• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.626-633
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• 2007

To access the safety and efficacy of Chungyeoldodam-tang(CDT), a traditional herbal medicine prescription, on hypertension we examined various parameters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. CDT seems to be safe because CDT at the concentrations lower that 250 ug/ml showed no toxic effects in cultured human fibroblast and no toxic effects on liver function. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were greatly decreased in CDT treated group compared with control, and angiotensin converting enzyme activities were reduced by CDT in a dose dependent manner. There was no differences in weight of hearts between control and CDT treated group. The blood pressure and pulse rate were significantly decreased. CDT greatly reduced the levels of plasma hormones including aldosterone, dopamine, and norepinephrine, but not epinephrine, and serum electrocytes including Na$^+$ and Cl$^-$, but not K$^+$. were also decreased. The levels of uric acid, BUN and creatinine were significantly decreased compared with control. These results suggested that CDT has suppressive effects on various pathologic factors in hypertension, and CDT has potential as a safe and effective therapeutics for hypertension.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2017

Background: Gamisoyosan (GSS) is an herbal formula which has been used to treat women's diseases for several hundred years in Korea. GSS is one of the three most common prescriptions among women and is used to treat menopausal symptoms. Fatty liver disease is also common in postmenopausal women and can precede more severe diseases, such as steatohepatitis. The present study compared the effects of GSS on fatty liver using three different formulae, Dongui-Bogam (KIOM A), Korean Pharmacopeia (KIOM B) and Korean National Health Insurance (KIOM C). Methods: In oleic acid-induced HepG2 fatty liver cells, cellular lipid accumulation, triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured after treatment with three GSS formulae and simvastatin as a positive control. To investigate the phytoestrogen activity of GSS, MCF-7 cells were treated with GSS, and hormone levels were quantified. Also, qualitative analysis was performed with UPLC. Results: All types of GSS decreased cellular lipid accumulation. KIOM A was slightly less effective than the other two GSS formulae. KIOM B and KIOM C decreased cellular triglycerides more effective than simvastatin, but KIOM A did not affect cellular triglycerides. Cellular total cholesterol was decreased by all GSS and simvastatin. GSS showed phytoestrogen activity in MCF-7 cells. From the UPLC analysis data, geniposide, paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin were detected form three GSS formulae. Conclusion: These results suggest that all GSS formulae have a beneficial effect on fatty liver disease during menopause and that differences of formula have no effect on the efficacy of the prescription.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2020

Purpose : This study compares prescriptions in the 1901 edition of the Donguisusebowon (東醫壽世保元) and the 1901 edition of 24 Revised Tae-eum constitution prescriptions (新定太陰人病應用要藥二十四方) (1901PCDT) with medical herbs found in classical texts. This study also examines whether to include patterns which compose medical herbs for the person of Tae-eum constitution (太陰人). Method : The prescriptions for Tae-eum-in in the Shinchukbon and the ingredients of medical herbs of the prescriptions of the Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue (景岳全書), Secret Works of Universal Benefit (廣濟秘笈), Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine (東醫寶鑑), Comprised Edition for Formulas (方藥合編), Protecting Essence for Longevity (壽世保元), Introduction to Medicine (醫學入門), New Book for Saving People (濟衆新編 ENGLISH), and Compendium of Local Medicinals and Formulas (鄕藥集成方) were input into a database. The prescriptions were examined and combinations of medical herbs used to treat the person of Tae-eum constitution were noted. Result : Among the prescriptions for the person of Tae-eum constitution, similar examples of the 17 prescriptions of Kudzu Decoction to Relieve the Muscles (葛根解肌湯), Regulate the Stomach and Coordinate the Purity Decoction (調胃升淸湯), Clear the Heart and Lotus Pip Decoction (淸心蓮子湯), Decoction for Stabilizing Asthma with Ephedra (麻黃定喘湯), Profuse Heat and Sparse Cold Decoction (熱多寒少湯), Decoction for Coordinating Qi with Kudzu (葛根承氣湯), Major Decoction for Coordinating Qi with Kudzu (葛根大承氣湯), Minor Decoction for Coordinating Qi with Kudzu (葛根小承氣湯), Decoction for Dispersing the Exterior with Ephedra (麻黃發表湯), Boost the Lung Essence Decoction (補肺元湯), Major Supplementing Decoction with Deer Antler Velvet (鹿茸大補湯), Boosting Black Essence Pill (拱辰黑元丹), Honeylocust Fruit and Rhubarb Decoction (皂角大黃湯), Kudza and Duckweed Decoction (葛根浮萍湯), Sweet Flag and Polygala Powder (石菖蒲遠志散), Liriopis and Polygala Decoction Powder (麥門冬遠志散), and Cattle Gallstone Formula to Clear the Heart (牛黃淸心元) were found in important ancient literature and Dried Chestnut and Holotrichia Decoction (乾栗蠐螬湯) and Dried Chestnut and Tree of Heaven Root Bark Decoction (乾栗樗根皮湯) are the combination originally set by Lee Jema. Conclusion : Because 70.8% of the prescriptions in 1901PCDT could be found in literature which were pervasive in the period of the Joseon Dynasty (the period of Ming and Qing), it corresponds with Lee Jema's view that medical men in the Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties disclosed half of the prescriptions for Tae-eum person by studying these texts more.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.289-295
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• 2002

To certify the protective effect of herbal medicine against oxygen free radical-induced myocardiotoxicity, cytotoxicity was measured using MTT, LDH activity and Beating rate assay in the presence of Guaruhaebaekbanha-tang(GHBT) extracts or single constituents of this prescription. Myocardial toxicity was evaluated in neonatal rat myocardiocytes in cultures. In the present study, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine(XO/HX) resulted in a decrease in cell viability, increases in LDH activity in culture medium and decreases in beating rate in cultured myocardial cells. In the effect of GHBT extract, it showed the prevention from the XO/HX-induced cardiotoxicity by the increases of cell viability and beating rate as well as the decrease of LDH activity. In the protective effect of Fructus Trichosanthis(FT), Bulbus Allii Macrostemi(BAM) and Rhizoma Pinelliae(RP), all the extracts were significantly effective in the protection of XO/HX-induced cardiotoxocity in cultured myocardial cells by the increase of beating rate as well as th decrease of LDH activity. From these results, they show that XO/HX is cardiotoxic in cultured myocardial cells derived from neonatal rat, and it suggests that GHBT, FT, SAM, RP extracts are positively effective in the blocking in XO/HX-induced cardiotoxicity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.353-358
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• 2002

To test the protective effect of herbal medicine against oxygen free radical-induced myocardiotoxicity, cytotoxicity of xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine (XO/HX) was examined using MTT, TBARS, and beating rate assay in the presence of water extract of Sujeom-san(SJS) or single consituents of its prescription. Myocardial toxicity was evaluated in neonatal rat myocardiocytes in cultures. In the present paper, XO/HX resulted in a decrease in viability and beating rate and increases in lipid peroxidation in cultured myocardial cells. In the effect of SJS water extract, it showed effects from the cardiocytotoxicity induced by XO/HX treatment such as increases in beating rate and decreases in lipid peroxidation. In the effect of Rhizoma Corydalis (RC), Faeces Trogopterori (FT), Fructus Amomi Tsaoko (FAT) and Myrrha on the cardiocytotoxicity, they were significantly effective in blocking the XO/HX-induced cardiocytotoxicity by increase of beating rate in FAT and FT group as well as decrease of lipid peroxidation in FT and RC group. These results show that oxygen free radical elicits toxic effects in cultured myocardial cells derived from neonatal rat, and suggest that water extract of Sujeomsan, Rhizoma Corydalis, Faeces Trogopterori, Fructus Amomi Tsaoko or Myrrha is very effective in the prevention of xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine- induced cardiotoxicity.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Bojungbangdocktang (BJBDT), a formula of eight Oriental herbs, is a modified herbal prescription of Bangdoktang and Bojungbangamtang. Recently, BJBDT was demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, enhance hematopoiesis and protect cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in normal MCF-10A breast cells. Nevertheless, there is no safety study of BJBDT before clinical trial so far. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the toxicity about ethanol-extracted BJBDT. Male and female Spraque Dawley (SD) rats were given orally by BJBDT at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs and measured change of body weight, food consumption and water consumption were observed. In addition, we performed ophthalmologic, urinary, hematological, blood serum biochemical and histopathological examination. Any general toxicity was not found in BJBDT treated group. Also, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as body weight, food consumption and water consumption, a lot of urine and blood factor levels except HCT, MCHC, Ca, TG, Glucose and T-Bilirubin level compared with control group. Although HCT was elevated and TG was decreased in male rats, and MCHC, Glucose and T-Bilirubin were elevated and Ca and HCT were decreased in female rats, these were within normal ranges. Finally, we determined that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1000 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BJBDT is very safe to SD rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.490-495
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• 2004

Brain cells produce cytokines and chemokines during the inflammatory process of many neuronal diseases both in animal models and in patients. Inflammatory cytokines are the main responsible for the onset of inflammatory cascade. During the past decade, a growing corpus of evidence has indicated an important role of these cytokines in the development of brain damage. ZhenganXifeng-tang (ZGXFT) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the treatment of various neuronal diseases. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. Astrocytes are predominant neuroglial cells of the central nervous system and are actively involved in cytokine-mediated events in inflammatory disease. An inflammatory response associated with β-amyloid (Aβ) and interleukin (IL)-1β is responsible for the pathology of inflammation disease. To investigate the biological effect of ZGXFT, the author examined cytotoxicity, effect of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) secretion and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) on human astrocytoma cell line U373MG stimulated with IL-1β plus M fragment 25-35 (Aβ [25-35]). ZGXFT by itself had no effect on cell viability on human astrocytoma cells. The secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 was inhibited by pre-treatment with ZGXFT in human astrocytoma cells. In addition, the expression of COX-2 was induced by IL-1β plus AB[25-35] and was partially inhibited by treatment with ZGXFT. The author demonstrates the regulatory effects of inflammatory reactions by ZGXFT in human astrocytes for the first time and suggest the anti-inflammatory effect of ZGXFT may reduce and delay pathologic events of inflammatory disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.35-43
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• 2009

Objectives: Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRHDT), a prescription composed of four herbs, has been wi dely used in Oriental Medicine for the treatment of cerebral infarction. However, the mechanisms by which the herbal formula affects on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown yet. Methods: The levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-1b, and IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-${\beta}1$ were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients under our experimental conditions. Results: The secretory levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-1b, and IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients. However, pretreatment with HRHDT significantly inhibited the secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory in PBMCs. Also, HRHDT induced a significant increase of transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1 in PBMCs. Conclusions: These data indicate that HRHDT may be beneficial in the suppression of inflammatory processes of cerebral infarct through suppression of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10 and induction of TGF-${\beta}1$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1457-1470
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• 2005

The Medical records (醫案) are very important materials in studying the developmental process of traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the medical records which are described in Naekyung-pyun(內景篇) of Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑), the most famous medical literature in Korean. There are 50 medical records in Naekyung-pyun and all of these records are cited from 12 Chinese medical literatures. The medical records were mainly cited from medical literatures written in Jin-Yuan(金元) and Ming(明) dynasty such as Yixuegangmu(醫學綱目) and Danxizanyao(丹溪纂要), although most records were written by medical scholars in Jin-Yuan(金元) dynasty, including Zhudanxi(朱丹溪) and Zhangzihe(張子和). Most of records were omitted and/or modified reflecting the Purpose of editors of Dongeuibogam. In addition, medical essay(醫論) was changed into medical record in some cases. The authors of the records used oral medication, acupuncture-moxa, psychological treatment and surgical manners. And in some cases of only having principal of treatment, the editors newly added the herbal prescription. The further study on medical records in Korean traditional medicinal literatures, would reveal the developmental progress of Korean medicine and inform more actual proof on medical condition.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1663-1669
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• 2007

Acute transverse myelitis(ATM) is defined as an acute intramedullary dysfunction of the spinal cord, ascendng or static involving both halves of the cord and appearing without any history of previous neurological diseases due to traumatic accident, tumor of all kind, encephalitis and of course excluding all possible viral, bacterial and fungal infection. It is mainly characterized by acute motor disorder of both limbs in respect to which spinal segments are affected as well as sensory disorder and dysuria & dyschezia. The exact cause is unknown, however it is recently suggested that immunological factors are highly involved. It has been reported by several reliable sources that it is often accompanied by immunological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). As treatments non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS) are primarily recommended as to steroids, limited doses are injected only with the proper prescription from the physician. Operative methods are not options as traumatic accidents and tumors are excluded as factors. To enhance muscle strength and prevent articular contracture physical therapy and passive exercise is imperative. The following patient whose chief complaints were mainly about hypoesthesia of Rt. lower limb and stiffness of phalanges of both fingers as well as to weakness of lower extermity. Therefore it has been diagnosed as arthalgia syndrome. In oriental medicine factors such as wind evil heat-evil, dampness-heat evil, cold evil cause the arthalgia syndrome. In this case the patient was diagnosed as dampness-heat evil and herbal medicine Chunglijagam-Tang and Dong-Qi acupuncture was applied to treat bladder disorder.