• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.23-39
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• 2014

Objectives PRAL (Prunus armniaca Linne Var) is a herbal formula in Oriental Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. However, its mechanism of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found enough. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of PRAL on Th2 cytokines expression in MC/9 mast cells. Methods The effect of PRAL was analyzed by ELISA, Real-time PCR, Western blot in MC/9 mast cells. mRNA levels of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ were analyzed with Real-time PCR. Levels of IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results PRAL inhibited GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in a dose dependent manner. GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5 mRNA expression were inhibited significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression were inhibited at concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. PRAL also inhibited the IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group in a dose dependent manner. IL-13 production was inhibited at a concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and MIP-$1{\alpha}$ was inhibited at a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving Th2 cytokines expression revealed prominent decrease of the mast cell specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, c-Jun as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but not NFAT-2 and c-Fos. Conclusion These results indicate that PRAL has the effect of suppressing Th2 cytokines production in the MC/9 mast cells. These data represent that PRAL potentiates therapeutic activities to the allergic disease by regulating Th2 cytokines in the MC/9 mast cells.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2009

The Pulse diagnosis is in the boundary of the Four Examinations, and it is called 切診, or palpation. It has a great impact on people in reminding of the Traditional Medicine that it is probably the first thing that people think of when they hear about Traditional Medicine. Hu-Jun quoted in the Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑" that the doctor finds out the deficiency and the excess of the meridian of the patiant through the pulse, and that it is of the utmost necessity to know the "deficiency and the excess" of the meridian to decide the formula (君臣佐使) of the herbal medicine and the acupuncture/moxibustion treatment. The research on the studies of pulse diagnosis have been concentrated on the origin, history, and the theory of the pulse diagnosis throughout the years; however, the number of research on the image from the classics on pulse diagnosis have been less. With this in mind, this paper was written to study more on the origin and the history of the pulse diagnosis as well as to study on the image of pulse diagnosis shown on the classics on Traditional Medicine in China and Korea. The history of the pulse diagnosis has its root on the attempt to find out what is happening inside the body through the indication of the small changes of the pulse that is shown on the outer boundaries of the body. There were various kinds of pulse diagnosis including "Three positions and nine indicators method" and "Carotid pulsation and wrist pulse method" in the ancient period, and wrist pulse-taking method became the most popular since the completion of studying on palpation by 初보. The image of the palpation helps the rudimentary practitioners of Traditional Medicine. They are divided into two large categories, which are the area of diagnosis and the shape of the pulse itself. The historical classics including the image of the pulse diagnosis can be found since the Song Dynasty of China. There are various kinds of image of pulse diagnosis in the classic such as "The picture of the hand meridian" from "脈訣指掌病式圖說", "The picture of the image of meridian" from "察病指南", "The picture of the Seven exterior and Eight interior" from "校正圖注脈訣", and "The picture of the six parts of meridian" from Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑". The Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑" have analyzed the basic theories and made up the standards of pulse diagnosis by establishing "The picture of the six parts of meridian" based on "The method of placing the viscera and bowels corresponding to cun-guan-qi, or the meridian".

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1497-1501
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• 2006

The therapeutic anti-diabetic effect of Nelumbo Folium and a poly herbal formula (NOC) was evaluated in the streptozotocin (STZ 60 mg/kg, I.p.) induced diabetic rats. For this study, test articles were orally administrated once a day from 7 d after STZ-injection for 3 weeks. The fasting blood glucose, body weight, pancreas weight changes, oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin Alc (Hb A1c) level changes and the histopathological changes were observed. WNL-treated rat had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to control group and NOC-treated rat had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels, compared to control group (p < 0.05). After 21 days of extract treatment, body weight in control was reduced (p < 0.001). WNL and NOC groups were also reduced compared to control group but insignificantly. Pancreas weight of control group was reduced (p < 0.001), but the weight of NOC group were increased (P< 0.05). During the 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), WNL group were improved compared to control group (P < 0.05). NOC group were improved compared to control group but insignificantly. WNL and NOC groups had lower Hb Alc level compared to control group. In addition, atrophy of islet and decrease of insulin-producing cells were detected in STZ induced diabetes rats. However, these diabetic changes were decreased in WNL and NOC groups. These results suggest that N. Folium and NOC have favorable effects to inhibit the changes on the fasting blood glucose levels, pancreas weight, glucose tolerance, hemoglobin Alc and the histopathological changes of pancreas in STZ-induced diabetes.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.89-105
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was carried out to know the status of clinical utilization of Korean medical knowledge and the Korean medical knowledge system which Korean medical doctors want. Methods : Questionnaires were distributed to Korean medical doctors registered for the Association of Korean medicine via the email and 249 answered questionnaires were analyzed. Results : 50.6 % of Korean medical doctors utilized the textbooks for Korean medicine when they treated their patients. The reason why they did not utilize the textbooks for Korean medicine was mostly that 'it could not be applied directly into clinical application with only contents of textbook because clinical approach (diagnosis and treatment methods) was not clearly described in the textbook'. 48.6 % of Korean medical doctors utilized the EBM materials when they treated their patients. EBM materials that they referred included domestic articles, other EBM materials excluding papers and international academic papers based on PubMed in order. The reasons why they did not utilize the EBM materials were mostly that 'it was difficult to find the evidence' and 'EBM materials were not actually helpful for the clinical practice.' It was found that Korean medical doctors approached the disease in aspects of Korean and Western Medicine concurrently upon the diagnosis of patients and performed the diagnosis and treatment of Korean medicine on the diseases which seemed to be effective with Korean medicine. It was also found that they thought that they needed to know the Western medical knowledge as much as general doctors who have a doctor's license or family medicine specialists who comprehensively treat the general diseases know. Korean medical doctors wanted to have the systematic summary of modern research performance in fields of acupoint, acupuncture, herbal drugs and formula. They thought that constitutional medicine and Sa-am acupuncture therapy were representative characteristics in Korean medicine differentiated from Traditional Chinese medicine and Kampo medicine. Conclusions : Korean medical doctors wanted to establish the Korean medical knowledge system based on evidence focusing on clinical and practical contents. New Korean medical knowledge system should be established based on these requirements in the future.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.29-45
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• 2019

Objectives This study is to investigate anti-obesity effects of Banggihwanggi-tang-hap-yeonggyechulgam-tang (BY), an herbal formula, in high fat diet induced obese mice model. Methods Fourty five male C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal group fed with normal research diet (Nor, n=9), high fat diet control group treated with water (Veh, n=9), high fat diet group treated with orlistat (Oris; n=9, Orlistat 40 mg/kg), high fat diet group treated with low concentraion BY (BYL; n=6, BY 0.87 g/kg) and high fat diet group treated with high concentration BY (BYH; n=6, BY 1.74 g/kg). Results Seven weeks later, antioxidative capacity, body weight, epididymal fat pad and liver weight, reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and histology of liver were evaluated. In the BYH group, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis (3 ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity were more than L-ascorbic acid. Body weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. Epididymal fat pad and liver weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. ROS and $ONOO^-$ were significantly less than with Veh group. ALT and AST were significantly less than with Veh group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were significantly less, HDL were significantly more than Veh group. SOD, catalase, Gpx, HO-1 significantly increased compared with Veh group. Injury on liver was lesser than Veh group. Conclusions It can be suggested that BY has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet induced obese mice model.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2019

Portulaca oleracea L. (PL) has been used in traditional medicine herb for treatment of various diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, and skin inflammation. Previous studies have shown that the PL regulates the inflammation by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Although PL might have improvement effects of intestinal function and bioactive effects, there are not enough studies to demonstrate. This study investigated the effects of KDC16-2 on the improvement of intestinal function and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. The improvement effect of intestinal function was measured fecal amount, water content and intestinal transit rate in KDC16-2 treated ICR mice. As results, compared with the control group, the KDC16-2 group showed a significant increase in wet fecal weight, dry fecal weight and fecal water content. The intestinal transit rate of KDC16-2 group was significantly increased. Based on the results, KDC16-2 is considered to have effects on improving intestinal function. The effect of anti-inflammatory demonstrated by using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. The mice were administered 3% DSS along with KDC16-2 (100, 300 mg/kg) for 14 days. DSS-induced colitis mice were significantly ameliorated in KDC16-2 treated group, including body weight loss, colon length shortening, tight junction protein of colon and histological colon injury. The levels of inflammatory mediators (IgG2a, IgA, C-reactive protein and Myeloperoxidase) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, Interleukin (IL)-6) which are involved in inflammatory responses were increased in the DSS-treated group as compared to those in the control group, and the levels were significantly decreased in the KDC16-2 groups. In addition, we investigated the impact of KDC16-2 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in J774A.1 cells. KDC16-2 inhibited production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggested that the KDC16-2 could effectively alleviate the dysfunction of intestinal and inflammatory mediators. Thus, these KDC16-2 can be potentially used as health functional food of intestinal.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.15-27
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• 2021

Objectives : The processing of Pinelliae Tuber and Arisaematis Rhizoma is a crucial step to reduce the severe acrid irritation mainly due to the needle-like crystals (raphides). Ginger, alum and bile juice have been used as adjuvant materials for the processing. Methods : Bibliographic research on ancient processing and experimental processing was performed to investigate the toxicity reduction mechanisms of the processing with ginger, alum and bile juice. Results : Ginger has been a major adjuvant for the processing of Pinelliae Tuber, followed by alum and bile juice since Song (宋) and Myeong (明) dynasties, and Arisaematis Rhizoma has been mainly used as Damnamseong (膽南星). The raphides consisting of calcium oxalate, lectin, agglutinin and polysaccharides can induce acrid irritation and the inflammatory reactions. The lipophilic components in the ginger denatured the structure of raphides and 6-gingerol-contained ginger extract attenuated the inflammatory reaction. The calcium ion (Ca²⁺) of calcium oxalate was substituted to the aluminium ion (Al³⁺) of the alum, which damaged the calcium oxalate structure. Lectin attached to the surface of raphides was dissolved in alum solution and consequently its structure was denatured. The cholate in the bile juice formed the complex with the oxalate anion or the calcium cation. Moreover, the enzymes activated by Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium during the fermentation promoted the fragmentation of oxalate. Conclusion : The adjuvant materials damaged the raphides by denaturing or degrading the calcium oxalate, resulting in the reduction of acrid irritation. Further experimental studies would support the toxicity reduction mechanism of the processing.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2021

Objectives The present study was designed to find out the therapeutic effects and possible underlying mechanism of Buja-tang, a herbal complex formula on experimental monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis models were created via intra-joint injection of MIA (50 μL with 80 mg/mL) in rats. Rats were divided into five groups and each group consisted of seven. Normal group was not injected MIA and did a normal diet. Control group injected MIA and received distilled water. Indo injected MIA and oral administration of 5 mg/kg of indomethacin. BJTL injected MIA and oral administration of 100 mg/kg of Buja-tang. BJTH injected MIA and oral administration of 200 mg/kg of Buja-tang. We analyzed weight-bearing ability of hind paws, oxidative stress related factor, antioxidant protein, inflammatory protein, inflammatory messenger and cytokine in joint tissue. Pathological observation of knee cartilage tissue structures was also performed with hematoxylin & eosin and safranin-O chromosomes. Results Weight-bearing ability of hind paws showed a tendency to reduce pain. The incidence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and p22phox in articular tissue was significantly reduced, and the incidence of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutases was significantly increased. The incidence of phosphorylated inhibitor of κBα, nuclear factor-kappa B p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β decreased significantly. In pathological observation, cartilage tissue damaged by MIAs in biopsy has significantly recovered from Buja-tang administration. Conclusions Buja-tang has anti-inflammation, antioxidation and pain relief effects. So this is thought to inhibit the progress of osteoarthritis in rat caused by the MIA.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.550-566
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• 2022

Stroke is among the leading causes of death and long-term physical and cognitive disabilities worldwide, affecting an estimated 15 million people annually. The pathophysiological process of stroke is complicated by multiple and coordinated events. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in people with stroke can significantly contribute to the development of ischemic brain injury. Therefore, BBB disruption is recognized as a hallmark of stroke; thus, it is important to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can protect against BBB dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Traditional medicines are composed of natural products, which represent a promising source of new ingredients for the development of conventional medicines. Indeed, several studies have shown the effectiveness of Korean medicine on stroke, highlighting the value of Korean medicinal treatment for ischemic stroke. This review summarizes the current information and underlying mechanisms regarding the ameliorating effects of the formula, decoction, herbs, and active components of traditional Korean medicine on cerebral ischemia-induced BBB disruption. These traditional medicines were shown to have protective effects on the BBB in many cellular and animal ischemia models of stroke, and experiments in various animal species, such as mice and rats. In addition, they showed brain-protective effects by protecting the BBB through the regulation of tight junction proteins and matrix metalloproteinase-9, reducing edema, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell death. We hope that this review will help promote further investigation into the neuroprotective effects of traditional Korean medicines and stimulate the performance of clinical trials on Korean herbal medicine-derived drugs in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.29-48
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• 2021

Objectives: Banchong-san (BCS) is a herbal formula composed of 13 korean medicinal herbs and is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases and pain. The object of this study was to research the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial effects of the BCS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: In this experiment, effects of BCS on the following four were measured as follows: (1) Anti-oxidative effects were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) Radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) Radical scavenging activity. (2) Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by the production amount of Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Nitric oxide (NO), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)(the previous two are "mRNA"), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (the previous five are "Protein") in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. (3)Antipruritic effects were evaluated by the production amount of histamine, Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), LeukotrieneC4 (LTC4) Levels in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated MC/9 mast cell. (4) Anti-microbial effects were evaluated by the growth suppression of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger. Results: The following results were obtained through each measurement: (1) DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, ABTS Radical Scavenging Activity evoked a significant concentration-dependent increase. (2) ROS, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE₂ production amount, iNOS, COX-2 mRNA expression were significantly reduced in the BCS extraction group compared with the control group and significantly decreased the amount of ERK, JNK, p38, NF-κB Protein expression. The amount of IκB-α Protein Expression have increased significantly. (3) The amounts of histamine, LTB4, LTC4 were significantly decreased. (4) The antibacterial efficacy, BCS inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 5 ㎍/ml, but did not suppress the growth of staphylococcus aureus and aspergillus niger. Conclusions: The experimental results show that BCS has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial properties.