• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) generation in cellular experiments. Methods: Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. Diluted moxi-tar was single injected in several acupoints or combined with electroacupuncture (l ms, 2 Hz, and 2 mA) into contralateral ST36 acupoint for 30 min to assess the synergic effects. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord were examined on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis. Results : After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Maxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Maxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by maxi-tar. Moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that maxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.807-812
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• 2012

This study was investigated the changes in quality of heat treated fresh-cut lotus roots using various packaging materials. Lotus roots were purchased from Daegu, Korea. Lotus roots were washed, peeled and sliced with a sharp ceramic knife. The prepared peeled and sliced lotus roots were dipped for 45 sec in water at $55^{\circ}C$. After air-dried at room temperature, the slices were packaged with polyethylene films, polyethylene terephthalate tray+wrapping, vacuum packaging and then stored at $4^{\circ}C$. Changes in weight loss, color, firmness, microorganisms and sensory characteristics were measured. In general, the weight loss rate was increased slightly in vacuum packaged lotus roots. Application of heat treatment delayed browning of lotus roots, and especially vacuum packaged lotus roots were the most lowest ${\Delta}E$ value. However, L and ${\Delta}E$ value of PE film packaged lotus roots were increased highly during storage. The heat treated and vacuum packaging inhibited the growth of microorganisms effectively. The organoleptic quality of vacuum packaged lotus roots showed the best by sensory evaluation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Parkinson's disease is one of the typical neurodegenerative disease and it is caused by the destruction of substantia nigra in brain leading to lack of dopamine secretion, and it presents 4 major motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, stiffness, postural instability. Furthermore, it causes many non-motor symptoms such as anosmia, REM sleep conduct disorder, orthostatic hypotension, dementia and autonomic ataxia such as lack of adjusting blood pressure, hyperhydrosis, constipation. Dopaminergic therapy is the most commonly used strategy, but long term treatment of levodopa induce various adverse effects. Thus, many people are focusing on new therapies other than established therapies, and there are many tries and approaches with paradigm shift. Our medical team was able to get 4 cases of PD patients who are hospitalized in our hospital, treated by Whole Body Gi-Hyeol Therapy consisting of acupuncture therapy, herbal therapy, and mental therapy, and their conditions improved in perspective of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS), Heart Rate Variability(HRV), and Quality of life. Among all 4 cases, UPDRS score and quality of life score is gotton better, and among 2 cases SDNN, RMS-SD, TP, LF, HF scores are finely increased. And PDQ-39 score which shows quality of life is also improved. However, in spite of these improvements and positive results, there were no meaningful improvement in a hurt from a fall which is important to the aged, muscular atrophy which causes bone fracture and SMI(Skeletal Muscle Mass Index) which is indicator of osteoporosis. Thus, supplementary treatment about Whole Body Gi-Hyeol Therapy such as more active nutrition intervention, safe and effective kinesitherapy is needed, and from now on continuous case reports and systematic clinical research which has control group must be carried out.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2021

Objective: Chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE), characterized by esophageal mucosa ulcer, is caused by continuous backflow of gastric acid and consequent inflammation due to unstable gastroesophageal sphincter. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of an Arecae Semen and Coptidis Rhizoma mixture (AC-mix) on CRE. Methods: CRE was surgically induced in SD rats with three experimental groups used: normal; CRE control; and CRE treatment (200 mg/kg AC-mix). Blood and esophageal tissue were collected after two weeks of drug administration. The anti-oxidant activity of the AC-mix was measured by total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents as well as by radical scavenging activity with protein levels evaluated using western blotting. Results: CRE damage to the esophageal mucosa was significantly reduced in the AC-mix group as compared with the controls, and administration of the AC-mix was seen to inhibit NF-κBp65 activity. Consequently, the inactivation of NF-κBp65 significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, the anti-oxidant enzyme HO-1 significantly increased through activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which can break down collagen from the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, was decreased following AC-mix treatment, and elevated levels of MMP-2 were regulated by its tissue inhibitor. Conclusions: These results show that AC-mix can alleviate esophageal mucosa ulcer though inhibition of the NF-κBp65 inflammatory pathway and enhancement of the anti-oxidant Nrf2-Keap1 pathway.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.642-652
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• 2018

Rhus verniciflua (RV) Stokes is a herbal medicine that helps improve blood circulation by stimulating digestion, removing extravasated blood, and raising body temperature. The purpose of this research was to study the anti-inflammatory effect of fermented soy products (FSP) containing a fermented RV (FRV) extract on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treatedd RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with FRV extracts (1, 10, $100{\mu}g/mL$) downregulated nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines as compared to the LPS-treated group. Besides, the RV extract treatment suppressed the expression of genes related to pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrixins, inflammation, and apoptosis, while increasing the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant system. Furthermore, RVS extract upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, Cu,Zn-SOD, and catalase without changes in the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. FSP (doenjang, ganjang) containing FRV extracts (0.1, 1, or $10{\mu}g/mL$) significantly decreased the NO and IL-6 levels in an FSP after 8 weeks of fermentation, but not the expression of genes involved in the inflammation and antioxidant system. These result indicate that an FRV extract and FSPs have a potential application in inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.736-744
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• 2021

Artemisia princeps Pampanini is an herbal medicine widely used to immune function-related diseases, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of AP extract and underlying mechanisms were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of AP extract were also studied in a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model. In RAW 264.7 cells, AP extracts significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. The LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB was also significantly blocked by AP extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Oral administration of AP extract suppressed the increase in mouse paw edema and spleen index compared to CFA-treated mice group. Histologically, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was increased in cartilage and synovium in the CFA-treated mouse group, whereas it was suppressed in the AP extract-administered group. Furthermore, AP extract treatment significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α, levels in CFA and LPS-treated mouse. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis effect of AP extract was confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that Artemisia princeps Pampanini may be a candidate material for arthritis treatment.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.46-46
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• 2019

The experiments were performed in the Jinan (elevation: 300 meters above sea level), Jeollabuk-do. Seedlings (n = 63 per $3.3m^2$) of ginseng cultivar (Cheonpung, Yeonpung) were planted on April 10, 2015. Shading material of plastic film house was blue-white film. Before the Planting seedling, silicate (3 kg/10 a) or chitosan (40 kg/10 a) was fertilized and foliar sprayed on the leaves 1000 times dilution solution once a month from May to September every year. The growth results of 5-year old ginseng surveyed in 2018 are as follows. The average air temperature in the plastic film house was the highest at $26.6^{\circ}C$ and $26.5^{\circ}C$ in July and August, respectively, and the highest temperature was $40.5^{\circ}C$ in July. The maximum daily temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ or more was 30 days, with the average soil temperature being $24.9^{\circ}C$ in August. The chemical properties of the test soil are as follows. pH was 6.4~6.9 level and EC was 0.35~0.46 dS/m. The organic matter content was 33.5~41.4 g/kg, and available-P content was 251.9~306.8 mg/kg. Exchangeable cations contents, such as K, Ca and Mg were all the appropriate ranges. The soil microbial density surveyed by the dilution plate method was 10~50 times higher than that of control (Non-treatment) and actinomycete density was 3~6 times higher. Pathogens of the genus Fusarium by Metagenome analysis decreased 91.3% and 68.2% respectively in the foliar sprayed of chitosan and soluble-silicate. The light intensity (PAR) in the blue-white film plastic film house gradually increased until July and then decereased, with the average of light intensity in March-October was $120.3umol/m^2/s$. The growth of aerial parts such as plant height and stem length was better than non-sprayed group in silicate or chitosan treatments and Yeonpung cultivar was superior to the Cheonpung cultivar. The SPAD value was higher in Yeonpung cultivar foliar sprayed with soluble-silicate. The growth of underground parts such as root length and taproot length were better in chitosan and soluble-silicate treatment than control, especially in Yeonpung cultivar foliar sprayed with chitosan was good in taproot length and taproot diameter, and fresh weight of root was 60.1 g. Ginsenoside contents were 24.9 mg/g and 22.4 mg/g, in the Cheonpung cultivar foliar sprayed with soluble-silicate or chitosan respectively, 28% and 15% higher than control (19.5 mg/g). The incidence of disease by Alteraria panax and Botrytis cinerea was 3~9% and 4~9%, respectively. High temperature damage rate was 3~5%.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.851-864
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• 2019

Multiple system atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease that causes diverse bodily dysfunctions (cerebellar, pyramidal, automatic, and urological, in any combination), as well as Parkinsonism. Patients with multiple system atrophy commonly display antecollis, a condition where the patient's head tilts forward more than 45 degrees. Despite its common occurrence in these patients, no current standardized therapies are effective for treating antecollis. In this study, Korean medicinal treatments, including Chuna manual therapy, pharmaco-acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion therapy, were administered to the patient over a 27-day period. After the treatment, assessments of the head position on the EPIS-PD scale (Part I) and at a standing position from the side (Part II) both revealed improvements. As the head flexion angle decreased, the patient's head posture improved, as determined by a decrease in angle from 80 degrees to 30 degrees in the upright, standing position. As a result, patients who previously were unable to walk without the support of walking frames could now roam freely and independently, with significant increases in both walking speed and distance. In essence, this study suggests that Korean medicine is an effective treatment for patients with multiple system atrophy who suffer from antecollis and gait disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2022

Objectives : This study is to report a case of otitis media with effusion accompanied by atopic dermatitis improved by Korean medicine monotherapy. Methods : A 31-year-old woman patient visited our clinic for aural fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus of the left ear on August 14th, 2021. She also had abdominal pain, diarrhea, and general weakness because of side effects of antibiotics. Besides, she had nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and dry skin. Through otoscopy, her tympanum was fully filled with yellow effusion. She only took Korean medicine therapy including acupuncture and herbal medicine weekly. The treatment continued for about 4 months(total 14 visits) until December 4th, 2021. Otoscopy, numerical rating scale(NRS), scoring atopic dermatitis(SCORAD) index were used to assess the symptoms. Results : On August 30, 2021, her intestinal symptoms improved. The left tympanum was recovered to normal condition as the treatment continued. The effusion disappeared on October 16th, 2021. On November 6th, 2021, peritympanic blood congestion also almost alleviated. Subjective symptoms including aural fullness, hearing loss, and tinnitus disappeared on October 16, 2021. Nasal symptoms and dry skin also improved. The SCORAD index dropped from 15 to 4. Conclusions : These results suggests that otitis media with effusion can be sufficiently managed by Korean medicine therapy. Further, active application of Korean medicine therapy to common otolaryngological diseases is necessary.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 2019

Objective : Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a disease that caused gastric acid reflux and inflammation due to unstable gastroesophageal sphincter, as increasing worldwide respectively. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Evodiae Fructus (EF) extract on chronic reflux esophagitis in rats. Methods : The EF was measured antioxidant activity, such as total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-enzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Rats were divided into 3 groups; Nor (normal group), Con (chronic acid reflux esophagitis rats treatment with water), EF (chronic acid reflux esophagitis rat treatment with EF 200 mg/kg body weight group). A surgically-induced chronic acid reflux esophagitis (CARE) model was established in SD rats, and treated with water or EF 200 mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Results : Administration of EF to rats of induction of chronic acid reflux esophagitis was found to reduce esophagus tissues injury. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and produces peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) levels of esophagus tissues were significantly decreased in EF compared to Con group. As results of esophagus protein analyses, EF effectively reduce inflammatory-related factors ($NF-{\kappa}Bp65$, $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, iNOS, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6), and increase anti-oxidant enzyme (Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, GPx-1/2). Conclusions : These results suggest that EF administration comfirmed that decreased esophagus tissues injury, oxidantive stress, anti-inflammation effect, and increased anti-oxidant effect. Therefore, EF was the potential to be used as a natural therapeutic drug.