• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.69-81
• /
• 2015

Purpose : The first purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat(RRP), Cuscutae Semen(CS) and their combination(Ssangbohwan, SBH) have the effect of suppressing Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. The second purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of RRP, CS and SBH have the effect of inhibiting osteoporosis in an osteoporosis model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods : After promoting differentiation of osteoclasts by treating the RANKL, we observed the effect by the administration of RRP, CS and SBH. In addition, by means of Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS(Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni) from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic1), C-Fos, MAPKs(Mitogen-activated protein kinases) and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western Blotting. Finally, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of RRP, CS and SBH, through the use of Lipopolysaccharide-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : RRP, CS and SBH showed remarkable inhibitive effect on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. SBH inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK), and I-${\kappa}B$ and down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. RRP, CS suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$, but it did not affect c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that RRP and SBH prevented bone erosion by LPS treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate SBH can be effective remedy for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.217-230
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to review studies on somatization disorder in traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: We reviewed studies in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to 2017. Keywords were 軀體化障碍, Somatization disorder, somatic symptom disorder. We included Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), and excluded non-Randomized Controlled Trial (nRCT), non-related somatization disorder or traditional Chinese medicine, non-clinical trials, dissertations for degrees. Jadad scale and Cochrane Library's Risk of Bias (RoB) were used for assessment of the quality of studies. Results: Twelve studies were selected. The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3 (CCMD-3) was most frequently used as diagnostic criteria for somatization disorder. As for outcome measurement, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) was used most commonly. Meta-analysis of 10 studies revealed effective rate of Chinese Herbal Medicine groups (CHM) was significantly higher than Western Medicine groups (WM) (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.27, p=0.02, $I^2=40%$). There was no significant difference in effective rate of CHM+WM and WM (RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.49, p=0.46, $I^2=83%$). And also, effective rate of Acupuncture group (Acu) revealed no significant difference compared to that of WM (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.44, p=0.13, $I^2=84%$). For HAMD, there was significant difference in CHM vs, WM group and Acu vs. WM group. Quality of selected 12 RCTs was low. Conclusions: Therapies practiced in traditional Chinese medicine may be effective options for somatization disorder. treatment. For further clinical studies in Korean medicine, this study could be groundwork for development of diagnosis and treatment on somatization disorder.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.83-89
• /
• 2006

Many naturally occurring plant extracts are studied for their beneficial effects for health and particularly on cancer. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, occurs in both normal and pathological conditions, including cancer. Dysregulation of apoptosis allows transformed cells to continually and uninhibitedly enter the cell cycle, thus perpetuating the sequence of mutation, genomic instability and, finally, oncogenesis. To investigate the apoptosis-Inducing effect of the extract of Fructus Trichosanthis (EFT) on leukemic HL-60 cells and its mechanism, HL-60 cells in vitro in culture medium were given different doses of the extract. The inhibitory rate of cells were measured by microculture tetrazolium assay, cell apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry, morphology of cell apoptosis was observed by DAPI fluorescence staining, and the activations of caspases and PARP were detected using Western blotting analysis. The extract could activate the caspase-3 and caspase-8, induce PARP cleavage, inhibit growth of HL-60 cells, and cause apoptosis significantly. The suppression was in dose-dependent manner. Marked morphological changes of cell apoptosis including condensation of chromatin and nuclear fragmentation were observed clearly by DAPI fluorescence staining especially. These results will provide strong laboratory evidence of EFT for clinical treatment of acute leukemia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Scolopendrae Corpus (SC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Methods : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SC, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, inteleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B a ($I{\kappa}$-Ba) using western blot. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of SC on LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Results : Extract from SC itself had not any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from SC inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression. SC pre-treatment also inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate inhibitory effects of SC on inflammatory mediators, activation of MAPKs was examined. SC inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK) and also the degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Furthermore, SC administration reduced LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Conclusion : SC down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of activation of p38, JNK and degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$. Taken together, our results suggest that SC may be a beneficial drug against inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.148-154
• /
• 1997

In the pharmacology of traditional Korean medicine, each drug has its own specific characters. The different characters of drugs are employed to treat diseases, rectify the hyperactivity or hypoactivity of yin or yang, and help the body restore its normal physiological functions, consequently curing the diseases and restoring health. The various characters and functions of these drugs concerning medical treatment include drugs' properties, flavours, actions of lifting, lowering, floating and sinking, channel tropism, toxicity, etc. Among these theories, theory of properties and flavours of drugs provides the basis for drug analysis and application. 'Property' refers to the cold, hot, warm or cool nature of a drug. These properties of drugs are so sorted out according to the different actions of the drugs on the human body and thier therapeutic effects. Drugs which cure heat syndrome(yang syndrome) have a cold or cool property, whereas drugs which cure cold syndrome (yin syndrome) have hot or warm property Drugs of cold and cool-natured and drugs of warm and hot natures are of opposite properties. A cold-natured drug is different from a cool-natured on only in degree, and so is a warm-natured drug from a hot-natured drug. Most of the cool- or cold- natured drugs have the effects of clearing heat, purging fire, removing toxic substances, and nourishing yin, and are uese to cure heat syndromes. On the contrary, drugs of warm or hot nature usually have the effects of dispersing cold, warming up the interior, supporting yang, and treating collapse, and are therefore used to treat cold syndromes. We thought that the property of drug may be related to the autonomic nervous system in western medicine. In other words, drugs of warm or hot nature increase heart rate or acts like sympathomimetics, and drugs of cool or cold nature decrease heart rate or acts like para sympathomimetics . According to this hypothesis, we administrated some drugs to isolated rat right atrium in magnus tube. But there is no correlation between 'property' in traditional Korean medicine and autonomic nervous system in western medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.272-283
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of protective effect of Jinmu-tang (JMT, Zhenwu-tang) extract on $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in C6 glial cells. Methods : Cultured C6 glial cells of white mice were pretreated with JMT extract and exposed to $H_2O_2$ for inducing cell death. We measure the cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and investigate the cell morphology using a light microscope after crystal violet (CV) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was analyzed using a flow cytometer and a fluorescent microscope after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a flow cytometer after propidium iodide (PI) staining and nuclei morphology was investigated using a fluorescent microscope after 2-[4-amidinophenyl]-6-indo-lecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining. We analyzed expression of Bax, processing of procaspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) by western blot method. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) secretion was analyzed using Quantikine kit. Results : We determined the elevated cell viability by JMT extract on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death. ROS formation, DNA fragmentation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced by $H_2O_2$ are inhibited by JMT extract pre-treatment. JMT extract inhibits Bax expression, processing of caspase-3 and PARP that are critical biochemical markers of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions : These results suggest that JMT extract has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death in various pathways.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.13-29
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this review is to investigate the use of conventional Western medicine (WM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on leg cramps. Leg cramps are the occurrence of muscular spasm in the leg muscles which occur frequently in the elderly and are frequently observed in the clinical field. Methods: Relevant clinical studies were searched from five medical databases including PubMed, KISS, RISS, OASIS, and J-STAGE. Systematic review, clinical studies, and clinical practice guideline were included in this review. Results: In total, 27 clinical studies, 9 systematic review and meta-analysis, and 1 clinical practice guideline met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were classified and analyzed according to the type of intervention. Studies on quinine and magnesium have been most studied in WM and CAM, respectively. Although quinine shows some clinical effects on leg cramps, however, the risk of side effects are suggested. In addition, magnesium failed to improve the clinically significant effects in most studies. Five case reports using Oriental herbal medicine (OHM) were included and OHMs were effective in improving leg cramps without side effects, however, the quality of evidence was low. Clinical studies on other interventions were lacking. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there is no definite treatment standard for leg cramps until now, and there are limitations such as low level of evidence and side effects for each treatment. OHM can be an effective alternative to conventional intervention on leg cramps, therefore, related clinical studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.55-68
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of Guibi-tang that are used for postpartum depression. Methods: We searched on five databases [Korean studies Information Service (KISS), Oriental medicine advanced searching integrated system (OASIS), The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI)] with keywords for Postpartum depression (English, Korean, and Chinese) and evaluated the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed on the selected studies. Results: 8 potentially relevant articles were retrieved for further evaluation. There was evidence that Guibi-tang compared with Western medicine was significantly higher rate in total effect rate (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04, 1.39, p=0.01). Also, the combined therapeutic effects of Guibi-tang and Psychological intervention compared with Psychological intervention were statistically significant in total effect rate (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05, 1.24, p=0.002). And they showed improvement on scores of HAMD (Hamilton depression scale, HAMD) and SF-36 (36-Item short form health survey, SF-36). Conclusion: Guibi-tang appears to be more effective compared to Western medicine in the treatment of postpartum depression. The combination Guibi-tang and Psychological intervention was more effective than psychological intervention alone treated for postpartum depression. However, since unclear risk of bias, the result of this study should be considered carefully. Further clinical trials should be carried out in order to academical clinical progress regarding treatment of Postpartum Depression.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.267-280
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide clinical evidence to support the use of a herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet (TWBXP)) for insomnia. Methods: Randomized controlled trials that verified effects of Herbal Medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan, Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) treating primary insomnia were carried out. A literature search of English, Chinese, Korean databases was also performed. The selected literature were assessed by Risk of Bias (RoB). Results: The total number of selected trials was 13 RCTs. Among the 13 RCTs, 10 were meta-analyzed. The Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-3 (CCMD-3) was frequently used as the diagnostic criteria for interventions during the analysis of the use of herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) for management of primary insomnia. As for outcome measurement, the effective rate was used. From the Meta-analysis of the studies, it was established that the insomnia cure effective rate in the TWBXP group was higher than that in the Western Medicine (WM) group (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.24, p<0.0001, $I^2=33%$). Also, the effective rate in the TWBXP+ACU group was significantly different compared to the WM group (RR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.54, p=0.0004, $I^2=0%$). The quality of the selected RCTs was low. Conclusions: Herbal medicine (Cheonwangbosim-Dan/Tianwangbuxin-Pellet) is effective for treating primary insomnia. It is worth noting that this studies were of relatively poor quality. The sample sizes were also small. Therefore, further investigations into the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia are warranted.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2 s.69
• /
• pp.169-175
• /
• 2005

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grape skins, peanuts, and red wine, has been reported to have a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. $Amyloid-\beta$ deposition and senile plaque-associated astrocytes are common neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we have explored the effects of resveratrol on $amyloid-\beta-peptide-mediated$ cytotoxicity in vitro and modulation of cell growth-regulatory gene products in astroglioma C6 cells to elucidate its possible mechanism for anti-cytotoxicity. Exposure of C6 cells to $Amyloid-\beta$ resulted in dose-dependent growth inhibition and morphological changes of C6 cells, which were recovered by pre-treatment with resveratrol. The anti-proliferative effect of $amyloid-\beta$ was associated with the induction of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) expression assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis in time-dependent manner in C6 cells. In addition, the pro-apoptotic Bax expression was also up-regulated in $amyloid-\beta-treated$ C6 cells without alteration of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ expression. However, pre-treatment of resveratrol significantly inhibited $amyloid-\beta-induced$ p53, p21 and Bax levels, suggesting that the modulation of p53, p21 and Bax levels could be one of the possible pathways by which resveratrol functions as anti-cytotoxic agent. Our results demonstrate that resveratrol may enhance the protection against $amyloid-\beta-induced$ cytotoxicity by promoting the survival of glial cells.