• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2018

For centuries, Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng) has been widely used as a medicinal herb in Korea, China, and Japan. Ginsenosides are a class of triterpene saponins and recognized as the bioactive components in Korean ginseng. Ginsenosides, which can be classified broadly as protopanaxadiols (PPD), protopanaxatriols (PPT), and oleanolic acids, have been shown to flaunt a vast array of pharmacological activities such as immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. In recent years, a number of ginseng and ginsenoside researches have increasingly gained wide attention owing to its unique pharmacological properties. Although good efficacies of ginsenosides have been reported, lack of target specific delivery into tumor sites, low solubility, and low bioavailability due to modifications in gastro-intestinal environments limit their biomedical application in clinical trials. As a result to this major challenge, nanotechnology and drug delivery techniques play a significant role to solve this problematic issue. Thus, we reported the preparation of poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) and glycol chitosan (GC) functionalized to ginsenoside (Compound K and PPD) conjugates via hydrolysable ester bonds with improved aqueous solubility and pH-dependent drug release. In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that PEG-CK, and PPD-CK conjugates exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to bare CK and PPD in HT29 cells. However, GC-CK conjugates exhibited higher and similar cytotoxicity in HT29 and HepG2 cells. Furthermore, GC-CK-treated RAW264.7 cells did not exhibit significant cell death at higher concentration of treatment which supports the biocompatibility of the polymer conjugates. They also inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW64.7 cells. In addition to polymer-ginsenoside conjugates, silver (AgNps) and gold nanoparticles (AuNps) have been successfully synthesized by green chemistry using different m. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, biofilm inhibition, and anticoagulant effect. Special interest on the effective delivery methods of ginsenoside to treatment sites is the focus of metal nanoparticle research.In short, nano-sizing of ginsenoside results in an increased water solubility and bioavailability. The use of nano-sized ginsenoside and P. ginseng mediated metallic nanoparticles is expected to be effective on medical platform against various diseases in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.155-164
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• 2020

Objectives This study is aimed to evaluate the feasibility of further clinical research of warm needle acupuncture as an effective and safe treatment for chronic low back pain. Methods Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to the Warm needle acupuncture group (n=15) and Dry needle acupuncture group (n=15). All patients will receive acupuncture therapy twice a week for 6 weeks, but only the experimental group will receive thermal stimulation. The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale for bothersomeness of low back pain, and the secondary outcome will be measured using the VAS for pain intensity, Oswestry disability index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Beck's depression inventory, and amount of analgesics used. Conclusions The results of this study will be used to determine the feasibility of a future large-scale randomized controlled trial that provides clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of warm needle acupuncture in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2013

In this study, ultraviolet protection factor (Sun Protection Factor, SPF) was investigated to provide basic data for subject safety and research of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation test in the future. Trial subjects (395 people) of skin type I, II, and III were evaluated according to skin type standard table. After measuring the skin color using a colorimeter, ITA (Individual Typology Angle) value was calculated. Subjects with 28 and above ITA value were positioned comfortably to be UV irradiated for 60 s and erythema was evaluated 24 hours after application. MED (Minimal Erythema Dose) was investigated where the minimal amount of erythema existed among UVB irradiated area. Statistical analysis was investigated using Statistical Package the Social Sciences program. As a result, the darker skin color results in the higher MED value since the higher skin type number results increased MED value and female has higher MED value than male since female has darker skin type than male. There was no relation between MED difference by ages in all different ages. However, it is hard to draw a conclusion as above since the number of subjects were not sufficient to support statistical significance for MED values by different ages. However, MED values by skin types obtained through this study can be used as a standard when MED value is expected to evaluate efficacy of sunscreen product and as basic data for further safety of clinical researches.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.839-848
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• 2007

Purpose: Various kinds of biodegradable membranes are currently used in dental clinics. And the frequency and the necessity of their usage are increasing due to their numerous advantages. Therefore it is important to understand the difference of various membranes and histological reaction against implanted membranes. Materials and Methods: Biodegradable membranes of $Biogide^{(R)}$, $Resolute^{(R)}$, and $Tutodent^{(R)}$ were cut into small pieces by $1.0{\times}0.5cm$. The membranes were implanted 1.5cm apart from each other under the epithelium on the skull of 18 Sprague Dawley rats. The animals were sacrificed at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical procedure. The specimens were examined by histological analysis. Results: 1. Early period after implantation of the membranes showed connective tissues surrounding membranes and there were a few inflammatory cells present. 2. In $Biogide^{(R)}$ and $Tutodent^{(R)}$ specimens, inflammatory cells and surrounding tissues were shown to infiltrate from outside with slight density difference inside. In $Resolute^{(R)}$ specimens, membranes were fragmented. Inflammatory cells and connective tissues were also observed inside. 3. In $Resolute^{(R)}$ specimen, giant cells were present which implicates that foreign body reaction has occurred. 4. $Biogide^{(R)}$ had lower integrity than other membranes and is not enough to be used alone in defect area. However, $Resolute^{(R)}$ had superior firmness than others. $Tutodent^{(R)}$ had middle level of integrity. Conclusion: This experimental model enabled to observe early inflammatory reactions and morphological changes of materials and can be used to develop and evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable membranes. Duplication of standardized human oral environment will be required in future experiments.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2015

Background: Varenicline, a selective partial agonist/antagonist of the ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nicotinic receptor, has proven effectiveness for smoking cessation by several randomized, controlled trials. Because few studies have evaluated the long-term efficacy of varenicline, we tried to evaluate the smoking status of varenicline users up to 3 years after the initial prescription of the drug. Methods: We interviewed varenicline users who were prescribed the drug from June 2007 to May 2010 by telephone, from June 2010 to May 2011. Results: One-hundred and thirty-three of 250 varenicline users (53.2%) were available for the survey. Seven-day continuous abstinence from smoking was adhered to by 17 of 39 respondents (43.6%) at 1 year, and 11 of 36 (30.6%) and 19 of 58 (32.8%) at 2 and 3 years since the first use of varenicline, respectively. Compared to current smokers, successful quitters were older (55.0 years vs. 49.9 years, p=0.01), had better compliance to the 12-week course (27.7 vs. 9.3%, p=0.01), and had taken varenicline longer (10.1 vs. 5.9 weeks, p=0.01). Fifty-four of 71 current smokers (76.1%) were willing to stop smoking in the near future. The preferred ways to cease smoking were will-power (48.1%), varenicline (25.9%), nicotine replacement therapy (11.1%), and others (14.9%). Conclusion: Smokers should be encouraged to stick to the proven way for recommended period of time for successful cessation of smoking.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2015

Objectives: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. Methods: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVision$^{TM}$ system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.49-61
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• 2017

Objectives : In order to find out the whitening effects of Leonuri Herba, this study was designed to identify the effects and the action mechanism of LHE(Leonuri Herba extract) on Malignant melanoma cell lines. Methods : After treating LHE on the B16F10 cell-Malignant melanoma cell line-, the cell survival rate, melanin biosynthesis rate, intra&extracellular tyrosinase activity rate, SOD-like activity, tyrosinase mRNA gene expression were investigated. The results were compared with control group without LHE treatment or with positive control group treated with whitening efficacy substance. Results : B16F10 cell survival rate, melanin biosynthesis rate, and intra&extracellular tyrosinase activity were significantly inhibited depending on the concentration of treated LHE. Melanin biosynthesis rate and tyrosinase activity rate were also decreased when ${\alpha}-MSH$ was combined with LHE. In addition, the SOD-like activity was increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the treatment with the LHE, indicating signigicant activity at high concentrations, and the tyrosinase mRNA gene expression was decreased in both the LHE-treated group, the LHE and ${\alpha}-MSH-treated$ group. Conclusions : LHE seems to inhibit melanin synthesis through inhibition of tyrosinase activity and inhibition of tyrosinase mRNA gene expression. It also has the effect of promoting SOD-like activity and may be used clinically as a skin whitening agent in the future.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.221-225
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• 1991

Twenty five patients with unresectable non-small cell carcinoma of the lung have been treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique since September, 1989. Those patients with history of previous surgery or chemotherapy, pleural effusion or significant weight loss (greater than $10\%$ of body weight) were excluded from the study. Initially, 27 Gy were delivered in 15 fractions in 3 weeks to the large field. Thereafter, large field received 1.8 Gy and cone down boost field received 1.4 Gy with twice a day fractinations up to 49.4 Gy. After 49.4Gy, only boost field was treated twice a day with 1.8 and 1.4 Gy. Total tumor doses were 62.2 Gy for 12 patients and 65.4 Gy for remaining 13 patients. Follow up period was ranged from 6 to 24 month. Actuarial survival rates at 6, 12, and 18 month were $88\%,\;62\%,\;and\;38\%$, respectively. Corresponding disease free suwival rates were $88\%,\;41\%,\;and\;21\%$, respectively. Actuarial cumulative local failure rates at 9, 12 and 15 month were $36\%,\;43\%,\;and\;59\%$, respectively. No significant increase of acute or late complications including radiation pneumonitis was noted with maximum follow up of 24 month. Although the longer follow up is needed, it is worthwhile to try the prospective randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of hyperfractionated radiotherapy with concomitant boost technique for unresectable non-small cell lung cancers in view of excellent tolerance of this treatment. In the future, further increase of total radiation dose might be necessary to improve local control for non-small cell lung cancer.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.128-144
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• 2006

This Study aims at looking into the use of oriental medical services in treating hypertension. The first objective to be explored through this study is the morbidity caused by the disease, classifying them by age, gender, and occupation. The second is to determine the regular use of anti-hypertensive medicine and their efficacy in controlling blood-pressure. The third is to investigate the use-rate and satisfaction of oriental medical service. 838 households across the country, were asked to answer questionnaires for the period of time from Apr. to Jun. 2005. The conclusion from the survey can be summarized as following. The age of which the first medical diagnosis of hypertension were made showed lower in males, those with higher education and income. The study showed females were more active in blood-pressure control, with their frequent monitoring of blood-pressure for the past year. With age, people in under 50 age group proved to be less active. The management of high blood pressure was more effective in group with regular dosage compared to group with irregular use of anti-hypertensive medication, but their difference was minimal. Also, group with no medication showed signs of blood-pressure control. The use of oriental medical service for the past year, were more frequent in groups with lower education, either low or high income, old age, females and occupations in agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. Females, people over 51 years old and with lower education showed more intentions in utilizing oriental medical services in the future. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. It is necessary to offer a more accurate information on oriental medical treatments. Also, a systematic reform to reduce the patient's share of the treatment cost, as well as, heightening public awareness on the infirmity of present blood-pressure management system is crucial.