• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Puerariae radix(PR) herb-acupuncture on nitric oxide synthase(NOS) expression in hippocampus of alcohol-intoxicated Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. Methods: SD rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups; normal group, control group, alcohol with herb-acupuncture group(0.3, 3, 30 and 300mg/kg PR). Normal groups were received with NaCl, while alcohol intoxication groups were injected intraperitoneally with alcohol(2g/kg) twice per day for 3 days. Herb-acupuncture groups were injected on Zhongwan(CV12) for 5 consecutive days. For the detection of NADPH-d-positive cells in hippocampus, immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: n control group, a significant decrease in NADPH-d-positive cells was observed compared to normal group. In alcohol with herb-acupuncture group, NADPH-d-positive cells increased significantly compared to control group. Conclusions: The present results revealed that NOS expression is enhanced in the hippocampus of SD rats through PR herb-acupuncture in an acute alcoholic intoxication condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.206-214
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Puerariae flos herb-acupuncture on hippocampal neural cell proliferation. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups; control group, control with herb-acupuncture group, alcohol group, alcohol with herb-acupuncture group group. Control groups were received with NaCl, while alcohol intoxication groups were injected intraperitoneally with alcohol (2 g/㎏) twice per day for 3 days. Herb-acupuncture groups were injected on Zhongwan (CV 12) for 5 consecutive days. Bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected into all animal per day for 5 days. For the detection of BrdU-positive cells in dentate gyrus of hippocampus, immunohistochemistry was performed. In alcohol group, a significant decrease in BrdU-positive cells was observed compared to control group. In alcohol with herb-acupuncture group, BruU-positive cells increased significantly compared to alcohol group. In conclusion, the present results revealed that new cell proliferation is enhanced in the dentate gyros of young Sprague-Dawley rats through Puerariae flos herb-acpuncuture in an acute alcoholic intoxication condition.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2006

With well-being boom recently, the common people, but not experts, are increasingly taking in them directly by picking wild herbs. However, only experts can distinguish between edible vegetables and poisonous herbs from the wild herbs. Especially, it is not even easy for experts to distinguish them only by looking into buds in spring without flowers or fruit. So, sometimes many patients are being carried into the emergency room by the toxic symptom after taking by misunderstanding the poisonous herbs as edible vegetables. For herb intoxication as well as drug intoxication, what kinds of vegetables patients took in, and when and how much they took in them are important information for curing. Of course, in the case of intoxicating in the wild herbs, the patients can have a lot of symptoms and sings-hemodynamic alteration and abnormal neurologic sign as well as gastrointestinal symptoms-according to the kinds of herbs which they took in. Therefore, it is difficult to find the kinds of herbs which they took in through the specific symptoms. Recently we experienced a case with showing typical anticholinergic symptoms after ingestion of Scopolia japonica. As a result, the publicity activities about the wild plants needs because if the person without their previous knowledge take in the poisonous herbs, serious side effects can be produced..

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose: Herbal preparations have long been used for medical purposes by traditional cultures, and their use is increasing in modern societies. However, many herbal agents produce specific cardiovascular toxicities in humans. We performed this study in order to investigate the clinical characteristics of the cardiac toxicities associated with herbal remedies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 45 patients (mean age $57{\pm}10$ years) who presented with cardiotoxicity between January 2007 and May 2011 due to ingestion of herbal remedy substances. Patients were identified as suffering cardiotoxicity if they presented with chest pain, EKG abnormality, and elevation of cardiac enzyme. Results: Of the 45 total cases, 17 included hemodynamic instability (37.8%), 7 with increasing cardiac enzyme (15.6%), 2 with cardiac arrest (4.4%) and one case of mortality (2.2%). The cardiotoxic herb group that demonstrated the worst clinical course was Ranunculaceae. Conclusions: In our study results, 57.6% of the herbal intoxication patients demonstrated the effects of cardiotoxicity. Thus, we recommend careful monitoring of herbal intoxication patients.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.293-304
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effects of peking-duck extracts added with medicinal herbs(DJ) on the intoxication of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, As) in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150$\pm$15g, were randomly assigned to groups: basal diet only in normal control group(NCG): basal diet and heavy metals without DJ injection in heavy metal control group(HMC); basal diet, heavy metals and DJ(3mg/ml) injection in heavy metal low duck-juice group(HMLD), basal diet, heavy metals and DJ(30mg/ml) injection in heavy metal middle duck-juice group(HMMD): basal diet, heavy metal and DJ(300mg/ml) injection in heavy metal high duck-juice group(HMHD). Hg and As was injected by 50ppm and Cd and Pb by 25ppm for 17days. Also DJ oral feeding was conducted for 28days. The result of this study were as follows: Food intake and body weight gain in heavy metal administered groups were lower than those of NCG. Liver, kidney and testis weights were not significantly different among 5 groups. GOT, GPT and BUN activities were significantly reduced in DJ treated groups as compared to HMC. DJ showed the suppressing effect on the accumulation of Hg, Pb and Cd in serum, liver and kidney. Fecal Hg and Cd excretions increased with DJ feeding. The results suggested that DJ may have some protective effects on Hg, Cd and Pb intoxication by reducing the accumulation in tissues and increasing excretion. This study also showed the effective way of using duck-extract and its application to the oriental medicine.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 1994

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of Galgunhaeiutang + Danjuhwan and Haejujigaltang on the experimental behaviors of alcohol-inticxicated mice. ICR mice were used as subjects for alcohol intoxication in this experiment and sample group received Herb Medicine. The foot-step and rearing score were measured in mice. Also Rota-Rod treadmill & number of successful trials swimming time in the T-maze were done. And the following results were observed; 1. The food-step score was decreased in Galgunhaejutang + Danjuhwan group at the 8th hour, the difference was statistically significant. But Haejujigaltang group showed no significant difference. 2. The number of rearing was decreased in Galgunhaejutang + Danjuhwan group at the 3rd and 8th hour, the difference was statistical significant, while Haejujigaltang group showed no significant differnce. 3. The motor incoordination measered by the Rota-Rod treadmill was decreased in Galgunhaejutang + Danjuhwan group at the 8th hour, but Haejujigaltang group showed no significant difference. 4. The number of successful trials in T-maze showed no significant difference in both groups. 5. The passing time in T-maze was increased in Galgunhaejutang +Danjuhwan group at the 8th hour, but Haejujigaltang group showed no significant difference.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.52-54
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• 2006

Datura stramonium is a wild growing plant, consumption of which can result in severe toxicity. It contains a variety alkaloids include atropine, hyoscamine, and scopolamine that can all cause anticholonergic poisoning. It has been use of herb medicine in Korea. Side effects from ingesting Datura stramonium include dry mouth, blurred vision, photophobia, and may be followed by hyperthermia, confusion, agitation, hallucination, and aggressive behavior. In severe toxicity, it can cause seizure, coma, life-threatening arrhythmia, and death. We experienced one patient who developed stupor mentality caused by Datura stramonium. Severe presentation, especially mental change of Datura stramonium should draw attention. Poisoning associated with Datura stramonium can be prevented through educational public health program.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 1996

In order to satisfy the demand of good treatment of Oriental medicine, I investigated many books mentioned about Liver spot. The results were as follows: 1. They have called the Liver spot many other terms in the oriental medicine. 2.. The Liver spot is facial disease, so it is deeply related with yang-myong kyong(陽明經) 3. As the external cause of the Liver spot, wind and fire evil have been emphasized. 4. Intoxication of bud of banha(半夏) poison and alcohol absorption can be one of the causes. 5. As the internal cause of the Liver spot, each other vapour asthenia fever from constipation seven modes of emotion, asthenia of the spleen and stomach and insufficiency of kidney-yin(腎陰) 6. Nowadays, the deficiency of kidney-yang(腎陽) is also included as the cause of the Liver spot. 7. Many oriental doctors have talked about the relationship between the Liver spot and women, but I can't find any concrete talking about the relationship between menstration and the Liver spot, pregnancy and the Liver spot. 8. They have administrated many other herb medicines for the treatment the Liver spot.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2023

Licorice is a perennial herb belonging to the legume family that mainly grows in northeastern China, Mongolia, Siberia, and other regions. It is used in traditional medicine in the form of dried roots in the East and the West. The main active component of licorice, glycyrrhizin, is known to produce mineralocorticoid effects when consumed chronically, which can lead to apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome. Herein, we present the case of a 72-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency room with severe generalized weakness and difficulty keeping her neck upright, which had developed after daily consumption of licorice-infused water for the past 2 months. Blood tests revealed metabolic alkalosis and severe hypokalemia, and an electrocardiogram showed ventricular bigeminy. The patient was treated with daily potassium and spironolactone supplements, leading to a significant improvement in muscle strength after a week. One week later, the patient was discharged, showing rare ventricular premature contractions on electrocardiography, but with no specific complaints. Chronic licorice ingestion leading to hypokalemia and muscle weakness can be life-threatening, necessitating the discontinuation of the causative agent, close monitoring, and cautious supplementation of potassium and spironolactone as treatment.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.323-328
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• 2010

Root extract of Lythrum salicaria reported a hepato-protective effect on $CCl_4$-induced liver toxicity of rat was prepared into fractions such as n-hexane up layer (HA), n-hexane down layer (HB), diethyl ether (E), ethylacetate (EA), n-butanol (B) and water (W). Fractions prepared were tested their activities in vitro and in vivo condition. All of the fractions showed effective antioxidant asctivities on DPPH radical and $CuSO_4$-induced oxidation of human low density lipoprotein and E fraction showed the highest inhibitory effect (98.1% at $50\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) on linoleic acid autoxidation at $40^{\circ}C$, which was more effective than $\alpha$-tocopherol (82.4%). Five fractions (H = HA plus HB, E, EA, B, and W, 150 mg/kg/day) were fed into Sprague Dawley, male rats for 4 days, which were intoxicated with intra-peritoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride ($1\;m{\ell}/kg$ in corn oil) at the 4th day and were sacrificed in 24 hrs. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), a proinflammatory cytokine, elevated with $CCl_4$-intoxication in negative control group ($83\;pg/m{\ell}$) was significantly decreased in E fraction-supplemented group ($18\;pg/m{\ell}$). Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in negative control group (0.12 U/mg protein) was decreased in E fraction (0.07 U/mg protein). From the results, it is suggested that ether fraction from root extract of L. salicaria would be a potent antioxidant candidate for ameliorating liver injury induced by chemical intoxicant.