• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.302-312
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine whether Phellodendri Cortex extract (PCE) could improve learning and memory impairments caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the rat brain. The effect of PCE on modulating pro-inflammatory mediators in the hippocampus and its underlying mechanism were investigated. Injection of LPS into the lateral ventricle caused acute regional inflammation and subsequent deficits in spatial learning ability in the rats. Daily administration of PCE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days markedly improved the LPS-induced learning and memory disabilities in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. PCE administration significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA in the hippocampus, as assessed by RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry. Together, these findings suggest that PCE significantly attenuated LPS-induced spatial cognitive impairment through inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the rat brain. These results suggested that PCE may be effective in preventing or slowing the development of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, by improving cognitive and memory function because of its anti-inflammation activity in the brain.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.217-242
• /
• 2010

Objective : This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of Evodiae Fructus herbal-acupuncture (EF-HA) at KI10 on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in mice. Method : Mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy. After recovering, the ovariectomized (OVX) mice were treated by needle prick, saline injection, herbal acupuncture with Evodiae Fructus (EF-HA) at KI10 for 8 weeks. Result : 1. EF-HA at KI10 significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibia in ovariectomized mice. 2. NP at KI10 significantly restored the tibial BMD (bone mineral density) in ovariectomized mice. 3. EF-HA at KI10 significantly restored the phosphorus and creatinine levels in ovariectomized mice serum. 4. EF-HA at KI10 significantly restored the tibial Ca and P levels in ovariectomized mice. 5. EF-HA at KI10 significantly reduced the tibial osteoclast-like cells in ovariectomized mice. 6. EF-HA at KI10 significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibial GPL (growth plate length) in ovariectomized mice. Conclusion : EF-HA at KI10 has protective and therapeutic effect for osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. Thus, it is suggested that EF-HA can be an useful therapeutics in clinical field after further researches.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.107-123
• /
• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba herbal-acupuncture (ACH-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia induced with alloxan injection and high fat diet in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results: 1. ACH-HA solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat liver cells. 2. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in hyperlipidemic rats. 4. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that ACH-HA at GB34 may have therapeutic and preventive effects on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2019

Objectives This review aims to analyze the current research trend in the usage of bee venom (BV) acupuncture for spinal diseases. Methods We collected 80 articles on BV acupuncture clinical study for spinal diseases by searching Korean web databases 'Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation', 'Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System', 'Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal' from 1999 to 2018. Results We summarized the most frequent clinical treatment methods of BV acupuncture. 1. Herniated intervertebral disc was treated for 40% and the treated spinal diseases were various. 2. '1:10,000' in the type of BV was chosen for 21%. 3. 29% of studies used 6-7 acupoints per session and 23% of studies used 'BL' as the injection site. 3. The highest volume of injected BV into each acupoint was 0.1 cc for 34% and the highest total volume of injected BV was 1.0 cc for 39%. Conclusions We found the limited evidence on the lack of consensus and detailed description in the reported experimental design. The results in this review suggest that future works should focus on more consistent and systematic study for the reproducible and standardized treatment methods.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.201-211
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review Korean domestic studies and investigate the research trends of pharmacopuncture therapy on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods: Domestic studies between February 1999 and May 2020 from four Korean databases were searched with combinations of keywords 'cervical pain', 'traffic accident', 'whiplash injury', and 'pharmacopuncture'. Results: 17 studies were selected for review, including 7 randomized controlled trials, 5 retrospective observational studies, 3 case reports, and 2 non-randomized controlled trials. Each study was reviewed by published year, study type, types of pharmacopuncture solutions, selected acupuncture points, dosage of pharmacopuncture solutions, frequency of treatment, concurrent treatments, outcome measurements, and the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy. The results are as follows: (1) It showed that the total number of published studies had increased slightly in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade. (2) The pharmacopuncture solutions used in the studies were in the following order: Bee-Venom (蜂毒), Jungsongouhyul (中性瘀血), Hwangryunhaedoktang (黃連解毒湯) and Soyeom (消炎). Frequently used acupuncture points were GB20, GV21, A-shi point, GV16, EX-B2, and SI15 in order. (3) The most commonly used total injection dosage was 1.0 cc at a time, and the frequency of treatment was twice a week. (4) Concurrent treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medication, physical therapy and Chuna manual therapy were performed in all 17 studies. (5) Pharmacopuncture therapy showed positive effects on cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies reviewed. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture therapy was effective in cervical pain caused by traffic accidents in all 17 studies selected. Further studies will be needed using more larger scales and more objective data to confirm the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture therapy and to generalize its application.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.344-350
• /
• 2023

Background: 4-carvomenthenol[4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol] is a main component of Origanum vulgare L., Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., and other plants. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct a toxicity test on 4-carvomenthenol to ensure its safety. Methods: This study included 5-week-old Institute of Cancer Research mice that were categorized into 3 treatment groups (12, 25, and 50 mg/kg 4-carvomenthenol dose levels) and a control group (10% dimethyl sulfoxide, 40% polyethylene glycol 300, 5% Tween 80, and 45% normal saline injection of the final volume), with 5 male mice and 5 female mice per group. All groups were observed for clinical symptoms and body weight in a period of 14 days and were subjected to gross necropsy after euthanasia. Results: No deaths were recorded. No test substance-related clinical signs in the female mice of the 12 mg/kg dose group were observed. Abnormal gait was observed in 1 male from day 1 to day 3 in the 12 mg/kg dose group; 1-3 males from day 1 to day 7 and 1-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 25 mg/kg dose group; and 2-5 males and 2-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 50 mg/kg dose group. No test substance-related effect on the body weight and necropsy findings was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the lethal dose of 4-carvomenthenol could be greater than 50 mg/kg. However, further research is needed, especially repeated-dose toxicity studies, to confirm the efficacy and safety of 4-carvomenthenol.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Sayeoksanhap-Pyeongweisan-Gambang (SPG) on gene expression in rats damaged by CCl4 Methods : We investigated the effects of SPG on gene expression in terms of microarray methods in rat liver which were obtained from rats damaged by CCl4. Results : Decreased gene expressions, which were induced by single injection of CCl4, were restored to those in normal rats by administration of SPG or herbal acupuncture. In acupuncture group, gene expressions were restored by 80% of those in control group. In oral administration group and combination group, gene expressions were restored above 90% of those in cuntrol group. Conclusion : These results suggest that oral administraion of SPG was useful to protect liver against CCl4 by its restoration of gene expressions in liver resected from rat damaged by CCl4.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.2 no.1 s.2
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 1999

We have studied Bee Venom Therapy to treat Sequalae of Sprain, and obtained following results. 1. The treatment of sprain is using the effect of the affected part on Bee Venom Therapy. 2. For the treatment of sprain, it is often used the near acupuncture point of injury(近位取穴) or painful point to press(阿是穴). 3. Bee Venom Therapy is one of the powerful treatment, so we are using the sequalae of sprain in the case of not cured by Acupuncture, Cupping or another therapy. 4. Bee Venom injection is started a small quantity, and is increased slowly by degrees. 5. The immune response by Bee Venom Therapy is a sort of Allergy, and it is classified large delayed reaction. It is considered positive reaction. 6. We have selected Acupuncture Points from one to four by the degree of injury. 7. The period of treatment is some different from the degree of injury, but generally we have obtained good results to treat from 5 to 20 by Bee Venom Therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.399-410
• /
• 1997

In order to investigate the effects according to the concentration(o, 30, 60 and $120{\mu}g/350{\sim}400g$: saline group, I-group, II-group and III-group) of Labiatae Herba Prunellae Acua-acupuncture on the bilateral loci Taechung(LR3) in hyperthyroidism rats induced by sodium triiodothyronine injection, triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyroid- stimulating hormone(TSH) and total cholesterol were observed. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The increases of the serum T3 were inhibited significantly by II-group and III-group compared with the control group. 2. The decreases of the serum T4 were inhibited significantly by I-group, II-group and III-group compared with the control group. The I-group and II-group compared with the saline group is significantly different. 3. The decreases of the serum TSH were inhibited significantly by II-group and III-group compared with the control group. The II-group compared with the saline group is significantly different. 4. The decreases of the serum total cholesterol were inhibited significantly by I-group, II-group and III-group compared with the control group. The II-group and III-group compared with the saline group is significantly different.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.242-249
• /
• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to report the effect of oriental medicine to primary infertility caused by uterus unicornis. Methods : The patient in this case, 30 years-old female was treated with herb medication(Sosihotang, Gyejibokryeonghwan) for one month. Before oriental treatment, she had been diagnosed as primary infertility caused by uterus unicornis in Samsung Cheil Hospital and treated medication and injection for IUI(intrauterine insemination) in 2 times. But she had failed in gestation. Results : After taking herb medication she became pregnant. Conclusion : According to this result, we concluded that herb medication could improve fertility rate. After this paper, further study and clinical approach based on oriental medicine will be needed about infertility caused by uterus unicornis.