status quo of Oriental herbal medicine insurance showed that the public identified decoctions as the most preferred, most effective and the top priority to be covered by insurance.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.129-138
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• 2009

Objectives : The Objective of this study is to compare the anti-oxidative effect of the Hoveniae Semen cum Fructus (HScF) to that of Hoveniae Ramulus (HR) in vivo. Methods : The extracts of HScF and HR were tested in vivo for their anti-oxidative effects. SD Rats were injected with the AAPH (2.2'-azobis (2-aminodinopropane) hydrochloride) to induce the acute oxidization stress, and the oxidized rats were administered with the HScF and HR decoction orally. The RBC, WBC and PLT populations in plasma, and the blood chemistry levels of the rats were measured to observe the overall changes in the blood. The anti-oxidative effects of the HScF and HR decoctions were investigated on the liver tissues of the oxidated rats. Results : 1. Thrombocyte decreased significantly in the group medicated with HScF. 2. Blood glucose increased significantly in the group medicated with HR. 3. SOD activity increased significantly in both the group medicated with HScF and that with HR. 4. NO concentration decreased significantly in both the group medicated with HScF and that with HR. 5. The catalase content increased significantly in both the group medicated with HScF and that with HR. Conclusions : The HScF and HR extracts have an anti-oxidative effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.27-35
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze Korean domestic patents on aconiti ciliare radix and to identify the trend of aconitum tuber technology. Methods: To analyze the patent, a combinations of words such as "aconitum" or "korean aconite root" were used in search engine Kipris(www.kirpis.or.kr). The patents of aconiti ciliare radix were analyzed in three ways: year trend analysis, internatonal patent classification (IPC) code analysis related to content classification, and patent registration status analysis. Results: Among the patents found in the search results, 17 patents with significant contents were analyzed. Results showed that, first, patents were steadily registered until 2018, but recently there has been no new patent registration. Second, there were many patents related to efficacy verification and decoction method, and the number of IPC codes related to them was also high. Third, there are five patents maintaining the registration status, and they are patents related to the aconiti ciliare radix extraction method, toxicity removal, and combination method. Conclusions: In this study, the domestic patents of aconiti ciliare radix were analyzed. The analysis results of this study are expected to be exploited as basic data for the development of Korean medicine analgesics with fewer side effects by suppressing tuber toxicity and the creation of new medical technologies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2023

Jukyeo (竹茹; Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam: BCT) is an herbal medicine made from the inner part of the bamboo stem of Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf ex Rendle or Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold et Zuccarini. Although medical literature published in China and Korea decades ago introduced BCT as a remedy for reducing vomiting, fever, and hematemesis, decoctions containing BCT as a main herb (君藥) in Korea have been approved only for treating neurologic symptoms. Here, we discuss the anti-inflammatory function of BCT. Combined with the clinical usage of a BCT-containing decoction in treating inflammatory diseases in Japan, we raise the possibility of repurposing the BCT-containing decoctions for treating inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of BCT was mainly assessed by using RAW 264.7 cells. The regulation of NF-κB, Nrf2 and A20 activities was determined by western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. The list of decoctions containing BCT currently approved in Korea was obtained from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA). BCT suppressed the activity of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB elicited by LPS, activated an anti-inflammatory factor Nrf2, and induced A20 that is known to block several inflammatory pathways simultaneously, suggesting that BCT can suppress inflammation via at least 3 different pathways. KFDA approved 11 decoctions containing BCT as a major herb, including Gamiondam-tang (加味溫膽湯; GOT), for treating neurologic disorders. Interestingly, Jukyeoondam-tang (竹茹溫膽湯; JOT), whose composition is almost identical to GOT except for one herb, has been used to treat inflammatory pulmonary disorders including Covid-19 pulmonary infection in Japan Given the anti-inflammatory function of BCT evidenced by medical literature and experimental results and the clinical usage of JOT in treating inflammatory pulmonary disorders, we suggest a repurposing and extension of the BCT-containing decoctions approved in Korea to treating inflammatory diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to convert into weight the dosages of flower of Daphne canescens and leaf of Phyllostachys nigra var. henonsis, whose daily dosages are likened to an object in 《Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases》. This study also aimed to understand their implications along with the previously studied gypsium and rhubarb. Methods : After reviewing documents, the dosages were converted into weight, confirmed by experiment, and their implications were considered. Results : A chicken-egg-volume of flowers of Daphne canescens is one Ryang(6.5 g) and two handfuls of leaves of Phyllostachys nigra var. henonsis is four Ryang(13 g). Each item was only used once in a decoction. Their dosages were expressed in weight respectively in 《Supplement to the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold》 and 《Bohenggyuljangbuyongyakbubyo》. Gypsium dosage was expressed in weight except in Daecheongryong-tang as chicken-egg-volume(16 Ryang). To liken a dosage to an object is an exception, as in the three cases above; for precision and convenience it is recommended that dosages be expressed in weight, in which case all three items fell into one of eight categories from one Ryang to 16 Ryang. Rhubarb was measured in weight, but only when using the 12-hour leaching method, four Ryang of rhubarb was cut into of 5-6 wide-go-stone-sized pieces and two Ryang into 5-6 go-stone-sized pieces. Conclusions : To liken a dosage to an object is only an exception and lacks precision and convenience; therefore dosages ended up expressed in weight, count, or volume.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2023

Objectives : Sihosogan-tang (SST) is one of the traditional herbal formula and also one of the Korean medical insurance medicines. It commonly used in the treatment of hepatitis, chronic gastritis, intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, and depression in East Asia. In the present study, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of SST in macrophage cell line. Methods : To investigate mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of SST, we examined the productions of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on RAW 264.7 cells activated by LPS. Results : SST significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS increased by LPS, and also significantly inhibited the production of NO. In addition, SST significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- α and interleukines. SST inhibited the expression of NF-κB and MAPK activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that SST ameliorates inflammatory response in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells through the inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathway. Therefore, this study supplies objective evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of SST.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.61-77
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current use and investigate the clinical practice of Korean Medicine for climacteric syndrome and postmenopausal syndrome outpatients. Methods: We studied climactic syndrome and postmenopausal syndrome outpatients who visited Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 via an analysis of the medical records. Results: 130 patients were finally selected. Their average age was 51.91±4.57 years and the average number of visits was 7.51±11.40 times. Patients usually complained two or more addresses, and the most frequent symptoms were hot flushes. 126 patients took herbal medicines and 99 of them took herbal decoctions. 106 patients were treated by acupuncture. 58 patients were treated by pharmacopuncture and Hominis Placenta was used to 50 subjects. As for the improvement rate by symptoms, hot flushes were the highest at 65.5%. We compared the improvement rate of groups taking Guibi-tang-gami A and Guibi-tang-gami B, the common herbal decoction of Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University. In the group of Guibi-tang-gami A, the improvement rate of hot flushes was the highest and in the other, vaginal dryness was the highest. Urinary frequency of the group with Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture showed more than three times higher improvement rate of the non-executive group. Conclusions: We analyzed general characteristics, clinical characteristics, types of Korean medicine treatment, improvement rates by symptoms of 130 outpatients diagnosed with climactic syndrome and postmenopausal syndrome. This study could be used as reference to provide practical data of outpatient treatment for Climacteric Syndrome and Postmenopausal Syndrome.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.70-90
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• 2023

Objective This study analyzed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on pediatric asthma using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to determine its efficacy and safety. Methods We searched electronic databases in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean and evaluated 35 articles published up to December 28, 2022. Based on data from the literature, we analyzed treatments, results, composition of herbal medicine, frequency of medicinal herbs, and decoction. Results TCM for pediatric asthma was compared to supportive therapy, inhaled corticosteroids, and standardized treatments. Of the 35 studies, 32 showed that TCM treatments were effective in alleviating asthma symptoms. Furthermore, TCM treatment was considered safe compared to common asthma treatments. Among the TCM treatments for pediatric asthma, the most frequent decoctions were Gamisaganmahwangtang (加味射干麻黃湯) and Saganmahwangtang (射干麻黃湯). Ephedra Herba (麻黄), Armeniacae Semen (杏仁), Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma (細辛), Belamcandae Rhizoma (射干) were herbs that were frequently used for asthma in TCM decoctions. Conclusion This review showed that TCM is effective in treating pediatric asthma. More clinical RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of TCM treatment.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.103-103
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• 2022

Ganghwaljetongyeum (GHJTY) is a complex herbal decoction comprising 18 plants; it is used to treat arthritis. In order to develop a new anti-arthritic herbal medication, we selected 5 out of 18 GHJTY plants by using bioinformatics analysis. The new medication, called ChondroT, comprised water extracts of Osterici Radix, Lonicerae Folium, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Clematidis Radix, and Phellodendri Cortex. This study was designed to investigate its chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects to develop an anti-arthritic herb medicine. ChondroT was validated using a convenient and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography. photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) detection method for simultaneous determination of its seven reference components. The concentrations of the seven marker constituents were in the range of 0.81-5.46 mg/g. The chondroprotective effects were evaluated based on SW1353 chondrocytes and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of ChondroT were studied by Western blotting of pro-inflammatory enzymes and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. ChondroT enhanced the growth of SW1353 chondrocytes and also significantly inhibited IL-1β-induced MMP-1 expression. However, ChondroT did not show any effects on the growth of HeLa and RAW264.7 cells. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, which was significantly decreased by pre-treatment with ChondroT. In addition, ChondroT reduced the activation of NF-κB and production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, IL-6, PGE2, and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results show that ChondroT exerted a chondroprotective effect and demonstrated multi-target mechanisms related to inflammation and arthritis. In addition, the suppressive effect was greater than that exhibited by GHJTY, suggesting that ChondroT, a new complex herbal medication, has therapeutic potential for the treatment of arthritis.