• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.93-98
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• 2016

Objectives : Hwangheuk-san is a complex prescription composed of oriental traditional medicine and has been reported for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects in the recent study. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of important causes of fatal infectious diseases such as septicemia, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). S. aureus is reported as being for a variety of human diseases and its epidemiological relevance is mainly due to their ability of becoming highly resistant to common antimicrobials such as tetracycline, penicillin, cphalosporin and aminoglycoside. The objective of this study is to determine the antimicrobial effect of Hwangheuk-san ethanol extracts (HHS) and synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA.Methods : The antimicrobial activity of HHS was measured by the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method and the checkerboard dilution test, time-kill curve assay was performed to investigate synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA.Results : HHS showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA with a MIC value of 125 ㎍/㎖. In the checkerboard test, the interaction of HHS with antibiotics oxacillin produced almost synergy or partial synergy against MRSA. This study showed that HHS reduced the MICs of oxacillin tested, and a remarkable antibacterial effect of HHS, with membrane permeability enhancers.Conclusions : These results suggest that HHS has the antimicrobial effect and synergistic effects with antibiotics oxacillin against MRSA. This study thus can be a valuable source for the development of a new drug with low MRSA resistance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.356-360
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• 2005

The maintenance of intestinal health is complex and relies on a delicate balance between the diet, the normal microflora and mucosa, including the digestive epithelium and overlying mucus layer. The colorectal mucosa is protected by a visco-elastic mucus gel formed by high molecular mass glycoproteins referred to as mucins. Abnormality of mucin have been identified with colorectal disease. Constipation increases with age, and is more common among women than men in all age groups, e.g. 10% of men and 20% of women in the USA. The aim of the present study was conducted to investigate that the effects of formulation KTG075 from edible plants on intestinal function on mucus secretion, were examined by loperamide-induced constipation method using Sprague Dawley male rats. Epithelial cells of colonic crypt contained more mucus in the KTG075 group compared with those of the control group and the thickness of the mucus layer stained with alcian blue was significantly thicker in KTG075 treated rats compared with in control rats. Mucus production of epithelial cells of crypt and mucus contents at fecal and mucosa surfaces were reduced by loperamide-induced constipation. These results indicates that a poly herbal formulation KTG075 accelerates evacuation and activated intestines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.37-44
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Alisma canaliculatum Extract (ACE) on pacemaker potentials of small and large intestinal interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in mice. Methods : We used enzymatic digestions to dissociate the ICC in the small and large intestine in mice. The whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record pacemaker potentials in ICC. Results : 1. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in small intestine in mice. ACE (0.1-1mg/ml) induced membrane depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners. 2. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, a nonselective cation channel blocker, stopped the small intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE had no effects on the membrane depolarizations in small intestinal ICC. 3. The ICC generated the pacemaker potentials in large intestine in mice. Membrane depolarization appears regularly in the small intestine, but irregularly in the large intestine. ACE induced membrane depolarization (0.1-1mg/ml) and increased frequency (0.1-0.5mg/ml). 4. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, stopped the large intestinal ICC pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solution, Na⁺ 5 mM solution or 2-APB, ACE depolarized the membrane depolarizations in large intestinal ICC. 5. In mice, intestinal transit rate (ITR) values were dose-dependently decreased by the intragastric administration of ACE. Conclusions : These results suggest that ACE can regulate the pacemaker activity of ICC and the reaction by ACE is different from the small and large intestinal ICC, and the control of the intestinal motion by ACE may be caused by many complex processes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1186-1197
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• 2022

Objectives: A case study about the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in a psychogenic tremor patient. Case presentation: A 36-year-old male diagnosed with psychogenic tremor with low back pain underwent 29 days of inpatient treatment and 4 weeks of outpatient treatment. His pattern identification was a psychogenic tremor of the weakness of the heart and gall bladder (SimDamHeoGup) type. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. He took Cheongshimondam-tang for 29 days and Chunwangbosim-dan for 6 weeks when he had symptoms. He also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at GB20 (Pungji), L14 (Hapgok), HT4 (Yeongdo), PC6 (Naegwan), HT7 (Sinmun), GB34 (Yangleungcheon), ST36 (Joksamni), SP6 (Sameumgyo), and LR3 (Taechung). After 8 weeks of treatment, the Fahn Tolosa Marin rating (FTM) scale of his tremor, at rest, dropped from Grade 4 on both upper extremities, trunk, and both lower extremities at the time of admission to Grade 2 in both upper extremities and trunk, and Grade 0 in both lower extremities at the time of discharge. His Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) score decreased from 38 to 7, and his numerical rating scale (NRS) decreased from 8 to 1 for low back pain and from 9 to 2 for tremor. A follow-up visit to the hospital 2 months after the end of treatment confirmed continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects. Conclusions: This study suggests the possibility of treating psychogenic tremor using only Korean medicine treatments. Further studies with control groups and long-term follow-up are needed.

• 대한상한금궤의학회지
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-26
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• 2022

Objectives: We aimed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the decoction of Sibjo-tang, which is a powder type purgative. In addition, we checked whether the '發作' of 『Shanghanlun』 can be interpreted to have the same meaning as "seizure" in English. By confirming these objectives, we intend to lead the progress in the application of Sibjo-tang and to expand the clinical application of the 152nd provision and Sibjo-tang. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of patients who visited Apgujeongjeongin Oriental Clinic and Almyeon Oriental Clinic for seizures. We confirmed side effects in patients who took Sibjo-tang for a long time. Sibjo-tang was prepared as a hot water extract by using 5 g each of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, Eurphobiae Kansui Radix, and Genkwae Flos and 15 g of Zizyphi Fructus. The "seizure" recorded in the 152nd provision was interpreted through the shape analysis of Oracle bone scripts. The seizure frequency of patients diagnosed with epilepsy after taking Sibjo-tang was compared, and we analyzed other symptoms and psychosocial conditions associated with seizures at the first episode. Results: No side effects were found in 7 patients who took Sibjo-tang for 16.57 ± 14.10 months. Seizures were eliminated in 6 cases while taking Sibjo-tang and significantly decreased in 1 case. Frequent indigestion (in 7 cases), mild exhaustion (in 5 cases), and inferiority complex (in 5 cases) were identified as accompanying pathogenic conditions. The "seizure" in the 152nd provision was interpreted as "a state of being stabbed by a sharp substance in clothes", confirming a deep connection with epileptic seizures. Conclusions: The results suggest that using a decoction of Sibjo-tang is safe and efficacious. In addition, the necessity of conducting an advanced study on epileptic seizures accompanied by frequent indigestion using Sibjo-tang was confirmed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.404-410
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• 2014

The effects of treatment with various complex carbohydrases such as Pectinex, Celluclast, Viscozyme, and Ultraflo on the physiochemical properties, polyphenol extraction yields and antioxidant activities of pear peel and pear core were investigated. When pear peel and pear core were treated with complex carbohydrases, the soluble solid content of peel increased, whereas it did not change significantly in the case of pear core. When pear peel and pear core were treated with Pectinex, significant improvement of soluble solid content was observed along with the highest extraction yield of reducing sugar content. Total sugar content increased in most of the enzyme treatment groups. In the case of pear peel, the Viscozyme treatment group showed the highest total polyphenol contents, total flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and SOD-like activity. When the flesh and core of pear were treated with Celluclast, total polyphenol contents increased. All enzyme treatment groups except for the Ultraflo treatment group showed increases in total flavonoid contents. With regard to pear flesh, the Celluclast group showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. When pear core was treated with the four complex carbohydrases, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ABTS radical scavenging activity did not increase significantly. However, the SOD-like activity of all enzyme treatment groups significantly increased. Consequently, dry matter and soluble solid contents, polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity of pear peel and core could be improved by complex carbohydrase treatment.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2012

In this study, we configured a system which ranks hazardous chemicals to determine their management priorities based on experts' opinions and the existing CRS (chemical ranking and scoring). Aggregate exposure of food, health functional food, oriental/herbal medicine and cosmetics have been taken into account to determine management priority. In this study, 25 hazardous chemicals were selected, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, etc. These 25 materials were ranked according to their 1) risk (exposure or hazard) indexes, 2) exposure source-based weight, and 3) public interests, which were also formed based on the existing priority ranking system. Cadmium was scored the highest (178.5) and bisphenol A the lowest (56.8). Ten materials -- cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, tar, acrylamide, benzopyrene, aluminium, benzene, and PAHs -- scored higher than 100. Eight materials -- aflatoxin, manganese, phthalate, chromium, nitrate/nitrite, ethylcarbamate, formaldehyde, and copper -- recorded scores in the range from 70 to 100. Also evaluated as potential risks were 7 materials; sulfur dioxide, ochratoxin, dioxins, PCBs, fumonisin, methyl mercury, and bisphenol A, and these materials were scored above 50. Then we compared risk index and correlation coefficient of total scores to confirm the validity of the total scores; we analyzed correlation coefficient of parameter and indicator. We discovered that the total score and weight, which has incorporated public interests, were high and statistically significant. In conclusion, the result of this study contributes to strengthening risk assessment and risk management of hazardous chemicals.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2015

The safety of plant species used as a source for herbal medicines and dietary supplements has recently been questioned due to poisonings associated with the presence of cadmium (Cd) in these plants. These plants can derive Cd from their presence in the soil. Organic matter (OM) concentrations in soils could affect the availability of Cd for plants. To determine the effect of OM concentration in soil on the concentration of plant available Cd and uptake of this toxic element by medicinal plants, soil and plant samples were collected from 102 fields supporting for 5 species of medicinal plants in 6 province of South Korea. Concentrations of OM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soils affected the phytoavailability of Cd. One M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soil increased with increasing OM concentrations. There were significantly positive relationships between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and OM concentration in soil and between 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration and DOC concentration. Likewise, OM and DOC concentrations significantly affected Cd concentration in medicinal plant soils. Cadmium concentration in medicinal plants increased with increasing OM concentration in soil [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.179+1.424{\times}10^{-3}$ OM concentrations, $R^2=0.042*$] and with DOC concentration [Cd concentration $(mg\;kg^{-1})= 0.150+5.870{\times}10^{-4}$ DOC concentrations, $R^2=0.124***$]. These results might result from Cd-DOC complex which is easily absorbed Cd form by plant root. Dissolved organic carbon concentration had more positive relationship with Cd concentration in medicinal plants and 1 M $NH_4OAc$ extractable Cd concentration in soils than OM. Cadmium concentration in all 5 species of medicinal plant (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis lanceolata, Platycodon grandiflorum, and Rehmannia glutinosa) significantly increased with increasing DOC concentration in soil. From the above results, formation of Cd-DOC complex caused by OM application might be mainly attributed to increase in Cd concentration in medicinal plants.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2016

Objectives : Facial nerve palsy is a rare but well-known complication that occurs after a tooth extraction. The paralysis follows the injection of a local anesthetic, but patients typically recover after a few hours. However, there are a number of reports of delayed paralysis, and the cause of delayed facial palsy remains uncertain. This study is the first case report detailing how Korean medicine can be used to treat facial nerve palsy following tooth extraction. This study reports our experience of a patient's favorable recovery. Methods : A 25-year-old male patient experienced acute facial palsy after four premolar teeth were extracted. He was hospitalized in the Pusan National University Korean Medical Hospital. We provided complex Korean traditional medical treatments such as acupuncture, cupping, use of a hot water steamer, and herbal medicine for 18 days. Results : Using the Yanagihara Grading Score, we found improvements in the patient's voluntary facial movement as his score increased from 22 to 34. Furthermore, his accompanying symptoms, such as dry eye and facial pain, disappeared. However, the patient reported transient pain around acupoints after the acupuncture intervention. Conclusion : Our study suggests that Korean medical treatments might be effectively used to treat facial nerve palsy after tooth extraction, although further research should be conducted due to the limited number of cases in this area.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6963-6966
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• 2015

Background: During the past few years, Hesa-A, a herbal-marine mixture, has been used to treat cancer as an alternative medicine in Iran. Based on a series of studies, it is speculated that Hesa-A possesses special cytotoxic effects on invasive tumors. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the selective anticancer effects of Hesa-A on several cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential. Materials and Methods: Hesa-A was prepared in normal saline as a stock solution of 10 mg/ml and further diluted to final concentrations of $100{\mu}/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$, $300{\mu}g/ml$ and $400{\mu}g/ml$. MTT-based cytotoxicity assays were performed with A549 (lung non small cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. Results: All treated cancer cells showed significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences in comparison to negative control at almost all of the tested doses ($100-400{\mu}g/ml$). At the lower dose ($100{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A reduced cell viability to 66%, 45.3%, 35.5%, 33.2% in SKOV3, A549, PC-3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Moreover, at the highest dose ($400{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A resulted in 88.5%, 86.6%, 84.9% and 79.3% growth inhibition in A549, MCF-7, PC-3 and SKOV3 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Hesa-A exert potent cytotoxic effects on different human cancer cells, especially those with a high metastatic potential.