• 대한약침학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2014

Objectives: In homeopathy, it is claimed that more homeopathically-diluted potencies render more protective/curative effects against any disease condition. Potentized forms of Condurango are used successfully to treat digestive problems, as well as esophageal and stomach cancers. However, the comparative efficacies of Condurango 6C and 30C, one diluted below and one above Avogadro's limit (lacking original drug molecule), respectively, have not been critically analyzed for their cell-killing (apoptosis) efficacy against lung cancer cells in vitro, and signalling cascades have not been studied. Hence, the present study was undertaken. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were conducted on H460-non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by using a succussed ethyl alcohol vehicle (placebo) as a control. Studies on cellular morphology, cell cycle regulation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA-damage were made, and expressions of related signaling markers were studied. The observations were done in a "blinded" manner. Results: Both Condurango 6C and 30C induced apoptosis via cell cycle arrest at subG0/G1 and altered expressions of certain apoptotic markers significantly in H460 cells. The drugs induced oxidative stress through ROS elevation and MMP depolarization at 18-24 hours. These events presumably activated a caspase-3-mediated signalling cascade, as evidenced by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunofluorescence studies at a late phase (48 hours) in which cells were pushed towards apoptosis. Conclusion: Condurango 30C had greater apoptotic effect than Condurango 6C as claimed in the homeopathic doctrine.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.298-306
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• 2023

Objectives: Cucumis sativus L. (C. sativus) is vegetable commonly used for managing blood pressure and often consumed in combination with standard antihypertensive therapy, despite lack of scientific evidence supporting their use. Combination of herbs and standard medication could have positive or negative effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of C. sativus and the combined effect with losartan in the hypertensive rat model induced by angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that, upon binding to its receptor, constricts blood vessels leading to elevation of blood pressure. Methods: In an antihypertensive study, rats received C. sativus orally at doses of 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg (full dose); while in a combination study, animals received losartan 2.25 mg/kg combined by either with C. sativus 9 or 18 mg/kg. The standards group received losartan 2.25 mg/kg or 4.5 mg/kg (full dose). Results: Blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method. C. sativus significantly attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertension as observed in groups receiving C. sativus at 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg/kg at 30 minutes after induction showed the average change (Δ) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with respect to time zero were 28.8/18.3, 24.8/15.8, 22.8/15.5, and 11.5/9.0 mmHg, respectively. Whereas the average change (Δ) of SBP and DBP in the rats receiving the combination of half doses of C. sativus and losartan were 8.8/9.0 mmHg, respectively. These diminished effects were better than a full dose of C. sativus and comparable with a full dose of losartan (6.5/7.8 mmHg). Conclusion: The present findings indicate that C. sativus dose-dependently blocks blood pressure elevation induced by angiotensin II. The combination of half dose of C. sativus and losartan has an additive effect in lowering blood pressure.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 2010

Objective : Ginseng is one of most widely used herbal medicine. Ginseng showed anti-metastasis activities. However, its molecular mechanisms of action are unknown. So we want to report the wild ginseng repress which plays key roles in neoplastic epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. Methods : Treatment of the human colorectal carcinoma LOVO cells and human gastric carcinoma SNU601 cells with the increased concentrations of cultivated wild ginseng extracts resulted in a gradual decrease in the AXIN2 gene expression. Results : Metastasis-suppressor genes, maspin and nm23 was not affected by the treatment of ginseng extracts in LOVO cells. Moreover, the mountain cultivated wild ginseng or mountain wild ginseng are similar in their inhibitory effects on the expression of AXIN2 gene, but are substantially stronger than cultivated ginseng. Conclusion : We described the novel mechanism of wild ginseng-induced anti-metastasis activity by repressing the expression of AXIN2 gene that plays key roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.194-200
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• 2017

Moringa oleifera Lam. or munga is one of the most important plant widely cultivated in India. It belongs to family Moringaceae. This plant is widely used as nutritional herb and contains valuable pharmacological action like anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, cardiovascular, anti-ulcer, CNS activity, anti-allergic, wound healing, analgesic, and antipyretic activity, Moringa oleifera Lam. The plant is also known as Horse - radish tree, Drumstick tree. Every part of this plant contains a valuable medicinal feature. It contain rich source of the vitamin A, vitamin C and milk protein. Different types of active phytoconstituents like alkaloids, protein, quinine, saponins, flavonoids, tannin, steroids, glycosides, fixed oil and fats are present. This plant is also found in the tropical regions. Some other constituents are niazinin A, niazinin B and niazimicin A, niaziminin B. The present review discusses the phytochemical composition, medicinal uses & pharmacological activity of this plant.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.68-74
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• 2019

Objectives: Cultivated wild ginseng (cWG), called SanYangSanSam, has been used clinically in patients with chronic fatigue in Korea. Little is known about effects of the ginseng distilled (volatile) components produced during evaporizaiton. Recently, we first identified one major component from cWG distilled extract, panaxydol, by using mass spectrometry. However, functional properties of cWG distilled extract and panaxydol remains elusive. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effect of cWG distilled extract or panaxydol on exercise-induced fatigue in rats. Methods: Fatigue was induced by forced swimming and the immobility time was analyzed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals received intraperitoneally either vehicle, cWG distilled extract, or panaxydol 10 min prior to beginning of the forced swimming test (FST) once daily for 5 days. After the FST on day 5, we also analyzed fatigue-related biochemical levels including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate acid (LAC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and levels of glycogen in liver and soleus muscle. Results: The forced swimming time in cWG distilled extract (0.6 mL/kg)-treated group was significantly longer than that of control group on day 4 and 5. Panaxydol (0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg)-treated groups showed significantly enhanced performance in the forced swimming, compared to control. In addition, a significant decrease in serum LDH level was found in panaxydol-treated group, while there were no alternations in levels of serum BUN and LAC and glycogen in liver or soleus muscle. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated cWG distilled extract and its active component panaxydol have a function of anti-fatigue.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2013

Objectives: Whether the ultra-highly-diluted remedies used in homeopathy can effectively bring about modulations of gene expressions through acetylation/deacetylation of histones has not been explored. Therefore, in this study, we pointedly checked if the homeopathically-diluted anti-cancer remedy Condurango 30C (ethanolic extract of Gonolobus condurango diluted $10^{-60}$ times) was capable of arresting the cell cycles in cervical cancer cells HeLa by triggering an epigenetic modification through modulation of the activity of the key enzyme histone deacetylase 2 vis-a-vis the succussed alcohol (placebo) control. Methods: We checked the activity of different signal proteins (like $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, STAT3) related to deacetylation, cell growth and differentiation by western blotting and analyzed cell-cycle arrest, if any, by fluorescence activated cell sorting. After viability assays had been performed with Condurango 30C and with a placebo, the activities of histone de-acetylase (HDAC) enzymes 1 and 2 were measured colorimetrically. Results: While Condurango 30C induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells in vitro and reduced HDAC2 activity quite strikingly, it apparently did not alter the HDAC1 enzyme; the placebo had no or negligible cytotoxicity against HeLa cells and could not alter either the HDAC 1 or 2 activity. Data on $p21^{WAF}$, p53, Akt, and STAT3 activities and a cell-cycle analysis revealed a reduction in DNA synthesis and G1-phase cell-cycle arrest when Condurango 30C was used at a 2% dose. Conclusion: Condurango 30C appeared to trigger key epigenetic events of gene modulation in effectively combating cancer cells, which the placebo was unable to do.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2019

Objectives: Angiotensin II (AngII), a major product of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has important role in induction of hypertension and antihypertensive effect of several medicinal plant was mediated by effect on this agent. Therefore, this study examined the possible effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Crocus sativus (C. sativus) on hypertension induced by AngII. Methods: Six groups (n = 6) of rats were used as follow: 1) Control, 2) AngII (300 ng/kg), 3) Losartan (Los, 10 mg/kg) + AngII and 4-6) C. sativus extract (10, 20 & 40 mg/kg,) + AngII. The femoral artery and vein were cannulated for recording cardiovascular parameters and drugs administration, respectively. All drugs were injected intravenously (i.v). Los and all doses of C. sativus injected 10 min before AngII. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded throughout the experiment and those peak changes (${\Delta}$) were calculated and compared to control and AngII. Results: AngII significantly increased ${\Delta}MAP$, ${\Delta}SBP$ and ${\Delta}HR$ than control (P < 0. 01 to P < 0.001) and these increments were significantly attenuated by Los. All doses of C. sativus significantly reduced peak ${\Delta}MAP$, ${\Delta}SBP$, and ${\Delta}HR$ than AngII group (P < 0. 05 to P < 0.001). In addition, peak ${\Delta}MAP$, ${\Delta}SBP$ in doses 10 and 20 were significant than Los + AngII group (P<0.05 to P< 0.01) but in dose 40 only MAP was significant (P<0.05). Peak ${\Delta}HR$ in all doses of C sativus was not significant than Los+ AngII. Conclusion: Regarding the improving effect of the C. sativus extract on AngII induced hypertension, it seems that this ameliorating effect partly mediated through inhibition of RAS.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.91-100
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• 2024

Objectives: Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that occurs as harmless commensals in the intestine, urogenital tract, and skin. It has been influenced by a variety of host conditions and has now evolved as a resistant strain. The aim of this study was thus detect the fluconazole resistant C. albicans from the root caries specimens and to computationally evaluate the interactions of an opaque-phase ABC transporter protein with the Psidium guajava bio-active compounds. Methods: 20 carious scrapings were collected from patients with root caries and processed for the isolation of C. albicans and was screened for fluconazole resistance. Genomic DNA was extracted and molecular characterization of Cdrp1 and Cdrp2 was done by PCR amplification. P. guajava methanolic extract was checked for the antifungal efficacy against the resistant strain of C. albicans. Further in-silico docking involves retrieval of ABC transporter protein and ligand optimization, molinspiration assessment on drug likeness, docking simulations and visualizations. Results: 65% of the samples showed the presence of C.albicans and 2 strains were fluconazole resistant. Crude methanolic extract of P. guajava was found to be promising against the fluconazole resistant strains of C. albicans. In-silico docking analysis showed that Myricetin was a promising candidate with a high docking score and other drug ligand interaction scores. Conclusion: The current study emphasizes that bioactive compounds from Psidium guajava to be a promising candidate for treating candidiasis in fluconazole resistant strains of C. albicans However, further in-vivo studies have to be implemented for the experimental validation of the same in improving the oral health and hygiene.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.282-289
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• 2000

본 연구에서는 현재 주의력-결핍 및 과잉운동장애(Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 이하 ADHD)의 주요한 평가척도 중의 하나로서 이용되고 있는 한국아동인성검사(Korean Personality Inventory for Children, K-PIC)와 아동 ${\cdot}$ 청소년 행동평가척도(Korean Child Behavior Checklist KCBCL)의 임상적 타당도에 대해 살펴보고자 하였다. 피검자들은 ADHD의 하위 유형 중 주의력-결핍 우세형(ADHD-I)으로 진단된 환아 11명과 과잉 행동-충동 우세형 및 복합형(ADHD-H)로 진단된 환아 23명, 우울, 불안 등 정서적 문제로 진단(신경증 집단；N) 받은 정신과 외래 환아 16명, 정상아동 15명 등 총 65명이었다. 먼저 각 집단별로 분산분석을 실시하였고, 각각 행동 평정 척도의 변별력을 측정하기 위하여 판별분석을 실시하였다. 이 집단들의 K-PIC와 K-CBCL 결과들에 대한 전체(omnibus) F-검증 결과, K-PIC의 과잉행동(HPR) 척도와 K-CBCL의 주의집중문제(Attention Problems, 이하 AP) 척도들은 분산분석결과 유의한 차이를 보였다. 하지만 사후검증 결과, ADHD-I 집단과 ADHD-H 집단 그리고 신경증 집단 사이에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않는 반면, 그 세 집단은 모두 정상집단과 .05 유의도 수준 하에서 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과는 K-PIC의 과잉행동(HPR) 척도와 K-CBCL의 주의집중문제(Attention Problems) 척도의 경우, 기본적으로 임상군과 정상군을 구별하는데는 유용하지만 임상군내에서의 세부 진단을 위해 사용하는 데는 한계가 있음을 시사해준다. 또한 본 연구 결과 상대적으로 HPR 척도는 ADHD-H type을 감별하는 데 더 유용한 반면, K-CBCL의 AP 척도는 ADHD-I type을 감별하는 데 더 큰 강점을 갖는 것으로 보이나, HPR척도와 AP 척도 중 어느 하나만을 사용하는 것보다는 병행하여 사용하는 것이 더 바람직한 것으로 보인다. 특히 cut-off score 면에서 두 척도 중 어느 하나에서 T 점수 65점 이상 상승할 때 ADHD로 진단내리는 경우, 가장 효과적으로 정분류율(true positive rate；sensitivity)과 정배제율(true negative rate；specificity)을 조화시킬 수 있는 결정규칙이 되는 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.218-228
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• 2003

목 적：본 연구에서는 정신과를 방문한 아동들의 정서 및 행동 문제와 어머니의 우울증, 양육 스트레스간의 관계를 알아보고, 특히, 이러한 변인들이 어머니의 양육 스트레스에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 알아보았다. 방 법：DSM-IV 진단 준거에 근거한 정신과 전문의의 소견과 심리학적 평가에 의해 외현화 행동 장애, 내면화 행동 장애, 혼재형 행동 장애로 각각 진단된 73명의 아동과 그 어머니들을 대상으로 하였다. 모든 아동의 어머니는 다면적 인성검사(MMPI)와 한국아동인성검사(KPI-C) 및 양육스트레스 척도(PSI)를 작성하였고, 변량분석, 상관분석, 단계적 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 결 과：외현화 행동 장애와 내면화 행동 장애, 혼재형 행동 장애를 가진 아동의 각 집단별 어머니들의 우울감은 유의미한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 양육 스트레스를 종속변인으로한 2요인 변량분석 결과, 외현화 행동장애와 혼재형 행동장애에서 아동 영역 양육 스트레스 하위 요인 중 주의산만/과잉행동 요인이 내현화 행동장애 아동보다 더 심각한 스트레스로 작용하였고, 어머니의 우울 여부의 주효과는 전반적 양육 스트레스 총점, 부모 영역 양육 스트레스 총점, 부모 영역 양육 스트레스의 하위 요인 중 우울, 부모의 건강, 배우자와의 관계의 요인에서 각각 유의미하였다. 아동의 증상 심각도가 양육 스트레스에 미치는 영향을 알아본 결과, 아동 영역 양육 스트레스에 대해서는 아동의 과잉행동과 불안이, 부모 영역 양육 스트레스에 대해서는 어머니의 우울 수준이 각각 유의미한 효과를 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 결 론：본 결과는 우울한 어머니들의 경우, 아동의 증상 심각도 보다는 어머니의 우울 수준이 전반적인 양육 스트레스에 더 많은 영향을 미치므로, 우울한 어머니들에서는, 아동의 증상에 대한 치료와는 별도로 어머니의 심리적 적응에 개별적인 치료적 접근이 필요함을 시사한다.