• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 1997

In the pharmacology of traditional Korean medicine, each drug has its own specific characters. The different characters of drugs are employed to treat diseases, rectify the hyperactivity or hypoactivity of yin or yang, and help the body restore its normal physiological functions, consequently curing the diseases and restoring health. The various characters and functions of these drugs concerning medical treatment include drugs' properties, flavours, actions of lifting, lowering, floating and sinking, channel tropism, toxicity, etc. Among these theories, theory of properties and flavours of drugs provides the basis for drug analysis and application. 'Property' refers to the cold, hot, warm or cool nature of a drug. These properties of drugs are so sorted out according to the different actions of the drugs on the human body and thier therapeutic effects. Drugs which cure heat syndrome(yang syndrome) have a cold or cool property, whereas drugs which cure cold syndrome (yin syndrome) have hot or warm property Drugs of cold and cool-natured and drugs of warm and hot natures are of opposite properties. A cold-natured drug is different from a cool-natured on only in degree, and so is a warm-natured drug from a hot-natured drug. Most of the cool- or cold- natured drugs have the effects of clearing heat, purging fire, removing toxic substances, and nourishing yin, and are uese to cure heat syndromes. On the contrary, drugs of warm or hot nature usually have the effects of dispersing cold, warming up the interior, supporting yang, and treating collapse, and are therefore used to treat cold syndromes. We thought that the property of drug may be related to the autonomic nervous system in western medicine. In other words, drugs of warm or hot nature increase heart rate or acts like sympathomimetics, and drugs of cool or cold nature decrease heart rate or acts like para sympathomimetics . According to this hypothesis, we administrated some drugs to isolated rat right atrium in magnus tube. But there is no correlation between 'property' in traditional Korean medicine and autonomic nervous system in western medicine.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2019

The microencapsulation of nifedipine (NF) with 4 wt% of poly(${\varepsilon}-caprolactone$) (PCL)/polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) or PCL/polyethylene glycol (PEG) was carried out by solvent evaporation method in oil in water emulsion system to investigate the effect of PVP and PEG addition on drug release behavior of the microcapsules. The PVA (emulsifier) concentration of 1.0 wt% was chosen for the formation of PCL capsule having an average size of $154{\pm}25{\mu}m$ due to nearly spherical shape with a narrow size distribution. As PCL/PVP and PCL/PEG ratios were raised from 10/0 to 6/4, the capsule size increased gradually from $154{\pm}25{\mu}m$ to $236{\pm}32{\mu}m$ and $248{\pm}56{\mu}m$, respectively. The drug release rate of PCL/PVP and PCL/PEG capsules increased dramatically from 0 to 4 h at the beginning and then reached the plateau region from 20 h. As the concentration of PVP or PEG increased, the amount of drug release increased, suggesting that the larger capsule size was attributed to the higher drug content. However, the drug release behavior remained almost constant. The PCL capsules exhibited no evidence of causing cell lysis or toxicity regardless of NF loading, implying that the microcapsules are clinically suitable for use as drug delivery systems.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 1990

Aconiti Tuber is the root of Aconitum sp (Ranunclaceae) which has been considered as one of the most important medicinal plant having cordiotonic, diuretic and analgesic effect. On the other hand, it has been known that Aconiti Tuber contained toxic agent, aconitine alkaloids so that only processed Aconiti Tubers have been used as herbal drug traditionally. For the safety evaluation of processed Aconiti Tuber, quantitative determination of aconitine and acute, subacute toxicity test were performed on 5 commercial processed Aconiti Tubers. Arapid and precise method using HPLC has been developed for the separation and determination of aconitine. Samples were extracted with hydrochloric acid (pH3) and hot water decoction. In case of d-HCL extracts, the contents of aconitine were from 0.08 mg/g to trace. But in case of hot water decoction extracts, the contents of aconitine were not detected. For the investigation of Aconiti Tuber toxicity in rats, hot water decoction samples and methanol extracts were tested. 1) Acute toxicity test Hot water decoction sample and methanol extracts from Aconiti Tuber did not show any toxic effects in rats by an oral administration. $LD_50values of 2 extracts were above 10.0 g/kg. 2) Subacute toxicity study In the repeated administration study, hot water decoction samples were given orally to Sprague-Dawlay rats for 2 week at daily doses of 5.0 g/kg. The results are as follows; No toxic manifestation, body weight changes and lethality were observed during wxperimental period. There were no significant changes in serum enzyme activities such as GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP between treated and control groups. However CPK values were decreased in the Subuja-treated group. (P<0.01). In addition, no gross and microscopic changes were noted in Aconiti Tuber-treated groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3461-3464
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• 2012

Methotrexate (MTX) is an important drug for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, related toxicity occurs in many organs which may cause interruption of treatment, morbidity, and mortality. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) are known to alter their enzymatic activity and thus affect the metabolism of MTX and influence the effectiveness. Therefore, we hypothesized that genetic variations of DHFR and GGH genes may influence the risk of toxicity after high dose MTX. The study population comprised of 105 children with ALL who were treated according to the modified St Jude Total XV protocol. The patients received 2.5 or $5g/m^2$ of MTX for 5 doses during the consolidation phase. Genotyping of DHFR 829C>T and GGH-401C>T was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The GGH-401CT and TT genotypes were associated with increased risk of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia after high dose MTX (OR 2.97, 95%CI; 1.24-7.13 and OR 4.02, 95%CI; 1.58-10.26). DHFR 829C>T was not associated with toxicity. In conclusion, the GGH-401CT and TT genotypes were found to increase the risk of severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia after exposure to high dose MTX for childhood ALL therapy.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 2005

Traditional herbal medicine is widely used among the Korean people, and other eastern Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, due to increasing interest in herbal medicines, many researches have been made on the toxicity and side effects of herbal medications. Through private and public media, there have been many opinions suggesting taking herbal medicines is very harmful, especially on the liver and kidney functions. This assertion has been mainly presented by the doctors that practice western medicine, But this assertion is never based on adequate knowledge of herbal medicine. This study aims to provide the evidences that taking herbal medicines is safe on the renal functions. Four frequently used herbal medications(Sipjeondaebotang, Bojungigitang, Ojeoksan, and Yukmijihwangtang) were used to test the toxicity of herbal medicine oh the lab animal model(SD-Rat). There is no significant difference in body weight and kidney weight after herbal medication for 1 month. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings were observed in histological study, and lab renal function index(BUN, creatinine, uric acid). These results say that four herbal multi-used-medicines, when medicated, is safe from the renal toxicity in lab animal model.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 2009

The purpose of a phase I clinical trial is to determine the maximum tolerated dose(MTD) of a new drug. This paper investigates the performance of standard method, continual reassessment method and accelerated titration designs in phase I clinical trials. Especially we study the precision and safety at the MTD of these methods. We utilize hyperbolic tangent function and power function to define dose-toxicity model. For each method, expected toxicity rate at MTD is computed and compared with target toxicity probability. We also suggest some modifications of these methods and show some improvements in performance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.200-230
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• 2012

Objectives: Ginseng, Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Korean Medicine. Red ginseng can be made by a steaming process of white ginseng changing a variety of ginsenosides and ingredients such as dencichine. This article reviews red ginseng for mechanisms for pharmacodynamics and toxicity based on the content of ginseng's active ingredients, ginsenoside changed by steaming. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct and Chinese Scientific Journals full text database (CQVIP), and KSI (Korean Studies Information) from their respective inceptions to June 2012. Results: Compared with unsteamed ginseng, the content of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 called red ginseng-specific ginsenosides increased after the steaming process. Different ginsenosides have shown a wide variety of effects such as lowering or raising blood sugar and blood pressure or stimulating or sedating the nervous system. Especially, the levels of Rg2, Rg3, Rg5, Rh1, Rh2 and Rk1 were increased by the steaming process, showing a variety of pharmacodynamics in biological systems. Also, various processing methods such as puffing and fermentation have been developed in processing crude ginseng or red ginseng, affecting the content of ginseng's ingredients. The safety issue could be the most critical, specifically, on changed ginseng's ingredients such as dencichine. The level of dencichine was significantly reduced in red ginseng by the steaming process. In addition, the possible toxicity for red ginseng was affected by cytochrome P450, a herbal-drug interaction. Conclusions: The variety of pharmacological and toxicological properties should be changed by steaming process of Panax ginseng C. A., white ginseng. Even if it is not sure whether the steaming process of white ginseng would be better pharmacologically, it is sure that steaming reduces the level of dencichine causing a lower toxicity to the nervous system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.45-50
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• 2020

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity after a single oral administration of black raspberry extract to male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to determine the approximate lethal dose (ALD). Methods : We previously showed that the black raspberry extract repressed the simvastatin-mediated expression of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and improved Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake by hepatocytes through the induction of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor expression in hepatocytes. The groups consisted of black raspberry extract groups, as an oral dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a control group. 5 weeks SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 rats. Each male and female SD rats were administered orally once. For 14 days after the administration, mortality, clinical signs, changes in body weight, and necropsy findings were observed according to the "Standard for Toxicity Study of Pharmaceuticals" of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guideline and "Acute Oral Toxicity- Fixed Dose Procedure" of OECD Test Guideline. Results : There were no cases of mortality in the group administered with 2,000 mg/kg of male and female, and no abnormalities in body weight change and clinical signs. Also, no gross abnormalities were observed at the autopsy. Conclusions : As a result of a single oral administration of the black raspberry extract to SD rats, the ALD was determined to exceed 2,000 mg/kg for both male and female SD rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2016

Objectives: Ginseng Rh2+ is enzyme-treated ginseng extract containing high amounts of converted ginsenosides, such as compound k, Rh2, Rg3, which have potent anticancer activity. We conducted general and genetic toxicity tests to evaluate the safety of ginseng Rh2+. Methods: An acute oral toxicity test was performed at a high-level dose of 4,000 mg/kg/day in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. A 14-day range-finding study was also conducted to set dose levels for the 90-day study. A subchronic 90-day toxicity study was performed at dose levels of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day to investigate the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of ginseng Rh2+ and target organs. To identify the mutagenic potential of ginseng Rh2+, we conducted a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) using amino-acid-requiring strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a chromosome aberration test with Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice bone marrow as recommended by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Results: According to the results of the acute oral toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of ginseng Rh2+ was estimated to be higher than 4,000 mg/kg. For the 90-day study, no toxicological effect of ginseng Rh2+ was observed in body-weight changes, food consumption, clinical signs, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, and clinical pathology. The NOAEL of ginseng Rh2+ was established to be 2,000 mg/kg/day, and no target organ was found in this test. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity was found either on the in vitro genotoxicity tests, including the Ames test and the chromosome aberration test, or on the in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus test. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, ginseng Rh2+ is a non-toxic material with no genotoxicity. We expect that ginseng Rh2+ may be used as a novel adjuvant anticancer agent that is safe for long-term administration.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the single oral toxicity of HBX-6 in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Twenty SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and were administrated singly to female and male SD rats, as an oral dose of 2000 mg/kg. HBX-6 is a newly combined Korean herbal medicine formula 30 % Ethanol extract derived from The Dongui Bogam. Now we are developing the prescription for the aim of improving benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) without undesirable side effects. HBX-6 is composed of nine medicinal herbs: Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, Corni Fructus, Cistanchis Herba, Psoraleae Semen, Dendrobii Herba, Morindae Radix, Cuscutae Semen, Trigonellae Semen, Foeniculi Fructus. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs, gross observation and necropsy findings for the 14 days according to "Standard for Toxicity Study of Pharmaceuticals" of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guideline and "Acute Oral Toxicity - Fixed Dose Procedure" of OECD Test Guideline. Results : We could not find any mortality. Compared with the control group, significant weight change was not observed in the experimental group. After administration, the more common symptoms were not observed. There were no gross abnormalities in all cases. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that the approximate lethal dose of HBX-6 in both female and male SD rats were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.