• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the immunological activities, we evaluated the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (AG) on murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and ovalbumin/aluminium (OVA/Alum)-immunized mice. Methods : The cellular proliferation and the production of nitric oxide were examined in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of the combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitonially with ovalbumin/aluminium ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on day 1, 8, and 15. The combination ratio of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata and Glycyrrhizae Radix (1 g/kg/day) was orally administrated for 3 weeks. On day 22, splenocyte and plasma were collected for mitogen-induced proliferation, lymphocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry and measurement of AST (Aspirate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), and antibodies (OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG, IgG1, and total IgM classes). Results : Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata treatment had no influence on immune responses. The proliferation and NO production of macrophage and proliferation of splenocyte were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix. The proliferation of splenocyte, lymphocyte subpopulation and production of antibody (total IgM, OVA-specific IgG and OVA-specific IgG1) were increased as the higher ratio of Glycrrhizae Radix on OVA-immunzed mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that the higher ratio of Glycyrrhizae Radix can increase immunological activities such as NO production in RAW264.7 cells, splenocyte proliferation and immunoglobulin production in OVA-immunized mice.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine safety of herbal medicine on liver function and compare with western medicine. Method : 303 subjects of skin disease(vitiligo and psoriasis) were chosen at a local oriental medical clinic, and tested with a spot liver function test from Sept 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2006. Subjects were grouped into untreated, herbal medicine, western medicine, and combination group by treatment record. Total bilirubin, AST, ALT and LDH was compared in each group, odds ratio and regression coefficient was calculated. Results : Subjects comprised of 116 individuals receiving western medication(38.28%), 54 receiving herbal medication(17.82%), 107 receiving combined forms of medication(35.31%), and 26 individuals without any types of medication(8.58%). With the mean age of 37.0 yr. 204 were male(67.3%), 99 were female(32.7%). Comparing variables of liver functions, there was no significant difference between the control and experiment groups. After adjusting potential confounders, monthly $\beta$(SE) of multiple regression -0.009~0.000 for the herbal group, -0.005~0.000 for the western group, and -0.001~0.001 for the combination group. No significant difference between the groups. OR of T-bilirubin were 1.02, 1.05, and 1.04. AST were 0.92, 0.94, and 0.98. ALT were 0.85, 0.99, and 0.97. LDH were 0.96, 1.06, 1.00 for the herbal, western, and combination group, respectively. Conclusion : Comparing with western medication, herbal medication did not cause special ill-effect on the liver function based on liver function tests.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.176-183
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to report the effect of oriental and western medicine combination therapy for the Asthma during the period of pregnancy. Methods: We treated the patient who had the Asthma during the period of pregnancy and visited Dongshin University oriental hospital. The patient in this case was admitted for 9days due to the Asthma on the twenty-third week period of pregnancy. In consideration of pregnancy, this patient was treated with oriental and western medicine combination treatments such as herb medicine, acupuncture, herbal acupuncture therapy, and so forth. Results: There was remarkable improvement in condition of the patient, treated by oriental and western medicine combination therapy. Conclusion: We confirmed that western medicine treatment is effective in curuing with an urgent symptoms, but there is a limit to complete recovery or prevention. On the other hand. it proves that oriental medicine treatment is proficient with continuous treatment effect, but further studies are needed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are three kinds of formulas for purging the kidney to cure its sthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Sashintang, Sashinhwan and Sashinsan. There are 4 kinds of Sashintang, 1 kind of Sashinhwan and 1 kind of Sashinsan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for purging the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Pyeongshintang for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Pyeongshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine", the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Rhizoma Alismatis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Poria (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radix Paeoniae Alba (1don), No.4 Fructus Chaenomelis (1don), No.5 Polyporus (1don), No.6 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don) Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : purging the kidney, purging the liver and invigorating the spleen. First, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the salty taste and the hot property purge the kidney. In the case of taste purgation, two herbal medicines with salty taste, Rhizoma Alismatis and Poria, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property purgation, two herbal medicines with the hot property, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your liver which is child in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the liver, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property purge the liver. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both sour and cool herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Fructus Chaenomelis, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the spleen, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to invigorate the spleen with sweet taste and property invigoration to invigorate the spleen with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use sweet herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both sweet and warm herbal medicines, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, were combined to invigorate the spleen and purge the kidney. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of purging the kidney and the liver, and invigorating the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are four kinds of formulas for invigorating the kidney to cure its asthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Boshintang, Boshinhwan, Boshinsan, and Boshingaeng. There are 16 kinds of Boshintang, 28 kinds of Boshinhwan, 3 kinds of Boshinsan, and one kind of Boshingaeng. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for invigorating the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Boshintang for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Boshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Boshintang is an even prescription, composed of 6 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Fructus Lycii (3don;11.25g), No.2 Radix Polygoni Multiflori (1don:3.75g), No.3 Sarcucarpium Corni (1don), No.4 Fructus Schisandrae (1don), No.5 Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (5poon: 1.875g), and No.6 Cortex Phellodendri (5poon) Results : There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : invigorating the kidney, invigorating the lung and purging the spleen. First, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the bitter taste and the cold property invigorate the kidney. In the case of taste invigoration, two herbal medicines with bitter taste, Fructus Lycii and Radix Polygoni Multiflori, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property invigoration, two herbal medicines with the cold property, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your lung which is mother in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the lung, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property invigorate the lung. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste invigoration and cool ones for property invigoration. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the spleen, which include taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste purgation means to purge the spleen with bitter taste and property purgation to purge the spleen with cool property. Therefore, it is important to use bitter herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri. were combined to purge the spleen and invigorate the kidney. In addition, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, reinforcing the kidney energy. Conclusions : First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of invigorating the kidney and the lung, and purging the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Boshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.63-77
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• 2015

Objectives The combination extract of four kinds of herbs, Gastrodia elata, Liriope platyphylla, Dimocarpus longan, and Salvia miltiorrhiza, has shown to have memory improving effects in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the herbal mixture for improving working memory as well as microstructural changes in white matter integrity in individuals with subjective memory complaints. Methods Seventy-five individuals with subjective memory complaints were assigned to receive either placebo (n = 15) or herbal mixture (low-dose group, n = 30 and high-dose group, n = 30) supplementation in an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Changes in working memory performance and fractional anisotropy (FA) values reflecting white matter integrity from baseline to 8-week endpoint were assessed. Results The herbal mixture group showed an increase in working memory performance compared to the placebo group (p for interaction = 0.001). In addition, the herbal mixture group showed an increase in FA values in the temporo-parietal regions (corrected p < 0.05), which are crucially involved in working memory function and are among the most affected regions in patients with cognitive impairments. Conclusions Findings from this study indicate that the herbal mixture may be a promising therapeutic option for individuals with subjective memory complaints.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.504-509
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• 2014

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of brazilein (BRZ) isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) against 8 different strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). New antimicrobial activity was found using the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), broth dilution as well as checkerboard method. Against the 8 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of BRZ were in the range of $62.5-500{\mu}g/mL$. From those results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of BRZ in combination with Hygromycin-b (HgB) against 4 strains. The combined activity of BRZ and HgB against 4 strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICI) ranging from 0.18-0.5. The effect of BRZ with HgB was found to be synergistic. We found that BRZ reduced the MICs of HgB. BRZ and HgB could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.259-263
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• 2016

Lung cancer has a high mortality rate and is often diagnosed at the metastatic stage. Gefitinib is a targeted molecular therapeutic drug used to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Korean herbal medicines may also have therapeutic efficacy against lung cancer, reduce the side effects associated with chemotherapy, and improve patient quality of life (QOL). This case report describes the effects of a Korean herbal medicine regimen combined with gefitinib in a patient with NSCLC and bone metastasis. The Korean herbal medicine regimen included woohwanggeosa-dan, hwanggibujeong-dan and geonchilgyebok-jeong. The computed tomography (CT) findings showed that following combination treatment, the size of the tumor was markedly decreased without serious adverse events. Moreover, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was improved and cancer-related pain was decreased. These results suggest that a combination of Korean herbal medicines and gefitinib may be an effective therapeutic option for patients with advanced NSCLC and bone metastasis. Further studies are needed to examine the mechanism and the clinical efficacy of Korean herbal medicines against NSCLC.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.277-296
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• 2024

Objective : Dyspepsia is one of the most common ailments among Koreans, leading to a continuously expanding market for liquid digestive solutions. These products are popular due to their convenience and low risk of side effects. However, there is a lack of research on the basic prescription composition of these ingredients and their precise indications according to Korean Medicine. Methods : Drugs were selected from the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Service website (http://www.health.kr), focusing on oral and liquid products classified under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's category of stomach and digestive aids (category 233). Frequency analysis was conducted to determine the occurrence and combinations of herbal ingredients within each product. Additionally, the four properties and five flavors of each product were calculated using their herbal ingredient composition ratios, and Pearson correlation coefficients were employed to verify the linear relationships between the composition ratios of the ingredients. Results : A comparative analysis of 33 liquid digestive medicines revealed that Zingiberis Rhizoma was the most frequently used herb. The most common dual-herb combination was Zingiberis Rhizoma and Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and the most prevalent tri-herb combination was Zingiberis Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and Cinnamomi Cortex. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed a strong positive correlation between the composition ratios of Zingiberis Rhizoma and Cinnamomi Cortex. The analysis of four properties and five flavors indicated that products with warm and bitter flavors were the most common. Conclusions : The most frequently used herbal combination in liquid digestive solutions was Zingiberis Rhizoma, Citri Unshius Pericarpium, and Cinnamomi Cortex. This composition is suitable for treating dyspepsia caused by cold-dampness in the digestive system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2024

Objective : This study aims to investigate core herbs and formulas in Internal Medicine on the Liver system (IML) to enhance the efficiency of teaching IML, Herbalogy, and Formula Science, as well as to increase the integration of these courses. Methods : The study employed the frequency concept, commonly utilized in previous studies, alongside network analysis. Results : This study identified frequently used herbs, herbs with high centrality, frequently combined herbs, and core formulas. The herb with the highest frequency was 'Angelicae Gigantis Radix', while the herb with the highest centrality was 'Citri Unshius Pericarpium', and the most frequent herb combination was 'Zingiberis Rhizoma - Citri Unshius Pericarpium'. The network analysis results revealed a total of 5 herbal combination communities. Conclusion : In this study, we identified core herbs using traditional frequency analysis methods. Additionally, to complement traditional analysis methods, we discovered core herbal combinations, and fundamental herbal prescriptions through network analysis. The results of this study can be utilized as foundational data to enhance the efficiency of education in Internal Medicine on the Liver system (IML), Herbology, and Formula Science courses, as well as to improve coherence and consistency between foundational and clinical subjects.