• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.156-166
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng), a herb distributed in Korea, China and Japan, exerts benefits on diverse inflammatory conditions. However, the underlying mechanism and active ingredients remains largely unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the active ingredients of P. ginseng against inflammation and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods: Inflammation model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice and RAW264.7 macrophages. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and immunofluorescence were utilized to predict active component. Results: P. ginseng significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung injury and the expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Additionally, P. ginseng blocked fluorescencelabeled LPS (LPS488) binding to the membranes of RAW264.7 macrophages, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro (GRo) docked into the LPS binding site of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the MD2-GRo binding conformation was stable. SPRi demonstrated an excellent interaction between TLR4/ MD2 complex and GRo (K_D value of 1.16 × 10^-9 M). GRo significantly inhibited LPS488 binding to cell membranes. Further studies showed that GRo markedly suppressed LPS-triggered lung injury, the transcription and secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPKs as well as the p65 subunit nuclear translocation were inhibited by GRo dose-dependently. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GRo exerts anti-inflammation actions by direct inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the contemporary perception of traditional Korean medical doctors (TKMDs) on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) policies and issues. Methods: A questionnaire that included traditional medicine policy- and treatment-related issues was sent to 130 TKM medical centers and 4,300 TKM local clinical offices in Korea, and received responses from total 648 TKMDs in 122 TKM medical centers and 465 TKM local clinical offices. Results: Of the responding TKMDs, 40% believed that unification of Western and traditional medicines would benefit both modes of medical treatment, 67.6% were against allowing Chinese doctor certification to be effective in Korea through the Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and 57.8% believed that the number of TKMDs should be reduced. We also found that 46.1% of TKMDs believed that more lectures on Western medicine would be needed in schools of TKM. Moreover, 87.5% of respondents regarded medical knowledge as necessary for treatment, and 49.4% believed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (NCCAOM) would be not necessary. TKMDs regarded governmental efforts as more vital than education in schools or individual efforts for enhancement of the traditional medical care market in Korea. To efficiently provide the advantages of complementary CAM, such as cost and safety, detailed research is required when policy is made. Conclusions: The TKM industry must implement policies how the relationship with Western medicine can be better defined under the current dual medical system. On the issue of human resources, more research will be needed on the current policy, which serves to maintain the status quo by blocking the importation of Chinese practitioners and by reducing the number of new practitioners.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aimed to overview the current education status of a traditional medicine by medical schools in Japan. Methods : We surveyed the literatures regarding a traditional medicine education in Japan, and get the information via email-interview with an officer of medical schools in Japan as well as from their websites. Results : Japan's education ministry presented the appropriateness of education for traditional medicine to medical students in 2001, and most of medical schools begun to set up the classes in Japan. We received the detail information of the traditional medicine education from 21 medical schools. Nineteen colleges(approximately 90%) of those have the regular classes for traditional medicine while two colleges don't have the education program for the traditional medicine. Most of medical schools have single class for introduction of traditional medicine, and have average $16.2{\pm}8.8$ hours during the $4^{th}$ grade(61.9%). Conclusions : We presented the general feature of education for traditional medicine in Japan, and this result would be basic information for an establishment of a strategy regarding the enhancement of national competitiveness of traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.353-360
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• 2015

In a essay that was published on 'Science' in December 2014 as a part of the supplement "The Art and Science of Traditional Medicine," the eastern and western medical theories are discussed with reference to the model-dependent realism suggested by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow. This paper examines what the model-dependent realism is, and how it affects the future direction of researches in traditional Korean medical theories. The model-dependent realism holds a meaning in that it puts traditional medical theories in a perspective of models, and allows for application of recent studies in scientific philosophy for researches in traditional medical theories. Especially, the model studies by R. Giere et al. will help elaborate the traditional medical theories from a model perspective. From a model perspective, the 'visceral manifestation', 'meridian and collateral', 'qi-blood', 'eight principles' and 'constitution' theories of traditional medicine have the potentials to develop into valid models, and the traditional medical theory's phenomenological and holistic perspective distinguishes it from western medicine, giving it a competitive edge. In addition, the epistemological pluralism of model-dependent realism can serve as an alternative to relativism or rationalism perspective which put eastern and western medicine in opposition until now.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1237-1247
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• 2019

Post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy occurs more frequently than previously reported, but only a few studies of traditional Korean medicine treatments have been reported. The symptoms are severe and difficult to treat, and current treatments are high-cost, short-lasting, insufficient for shortening the therapeutic period and promoting better recovery, or involve the risk of post-operative over-correction or under-correction. Traditional Korean medicine treatments may be comparatively effective at lower cost and less harmful. Thus, we report three cases of post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy treated with traditional Korean medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.138-147
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• 2024

This scoping review aimed to examine the current status of research utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) for diagnosis in Korean Medicine (KM) and traditional East Asian medicine, and to explore its potential for objectifying KM diagnostic methods. A systematic search was conducted in Medline and Embase databases. Studies published in English that used HRV for diagnostic purposes in KM or traditional East Asian medicine were included. Data extraction and analysis were performed according to predefined criteria. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The research designs were categorized into five types: TEAM Pattern and Symptom Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Diagnostic Tool Development, HRV Pattern Development for Specific Conditions, and Physiological Indicator Correlation Analysis. The studies revealed significant relationships between HRV parameters and various concepts in traditional East Asian medicine, including constitution types, symptoms, and pattern identifications. Several studies demonstrated the potential of HRV in objectifying and modernizing traditional diagnostic methods. This review suggests that HRV analysis has significant potential as a tool for objectifying KM diagnosis. It can provide a bridge between traditional medical theories and modern physiological measurements. Further research is needed to standardize HRV measurement protocols in KM and to develop more robust diagnostic tools based on HRV analysis.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.8 no.2 s.9
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• pp.67-74
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• 2002

The Objective of this study was to investigate present conditions of research institutes on traditional medicine in China, Chinese taipei, Japan and U.S.A. The subject institutes were China academy of traditional chinese medicine, National research institute of chinese medicine, Oriental medicine research center of the Kitasato institute, Institute of natural medicine in Toyama medical and pharmaceutical university, National center for complementary and alternative medicine. Various publications printed by each institute were collected and each web site wis searched. For further analysis, Interviews with managers and researchers of each institute were carried out.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Objective: Various controlled vocabulary such as thesaurus and classification make us to reuse and share effectively by defining different concept and linking terms each other. The UMLS(Unified Medical Language System) is one of the most universal medical terminology systems. It is needed various methods to share and reuse information of traditional Korean medicine. We will research on method that adopt SUI of the UMLS(that is de facto standard in medical terminology system) in traditional Korean medical terminology. Method: We described major problems and applying process when we tried to add traditional Korean medicine in the part of meridian into the UMLS metathesaurus. Comparing western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms for applying UMLS metathesaurus, there is not only many consistency, but also differences. Result: We confirmed what is the differences and consistency between western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms. And then reviewed methods that apply the CUI, LUI, SUI in traditional Korean medical terms. Traditional Korean medical terms are not discriminated by singular or plural string. In addition, traditional Korean medical terms have vary string by initial law: the law of initial sound of a syllable. Character is described with Korean, traditional Chinese, modern Chinese, etc. According to meaning, language, initial law, SUI has a distinct value respectively. Conclusion: There are many differences to apply the UMLS between western medical terms and traditional Korean medical terms. For the better implementation to traditional Korean medicine into the UMLS, further research is needed in standardization and classification of traditional Korean medical terms, medical information system, etc. We hope this study helps the implementation UMLS, EHR, knowledge based system in Oriental medicine in the future.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-82
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• 2014

Objective : To find a treatment strategy, this study aimed to review and compare the clinical studies of Korea, China, and Japan on traditional medicine treatment for Behcet's disease. Method : Literature searches were performed on six databases in each country and English databases, such as OASIS, KoreanTK, CNKI, J-STAGE, PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL. In addition, using the limited keywords, the area was restricted to traditional medicine treatment, but the period was not limited. Studies were categorized according to the study design and we analyzed the difference of treatment among three countries. Results : One hundred and forty-one clinical studies met our inclusion criteria: 11 studies in Korea, 15 in Japan, 115 in China. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) have increased in China, however, no RCT was reported in Korea and Japan. The method of treatment was mainly traditional herbal medicine in all the three countries, but there were significant differences in the field of syndrome identification and prescription among countries. The studies in China made use of most various treatment modalities and reported the highest effectiveness. Conclusion : Traditional medicine treatment showed a considerable effect for improving various symptoms of Behcet's disease. However, more research for answering the safety and well-designed studies considering characteristics of Behcet's disease should be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional medicine treatment objectively in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2013

Objectives : To broaden understanding about meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture on headache and to evaluate the effect of meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture on headache. Methods and Results : From Feb. 2012 to Jan. 2013, the 64 patients were outpatients for treatment of headache in Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine, Traditional Korean Medical Hospital, Semyung University and treated with meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture. To evaluate the effect of meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture, we devide 3groups(21 occipital-headache patients, 27 temporal-headache patients, 16 frontal-headache patients) upon pain area and search pain intensity(VAS were used), different frequency, duration time. As a result, headache are improved remarkably within two weeks. Conclusions : Meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture was found to be helpful to patients who wish to recover from headache. In order to make this meridian tendino-musculature acupuncture more available, we should pay more attention to improving treatment appliance and acupuncture techniwue.