• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.441-443
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• 2007

A preliminary in vitro acid neutralizing capacity test of twelve traditional Ayurvedic antacids were performed in this study. Five traditional preparations of ash of conch shell, ash of oyster, ash of pearl, limestone, and ash of cowrie showed high acid neutralizing capacity similar to standard antacid combination of $Al(OH)_3\;and\;Mg(OH)_2$. Among these the ash of conch shell found the highest acid neutralizing capacity. The ash of tamarind and ash of Achyranthus aspera showed moderate acid neutralizing capacity. The acid neutralizing capacity of red ochre; ash of iron; mixture of niter, alum and ammonium chloride; saltpeter; and ash of mica found below the USP 23 limit.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.65-69
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• 2015

Objectives : The root ofCyanchum wifordii(CW) had been used as herbal medicine, 'Baeksuo', in Korea. However, the root ofCynanchum auriculatum(CA) had also been mis-used as 'Baeksuo' in herbal markets, due to its morphological similarity with CW. This study aimed to compare discriminative features and establish the identification-keys between two herbal medicines using microscopic methods.Methods : Microscopic preparations including fixation, rapid dehydration, paraffin infiltration, paraffin embedding, sectioning, mounting, and staining, were performed and the microscopic features between CW and CA samples were compared.Results : The starch grain of parenchymal cells, the amounts of calcium oxalate crystals, cell sizes, and the shape of phloem were not different between CW and CA samples. However, the clusters of stone cells which were conglomerated at outer cortex were apparently observed in CA sample (4~8 layers of stone cells), but not in CW sample (2~4 layers of stone cells, or not). Xylem of CW consisted of several vessels and fiber bundles which were formed as linear shapes and discontinuous radial lines, while that of CA, in which radial lines was not observed, were shaped as a wedge and scattered near cambium with comparatively few fiber bundles enclosed vessels. Especially, in the xylem of CA, fiber bundles located towards cambium were relatively more developed than those located outward cambium.Conclusions : The identification-keys established in this study would be helpful to discriminate microscopic features between CW and CA.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.260-273
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• 2004

Backgrounds : In recent years, asthma has become recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated pathologically with airway epithelial inflammation and airway remodeling. Objectives : To evaluate the different effects of Hirudo depending upon pharmaceutical manufactures on the expression and the activities of IL-6 and GM-CSF in airway epithelial cells, samples of Hirudo(水蛭), Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) and Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) were tested. Methods : After inducing enhanced messenger RNA(mRNA) expression and secretion of each cytokine by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(10 ng/ml) treatment, cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was added to each sample$(l,\;10,\;100\;&\;1000\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Subsequently, DNA activities were analyzed. Specifically mRNA expression and culture supernatants(protein levels) of IL-6 and GM-CSF from BEAS-2B cells, were analyzed using luciferase reporter gene assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) inhibited IL-6 activities in BEAS-2B cells remarkably, and inhibited mRNA expression levels and protein levels in supernatant of IL-6 and GM-CSF at various concentrations, significantly(p<0.05). However, Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) had no effect on mRNA expression levels and showed a slight inhibitory effect on GM-CSF protein levels in supernatant of culture medium. Conclusions : These results strongly suggest that Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) would be serve as effective medicaments in the treatment of airway inflammation and remodeling of asthmatic patients.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this trial is to observe the preliminary effects of Salvia plebeia (SP) extract on quality of life in patients with solid cancer. Methods : This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm, and single-dose clinical trial. Twenty participants who have been diagnosed with solid cancer between the ages of 20 and 65 will be included. All participants will be administered SP granules for 12 weeks. Data will be collected at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment. The primary outcome is quality of life, using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include tumor markers in blood tests for each cancer type, soluble programmed death-ligand 1, the percentage of natural killer cells among lymphocytes, ratio of T-helper and T-suppressor cells, ratio of total T, T-helper, T-suppressor, and B cells in lymphocytes, level of C-reactive protein, and tumor size via radiology examination. Safety will be assessed by clinical laboratory tests and monitoring of adverse events. Discussion : This study aims to observe the effects of an oral administration of SP preparations in patients with solid cancer on changes in quality of life and an improvement in immune function. It is expected to provide objective evidence of the effect and safety of SP for patients with solid cancer. Trial registration: KCT0007315 (Clinical Research Information Service)

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.31-51
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• 2009

The characteristics of Jin's ideas on clinic theory can be arranged as follows. 1. Jin emphasized warming and tonifying[溫補] in treatment and the part that shows this the best is the taking care of[調理] the Vital gate[命門], kidney, liver, and spleen. His ideas were based on his understanding of a human life's origin, and was influenced by Seolgi(薛己), Joheon-ga(趙獻可) and Janggaebin(張介賓)'s Vital gate and source Gi theory(元氣說) so scholastically, he has that in common with them but was later criticized by later doctors such as Oksamjon(玉三尊) as an 'literary doctor(文字醫)' who followed the ideas of "Uigwan(醫貫)". 2. The warming and tonifying school[溫補學派], who were influenced by Taoism, said in their theory of disease outbreak[發病學說] that since one must not hurt one's Yin essence and Yang fire [陰精陽火] there is more deficiency than excess, so that was why they used tonifying methods. Jin was also like them and this point of view is universal in internal medicine, gynecology, pediatric medicine and surgery and so on. 3. Jin, who saw the negative form of pulse diagnosis[診脈] emphasized following symptoms over pulse diagnosis using the spirit of ‘finding truth based on truth[實事求是]' in "Maekgyeolcheonmi(脈訣闡微)", but emphasized 'the combination of pulse and symptoms[脈證合參]'. He understood pulse diagnosis as a defining tool for symptoms, and in "Seoksilbirok(石室秘錄)" simplified pulse diagnosis into 10 methods : floating/sunken(浮沉), slow/fast(遲數), large/fine(大小), vacuous/replete(虛實) and slippery/rough(滑澀). 4. Jin used 'large formulas(大方)' a lot that usually featured a large dose, and in " Bonchosinpyeon(本草新編)" he thought of the seven formulas(七方) and ten preparations(十劑) as the standard when using medicine. He did away with old customs and presented a 'new(新)' and 'extra(奇)' point of view. He especially used a lot of Insam(人蔘) when tonifying Gi and Geumeunhwa(金銀花) when treating sores and ulcers. 5. In the area of surgery Jin gave priority to the early finding and treatment of disease with internal treatment[內治] and was against the overuse of acupuncture. However records of surgical measures in a special situation like lung abscesses(肺癰) and liver abscesses(肝癰), and anesthetic measures using 'Manghyeongju(忘形酒)' and 'Singoiyak(神膏異藥)' and opening the abdomen or skull, and organ transplants using a dog's tongue are important data. 6. Jin stated the diseases of Gi and blood broadly. Especially in the principles of treating blood, blood diseases had to be forwarded[順] and Gi regulation[理氣] was the number one priority and stated the following two treatments. First, in "Jeonggiinhyeolpyeon(精氣引血篇)" of volume 6 of "Oegyeongmieon(外經微言)", for the rules for treating blood he stated the pattern identification of finding Gi in blood and blood in Gi. Second, he emphasized Gi regulation(理氣) in blood diseases and stated that the Gi must be tonifyed after finding the source of the loss of blood.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.156-161
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• 2009

Rubus coreanus, commonly known as 'red raspberry' is used as a traditional oriental medicine in Korea for the management of diseases such as impotence, spermatorrhea and athsma, and for allergies, in combination with other herbal preparations, in many centuries. We undertook a comparison of the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extracts of the unripe (UREx) and ripe (RREx) R. coreanus extract against acetaminophen (AAP) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. UREx reduced the elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lipid peroxide and nitric oxide content which had been increased by AAP administration. UREx also increased the cellular glutathione (GSH) content and induced the glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) content which had been decreased by AAP. RREx did not exhibit strong hepatoprotective effect or antioxidant activity under the same conditions. The experimental results show that the degree of the ripening of R. coreanus affects the hepatoprotective activity in the AAP-intoxicated rats. These findings of a protective mechanism are supportive evidence for the utility of unripened R. coreanus in traditional medicine for liver ailments.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.346-353
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• 2007

Background : Over a thousand years of clinical preparation of Ephedrain traditional Korean medicine has confirmed effectiveness and security. Recently. Ephedra-containing herbal preparations to treat obesity are common. The aim of this study is to identify effects of Ephedra on psychological anxiety. Objectives : To determine effects of Ephedraon psychoactivity and autonomic nervous system. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects of this study were healthy adults. They were allocated to either the Ephedragroup (N =66) or the placebo group (N =32), Ephedra(8 g) or a placebo in similar opaque capsules was given twice a day for 2 weeks. Anxiety score was estimated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before first and after last medication. 36 of the Ephedragroup and 24 of the placebo group finished the trial and were analyzed. Paired samples T-test and independent samples T-test were applied to statistical analysis. Results : The following result was obtained: After taking Ephedra. state anxiety increased significantly. In the placebo group. both state and trait anxiety increased although significance was not reached. Conclusions : It is concluded that the intake of Ephedraplays a significant role in the increase of anxiety in healthy adults. It is suggested that anxiety level change should be considered when using Ephedra in clinics.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.286-294
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• 2008

We have studied the possible mechanism of anti-asthmatic action of ethanolic extracts of dried seeds of Lepidium sativum (EXLS, 400 mg/kg) using various experimental models. EXLS produced an increase in the Pre-Convulsion Dyspnoea time induced by histamine and acetylcholine aerosol, a significant reduction in the elevated leucocyte counts in the Broncho-Alveolar Lavage fluid of sensitized guinea-pigs and reduction in the paw edema volume as compared to the control rats. Treatment with EXLS also produced decrease in the elevated histamine release from the sensitized guinea-pig lungs. The anti-asthmatic anti-inflammatory responses of EXLS was supported by improvement in microscopic changes like infiltration of inflammatory cells, submucosal edema, epithelial desquamation and reduced lumen size of the bronchi. The $pD_2$ values of histamine in tracheal chain and taenia-coli were significantly greater and that in lung strip was lower in the sensitized animals as compared to control. Treatment of sensitized guinea pigs with EXLS significantly decreased $pD_2$ values of histamine in all three preparations. Our data suggest the prevention of hyper-responsiveness in bronchial smooth muscles and inhibition of the immediate hypersensitive reaction, histamine release in the lungs and the infiltration of various inflammatory cells as the possible mechanisms of anti-asthmatic activity of EXLS.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2005

Biotechnological researches in Central Asian Research Institute of Sericulture were developed since 1981 when laboratory of artificial diets for mulberry silk­worm was created. The researches were directed not only to creation of accessible artificial diets (AD) for off-season mass rearing of economical beneficial insect and for industrialization of sericulture but also to obtaining of easy reproducible source of animal proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, enzymes inhibitors and other metabolites - bioresource for manufacture of oriental medicine preparations. Space experiments with silkworms became possible with use of AD. These experiments used mulberry silkworm as high effective board test organism with outstanding developmental, reproductive and transgenic properties having impor­tant significance in future of cosmonautics. Introduction to practice of bioprotective and ecologically pure method of drying and sterilizing of green cocoons and by-products of silk manufacture allows to increase efficiency of cocoons reeling technology as well as to preserve nativity of biological active substances in mulberry silkworm pupae that is unachievable by traditional methods of raw material processing. New spheres of application of two important silk proteins - fibroin and sericin in medicine, cosmetics, for bio- and nanotechnology are opening with use of biotechnological approaches. At present the achievements and experience of R & D in these fields are used in creation of modern pests biocontrol agents. Schemes of efficient processing of cocoon raw material, by-products and wastes of sericulture and cocoon processing are devel- Institute of Physiology and Biophysics, Uzbek Academy of Sciences, I, Niyazov street, 700095, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. oped for obtaining of traditional and new consumer products.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2005

The effect of alcohol and aqueous extracts of the leaves and stem of Pluchea lanceolata on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve muscle preparation of Setaria cervi, and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro was studied. Alcohol and aqueous extracts of the leaves and stem of P. lanceolata caused the inhibition of spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the nerve muscle preparation of S. cervi, characterized by short lasting small increase in tone and amplitude of contractions followed by paralysis. The concentrations required to inhibit the movements of whole worm and nerve muscle preparations for alcohol extract were 200 and $25\;{\mu}g/ml$, and for aqueous extract were 250 and $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively, suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. Both the extracts (alcohol and aqueous) caused death of microfilariae in vitro, $LC_{50}$ and $LC_{90}$ being 12 and 18 ng/ml for alcohol extract and 25 and 40 ng/ml for aqueous extract, respectively.