• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2023

Objectives: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that negatively affects quality of life and health. It is associated with various disease and its prevalence is on the rise. Although various treatments for obesity are used, they have several adverse effects. Pharmacoacupuncture is a widely used method for treating various diseases and has the advantage of having fewer adverse effects. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy of pharmacoacupuncture in treating obesity. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to August 2023. Only randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Intervention groups included pharmacoacupuncture. Control groups had no limitation. The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI), and the secondary outcomes were body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and adverse effects. Continuous outcome data were presented as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 139 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Results revealed that BMI ((MD)=-0.98, 95% CI -1.84 to -0.11, Z=2.22, P=0.03, I²=0%), WC (MD=-4.29, 95% CI -7.51 to -1.08, Z=2.62, P=0.009, I²=38%) were significantly improved in the intervention groups compared to control groups. Adverse effects were reported in two studies. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that pharmacoacupuncture is an effective and safe therapy for simple obesity. Further detailed studies should be conducted on effects of pharmacoacupuncture for obesity to increase reliability.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 1999

Traditional oriental medicines have been used for treatment of various kinds of human cancers for long times and some of them proven to be effective clinically. However, the pharmacological actions and mechanisms related to cancer treatment are generally unknown. In an effort to clarify the action mechanisms of several oriental medicines used for cancer treatments, we planned this experimental procedures. We selected Cordyceps sinensis (冬蟲下草), Punellae Herba (夏枯草), Rehmanniae Radix (熟地黃), Paeoniae Radix (白芍藥), Oldenlandiae Herba (白花蛇舌草), Partulaceae Herba (馬齒? ), Scdopendra subspinipes mutilans (蜈蚣), Mylabris Phalerara (班蟄), Phellinus igniarius(桑黃), Ganodermae Lignum(靈芝) for evaluation, which have been used for patients of gastric cancers. The twenty grams of medicines were boiled in 100ml of water for 1 hour and filtered with $0.2\;{\mu}m$ pore-sized filter unit to remove insoluble particles. Initially we evaluated the effects oriental medicines on growth inhibition in stomach cancer cells. The gastric cancer cell line, AGS, was cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with l0% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and treated with $10{\mu}l$ oriental medicines per 1ml of medium up to 48 hours. The specimens were subjected to MTT assay for evaluation of growth inhibition. We found mat Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) markedly suppressed the growth of cancer cells as shown in results. Next, we checked the effects of oriental medicines on cancer on cell cycles and apptosis. Mylabrls phalerata (班蟄) inhibited cell cycle progression of cancer cells a compared with control cells and cells treated with other medicines. In addition, Mylabri phalerata (班蟄) induced apoptosis in 30-40% of stomch cancer cells within 24 hours. Other oriental medicines used for this experiments did not show apoptosis-inducing effects on cancer cells. Finally, we determined the expression levels of genes associated with cell cycle and apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and bcl-XL were downregulated by the treatment of Mylabris phalerata (班蟄). However, the expression levels of genes related to cell cycles were not altered significantly. In conclusion, we found that Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) has in vivo gowth-inhibiting and apptosis-inducing effects on stomach cancer cells. However, we think that at least animal experiments are necessay for evduations.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2007

The roots of Liriope platyphylla (Liliaceae) are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol (70%) extract of the roots of Liriope platyphylla (ELP70) on learning and memory using behavioral and immunohistochemical methods in mice. Control animals were treated with vehicle (10% Tween 80). With sub-chronic treatments of ELP70 (p.o.) for 14 days, the latency time was significantly increased compared with that of the vehicle-treated control group (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). Moreover, immunopositive cells for brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus and CA1 regions after ELP70 treatments for 14 days (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P < 0.05). In addition, those cells for nerve growth factor (NGF) were also increased in the hippocapmpal dentate gyrus region (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; P<0.05). These results suggest that the sub-chronic administration of ELP70 improves learning and memory, and that their beneficial effects are mediated, in part, by the enhancement of BDNF or NGF expression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2002

Learning and memory are essential requirements for every living organism in order to cope with environmental demands, and cholinergic systems are known to be involved in learning and memory. Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Gastrodia elata (GE) as a traditional Oriental medicine have been clinically used to treat or prevent memory deficits, including Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SB and GE on learning and memory in the Morris water maze task and the central cholinergic system of the rats with excitotoxic medial septum lesions. In the water maze test, the animals were trained to find a platform at a fixed position over 6 days and then received a 60-s probe trial in which the platform was removed from the pool on the 7th day. Ibotenic lesion of the medial septum (MS) impaired their performance in the maze test (latency of acquisition test on the 3rd day, $27.6{\pm}$4.4 sec vs. $61.7{\pm}17.7$ sec; retention test, $7.9{\pm}1.3%$ vs. $5.7{\pm}1.0%$: sharn vs. ibotenic lesioned groups, respectively) and reduced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) - immunoreactivity in the MS and the hippocarnpus, which is a marker for degeneration of the central cholinergic system (number of cells, $21.1{\pm}1.1$ vs. $13.2{\pm}1.3$: sham vs. ibotenic lesioned group). Daily administrations of SB (100mg/kg, p.o.) and GE (100mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 consecutive days produced significant reversals of ibotenic acid-induced deficit in learning and memory. These treatments also reduced the loss of cholinergic immunoreactivity in the MS and the hippocarnpus induced by ibotenic acid. These results demonstrated that SB and GE ameliorated learning and memory deficits through effects on the central nervous system, partly through effect on the acetylcholine system. Our studies suggest an evidence of SB and GE as treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-21
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• 2014

Objectives : To observe the regenerative effects of indirect moxibustion, a traditional Korean medical treatment on skeletal muscles using mouse model of skeletal muscle adiposity. Methods : Twenty seven ICR male mice were randomly assigned into Intact control(n=3), glycerol treatment together without moxibustion(n=12), and glycerol treatment together with moxibustion (n=12) groups. Mice of glycerol treatment groups were injected with 50 ${\mu}l$ DW(distilled water) containing 50 % of glycerol into the two tibialis anterior. After injection, moxibustion was applied at 'Shenshu'($BL_{23}$) and 'Zusanli'($ST_{36}$) acupoints three times per each session, every days for twelve days(total 12 treatments). Phospho-Erk1/2, Myostatin protein levels were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluo-rescence staining techniques for tissues of the tibialis anterior muscle. Smad, phospho-Smad were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Results : 1. Histological analysis of sections from injected TA muscles showed that glycerol induced rapidly muscle necrosis, with a maximum at day 3. 6 days and 9 days after injection, muscle was regenerating. 2. According to western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, phospho-Erk1/2 protein signals in glycerol treatment with moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment without moxibustion group. 3. According to western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, myostatin protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. 4. According to immunofluorescence staining, Smad protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. 5. According to immunofluorescence staining, phospho-Smad protein signals in glycerol treatment without moxibustion group were stronger compared to Intact and glycerol treatment with moxibustion group. Conclusions : These results confirm that indirect moxibustion of 'Shenshu'($BL_{23}$) and 'Zusanli'($ST_{36}$) influences muscle regeneration in mouse models of skeletal muscle adiposity. Further discussion, and the establishment of moxibustion mechanism will prompt clinical application of moxibustion.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2003

Objectives : The former study of Oriental Medicine on cancer has been mostly focused on lab studies with herbal medicine. Among this atmosphere, the aim of this study is to investigate the suitability of Oriental Medicine institutions to participate in cancer registry programme in R.O.K by investigating the type of treatments used for cancer patients in Oriental Medicine institutes. Methods : To investigate the actual conditions of cancer patients who visited Oriental Medicine institutes, a survey was done based on clinical charts of 258 patients of cancer. Results : The order for the percentage of the original tumor organ of the patients, the number of patients who recognized the outbreak on the year of the first visit was the biggest, and the number gradually decreased while the years passed. For the type of treatment, herbal medicine was the most for 92.6%, acupuncture 52.6%, moxibustion 16.7%, cupping 14.7%. It can be seen that multiple treatment was preferred to single treatment. Among the periods for herbal medication, 10 days was the most for 34.1%, 29.8% for within 50 days and 10.5% for within 100 days. The percentage of patients who took treatment of western medicine at the same time and those who took treatment of Oriental medicine only was 47.4% and 43.8% respectively. By surveying categories such as the symptoms, diagnosis of syndrome, principle of treatment from the chart by a free description, there was 841 names of symptoms, 207 diagnoses of syndromes and 206 principles of treatment. But no relation or connection between these could be found statistically. At there were even occasions which the doctor didn't record the cancer itself, precise investigatio for the actual condition of cancer patients in Oriental Medicine institutions appeared to be very difficult. Conclusions : It seems impossible to enroll cancer patients of Oriental Medicine institutions to the cancer registry programme in R.O.K as far as the patients are recorded only under the paradigm of Oriental Medicine. However, if the Oriental Medicine doctors keep a consistency in classifying categories such as cause of death, syndrome diagnosis, principle of treatment and prescriptions, and limit the choices, for each category, a pilot study for cancer registry programme in R.O.K. in Oriental Medicine could be carried out.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.706-716
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• 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes. Although diverse complicated etiologies are involved in its pathogenesis, a dysregulated gut-brain axis may be an important factor. Red ginseng (RG), a traditional herbal medicine, is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve brain function; however, these effects have not been investigated in IBS. Methods: Three-day intracolonic zymosan injections were used to induce post-infectious human IBS-like symptoms in mice. The animals were randomized to receive either phosphate-buffered saline (CG) or RG (30/100/300 mg/kg) for 10 days. Amitriptyline and sulfasalazine were used as positive controls. Macroscopic scoring was performed on day 4. Visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by colorectal distension and elevated plus maze and open field tests, respectively, on day 10. Next-generation sequencing of gut microbiota was performed, and biomarkers involved in gut-brain axis responses were analyzed. Results: Compared to CG, RG significantly decreased the macroscopic score, frequency of visceral pain, and anxiety-like behavior in the IBS mice. These effects were comparable to those after sulfasalazine and amitriptyline treatments. Moreover, RG significantly increased the proliferation of beneficial microbes, including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. RG significantly suppressed expression of IL-1β and c-fos in the gut and prefrontal cortex, respectively. Further, it restored the plasma levels of corticosterone to within the normal range, accompanied by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone. Conclusion: RG may be a potential therapeutic option for the management of human IBS.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.121-141
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• 2007

The outline and characteristics of the important doctors of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai'(折衷派) are as follows. Part 1. In the late Edo(江戶) period The 'Zhe Zhong Pai', which tried to take the theory and clinical treatment of the 'Hou Shi Pai (後世派)' and the 'Gu Fang Pai (古方派)' and get their strong points to make treatments perfect, appeared. Their point was 'The main part is the art of the ancients, The latter prescriptions are to be used'(以古法爲主, 後世方爲用) and the "Shang Han Lun(傷寒論)" was revered for its treatments but in actual use it was not kept at that. As mentioned above The 'Zhe Zhong Pai ' viewed treatments as the base, which was the view of most doctors in the Edo period, However, the reason the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' is not valued as much as the 'Gu Fang Pai' by medical history books in Japan is because the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' does not have the substantiation or uniqueness of the 'Gu Fang Pai', and also because the view of 'gather as well as store up' was the same as the 'Kao Zheng Pai', Moreover, the 'compromise'(折衷) point of view was from taking in both Chinese and western medical knowledge systems(漢蘭折衷), Generally the pioneer of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' is seen as Mochizuki Rokumon(望月鹿門) and after that was Fukui Futei(福井楓亭), Wadato Kaku(和田東郭), Yamada Seichin(山田正珍) and Taki Motohiro(多紀元簡), Part 2. The lives of Wada Tokaku(和田東郭), Nakagame Kinkei(中神琴溪), Nei Teng Xi Zhe(內藤希哲), the important doctors of the 'Zhe Zhong Pai', are as follows First. Wada Tokaku(和田東郭, 1743-1803) was born when the 'Hou Shi Pai' was already declining and the 'Gu Fang Pai' was flourishing and learned medicine from a 'Hou Shi Pai' doctor, Hu Tian Xu Shan(戶田旭山) and a 'Gu Fang Pai' doctor, Yoshimasu Todo(吉益東洞). He was not hindered by 'the old ways(古方), and did not lean towards 'the new ways(後世方)' and formed a way of compromise that 'looked at hardness and softness as the same'(剛柔相摩) by setting 'the cure of the disease' as the base, and said that to cure diseases 'the old way' must be used, but 'the new way' was necessary to supplement its shortcomings. His works include "Dao Shui Suo Yan", "Jiao Chiang Fang Yi Je" and "Yi Xue Sho(醫學說)" Second. Nakagame Kinkei(中神琴溪, 1744-1833) was famous for leaving Yoshirnasu Todo(吉益東洞) and changing to the 'Zhe Zhong Pai', and in his early years used qing fen(輕粉) to cure geisha(妓女) of syphilis. His argument was "the "Shang Han Lun" must be revered but needs to be adapted", "Zhong jing can be made into a follower but I cannot become his follower", "the later medical texts such as "Ru Men Shi Qin(儒門事親)" should only be used for its prescriptions and not its theories". His works include "Shang Han Lun Yue Yan(傷寒論約言) Third. Nei Teng Xi Zhe(內藤希哲, 1701-1735) learned medicine from Qing Shui Xian Sheng(淸水先生) and went out to Edo. In his book "Yi Jing Jie Huo Lun(醫經解惑論)" he tells of how he went from 'learning'(學) to 'skepticism'(惑) and how skepticism made him learn in 'the six skepticisms'(六惑). In the latter years Xi Zhe(希哲) combines the "Shen Nong Ben Cao jing(神農本草經)", the main text for herbal medicine, "Ming Tang jing(明堂經)" of accupuncture, basic theory texts "Huang Dui Nei jing(黃帝內徑)" and "Nan jing(難經)" with the "Shang Han Za Bing Lun", a book that the 'Gu Fang Pai' saw as opposing to the rest, and became 'an expert of five scriptures'(五經一貫). Part 3. Asada Showhaku(淺田宗伯, 1815-1894) started medicine at Zhong Cun Zhong(中村中倧) and learned 'the old way'(古方) from Yoshirnasu Todo and got experience through Chuan Yue(川越) and Fu jing(福井) and received teachings in texts, history and Wang Yangmin's principles(陽明學) from famous teachers. Showhaku(宗伯) meets a medical official of the makufu(幕府), Ben Kang Zong Yuan(本康宗圓), and recieves help from the 3 great doctors of the Edo period, Taki Motokato(多紀元堅), Xiao Dao Xue GU(小島學古) and Xi Duo Cun Kao Chuang and further develops his arts. At 47 he diagnoses the general Jia Mao(家茂) with 'heart failure from beriberi'(脚氣衝心) and becomes a Zheng Shi(徵I), at 51 he cures a minister from France and received a present from Napoleon, at 65 he becomes the court physician and saves Ming Gong(明宮) jia Ren Qn Wang(嘉仁親王, later the 大正犬皇) from bodily convulsions and becomes 'the vassal of merit who saved the national polity(國體)' At the 7th year of the Meiji(明治) he becomes the 2nd owner of Wen Zhi She(溫知社) and takes part in the 'kampo continuation movement'. In his latter years he saw 14000 patients a year, so we can estimate the quality and quantity of his clinical skills Showhaku(宗伯) wrote over 80 books including the "Ju Chuang Shu Ying(橘窓書影)", "WU Wu Yao Shi Fang Han(勿誤藥室方函)", "Shang Han Biang Shu(傷寒辨術)", "jing Qi Shen Lun(精氣神論)", "Hunag Guo Ming Yi Chuan(皇國名醫傳)" and the "Xian Jhe Yi Hua(先哲醫話)". Especially in the "Ju Chuang Shu Ying(橘窓書影)" he says "the old theories are the main, and the new prescriptions are to be used"(以古法爲主, 後世方爲用), stating the 'Zhe Zhong Pai' way of thinking. In the first volume of "Shung Han Biang Shu(傷寒辨術) and "Za Bing Lun Shi(雜病論識)", 'Zong Ping'(總評), He discerns the parts that are not Zhang Zhong Jing's writings and emphasizes his theories and practical uses.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.4
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• 2018

Pharmacopuncture, or herbal acupuncture, is a new form of therapy derived from combinations of two traditional therapeutic methods, herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy. To compare the efficacy between loratadine-pharmacopuncture (LP) and loratadine-oral administration (LO), the effect of loratadine was investigated in murine models. Anti-anaphylactic effects of loratadine treatments were investigated in compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). LP treatment significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and PCA. The effect between LP and LO were on a similar level. These results indicate that LP can be used as an alternative method for LO in case of emergency.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.128-144
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• 2006

This Study aims at looking into the use of oriental medical services in treating hypertension. The first objective to be explored through this study is the morbidity caused by the disease, classifying them by age, gender, and occupation. The second is to determine the regular use of anti-hypertensive medicine and their efficacy in controlling blood-pressure. The third is to investigate the use-rate and satisfaction of oriental medical service. 838 households across the country, were asked to answer questionnaires for the period of time from Apr. to Jun. 2005. The conclusion from the survey can be summarized as following. The age of which the first medical diagnosis of hypertension were made showed lower in males, those with higher education and income. The study showed females were more active in blood-pressure control, with their frequent monitoring of blood-pressure for the past year. With age, people in under 50 age group proved to be less active. The management of high blood pressure was more effective in group with regular dosage compared to group with irregular use of anti-hypertensive medication, but their difference was minimal. Also, group with no medication showed signs of blood-pressure control. The use of oriental medical service for the past year, were more frequent in groups with lower education, either low or high income, old age, females and occupations in agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. Females, people over 51 years old and with lower education showed more intentions in utilizing oriental medical services in the future. Results were similar in both general population and high blood-pressure patient group. It is necessary to offer a more accurate information on oriental medical treatments. Also, a systematic reform to reduce the patient's share of the treatment cost, as well as, heightening public awareness on the infirmity of present blood-pressure management system is crucial.