• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Objectives We analyzed visiting patterns to medical institutions and cost per visit according to the common cold patients aged 0-19 years. We analyzed Korean medical treatment for common cold. Methods Using the Pediatric Patient Sample data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA-PPS), we analyzed the data on health insurance claims of approximately 1 million people from 2017 to 2019. The data included the number of patients who visited the hospital due to common cold for the first and second time, the ratio of second visits by type of medical institution, and the status of prescriptions in Korean medical institutions. Results The number of patients visiting healthcare providers for common cold was higher in Western medical institutions than in Korean medical institutions. However, the number of second visits was higher in Korean medical institutions. Acupuncture is the most commonly used medical treatment in Korean medical institutions for common cold. Herbal medicine for common cold was usually prescribed for 2-3 days for children and adolescents. Conclusions Although the average medical cost of Korean medical institutions was higher than that of Western medical institutions, the rate of second visits to Korean medical institutions was higher because of the demand for Korean medical treatment

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2022

Objectives : Acupoints are divided into three categories: classical acupoints, extra-acupoints, and Ashi points. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning and features of Ashi points. Methods : We examined the original meaning of Ashi points from the classical medical texts, including the Beijiqianjinyaofang, the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, and the Huangdi Neijing, the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. Results : First, the Ashi method is to locate the points for the acupuncture and moxibustion based on the patients' reactions mainly manifested by sensations of comfort and pain, which can help identify not only Ashi points but also classical and extra-acupoints. Thus, Ashi points may or may not match to classical or extra-acupoints, and we propose that Ashi points should not be classified mutually exclusive to classical or extra-acupoints. Second, there are several similarities between Ashi points and myofascial trigger points. They are located by palpation and have no fixed anatomical positions. Patients experience painful but pleasant feeling when Ashi and myofascial trigger points are pressed, and stimulation of these points have treatment effects. Conclusions : We suggest that Ashi method be used to identify the acupoints based on how patients react when these points are pressed. Ashi points may or may not correspond to classical or extra-acupoints, and share traits with myofascial trigger points.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2021

Objectives: Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the treatment of herbal medicine for patients with COVID-19 asymptomatic infections. Method: In English, search engines such as 'PubMed', 'Science Direct', and 'Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)' were used. In Chinese, search engines such as 'China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)' and Wanfang were used. The keywords for the search engines were 'COVID-19', 'asymptomatic infection', 'Korean Medicine', 'traditional Chinese medicine', 'herbal medicine', and etc. Only clinical studies using herbal medicine for patients without fever or respiratory symptoms were selected. We excluded the cases that do not fit the research topic. Results: A total of 5 studies were finally selected. Among them, four of them used integrated herbal medicine and Western medicine, and one of the studies treated exclusively for herbal medicine. There were a total of seven prescriptions for herbal medicine used in the study. Outcome variables were used as following: lab test, nucleic acid conversion time, hospitalization period, chest CT, and etc. In the RCT study, herbal medicine and Western medicine decreased nucleic acid conversion time, average hospitalization time compared to the control group, but it was not statistically significant. No other adverse reactions were reported in all studies. Conclusion: According to the results, integrated herbal medicine and Western medicine might be an effective treatment for patients with COVID-19 asymptomatic infection reducing hospitalization period, time of nucleic acid turning negative. No severe adverse effects were reported. However, it is thought that better-designed research will be needed in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2013

Objectives : As Daily Dose of Zizyphi Fructus was designated by the numbers in Treatise on Cold Damage Disease, estimation of Daily Dose was all different among researchers. The purpose of this study was to estimate exact Daily Dose of Zizyphi Fructus. Methods : We fixed the errors in various copy of Treatise on Cold Damage Disease and considered the meaning of the Bee Zizyphi Fructus(肥大棗) and general rules of Daily Dose in Treatise on Cold Damage Disease. So we reduced Daily Dose of Zizyphi Fructus, and compared this with the standard of Zizyphy Fructus in Pharmacopoeia of several Nation and Korean Forest Service. Results : Daily Dose of Zizyphi Fructus was generally 12 pieces; less was for prescriptions which scaled down the amount of ingredients prescribed in the originals; 15, 25, and 30 pieces were used when more was required. The medicinal part was the pulp of fructus, and the dosage of 12 pieces was respectively equivalent to 3 Ryang(兩), and 19.5 g. As defined in the Korean Pharmacopoeia Ninth Edition and standards of forest products by Korea Forest Service, Zizyphi Fructus was medium-sized, and weighs about 1.625 g if properly dehydrated. Conclusions : In short, the proper Daily Dose of Zizyphi Fructus in Treatise on Cold damage Disease was 12 pieces of Zizyphi Fructus and 19.5 g of its pulp, weighing three Ryang(兩). The pulp was estimated to be 1.625 g; it was medium-sized according to the present standard.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to confirm the consumption trends of Korean medicine for health food consumption of consumers by using the Naver DataLab Shopping Insight service. Methods : In this study, the search data for the category of Korean herbal ingredients in the health food field of Naver Datalab shopping insight site was collected and sorted in order of frequency from August 1st, 2017 to June 22nd, 2022. The frequently searched keywords were organized based on the inclusion of Korean Pharmacopoeia (KP), Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia (KHP), and Food Code. Results : 67,804 keywords were collected, and the most frequent keywords appearing for more than 200 days among the top 500 were 827 (1.184%). Among the frequent keywords, there were 149 keywords related to traditional medicine names included in the KP and KHP, and five prescriptions were included. 60 keywords were not included in the KP and KHP, and the keyword with the highest search frequency was "kujibbongnamu" (Maclura tricuspidata). Conclusions : The findings of this study provide information on the consumer's interest in traditional korean medicine (TKM) and natural products (NP), and can be used as a basis for understanding the demand for TKM and NP in the online shopping market.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.55-74
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• 2024

Objectives: This study reviewed the status of adverse event (AE) reporting in VigiAccess using anti-obesity agents as examples and explored the possibility of its use and future challenges. Methods: AE reports related to some representative drugs among herbal medicines (HMs), complex HM prescriptions, ingredients of supplements, and over-the-counter and prescription medicines were investigated using VigiAccess on February 1, 2024. Results: AE reports on prescription drugs were overwhelmingly higher than those on HMs or supplements. Although most reports were submitted from North America, reports on Ephedra sinica and green tea extract (GTE) were more from Asia and Europe, respectively. The female population reported more, and the difference in the sex ratio was the smallest for Ephedra spp. The age group was concentrated on young adults, but many older patients reported GLP-1 receptor agonist-related AEs. Symptoms related to the gastrointestinal and nervous systems were most commonly reported, but mental and cardiac disorders were common in Ephedra-type HMs. Hepatobiliary disorders are also commonly found in GTE-related reports. Conclusions: VigiAccess was useful for easily checking the global status of AE reporting for prescription drugs. However, several limitations were observed in using VigiAccess for HMs because of the few reports. Thus, it is necessary to increase the number of reports by education and to promote AE reporting among HM prescribers and users. The full range of HMs should be included in the pharmacovigilance system, and the coding and classification of HMs should be revised.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.165-171
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• 2023

COVID-19 infection heightens the risk of thromboembolism. To see the similarities between the COVID-19 infection and Taeyang blood retention pattern, we conducted a PubMed search using specific terms related to blood circulation issues in the context of COVID-19, summarizing findings from 13 cases and 4 observational studies involving actual patients. Patients with COVID-19 are at risk of blood coagulation due to factors such as viral-induced cytokine storms, vascular endothelial dysfunction, reduced mobility in bedridden or isolated individuals, and resulting constipation. Additionally, cytokine storms and severe inflammation can lead to delirium in COVID-19 patients. The Taeyang blood retention pattern manifests as symptoms arising from delirium and an increased blood coagulation tendency in patients with a robust immune response. According to the Sanghan theory, certain herbal treatments can alleviate symptoms in patients with a tight lower abdomen who do not experience urinary issues. Studies show that components like Persicae Semen and Rhei Redix et Rhizoma in these prescriptions enhance blood circulation and reduce hypercoagulability. Additionally, these treatments aim to promote blood flow by relieving abdominal pressure through facilitating bowel movements. The excessive inflammation and heightened blood coagulation tendency in COVID-19 resemble the Taeyang blood retention pattern, although they are caused by different pathogens. Reinterpreting classical oriental medicine's principles in a modern context may enhance our understanding of traditional East Asian Medicine and foster future developments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.213-223
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• 2007

Objective : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. With an aging populace, AD is a looming problem in public health service. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by specific neuronal degeneration in certain areas of the brain. Mutations and abnormal expression of several genes are associated with ${\beta}-amyloid$ deposits and Alzheimer's disease; among them APP, PS1, and PS2, SOD, free radical, ROS. Methods:We studied herbal medicines that have a relationship to brain degeneration. From pre-modern times, although a variety of oriental prescriptions of Aster tataricus have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Result : Based on morphological observations by phase-contrast microscope, TUNEL assay and MTT in the culture media, $H_20_2-induced$ cell death was significantly inhibited by Aticus. We examined by ROS formation, catalase activity and GSH activity. We studied the protective effect and inhibitory effects of neurotoxicity in $H_20_2-induced$ PC-12 cells by Aticus. Findings from our experiments show that Aticus inhibits apoptosis, which has neurotoxicities and cell damage in PC-12 cells. In addition, treatment with Aticus ($>25{\mu}g/ml$ for 6hrs) partially prevented $H_20_2-induced$ cytotoxicity in PC-12 cells, and induced a protective effect. Conclusion : As the result of this study, in the Aticus group, the apoptosis in the nervous system was inhibited, protected against the degeneration of PC-12 cells by $H_20_2$. Taken together, Aticus exhibited inhibition of $H_20_2-induced$ apoptotic cell death. Aticus was found to induce protective effect on GSH and catalase in PC-12 cells. Based on these findings, Aticus may be beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 1998

약효(藥效) 및 안정성(安定性)이 입증(立證)된 한약(韓藥)으로부터 새로운 항균제(抗菌劑)를 도출(導出)하고자, 임상(臨床)에서 청열작용(淸熱作用)이 있거나 염증성(炎症性) 질환(疾患)과 박테리아의 감염(感染)으로 비롯된 질환(疾患)에 자주 쓰이는 22개(個)의 처방(處方)에 대(對)해 paper disk 법(法)을 사용(使用)하여 항균(抗菌) 효능(效能)을 검색(檢索)하였다. 시료(試料)는 한약(韓藥)의 고용(股用) 방법(方法)을 고려(考慮)하여 물로 추출(抽出)하였으며, 사용(使用) 균주(菌柱)로는 그람 양성균(陽性菌)인 포도상구균(葡萄狀球菌)과 고초균(枯草菌) 그리고 그람 음성균(陰性菌)인 대장균(大腸菌)과 녹농균(綠膿菌)을 사용(使用)하였고, 대조물질(對照物質)로는 tetracycline을 사용(使用)하여 상법(常法)에 의(依)해 실험(實驗)하였다. 22개(個)의 처방(處方) 가운데 백두옹탕(白頭翁湯), 황연해독탕(黃連解毒湯), 증황연황연해독탕(增黃連黃連解毒湯), 사심탕(瀉心湯), 용담사간탕(龍膽瀉肝湯), 선방활명음(仙方活命飮) 등(等)의 처방(處方)이 탁월(卓越)한 항균(抗菌) 활성(活性)을 보였다. 이 가운데 본(本) 연구(硏究)에서는 탕제(湯劑)의 구성(構成) 약재(藥材)가 다른 처방(處方)들에 비(比)해 비교적(比較的) 다양(多樣)한 선방활명음(仙方活命飮)에 대(對)해 활성(活性) 성분(成分)의 규명(糾明) 및 구성(構成) 약재간(藥材間)의 상화작용(相互作用)을 밝히고자 하였다. 선방활명음(仙方活命飮) 5 kg을 메탄올 (MeOH)로 추출(抽出)한 뒤 우수(優秀)한 항균(抗菌) 활성(活性)을 보인 에칠아세테이트 (EtOAc) 분획(分劃)에 대(對)하여 silica gel 및 Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography를 반복(反復)하여 stilbene 계열(系列)의 화합물(化合物)인 Rhapontigenin (Compound 1)과 Rhaponticin (Compound 2)을 얻었다. S. aureus SG 511에 대(對)해 Rhapontigenin은 50 mg/ml 이상(以上) 농도(濃度)에서 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었고, Rhaponticin은 $200\;mg/m{\ell}$ 농도(濃度)에서 미약(微弱)하게 유효(有效)한 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었으며, B. subtilis ATCC 6633에 대(對)해 Rhapontigenin은 50 mg/ml 이상(以上) 농도(濃度)에서 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었고, Rhaponticin은 200 mg/ml 농도(濃度)에서 우수(優秀)한 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었으며, 100 mg/ml 농도(濃度)에서 미약(微弱)하게 유효(有效)한 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었다. 또한 E. coli 055에 대(對)해서는 Rhapontigenin과 Rhaponticin 모두 200 mg/ml 농도(濃度)에서 미약(微弱)하게 유효(有效)한 항균(抗菌) 효과(效果)를 나타내었다. 이상(以上)의 결과(結果)로 보아 선방활명음(仙方活命飮)의 항균(抗菌) 효능(效能)은 군약(君藥)인 대황(大黃)의 성분(成分) 중(中)의 하나인 stilbene 계열(系列)의 화합물(化合物)인 Rhapontigenin과 Rhaponticin의 작용(作用)에 의(依)한 것이며, 이는 한의학(韓醫學) 방제(方劑) 원리(原理)인 군신좌사(君臣佐使) 이론(理論)에서 군약(君藥)이 주증(主症)에 주(主)로 작용(作用)하는 약물(藥物)이라는 것을 밝혀주는 것이라고 사료(思料)된다.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.11-23
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• 2015

Objectives : Through a comparative study between Sasang constitutional medicine and Syndrome identification and treatment medicine about the theory of diagnosis, the theory of herbal medicine, the theory of prescription, the theory of acupuncture and constitutional medicine to put forward a complementary perfect solution which has good clinical utility. Methods : We compared and sorted out the textbook of Korean Sasang constitutional medicine which named Sasang medicine, and also the textbook of Chinese TCM which was including Basic theory of TCM, Diagnostics of TCM, Science of Chinese materia medica, Pharmacology of traditional Chinese medical formulae, Science of acupuncture and moxibustion, Constitution of TCM, and also related papers. Results : (1) Through a comparative study between Sasang constitutional medicine and Syndrome identification and treatment medicine about diagnosis, herbal medicine, prescription and acupuncture, Sasang constitutional medicine is a medical system which gives priority to balance of organs, when Syndrome identification and treatment medicine is a medical system that gives priority to improve symptom. (2) The prescriptions of Sasang constitutional medicine are used for the treatment of basic pathogenesis in the chronic stage of the disease, which can recover vital qi, when Syndrome identification and treatment medicine are used for the treatment of stage pathogenesis in the acute stage of the disease, which can get rid of pathogenic factors. (3) There are two kind of complementary perfect solution between Sasang constitutional medicine and Syndrome identification and treatment medicine. One perfect complementary medicine is that Sasang constitutional medicine plays a major role when Syndrome identification and treatment medicine plays a supporting role. The other one is that Syndrome identification and treatment medicine plays a major role when Sasang constitutional medicine plays a supporting role. It determined by the usual symptoms and the symptoms now, vital qi and pathogenic factors, symptom and the root cause, acute stage and chronic stage, and the state of pathogenesis. Conclusion : A new perfect complementary medicine can be created which is based on the setting that Sasang constitutional medicine primarily treat the usual symptoms, vital qi, the root cause, chronic stage and basic pathogenesis when Syndrome identification and treatment medicine primarily treat the symptoms now, pathogenic factors, symptom, acute stage and stage pathogenesis.