• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.191-198
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• 2021

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 2022

Background: Various treatments are used to relieve menopausal symptoms for women. However, herbal substances are frequently used as complementary and alternative therapies as other treatments can increase ovarian and breast cancer risk. While the herbal substances' therapeutic effect is essential, the safety of their use is considered more important. This study aims to confirm the safety of red ginseng and herb extract complex (RHC), which are used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study recruited and divided 120 women experiencing menopausal symptoms into the RHC and placebo groups (60 women per group). Subjects were administered with 2 g RHC or placebo daily for 12 wk. Adverse reactions, female hormonal changes, and uterine thickness were observed and recorded on wk 0, 6, and 12. Hematologic and blood chemistry tests were also conducted. Results: The reactions of the subjects who received RHC or placebo at least once were analyzed. A total of six adverse reactions occurred in the RHC group, while nine occurred in the placebo group; common reactions observed in both groups were genital, subcutaneous tissue, and vascular disorders. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the administration groups (p = 0.5695), and no severe adverse reactions occurred in both groups.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.905-910
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• 2002

To investigate an eliminatory effect of mixed extract of Hovenia dulcis Thunb, Gastrodia elata and Alnus japonica etc., on the ethanol-induced hangover, 12 hr-fasted male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220±20 g were given mixed extract (10 mL/kg, p.o.) and administered ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg bw (25% in distilled water) orally 30 min postdosing. Blood was collected from caudal artery at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hr and then the animals were sacrificed at 24 hr after the ethanol treatment. From 0 to 12 hr, the administration of mixed extract significantly decreased the area under the serum alcohol concentrations-vs.-time curves by 21 % compared with control group. In these experiments, liver function indices, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities, showed unaltered results in all treated groups compared with the normal group. These results suggest that oral intake of the mixed extract may be effective on elimination of ethanol-induced hangover.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mixture of Gastrodiae rhizoma (GM) on blood amelioration in high cholesterol-diet rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to one normal diet and three high cholesterol-diet groups which contained 1 % (w/w) cholesterol diet. The groups of high cholesterol-diet were classified to control (high cholesterol-diet only), GM-1 (high cholesterol-diet and GM) and ST-1 (high cholesterol-diet and Statin drug). The body and organs weight were not significantly changed among the tested groups. Contents of serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased in cholesterol-diet groups compared with normal diet group but significantly decreased in the group of GM-1. Morphology of red blood cell in GM-1 group was similar to normal diet group but the control group had many crystals of cholesterol. Hepatic xanthine oxidase activity in the rats of high cholesterol-diet was decreased up to the levels of normal diet group according to oral administration of GM. The results of the present study demonstrate that the orally injection of GM can ameliorate the status of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and repress xanthine oxidase in liver in high cholesterol-diet rats. These finding suggest that GM is expected to be an effective tea for the blood amelioration in high cholesterol-diet rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.707-713
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• 2002

Astragali radix (AR) is one of the oldest and mast frequently used crude drug for traditional medicine in many Asian countries. This study designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extracted AR (ARE) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice. APAP at the dose of 450 mg/kg i.p produced liver damage in ICR mice. Serum enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenese was dramatically decreased up to control level by pretreatment of ARE. However, hepatic glutathione level did not show a significant change between the tested groups. We also investigated TNF α mRNA gene expression on APAP-induced liver damage by RT-PCR. APAP dramatically induced TNF α mRNA gene expression in ICR mice. Pretreatment of mice with ARE led to a marked decrease of TNF α mRNA gene expression. These data indicate that 1) ARE has clearly revealed a hepatoprotective effect against APAP-induced hepatic damage in ICR mice, and 2) the protective effect of ARE may be, in part, associated with the regulation of TNF α mRNA gene expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4281-4288
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• 2016

Background: Traditional meta-analyses or systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been used to compare laser surgeries and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP), but they cannot provide a hierarchy regarding efficacy and safety of treatment. Objective: We therefore performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare and create hierarchies for efficacy and safety of TUPR and laser surgeries for BPH. Materials and Methods: We searched for reports of RCTs published up to April 25, 2015. After methodological quality assessment and data extraction, we performed an NMA to compare TURP and laser surgeries for BPH. Results: We ranked the treatments of TURP and laser surgeries for BPH. For IPSS at 6 months, holmium laser resection of the prostate (HoLRP) ranked the first-best and at 12 months, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). For Qmax at 6 and 12 months, HoLEP ranked the first-best; for operative time it was TURP; for cathedral removal time, diode laser enucleation of the prostate (DiLEP) ranked the first-best. Conclusions: Although TURP is considered the gold standard for treating BPH, it is not better in terms of efficacy and safety compared with the laser surgery. Our NMA created hierarchies for the 9 types of surgery in terms of efficacy and safety, which should help clinicians choose the best approach for the individual patient.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the current regulatory guidances of safety and efficacy evaluation for the approval of stereoisomeric drugs in Korea and US. According to the regulatory guidelines in major countries (EU, Canada, US), the important categories for the development of stereoisomeric drugs are classified as 1) development of a single enantiomer as a new active substances 2) development of a racemate as a new active substance 3) development of a new single enantiomer from an approved racemate. For this study, domestic regulatory documents for current guidelines of stereoisomeric drugs were investigated. Also four typical stereoisomeric drugs for three categories were chosen to investigate the new drug submission documents of KFDA and FDA for the safety and efficacy evaluation of stereoisomeric drugs. It is expected that these comparative results between KFDA and FDA will be useful for the safety and efficacy for the regulatory approval of stereoisomeric drugs in Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.75-91
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• 2012

Background: Dental sedation reduces fear and phobia during dental treatment and helps patients get quality treatment by inducing adequate consciousness control. Propofol has recently grabbed the spotlight, but no meta-analysis for efficacy and safety of propofol in dentistry has yet been performed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to perform meta-analysis to verify the efficacy and safety of propofol for use in dental sedation. Methods: Articles published between 1980 and 2010 were searched in the web sites, journals and medical database including The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and EMBASE. And a total of 22 studies were selected among the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the use of propofol with other sedatives (control group). The data was collected from these studies and meta-analysis for efficacy and safety was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 5.0 (CMA 5.0). Results: The patient recovered significantly faster and discharged significantly earlier in the propofol group (SMD = -1.442, P < 0.001). The satisfaction of patient and that of operator was higher in the propofol group (P < 0.05). The incidence of arrhythmia and apnea/ hypoventilation was significantly lower in the propofol group (OR = 0.071, P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the other side effects. On the level of sedation, although the sedation score was significantly lower in the propofol group (SMD = -0.430, P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present analysis showed that the use of propofol resulted in high satisfaction levels on the part of the patients and operators, a shorter recovery time, and faster hospital discharge. The incidence of complications, however, was lower in the propofol groups or not much different between the propofol and control groups. Thus, the adequate use of propofol in dentistry is believed to be helpful for the effective and safe sedation of the patients.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.21-31
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• 2022

This study attempted to identify factors affecting the clinical nurse's medication safety competence. Data collection was conducted with 154 nurses working in two tertiary general hospitals. Data were analyzed using by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis with SPSS 26.0 program. As a result of the study, medication safety competence had a statistically significant correlation with problem-solving ability and self-efficacy. The factors influencing medication safety competences were in order of self-efficacy, problem-solving ability, work pattern, and current site work experience, which together accounted for 64.7% of the total variance. Therefore, in order to improve the clinical nurse's medication safety competences, prioritizing the development of a program to enhance self-efficacy and problem-solving ability is required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.97-108
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• 2012

Objectives : To demonstrate the importance of syndrome differentiation in clinical research of herb medication, through the comparative study on efficacy and safety of herb medication according to cold-heat tendency of OA knee patients. Methods : During December 2010 to July 2011, 138 knee OA patients were randomly assigned to WIN-34B 600mg(300mg, b.i.d.), 1,200mg(600mg, b.i.d.) and placebo b.i.d. for 8 weeks. Patient were re-classified into cold-heat tendency group according to cold-heat questionnaires. To investigate efficacy and safety, we assessed the 100mm pain VAS at baseline and 8 weeks later, and we monitored adverse event of patients during treatment period. Results : 1. Efficacy study : In WIN-34B 1,200mg group, VAS mean changes of heat tendency group showed slightly increase than those of cold tendency, but no significant difference within two groups. In heat tendency group, WIN-34B 1,200mg group showed a significant decrease of VAS compared to placebo group. but there were no significant difference in cold tendency group. 2. Safety study; In WIN-34B 600mg group, incidence of adverse events of cold tendency group was higher than those of heat tendency, but not in WIN-34B 1,200mg group. Conclusions : This study suggests that WIN-34B tend to have more efficacy in heat tendency-knee OA patients and WIN-34B is safe drug relatively, regardless of cold-heat tendency. In further clinical research on efficacy and safety of WIN-34B, stratification using syndrome differentiation is required.