• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.73-81
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• 2016

Objectives : $18{\beta}$-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18betaGA) is an metabolite of glycyrrhizin in Glycyrrhiza (licorice). The present study investigated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect of 18betaGA on the brain tissue of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : 18betaGA was administered orally with low (30 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) doses for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 24 h after the LPS injection. Histological changes of Cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) neurons, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting method. Results : 18betaGA significantly attenuated the up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 mRNA, and COX-2 mRNA expression in the brain tissues induced by the LPS injection. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the reductions of the thickness of CA1 and the number of CA1 neurons. The up-regulation of Bax protein expression in the hippocampal tissue by the LPS injection was significantly attenuated, while the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax expression was increased by 18betaGA treatment. 18betaGA also significantly attenuated the up-regulation of Bax and caspase-3 expression in the CA1 of the hippocampus. Conclusion : This results indicate that 18betaGA has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effect under neuroinflammation induced by the LPS injection and suggest that 18betaGA may be a beneficial drug for various brain diseases accompanied with the brain tissue inflammation.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2004

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention has been widely used for treatment for many functional disorders, such as substances abuse and mental dysfunction. In general, acupuncture is known to be simple, economic; painless, non-traumatic, and without untoward reaction, being able to inhibit the abstinence syndrome. Although a number of studies on acupuncture have been reported, a few studies described acupuncture effect on drug addiction. Evidences suggest that substances abuses including nicotine, cocaine and alcohol are in part related to its effects on dopamine neurons in the reward pathways of the brain. The effects of acupuncture on drug addiction may be mediated through the neuronal cells within the limbic structures, which are known to be involved in rewarding properties of drug abuse. This essay reviews clinical and experimental evidences for its effectiveness on the drug addiction, and discusses a plausible explanation for the mechanism of acupuncture on substances abuse.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2008

This study was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the recovery effects of herbal medicines on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. In the present study, the recovery effects of 251 herbal medicines on THLE-2 cells that had been damaged by acetaminophen were evaluated using an MTS assay. THLE-2 cells were cultured in 96-well plates and then pretreated with or without 60 ${\mu}M$ acetaminophen (${IC}_{50}$ value: 35.84) for 1 hr. Next, different herbal medicines were added to the wells, after which the cells were reincubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. After first round of screening, the candidate herbal medicines were selected based on a recovery rate of greater than 40% and their efficacy were then determined by dose response kinetic analysis. Among these extracts, 8 herbal medicines (Terminalia chebula, Pueraria lobata, Acronychia laurifolia, Lopatherum gracile, Oroxylum indicum, Cynanchum atratum, Senecio scandens, and Sophora flavescens) had a strong recovery effect on acetaminophen-induced damage in THLE-2 cells. Dose response non-linear regression analysis demonstrated that Senecio scandens showed the best recovery rate (98%), and that its ${EC}_{50}$ was 19.54 ng/mL. Additional studies of these herbal medicines should be conducted to determine if they possess novel therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of liver disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 2002

Ancient Korean physicians have used several oriental herbs to cure dementia and these effects were described in the Korean herbal books. Some cognitive-enhancing oriental herbs have been widely used as a herbal medicine against dementia. However, few of studies have proved their efficacy in treatment for dementia. In the present study, we investigated the effects of herbal compounds, which are mainly consisted of Uncaria sinensis, Corydalis yanhusuo and Acorus gramineus on learning and memory in Mortis water maze task and the central cholinergic system of the rats with neurotoxic medial septum lesion. In water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform in a fixed position during 6 days and then received a 60-s probe trial in which the platform was removed from the pool on the 7th day. Ibotanic and 192 saporin lesion of the medial septum (MS) impaired the performance of maze test and degenerated choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the brain, which is a marker of the central cholinergic system. Daily administrations of herbal medicine (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 consecutive days produced significant reversals of the neurotoxic-induced deficit in learning and memory. These treatments also reduced the loss of cholinergic immunoreactive neurons in the brain induced by neurotoxin. These results demonstrated that herbal compounds ameliorated learning and memory deficits through effects on the central nervous system, partly through effect on the acetylcholine system. Our studies suggest an evidence of these herbs as treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.33-42
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Scutellariae radix (SR) water extract on locomotor dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : SCI was induced mechanical contusion following laminectomy of 10 th thoracic vertebra in Sprague-Dawley rats. SR was orally given once a day for 7 days after SCI. Neurological behavior was examined with the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. Tissue damage and nerve fiber degeneration were examined with cresyl violet and luxol fast blue (LFB) histochemistry. Using immunohistochemistry, cellular damages to neurons and nerve fibers were examined MAP-2. Results : 1. SR significantly ameliorated the locomotor dysfunction of the SCI-induced rats. 2. SR significantly reduced the number of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 3. SR attenuated the reduction of nerve fiber shirnakage and degeneration of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 4. SR attenuated the reduction of MAP-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. Conclusions : These results suggest that SR improves the locomotor dysfunction of SCI by reducing degeneration of nerve fibers and motor neuron shrinkage in the ventral horn.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.73-83
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was investigated the effects of the root of Polygala tenuifolia (POL) on learning and memory impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Methods : Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was produced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (pBCAO). POL was administered orally once a day (130 mg/kg of water-extract) for 28 days starting at 4 weeks after the pBCAO. The acquisition of learning and the retention of memory were tested on 9th week after the pBCAO using the Morris water maze. In addition, effects of POL on $A{\beta}$ generation and expressions of APP and BACE1 were observed in the hippocampus of rats. Results : POL significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in target quadrant and significantly reduced the swimming time spent in the quadrant far from the target. POL significantly increased the percentage of swim in the targer quadrant in the retention test, while POL was not effective on the escape latencies in the acquisition training trials. POL significantly reduced the levels of $A{\beta}_{(1-40)}$ and $A{\beta}_{(1-42)}$ in the cerebral cortex and the level of $A{\beta}_{(1-42)}$ in the hippocampus produced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. POL also significantly attenuated the up-regulation of APP and BACE1 expression in the hippocampus produced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Conclusions : The results show that POL alleviated memory deficit and up-regulation of $A{\beta}$ and BACE1 expressions in the hippocampus. This result suggests that POL may exert ameliorating effect on memory deficit through inhibition of ${\beta}$-secretase activity and $A{\beta}$ generation.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2013

Objectives This study aimed to analyze and summarize the satisfaction with oriental medical services in korea. Methods From 3 Korean databases (National Assembly Library, Korea Education Research Information Sharing Service, and National Discovery for Science Leaders), published between 2001 and 2011, we were obtained 13 studies that involved the satisfaction of oriental medical services. Results We found that the kindness of doctors and other staffs was significant determinant of satisfaction with oriental medical services. The positive recognition about treatment effect and the preference to combined medical system were also influenced to satisfaction with oriental medical services. Generally it was necessary for evaluation of satisfaction to improve facilities and environments of hospitals. Conclusions The satisfaction with oriental medical services would be related with the kindness of doctors and other staffs, the recognition about treatment effect, the preference to combined medical system and environments of hospitals. Also to confirm the reasons for the satisfaction with oriental medical services, further studies should be conducted using the highest methodological standards.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2 s.30
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• pp.115-133
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• 1995

In the Oriental Western Consideration of Habitual Abortion, the result of this study is summarized as follows: 1. Habitual abortion means repetition of Tatae(abortion within 3 months), Sosan(abortion after 3 months), and Bansan(abortion after 5 months), as it agrees with Hoaltae, Sutatae and Nuing-Nuta in oriental medical science. 2. Frequency in Occurrence of habitual abortion is about 0.2-0.4%> in the whole pregnancy and the Ratio of Risk increases according to frequency and age increase. 3. Generally, the cause of habitual abortion is due to the cause of the mother. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of before-childbirth are needed, and 'measures taken to prevent abortion' is in use to improve the condition of health of before-childbirth in oriental medical science. 4. The 50-60% of early abortion is due to the heterochromosome and the ratio of risk of habirual abortion is hightest in heterochromosome. 5. The causes of habitual abortion are summarized as vital energe and blood weakness. impairment of Chong and Ren, aflection by exopathogen, fever caused by blood deficiency. weakness of the spleen and the stomach, excess of seven emotion. excess of a sexual desire and injury of a contusion and also the treatments are summarized as invigorating qi (vital energy) and enriching the blood, reducing fever and enriching the blood, reinforcing the spleen, tonifying the Chong and Ren, the practice of a sceticism, psychological peace in oriental medical science. 6. The approch of modem oriental medical science is based on diagnosis and treatment based on 'over all analysis of symptoms and signs' of traditional oriental medical science. it goes abreast with diagnosis of western medical science, and it can be expected mare inclusive effect of treatment because 'Acupuncture for prevent abortion', 'Acupuncture with the needle warmed by burning moxa', and so on being developed except medicinal therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.77-87
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• 2009

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas, an oriental medical therapy for stroke patients with constipation, on physiological indexes and the brain edema of rats. Methods: Brain edema was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO); Natrii sulfas was administered once after the MCAO. At 3, 6, 15, 24, 48 hours after reperfusion, physiological indexes such as fecal weight, urine volume and water content in stool were assessed, and at 48 hours after reperfusion the edema index was measured. Results: 1. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas significantly improved the reduction of fecal weight caused by ischemic insult (P<0.05). 2. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas significantly improved the reduction of urine volume caused by ischemic insult (P<0.05). 3. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas significantly improved the reduction of water content in stool caused by ischemic insult (P<0.05). 4. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not improve the neurological symptom caused by ischemic insult. 5. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not attenuate the total infarct volume caused by ischemic insult. 6. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas attenuated the brain edema caused by ischemic insult (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas improves some important symptoms and has a protective effect on the brain edema caused by ischemic insult.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.275-284
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• 2001

This study was conducted to examine the nurses' role in Oriental medical hospital and the necessity of Oriental medical nursing system. Data were collected from 194 nurses in 14 Oriental medical hospitals located in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Kwangju, Kangwon Province, Kyungbuk Province from July 1, 2000 to September 10, 2000. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. In nurse's level of knowledge of acupuncture point in current Oriental nursing practice, 28.4% of the respondents did not know acupuncture points at all, while 30.9% knew them a little. 40.7% of them did not almost know them. 2. According to nurses' role in Oriental medical hospital, they did a lot of duty for measurement of vitality, medical record, Dr. notifying, communication with medical team and related departments, and observation of patients' conditions. They did a little duty for handling Oriental medical practice. 3. As the subject of curriculum for Oriental medical nursing, 52.1% chose training course for Oriental medical nursing, while 25.8% chose inclusion of the curriculum in the school of nursing. 39.2% replied that they would take the training course for Oriental medical nursing, while 3.6% answered that they would not take it. 68.6% of them thought that Oriental medical nursing system should be introduced, while 4.1% objected to introducing the system. The nurses in Oriental medical hospitals are working with many problems because of their role confusion and low level of knowledge in Oriental medicine. Therefore, systematic curriculum and research related to Oriental medical nursing are necessary. Oriental medical nursing system must be introduced in order to make nurses have professional knowledge and skill in Oriental medicine. The nurses then can provide services of good quality for the patients.