• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 2002

Okbyungpoongsan-Gami (OG) has been used for the treatment of excessive sweating with general weakness and allergic rhinitis recently. Anal therapy is another way of taking Oriental medicine. It is an important pathway but not available in common clinical situation. This experiment was performed in order to study the inhibitory effect of immediate-type allergic reaction of OG by anal therapy. In addition, the experiment was practised by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy to examine molecular structure of OG. The results were obtained as follows : OG concentration-dependently inhibited compound 48/80- induced immediate type systemic allergic reaction with concentrations of 0.01-1.0g/kg by anal administration 1 h before injection of compound 48/80. OG also concentration-dependently inhibited compound 48/80- induced ear swelling response with concentrations of 0.01-1g/kg by anal administration 1h before injection of compound 48/80. OG also inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody concentration- dependently at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1g/kg. When OG was pretreated at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1g/ℓ, the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells induced by compound 48/80 was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. OG (0.1-1g/ℓ) had a significant inhibitory effect on histamine release from IgE-induced activated mast cells. OG is seen to be a biochemical compound certainly by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy According to above results, anal therapy of OG may be beneficial in the treatment of systemic and local immediate-type allergic reactions by inhibition of histamine release from mast cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1179-1185
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• 2004

The Korean traditional medicine, Seonghyangjeonggisan (SHJGS) has long been used for acute cerebral infarction (Cl). However, scientific investigation has been carried out a little. Cytokines, involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Cl. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of SHJGS on the production of various cytokines in the patients with acute Cl. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patients with acute Cl were cultured for 24hr in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, in PBMC culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the LPS and PHA treated cells, compared with unstimulated cells (P<0.05). This study showed that increased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 level stimulated by LPS and PHA was inhibited by SHJGS (0.01-1 ㎎/㎖) in a dose-dependent manner but IL-8 level was not inhibited significantly at 1㎎/㎖ (P>0.05). The maximal inhibition rate of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 by SHJGS (1㎎/㎖) was 68% (P<0.05), 53.9% (P<0.05), 45.5% (P<0.05), 46.7% (P>0.05) respectively. These results suggest that SHJGS might have anti-inflammatory effects through cytokine modulation. which might explain its beneficial effects in the treatment of acute Cl.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2013

Pruritus is a unpleasant symptom in the skin that provokes the act of or desire to scratch. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions such as pruritus and inflammation. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the synergic anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix (SB) plus Flos Loncerae (FL) extracts in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), pruritogen-induced scratching mice and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic mice. We investigated the effect of SB, FL and SB plus FL extracts on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and histamine in RPMCs, on the scratching behavior in ICR mice, and skin clinical serverity and inflammatory mediators in DNFB-induced allergic hairless mice. RPMCs stimulated with PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$ or histamine levels increased by PMA plus A23187 or compound 48/80 treatment were significantly inhibited by SB, FL in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, SB plus FL pretreatment had a synergic inhibitory effects on stimulator-induced cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$) and histamine production. Moreover, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine, serotonin, substance P) in ICR mice. Furthermore, SB plus FL administration had a synergic inhibitory effects on skin damage, inflammatory mediators, leukocyte and mast cell infiltration induced by DNFB in hairless mice. These results suggest that SB plus FL administration has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against itching and inflammation-related skin disease.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2006

YNB54 strain which shows inhibitory activities specific to the plant pathogenic Phytophthora sp. on potato dextrose agar medium was screened among lots of strains isolated from Korean soils. To identify taxonomy of the Phytophthora specific antagonistic bacteria YNB54, 165 rDNA sequence, MIDI fatty acid composition, DNA-DNA hybridization, GC content, and commercial multitest systems such as API 20E and Biolog GN were performed. Results of commercial kits including lots of biochemical and physiological reactions showed that this strain was closely related to taxa including Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter cancerogenus species than other genera(Citerobacter Klebsiella, Leclercia). Also, analysis of its MIDI, G+C contents, and DNA-DNA hybridization suggests that this strain was more similiar to the Genus Enterobacter than other genera (Citerobacter Klebsiella, Leclercia). This strain was potentially identified as Enterobacter sp. by these results. But our 16S ribosomal DNA sequences (rDNA) analysis confirmed that it was more closely related to the cluster of Citerobacter freundii ATCC 29935 than any other Enterobacter species. In the absence of defined phylogenetic critia for delineating genera, the results observed with Citrobacter and Enterobacter species suggest that further studies are needed to clarify their relationships. This investigation demonstrates that YNB54 strain is genetically diverse and potentially more taxonomically complex than hitherto realized. Further study is necessary to confirm their taxonomic positions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1106-1115
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• 2009

Mori Ramulus has multiple applications in Korean traditional medicine prescription because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing macrophage activities. Yet, no studies on the anti-arthritic activity of EMR (extract of Mori Ramulus) have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells in affected joints, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone. Because collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is similar to RA in pathological symptoms and immune reactions, there have been several reports concerning RA using CIA mouse model. Here, we investigated the effects of Mori Ramulus on RA using CIA mice. The importance of CD4+ Th1 cells in RA progress was previously indicated and studies further showed that Th17 cells play a prime role in severity of disease. Accordingly, the present study was focused on CIA associated with CD4+ Th1 cells and Th1 7 cells. DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII). After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with EMR once a day for 4 weeks. The severity of arthritis within the paw joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), draining lymph node (DLN) and paw joints, cytokine production and gene expression were assessed from CIA mouse using ELISA, FACS and real-time PCR analysis. Administration of EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-17 in the serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with EMR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was mediated by the decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-17 and collagen II-specific antibody in the serum. EMR suppressed Th17 cells and reduced level of IL-6 via B cell suppression, and thus, the levels of autoantibodies produced from B cells were decreased. Furthermore, EMR suppressed NKT cells which directly stimulate B cells and develop imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell. Oral administration of EMR (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) used as a positive control. We are currently studying the mechanism underlying the therapeutic role for EMR in CIA mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2014

Lonicerae Flos containing formulation, Geumeumyoungji-tang (GYT), is an herbal prescription prepared using 5 different herbal drugs, namely, Lonicerae Flos, Ganoderma, Lactucae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, and Smilacis Rhizoma. This study was focused on the investigation of the pharmacological effects of GYT on allergic reactions. As the first step of the study, GYT was administered BALB/c mice which were sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the result GYT ameliorated dermatitis provoked by DNFB. The serum IgE level of the DNFB sensitized-mouse was significantly decreased when GYT was administered. In order to confirm the moderating effect of this prescription on allergic reaction, GYT was pretreated to human mast cells (HMC-1) before they were stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). GYT suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, from HMC-1. Additionally, pretreatment of GYT showed regulating effect on COX-2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the pharmacological actions of GYT as a potential agent for treatment of allergic dermatitis.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2010

This study investigated the effects of contiguity and reading mode on cognitive load factors measured by Galvanic Skin Response(GSR). In this study two experimental conditions were imposed to participants to measure cognitive load with the high contiguity picture and low contiguity picture. Thirty-four college students participated to this experiment(experiment group=17, control group=17), and spilt-plot factorial design was applied to control individual difference in galvanic skin response. Tasks of this experiment were reading and summary. The dependent variables were skin conductance response, and perceived difficulty. The independent variables were the degree of contiguity of visual material(high contiguity vs. low contiguity). The major result of this study was identification of a significant difference of GSR with low contiguity condition. Indeed it was identified that more complex reading condition required more cognitive loads. This finding supported that different cognitive process might require different amounts of cognitive loads. For the further research, this study discussed the validity of applying physiological signals to assess cognitive loads and relationships the associated affective reactions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.88-97
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• 2018

This study was designed to prove the effect of the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment on pain and function improvement of low back pain patients. A retrospective observational study. 30 low back pain patients, checked numeric rating scale(NRS) over 5, were treated with the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment. NRS, roland & morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), range of motion(ROM), isokinetic muscle strength, and euroqol five demension questionnaire(EQ-5D) were checked to evaluate patients. The Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment reduced NRS $5.67{\pm}1.40$ to $3.73{\pm}1.72$, improved RMDQ $10.33{\pm}4.91$ to $8.17{\pm}5.40$, strengthened lumbar muscle's peak torque and improved EQ-5D $0.56{\pm}0.20$ to $0.63{\pm}0.15$ and euroqol visual analogue scale(EQVAS) $46.80{\pm}19.95$ to $57.50{\pm}19.93$ but had no effect on ROM. NRS decreased significantly as the number of trials increased. No one had serious adverse reactions. As described above, the Daoyin exercise therapy combined with complex korean medicine treatment can help reducing low back pain, improving lumbar function, strengthening lumbar muscle power and stamina and improving quality of life of low back pain patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.322-330
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated long-term care hospital nurses' knowledge and practice of pain management and their attitudes towards the job with an ultimate aim to provide fundamental information for development of a pain education program. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 120 nurses from four long-term care hospitals. Nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards pain management was measured using a tool developed by Watt-Watson. To examine their pain management practice, an instrument was developed based on the pain management guidelines used by the long-term care settings. Results: For pain management knowledge, the participants gave an average of 26.2 (${\pm}13.10$) correct answers out of 40 questions. The most frequently missed question was one about subjectivity of pain, "Patients' physiological and behavioral reactions to pain hint at the presence and intensity of pain" (89.2%), and 56.7% of the nurses believed that increasing tolerance for a narcotic analgesic means addiction. Regarding attitudes towards and practice of pain management, 80.2% of the nurses used placebos to patients who complain about pain often. Conclusion: This study revealed poor level of pain management knowledge of and attitude among long-term care hospital nurses. This might negatively affect their pain management practice. From the educational perspective, nurses should be provided with education on pain management education with emphasis on the nature of pain and misuse of placebo drugs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.548-556
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• 2006

This study was to evaluate the effect of Samjayangchin-tang (STYCT) on mouse Th1 and Th2 cells' differentiation and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic inflammation. The proliferation of mouse CD4 T cells and the secretion of Th1/Th2 cytokines under the influence of STYCT extract were measured as well as the amount of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells and the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion in Raw264.7 cells. BALB/c mice were orally administered with STYCT extract and simultaneously inoculated with OVA to induce allergic reaction and measure the level of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and the production of IFN- g, IL-4, IL-5 by the spleen cells. When mouse CD4 T cell were stimulated with anti-CO3 and anti-CD28 for 48 hours in various concentrations of STYCT extract, it decreased proliferation of CD4 cells. CD4 T cells under Th1/Th2 polarizing conditions for 3 days with STYCT resulted in mild decrease of IFN- g in Th1 cells and significant decrease of IL-4 in Th2 cells. STYCT extract had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on antigen-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ in RBL-2H3 cells. Treatment of STYCT extract on LPS stimulated Raw 264.7 cells showed dose-dependent decrease in IL-6 production. Oral administration of STYCT extract on OVA-induced allergic mice showed an inhibitory effect on the levels of total serum IgE and OVA-specific IgE by 53% and 44%, respectively. Culture of spleen cells with OVA resulted in significant increase of IFN- g by 54% and significant decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 by 42%, and 29%, respectively. The results show that STYCT does not strongly induce mouse T cells to transform into Th1 or Th2 but it has an anti-allergic effect in vitro, and that it also corrects the unbalance between the reactions of Th cells in allergic diseases.