• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to find the most effective and safest way to overcome Lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain involved in a few Meridian Tendino-musculatures by evaluating the effect of two kinds of Dong-gi(Dong-qi) Acupuncture(DGA) and by reporting their side effects. Material : 97 patients of out and admission patients were selected, who were diagnosed with lumbar sprain caused by repetitive bending, heavy weight lifting, unsuitable posture, concussion and falling down and whose Lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain in the concept of oriental medicine. Methods : 97 patients were divided into three groups. One is exclusive DGA group to which DGA and the method retaining needles on the acupoints for about 20 minutes were applied, the other is DGA combined active exercise group in which patients stretched their Meridian Tendino-muscuIatures with their hips moving up and downward repeatedly during DGA, the third is DGA combined passive exercise group in which patients were made to flex or extend their bodies on the auto flexion-distraction table in a prone position, from 10 to 20 degree, during DGA. In each group, bed rest, physical therapy and herbal medicine were used according to symptoms, in addition to DGA. In DGA method, "Su(Shu)" points of the meridian related to the involved Meridian Tendino-musculature were mainly chosen, that is, Sokkol(Shugu, B65), Hugye(Houxi, SI3), ChungJo(Zhongzhu, TE3) were used, for most LBP belonged to Bladder and Gallbladder Meridian Tendino-musculature disorders. Pyong-Bo-Pyong-Sa(Ping-Bu-Ping-Xie) such as Dong-Gi and Yeom-Jeon(Nian-Zhuan) was applied as Bo-Sa method. For evaluation of effectiveness, new score system was devised by severity of pain and range of movement. the score was given twice at patients' first and last visit and the difference between first and last score was regarded as a evaluation scale, the effectiveness was classified into four grade by evaluation scale.(scale : 12-15; excellent, 8-11; good, 4-7; fair, 0-3; bad) Results : 1. Exclusive DGA, DGA combined active exercise and DGA combined passive exercise group showed 97, 87 and 89% in effectiveness. 2. Exclusive DGA, DGA combined active exercise and DGA combined passive exercise group showed no aggravation of pain, range of movement. 3. In blood test of 34 patients, only one patient showed abnormal rise of sGOT, sGPT and $\gamma$-GTP at his first visit and the others didn't show any detrimental change. DGA had no bad influence upon BUN and creatinine of patients. Conclusion : For complex theraphy combining DGA, exercise, physical therapy and Herbal medicine proved to be highly effective on treating lumbago due to blood stasis and sprain, this is expected to be available for clinical use.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2020

The Hippo-YAP signaling pathway is critical for cell proliferation, survival, and self-renewal in both Drosophila and mammals. Disorder of Hippo-YAP pathway leads to tumor development, progression and poor prognosis in various cancers. YAP/TAZ are the key downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway and they can be inhibited through LATS1/2, core kinases in the Hippo pathway, mediated phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AGNE) on Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway. First, ANGE induced YAP/TAZ phosphorylation and dissociation of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD transcription complex. By qRT-PCR, we found that ANGE inhibits the expression of YAP/TAZ-TEAD target gene, CTGF and CYR61. In addition, the transcriptional activity of YAP/TAZ was not suppressed significantly in LATS1/2 double-knockout (DKO) cells by ANGE compared to LATS1/2 wild-type (WT) cells, which means AGNE inhibits YAP/TAZ signaling through direct action on LATS1/2. Further, it was confirmed that AGNE-induced activation of LATS1/2 inhibited the migration potential of the vector-expressing cells by suppressing YAP/TAZ activity. The reduced migration potential was restored in active YAP-TEAD expressing cells. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that ANGE downregulates YAP/TAZ signaling in cells through the activation of LATS1/2.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 2013

Objectives The goal of this review is to investigate clinical and experimental studies on external application treatment for atopic dermatitis in Korean literature and to propose for the better method of clinical studies in order to seek more effective treatment. Methods Electronic researches were performed with KTKP, OASIS, National Assembly Library, Korean Medicine Database, KISS, DBpia, and KISTI. Results and Conclusions In Twenty six studies, the numbers of clinical and experimental studies are respectively 10 (38.46%) and 16 (61.54%). The numbers of studies that used herbal complex were 20 (76.92%), and out of that, 6 studies had used a single herbal medicine (23.08%). The external application with oriental medicine for the atopic dermatitis used with Phellodendri Cortex (7), Sophorae Radix (6), Scutellariae Radix (6), Lonicerae Flos (5), Coptidis Rhizoma (5) and so on. Among the clinical studies, the 5 studies were double-blind and randomized-controlled study (50%). The numbers of studies that used Hanifin and Rajka Diagnostic Criteria (1980) were 6 (60%), and that used the Diagnostic Criteria in Korean Atopic Dermatitis (2005) were 4 (40%). Among the clinical studies, categories to evaluate of atopic dermatitis are respectively SCORAD Index (80%), Total IgE (80%), Eosinophil count (70%) and so on. All of the clinical studies (100%) showed a statistically significant decline in atopic dermatitis according to the SCORAD Index, Modified SCORAD Index, the Clinic index score. Among the experimental studies, the numbers of studies that used NC/Nga mice were 9 (56.25%), and out of that 5 studies used BALB/c mice (31.25%). Most of the studies (68.75%) used DNCB as allergy inducing materials. The scales for evaluation of atopic dermatitis were Clinical skin severity score, Histopathologic examination, Immunohematologic examination, safety test and so on. In 12 cases (75%) of experimental studies, the IgE level of experimental group showed a statistically significant decline after using external application. In 8 study cases (50%), Clinical skin severity score of experimental group showed a statistically significant decline after using external application.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.368-377
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• 2021

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi complex extract(Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract) on the mediators related to degenerative arthritis in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat model of degenerative arthritis. Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract was administered orally at doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before direct injection of monosodium iodoacetate (3 mg/50 µl of 0.9% saline) into the intra-articular space of the rats' right knees. The rats subsequently received the same doses of oral Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract for another 4 weeks. It was evaluated that the treatment effects based on serum bio-markers, and morphological and histopathological analysis of the knee joints. Compared with those in negative control rats, the Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract treatments significantly reduced the serum levels of inflammation, bone metabolism markers (i.e., TNF-α, MMP-3, COX-2, PGE₂, COMP, and Aggrecan). Otherwise, it was significantly increased the production of CTX-2 in cartilage absorption mediators. In addition, the Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract treatments effectively preserved the knee cartilage and synovial membrane. As a result, it indicates that the Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex extract improved degenerative arthritis symptoms. Thus, the Perilla frutescens var. crispa complex can be used in food material for the management of degenerative arthritis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2008

Objective This study was investigated on the Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture of Caude equina syndrome which has been described as a complex of low back pain, bilateral sciatica, saddle anesthesia and motor weakness in the lower extremity that progress to paraplegia with baldder and bowel incontinence. Methods & Results Clinical observation was done on Cauda equina syndrome in the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Woosuk jeonju Oriental Medical Hospital frome May 30 to July 13. The patient was treated with Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture at Shinsu(B23), Gihaesu(B24), Taejangsu(B25), Gwanweonsu(b26), Dangryo(b31), Charyo(b32), Jang-gang(gv1) and Hoe-eum(cv1) with Oriental Medicine treatment. We evaluated SF-36, the bladder incontinence, bowel incontinence, sensibility by sting skin, before and after treatmeat. Conclusion 1. At the early time, gait disturbance was treated well, but discomfort of bladder incontinence, bilateral sciatica, saddle anesthesia and motor weakness was remained. 2. The symptoms of Cauada equina syndrome, especially bladder incontinence and bilateral sciatica, was recurred in short duration by scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture and oriental medicine treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Silymarin is a flavonoid complex extracted from the Silybum marianum plant with a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of silymarin were investigated in BALB/c mice. Silymarin was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Following the exposure, host hematological parameters, spleen cellularity and histopathological examination, as well as delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, hemagglutination titers (HA), splenocyte cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation assay were studied in all of the test groups of animals. The results showed that the low dose of silymarin (50 mg/kg) could stimulate both cellular and humoral immune functions in the treated hosts. In addition, silymarin at 100 mg/kg appeared to impact on DTH responses and lymphoproliferation. Based on the finding here, it would seem that silymarin has efficient immunostimulant properties. As a recommendation, the application of silymarin along with acupuncture technique (herbal acupuncture) can be thought as a good plan to modulate and enhance the immune system for the management of several immunodeficiency disorders. However, further studies are required to demonstrate this hypothesis.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2019

Background: Wolbachia are among the most prevalent endosymbiotic bacteria and induce reproductive anomalies in various invertebrate taxa. The bacterium has huge impacts on host reproductive biology, immunity, evolution, and molecular machinery. However, broad-scale surveys of Wolbachia infections at the order scale, including the order Coleoptera, are limited. In this study, we investigated the Wolbachia infection frequency in 201 Coleopteran insects collected in Korea. Results: A total of 26 species (12.8%) belonging to 11 families harbored Wolbachia. The phylogenetic trees of based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and partial Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene sequences were largely incongruent to that of their hosts. This result confirms that Wolbachia evolved independently from their hosts, Conclusion: Phylogenetic trees suggest that complex horizontal gene transfer and recombination events occurred within and between divergent Wolbachia subgroups.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Scutellariae Radix) has been widely used as a dietary ingredient and traditional herbal medicine such as diuretic, hyperlipidemia, antibacterial, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, the isolation of biomarkers or bioactive compounds from complex S. baicalensis extracts represents an essential step for de novo identification and bioactivity assessment. The bioactive fraction consisted of eight compounds which was chromatographed on an analytical high performance liquid chromatography column using two different gradient runs. A simulative replacement of the analytical column with a medium pressure liquid chromatography and open column allowed the determination of gradient profile to allow sufficient separation in the preparative scale. From the optimized method, eight standard compounds have been identified in the fractions. In addition, MS, UV, HRMS detection was provided by ultraperformance liquid chromatographyequadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTof-MS) of all fractions. Therefore, this scale up procedure was successfully applied to a S. baicalensis extract.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2001

In the present studies, decursinol angelate, decursin isolated from Angelica gignatis radix and oil fraction of Cnidii rhizoma was analyzed by normal phase HPLC and GC/MS respectively. The standardized water extracts of Angelica gignatis radix, Cnidii rhizoma and its complex named Gung-gui-tang was tested the anti mutagenic effects by in vitro genotoxicity using Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test) and micronucleus test in chinese hamster ovary(CHO) cells. Angelica gignatis radix, Cnidii rhizoma and Gung-gui-tang was not exhibited the antimutagenic effects in the Salmonella reversion assays with or without metabolic activation. However, the micronucleus test assays, Angelica gignatis radix and Gung-gui-tang was showed the antimutagenic effects significantly. The maximum inhibition observed with Gung-gui-tang was reduced by 59% in the micronucleus test without metabolic activation. In this paper, results are presented on the availability of potential antimutagenic activity of the water extracts of Gung-gui-tang.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.327-340
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• 2019

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease accompanied by slow impairment of memory and coordination leading to behavioral changes. To date, the only treatment option is to delay the progress of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of combination treatment with donepezil and three herbal extracts SIP-3 in the AD mouse model induced by amyloid-β (Aβ). Methods: We tested SIP-3 extracts for the cytotoxicity on Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Then the synergistic effects of SIP-3 and donepezil were evaluated in the AD mouse model using animal experiments and the next generation sequencing (NGS) study. Results: We found that co-treatment with SIP-3 extracts and donepezil increased the viability in Aβ-treated SH-SY5Y cells. The beneficial effects of the co-treatment were also observed in the Aβ-induced AD mouse model. The NGS study was performed to show that the co-treatment of SIP-3 and donepezil restored the disease phenotype closely to the normal level in the AD mouse model in terms of mRNA expression. However, the phenotypes were only partially restored. Conclusions: This study suggests that the combination treatment has a potential to be used for the treatment of AD. However, longer periods of treatment may be required.