• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2009

Objective: By assessing the quality of methodology and synthesis of results of RCTs (Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials) with herbal acupuncture (pharmacopuncture), we hope to help with administrating herbal acupuncture therapy in clinic and conducting RCT with herbal acupuncture. Methods: Reports of RCT conducted in Korea published in medical journals until February 2009 were collected. We surveyed elementary information of RCTs, evaluated randomization, double-blinding, allocation concealment and put together the results of RCTs by seven clinical topics. Results: 38 RCTs with herbal acupuncture were selected, then adequate methods for randomization and allocation concealment were found in 39% and 5% of studies. Complete double-blinding and a clear accounting of all participants were conducted in 42% and 50% of reports. The synthesis of RCTs revealed that herbal acupuncture was useful and effective on degenerative gonarthritis, omarthralgia on cerebrovascular accident, acute ankle sprain, back sprain, neck sprain, headache, rheumatoid arthritis and tennis elbow, generally. Conclusions: Although further improvement in quality of methodology of RCTs with herbal acupuncture is required, clinical usefulness of herbal acupuncture was shown especially on disorders of musculoskeletal system via RCTs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.7 no.1 s.12
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 2004

Background : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture developed for the intravenous use. Healthy male and female volunteers(n=57) went through Randomized Control Trials(RCT). Methods : For those who are under a medication due to common cold or other illnesses were excluded in the primary stage and the subjects with possible abnormalities in the pre-screening process were also excluded in the secondary stage. Then the examination groups were determined by random sampling. Experiment groups were divided into Normal saline injection group(control group), cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 1) and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 2) Blood tension, body temperature, pulse, and other criteria were measured and analyzed. Results : 1. Intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause significant changes in the blood tension, pulse, body temperature, and etc. 2. No significant differences were witnessed in CBC, ESR, biochemistry of blood test and UA between the experiment groups. 3. No significant changes were noted in the thermography before and after the test in the experiment groups. 4. Some of the common physical changes occurring during and after the administration were fatigue, chest distension, and headache in all of the experiment groups. 5. Comparing general condition after one week from the termination of administration, the control group showed worst condition while as the natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group displayed best condition. Conclusion : From the above results, we can carefully deduce that the intravenous injection of the wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't show significant differences compared to injection of the normal saline. We can infer it is safe on the human body and further studies and reports must be followed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.141-146
• /
• 2005

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Ginseng herbal acupuncture at GB39 and ST36 on growth in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into four groups (n=10); G-ST36 group treated with Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture at right ST36, G-GB39 group treated with the same at GB39, Control-ST36 group and Control-GB39 group injected with saline at right ST36 and GB39 respectively. The saline injection and herbal acupuncture were performed 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The length( total height, body length and tail length), weight and the protein efficiency ratio were measured as well as IGF-I level in serum Results: The weights of Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups were not significantly increased compared to the control groups but the protein efficiency ratios were significantly higher in Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups compared to the control groups. The increases of the total length, body length and tail length were significantly higher in Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups than the control groups. The serum IGF-I level of G-GB39 was significantly increased compared to control-GB39, not that of G-ST36 compared to control-ST36. Conclusions: Ginseng herbal acupuncture at GB39 and ST36 are both effective to promote growth in terms of height and weight. GB39 may be effective for growth by way of increasing IGF-I, and more closely related to growth in height than ST36.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.143-153
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution at $GB_{34}$(Yangneungcheon) on hyperlipidemia in rats. Methods : In the present study, herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution was administered into hyperlipidemic mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results : 1. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, serum total cholesterol and Atherogenic index were significantly decreased, and the ratios of HDL to total cholesterol, and phospholipid to total cholesterol in serum were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. 2. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly decreased as compared with those of the control group. 3. Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture reduced deposit of lipid in the liver tissue. Conclusions : From the above results, it is suggested that Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture at $GB_{34}$ has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture at GB34(Yangneungcheon) on hyperlipidemia of rats caused by high-fat diet. Methods: The author performed several experiments to measure the DPPH radical scavenging activity of PS-HAS,to analyze various components and enzymes in serum and liver, and to observe the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results: 1. Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat's liver cells. 2. In the Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture group, compared with control group, the level of total cholesterol in serum and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly. 3. In the Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture group, compared with the control group, the level of glutathione in liver cells increased significantly. 4. In the Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture group, compared with the control group, the pathological changes in liver and aorta were reduced. Conclusion: The above results suggest that Persicae Semen herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has good effects on preventing and treating hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2001

Objectives : The treatment of Bell's palsy must be divided into three states(acute, subacute and healing state). 41 cases of the patient suffering from Bell's palsy were treated and observed from january 2000 to July 2001. The usage of herbal acupunctures on that disease have been effective. So I propose a method of herbal acupunctures on Bell's palsy. Methods : By the states(acute, subacute and healing state) of Bell's palsy, SY(消炎) herbal acupuncture is used at the acute state, Hominis Placenta(紫河車) at the subacute, JGH(中氣下陷) at the healing state. Results : 1. At the acute state, SY(消炎) herbal acupuncture is effective to postauricular pain. 2. At the subacute state, Hominis Placenta(紫河車) herbal acupuncture is effective to decreasing pain and improving symptoms. 3. By the states(acute, subacute and healing state) of Bell's palsy, SY(消炎), Hominis Placenta(紫河車) and JGH(中氣下陷) herbal acupuncture is effective to improving symptoms of Bell's palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this study is to investigate Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Clematidis Radix (CR) herbal-acupuncture on the test rats with induced acute pain. Methods : The effects of Clematidis Radix (CR)-distillates were investigated in three types of models with three different pain. Highly purified distillate of CR called CR herbal-acupuncture was injected to Zusanli ($ST_{36}$) acupoint. In the tail flick test, the CR herbal-acupuncture treatment did not show a significant effect of relieving acute pain. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of CR herbal-acupuncture, the second testing model'pain was induced by injecting formalin to its planter. For the last model, carrageenan was injected into tarsal joint. the medicinal effect of CR herbal-acupuncture was evaluated through the behavioral analyses such as licking time, weight distribution ratio and ankle circumference. Results : In the formalin test, the analgesic effect of CR herbal-acupuncture was more pronounced in the late phase (for 20 min after the early phase) than in the early phase (for the first 10 min post formalin injection). It was proven by weight distribution ratio testing and ankle edema testing that herbal-acupuncture of CR inhibited arthritis caused by the carrageenan. Conclusions : These results revealed that CR herbal-acupuncture was effective to alleviate the inflammatory pain and could be used as an analgesic treatment with an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.55-69
• /
• 2008

Objective : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Method : We investigated the effects of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on autonomic nervous system with the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in adult man. as well as we tried to observe how distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. 1 healthy volunteers consisted of 31 subjects in experiment(distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture) group and 30 subjects in control(Normal Saline) group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 31 subjects in experiment group were injected distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong) and 30 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong). except of 2 subjects(in control group) who can't be measured and 11 subjects(7 in experiment group and 4 in control group) who move or make unforceable error during measuring. Finally 24 subject in experiment group and 24 subject in control group are studied. We measured HRV by PolyG-I on 7 times : before and after injection per 5 minutes during 30 minutes. The SPSS 10.0 for windows was used to analyze the data and the paired t-test(in group) and Student t-test(between two groups) were used to verify the result. Result : 1. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Mean HRV is significantly low only for first 5 minute, SDNN is significantly high after 5 minute, Complexity is significantly low after 5 minute, HRV index is significantly high after 10 minute and pNN50 is significantly low after 5 minute. 2. SDNN of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25minute, and pNN50 of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly decreased from 10minute to 15minute and 20 minute to 30 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. 3. After distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture injection, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) and Ln(LF) are significantly high after 5 minute, normalized LF is significantly high after 5 minute and normalized HF is significantly low after 5 minute. 4. Ln(TP) and Ln(VLF) of distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture Group significantly increased from 20minute to 25 minute compared with those of Normal Saline group. Conclusion : The results suggest that distilled Wild Ginseng Herbal Acupuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The study was peformed to evaluate the effect of treatment for Osteoarthritis of knee joint by using Homnis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture. Methods : We investigated 60 cases of patient with Osteoarthritis of knee joint from 1st February 2005 to 31st January 2005, 60 cases of patient with Osteoarthritis in knee joint treated at the department of acupuncture & moxibustion of Kwang-Dong Oriental Medicine Hospital were randomly selected for two group. One group was treated by Homnis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture therapy, the other group was treated by Filiform Acupuncture therapy. We studied Lyshoim score, Ahlaback Grade, Nine-point scale and improvement degree of the grade of Ahlaback. Results : 1. In the Lyshoim score, Homnis Filiform Acupuncture was more effective than Filiform Acupuncture. But, there was no significance between two groups statistically in the Lyshoim score. 2. In the Nine point score, Homnis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture was more effective than Filiform Acupuncture. 3.In the improvement degree of the grade of Ahlaback., Homnis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture was as effective as Filiform Acupuncture. Conclusion : In the treatment of Osteoarthritis of knee joint, Homnis Placenta Herabl Acupuncture was not more effective than Filiform Acupuncture statistically. But both Homnis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture and Piliform Acupuncture was effective in Osteoarthritis of knee joint.