• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.110-117
• /
• 2020

Background: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the safety and dosing of scolopendrid pharmacopuncture (SPP). Methods: A total of 40 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats (males and 20 females 20) were selected following a 7-day inspection and acclimation period. SPP was administered via intramuscular injection, over a 2-week period using 3 doses including a high-dose [0.84 mg of scolopendrid per kg of body weight (BW)], a med-dose (0.42 mg/kg BW), and a low-dose (0.21 mg/kg BW). The control group was injected with sterile water into the muscles. Unusual changes caused by administration of the test substance were observed. Weight, feed intake, organ weight, and hematological examinations were compared among the groups. Using the SPSS statistical program, Levene's test was performed to evaluate the homogeneity of variances, and a one-way ANOVA test was subsequently performed to assess the significance between each test group. Results: During the experiment no animals died. Weight change, food consumption, organ weight, hematological test, and blood biochemical tests showed no significant differences in the treatment groups compared to controls. Conclusion: No toxicological changes related to the administration of test substances were observed. Therefore, the LD₅₀ (lethal-dose that kills 50%) of scolopendrid pharmacoupuncture in rats was greater than 0.84 mg/kg.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.61-74
• /
• 2017

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate analgesic effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZM) pharmacopuncture on formalin-induced pains in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and ICR-mice. Methods : The subjects were divided 8 weeks aged rats with constant pain sensitivity into five groups; normal (treated with normal saline at Taegye (KI3) and before injected with normal saline at hindpaw), Con-1 (treated with normal saline at KI3 before injected with formalin at hindpaw), Lido-1 (treated with lidocaine at KI3), ZMWG-1 (treated with Hot water extraction pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim at KI3), ZMEG-1 (treated with ethanol extraction pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim at KI3). After 35 minutes, we measured ultrasonic vocalization (USV) and enzyme activities of both Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in rat serum. In addition, Tail flick test is performed by injecting ICR mice at 5 weeks of age. And it classified into 4 groups (Con-2, Lido-2, ZMWG-2, ZMEG-2) according to the kind of drug (normal saline, lidocaine, ZMW, ZME). After each drug injection, we examined the reaction by placing the tail in water at $50^{\circ}C$. Results : ZME had analgesic effects in the early and late phase of USV during the formalin test. There were no significant differences between ZMEG-1 and Lido-1 in early and late phase of USV. Also, No significant differences observed in serum AST and ALT activity in ZMWG-1 and ZMEG-1 compared with Con-1. For tail-flick test, analgesic effect on warmth significantly increased in Lido-2 and ZMEG-2 compare to that of Con-2. Conclusion : ZME pharmacopuncture had analgesic effects on formalin-induced pain without liver toxicity. Also, tail-flick test suggest that ZME pharmacopuncture could be useful technique on analgesic effect on warmth and treatment of pains.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.661-689
• /
• 2000

We came to the conculsion after considering all of information from many kinds of books on the cause, pathogenesis and treatment of Flaccidity-syndrome. The results were as follows : 1. Flaccidity-syndrome means limb-relaxation due to muscle atony that isn't able to constraction. It's begun as mild degree from extremities, in some cases ended to quadriplegia or expire. 2. Cause factor and pathogenesis of Flaccidity-syndrome is various. After Lung fluid consuption caused by heat-evil was refered in The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. They were refered as cause factor that Main channel asthenia, excess of sexual intercourse, wetness-evil, heat-evil gets into the interior, asthenia of the spleen and stomach. Since Ming Dynasty, It's classified to wetness-heat evil, wetness-phlegm, deficiency of vital energy, deficiency of blood, deficiency of yin, blood stasis and indygestion, etc. 3. In the view of treatment of Flaccidity-syndrome, Yangming was selected in The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, and it's been mean to clear away wetness-heat evil located at Yangming. In the method of acupuncture it was same on the base, and many skills have been used that electronic acupuncture, point-injection theraphy, acupuncture point block, catgut implantaion at acupuncture point, cutaneous acupuncture, auriculo-acupuncture and head acupuncture by the through post generation. 4. Flaccidity-syndrome was defined to weak, disuse and non-pain. Beacause it was non-pain, so medicine to expel wind-evil was prevented to use. But through post generation Flaccidity-syndrome has been treated that is able to cause pain or numness as arthralgia-syndrome. Therefore there is tendency that medicine to expel wind-evil is capable within pathological basement of Flaccidity-syndrome in recent. 5. In the view of west-medicine, Flaccidity-syndrome is diplegia or quadriplegia with sensory disorder, muscle atropy in some cases. And there are spinal disease, peripheral nerve disease, muscular disease, nerve-muscle copula disease. The symptoms are able to amyotomia, numness, sensory disorder, pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.23-36
• /
• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Hominis-Placenta (HP)on dopaminergic neurons. Methods : We examined the effect of invitro administration of HP against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium( MPP+)-induced dopaminergic cell loss in primary mesencephalic culture and also used behavioral tests and performed analysis in the striatum and the substantia nigra of mouse brain, to confirm the effect of HP on dopaminergic neurons in an invivo 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced PD mouse model. Animals were assigned to four groups: (1) Group 1(vehicle-treatedgroup), (2) Group 2(MPTPonlytreated group), (3) Group 3(MPTP+ saline-treated/$ST_{36}$ group), and (4) Group 4(MPTP+HP-treated/$ST_{36}$ group). HP at $20{\mu}L$ of 48 mg/kg dose was injected at $ST_{36}$ for 4 weeks at 2-day intervals. MPTP in saline was injected intraperitoneally each day for 5 days from the $8_{th}$ treatment of HP. We performed the pole test and rota-rod test on the first and seventh day after the last MPTP injection. To investigate the effect of HP on dopaminergic neurons, we performed analysis in the striatum and the substantia nigra of mouse brain after treatment with HP and/or MPTP. Results : Treatment with HP had no influence on cell proliferation and caused no cell toxicity in $PC_{12}$ and $HT_{22}$ cells. Our study showed that HP significantly prevented cell loss and protected neurites against MPP+ toxicity. Although the invivo treatment of HP herbal acupuncture at $ST_{36}$ showed a tendency to improve movement ability and protected dopaminergic cells and fibers in the substantia nigra and the striatum, it did not show significant changes compared with the MPTP treated group. Conclusions : These data suggest that HP could be a potential treatment strategy in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.92-99
• /
• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extracts on hair growth in an alopecia mouse model. Methods: Twenty-one C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group-normal saline injection or vehicle solution application, positive control group-minoxidil (MNXD), experimental group-pharmacopuncture and applied Sebalgukhwa-san (SGS) extract. The effects of the treatment on hair growth, were determined through photographs, and phototrichogram analysis by folliscope. Hair follicle morphometry by hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed, and hair growth-related protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin like growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were monitored by Western blotting. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured for liver function test. Results: Body weight increased consistently in all groups. Hair growth was improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control. Hair density and thickness improved statistically significantly in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control p < 0.05. The number of hair follicles improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control but the size did not. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin like growth factor-1 increased, and there was a decrease in the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control, however, there was no significant difference. Sebalgukhwa-san treatment had no toxicity in liver function tests. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extract may be therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of alopecia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.44-53
• /
• 2020

Objectives: Our review aimed to summarize and evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) in the treatment of shoulder pain. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of BVA on shoulder pain were searched up to October 2019 in 11 electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CiNii, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Kmbase, NDSL, RISS, OASIS). The methodological quality of the included RCTs were evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed. Results: Seven studies were included in the review, and four studies were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing BVA plus conventional therapy (CT) with saline injection plus CT, it showed an effect in favor of BVA plus CT in visual analog scale (VAS) and pain rating scale (PRS) (p = 0.02, p = 0.009, respectively). Comparing BVA plus physiotherapy (PT) with saline injection plus PT, it showed that there was no significant difference in VAS and verbal rating scale (VRS) between the two groups. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that BVA could be beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for shoulder pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.39-62
• /
• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the asthma-suppressive and immuno-regulatory effect of Lepidii Semen Herbal-acupu ncture(LS-HA) at $Joksanmi(ST_{36})$ on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice out of all the experimental groups, except the Normal group and the LS-HA group, were sensitized and challenged with OVA. The mice in the LS-HA group and the OVA-LS-HA group were treated with LS-HA(1%) at $Joksanmi(ST_{36})$. The mice in the OVA-Saline group were injected with saline at $Joksanmi(ST_{36})$. The mice in the OVA-Needle-Prick group were treated with a single prick with an injection needle at $Joksanmi(ST_{36})$. LS-HA, saline injection and needle prick were administered for 8 weeks, three times a week. Results : The lung weight and total cells in lung of the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. The collagen accumulation in the lung sections of the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with that of the OVA-control group. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF and serum of the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. The numbers of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+$, $CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD3e^+/CD69^+$cells in the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. The mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-5, IL-4 and IL-13 in lung of the OVA-LS-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that LS-HA at $Joksamni(ST_{36})$ is considered to be effective in treating asthma and to be put to practical use in the future asthma clinic.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain some understanding about Korean medicine treatment on language disorder in cerebral palsy for future practice and the research, from the clinical studies. Methods: The literature was searched using the database-China Academic Journals (CAJ). Clinical studies of Korean medicine treatment for language disorder in cerebral palsy, including Randomized controlled trial (RCT), case control study, case series, case report were analyzed. Results: Fifteen Clinical studies met our inclusion criteria; One case study and six case series, one non-randomized controlled trial and seven RCTs. Acupuncture treatment, especially Head acupuncture, was the major treatment for language disorder of cerebral palsy in clinical studies, as it was used in fourteen studies. Acupoint massage, tuina, and acupoint injection were employed as treatment methods in the studies. Acupuncture treatment was used for language disorder of cerebral palsy combined with language therapy and other rehabilitation treatment in many studies. The effectiveness in the treatment groups, regardless of treatment methods, was higher than that of control group in all RCT studies. Conclusions: The results of this study could be used in the practice and the future study about language disorder of cerebral palsy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points(夾脊穴) for low-back pain in the thoracolumbar junction syndrome. Method : 1. Measurement : We investigated 26 patients with low-back pain. The unpleasantness of pain was measured by visual analogue scale(VAS), and the Oswestry low-back pain disability index(ODI). We compared the VAS and ODI scores of the two groups statistically. 2. Intervention : Use Acupuncture and bee venom injection in thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points that display main tender points. Also, herb medication and physical therapy was used. Results and Conclusion : As a result of treatment, thoracolumbar junction's Hyeopcheok points is very effective for low-back pain. However, more cases are required to oriental medicine in order to prove the availability.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.21-32
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Bee Venom Acupuncture(BVA) is known to affect inflammation and immune system. This study examined the macroscopic, hormonal and immunological effects of BVA on rats with surgically induced endometriosis. Methods : Endometrial tissue was implanted in the serosal wall of the small intestine in rats. The rats were divided randomly into an experimental and control group. The experimental group was treated with BVA injection on kwanwon(CV4) three times per week, and the control group was given an oral dose of normal saline every day. 6 weeks later, the size of the ectopic uterine tissue was estimated, and the serum progesterone, estradiol and cytokine($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-l0) concentrations were analyzed. Results : The size of the ectopic uterine implants in the experimental group was much smaller than that in the control group. The estradiol, IL-2 concentrations were significantly lower and the IL-6, IL-I0 concentrations were significantly higher in the serum of the experimental group than in the control group, there was no significant difference in the concentration of the other cytokine. Conclusion : These results suggest that BVA is an effective treatment for endometriosis.