• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.227-250
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• 1999

The free radical theory of aging was introduced in 1956 by Denham Harman. This aging theory proposed that normal aging results from random deleterious damage to tissues by free radical and supplying antioxidant lead to decrease oxidative damage, inhibit aging process. In this study, we investigated antioxidantive effects of four Korean constitutional prescriptions for 'Soum' constitution - Palmulgunjatang(Y1), Sipyimiguanjungtang(Y2), Osuyubujayijungtang(Y3) and Seungyangyikkibujatang(Y4). Antioxidative activity of this prescriptions was examined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyrdazyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging effects and erythrocyte hemolysis inhibitory effects. Y2 and Y3 were shown to have relatively high antioxidative activity on this methods. In additions, result of the cytoprotective effects of Korean constitutional prescriptions agianst 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical initiator, induced cytotoxcity in human hepatoblastoma cell line was similarly obtained. On the basis of this result, we assayed the antioxidative effects of Y2 and Y3 on experimental oxidative damage, induced in mouse by 100mg/kg AAPH. Male ICR mouse were given oral administration of 500mg/kg Y2 and Y3 for 4 weeks. Thiobarbuturic acid reactive substance (TBARS) and protein degradation level in liver, plasma and brain as index of oxidative damage were decreased and thiol compound, total antioxidant status in plasma were increased by Y2 administration. But, Y3 injected group was decreased only protein degradation level in brain. Also, glutathione, a potent water-soluble endogenous antioxidant, concentration was increased by Y2 and Y3 administration in liver and brain. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity as a major antioxidative enzyme in vivo were not shown change by Y2 and Y3 administration. On the basis of these result, Y2 have an antioxidative effects on both water-soluble fraction and lipid-solube fraction in cell and tissues. But, Y3 has a lower antioxidative effects on lipid-soluble fraction than Y2 in cell and tissues. These results suggest that Y2 has a antioxidative effects by protect the tissue against oxygen free radical mediated oxidative damage and Y3 has a limited antioxidaitve effects on water-soluble fraction in vivo. Therefore, we make report that Y2 is more effective prescriptions for anti-aging or therapeutics of diseases.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.72
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• pp.365-400
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• 2018

The signs of $G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}$(干支: the sexagesimal calendar system) almanac, which marked each year, month, day and time with 60 ordinal number marks made by combining 10 $Ti{\bar{a}}ng{\bar{a}}ns$(天干: the decimal notation to mark date) and 12 $D{\grave{i}}zh{\bar{i}}s$(地支 : the duodecimal notation to mark date), were used not only as the sign of the factors affecting the occurrence of a disease and treatment in the area of traditional oriental medicine, but also as the indicator of prejudging fortunes in different areas of future prediction techniques.(for instance, astrology, the theory of divination based on topography, four pillars of destiny and etc.) While theories of many future predictive technologies with this $G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}$(干支) almanac signs as the standard had been established in many ways by Han dynasty, it is difficult to find almanac discussion later on the fundamental theory of 'how it works like that'. As for the method to mark the era of $Ti{\bar{a}}nt{\check{i}}l{\grave{i}}$(天體曆: a calendar made with the sidereal period of Jupiter and the Sun), which determines the name of a year depending on where $Su{\grave{i}}x{\bar{i}}ng$(歲星: Jupiter) is among the '12 positions of zodiac', there are three main ways of $$Su{\grave{i}}x{\bar{i}}ng-J{\grave{i}}ni{\acute{a}}nf{\check{a}}$$(歲星紀年法: the way to mark an era by the location of Jupiter on the celestial sphere), $$T{\grave{a}}isu{\grave{i}}-J{\grave{i}}ni{\acute{a}}nf{\check{a}}$$ (太歲紀年法: the way to mark an era by the location facing the location of Jupiter on the celestial sphere) and $$G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}-J{\grave{i}}ni{\acute{a}}nf{\check{a}}$$(干支紀年法: the way to mark an era with Ganzhi marks). Regarding $$G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}-J{\grave{i}}ni{\acute{a}}nf{\check{a}}$$(干支紀年法), which is actually the same way to mark an era as $$T{\grave{a}}isu{\grave{i}}-J{\grave{i}}ni{\acute{a}}nf{\check{a}}$$(太歲紀年法) with the only difference in the name, there are more than three ways, and one of them has continued to be used in China, Korea and so on since Han dynasty. The name of year of $G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}$(干支) this year, 2018, has become $W{\grave{u}}-X{\bar{u}}$(戊戌) just by 'accident'. Therefore, in this discussion, the need to realize this situation was emphasized in different areas of traditional techniques of future prediction in which distinct theories have been established with the $G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}$(干支) mark of year, month, day and time. Because of the 1 sidereal period of Jupiter, which is a little bit shorter than 12 years, once about one thousand years, 'the location of Jupiter on the zodiac' and 'the name of a year of 12 $D{\grave{i}}zh{\bar{i}}s$(地支) marks' accord with each other just for about 85 years, and it has been verified that recent dozens of years are the very period. In addition, appropriate methods of observing the the twenty-eight lunar mansions were elucidated. As $G{\bar{a}}nzh{\bar{i}}$(干支) almanac is related to the theoretical foundation of traditional medical practice as well as various techniques of future prediction, in-depth study on the fundamental theory of ancient $Ti{\bar{a}}nt{\check{i}}l{\grave{i}}$(天體曆) cannot be neglected for the succession and development of traditional oriental study and culture, too.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.185-194
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• 2014

One in every 10 persons suffer from chronic gastritis in Korea. Endoscopy is most commonly used to diagnose the chronic gastritis. Endoscopic diagnosis is precise but it is accompanied with pain and high cost. According to pulse diagnosis in Traditional East Asian Medicine, health problems in stomach can be diagnosed with radial pulse signals in 'Guan' location in the right wrist, which are non-invasive and cost-effective. In this study, we developed a classification model of chronic gastritis using pulse signals in right 'Guan' location. We used both linear discrimination method and logistic regression model with respect to pulse features obtained with a peak-valley detection algorithm and a Gaussian model. As a result, we obtained sensitivity ranged between 77%~89% and specificity ranged between 72%~83% depending on classification models and feature extraction methods, and the average classification rates were approximately 80%, irrespective of the models. Specifically, the Gaussian model were featured by superior sensitivities (89.1% and 87.5%) while the peak-valley detection method showed superior specificities (82.8% and 81.3%), and the average classification rate (sensitivity + specificity) of the Gaussian model was 80.9% which was 1.2% ahead of the peak-valley method. In conclusion, we obtained a reliable classification model for the chronic gastritis based on the radial pulse feature extraction algorithms, where the Gaussian model was featured by outperformed sensitivity and the peak-valley method was featured by outperformed specificity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2008

The methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb. (MECA) (Family- Myrtaceae) was evaluated for antitumor activity and antioxidant status against Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of tumor inoculation the MECA was administered at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/mice/day for 14 days. After the last dose and 18 h fasting mice were sacrificed. The effect of MECA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, hematological profiles, serum and liver biochemical parameters were estimated. The MECA showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in ascites volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and prolonged the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profiles reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. The MECA also produced protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of glutathione content, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and catalase CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate whether GEB extract inhibits melanogenesis activity in murine B16F10 melanoma. MATERIALS/METHOD: Murine B16F10 cells were treated with 0-5 mg/mL of GEB extract or $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin (a positive control) for 72 h after treatment with/without 200 nM alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) for 24 h. Melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels, and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (Trp)1, and Trp2 were analyzed in ${\alpha}$-MSH-untreated and ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. RESULTS: Treatment with 200 nM ${\alpha}$-MSH induced almost 2-fold melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity along with increased mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1 and Trp2. Irrespective of ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulation, GEB extract at doses of 0.5-5 mg/mL inhibited all these markers for skin whitening in a dose-dependent manner. While lower doses (0.5-1 mg/mL) of GEB extract generally had a tendency to decrease melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2, higher doses (2-5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited all these markers in ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of the GEB extract at higher concentrations were similar to those of $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin, a well-known depigmenting agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GEB displays dose-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis through the suppression of tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2 in murine B16F10 melanoma. Therefore, GEB may be an effective and natural skin-whitening agent for application in the cosmetic industry.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In Oriental medicine, certain foods may be beneficial or detrimental based on an individual's constitution; however, the scientific basis for this theory is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body constitution, based on the Sasang type of Korean traditional medical classification system, on the bioavailability of soy isoflavones of Cheonggukjang, a quick-fermented soybean paste. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A pilot study was conducted on 48 healthy Korean men to evaluate the bioavailability of isoflavone after ingestion of food based on constitution types classified by the Sasang typology. The participants were classified into the Taeeumin (TE; n = 15), Soyangin (SY; n = 15), and Soeumin (SE; n = 18) groups. Each participant ingested 50 g of Cheonggukjang per 60 kg body weight. Thereafter, blood was collected, and the soy isoflavone metabolites were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Ntrikinetic analysis of individual isoflavone-derived metabolites was performed. RESULTS: Our nutrikinetic analysis identified 21 metabolites derived from isoflavones in the blood samples from 48 healthy Korean men (age range, 21-29 years). Significant differences were observed in the time to maximum concentration (T_max) and elimination half-life (t_1/2) for nine metabolites among the three groups. The T_max and t_1/2 of the nine metabolites were higher in the SE group than in the other groups. Moreover, the absorption rates, as determined by the area under the plasma-level curve (AUC) values of intact isoflavone, were 5.3 and 9.4 times higher in the TE group than in the SY and SE groups, respectively. Additionally, the highest AUC values for phase I and II metabolites were observed in the TE group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that isoflavone bioavailability, following Cheonggukjang insgestion, is high in individuals with the TE constitution, and relatively lower in those with the SE and SY constitutions.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.145-161
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• 1998

This correlational study sought to find the relationship among women's health status and the level of importance & performance of postpartal care. One hundred thirty three women who live in Seoul and rural area including hospitalized in a general hospital and midwifery clinic were studied from 1st April, 1998 to 25th April, 1998 for 25 days. Data analysis consisted of frequency, percentage, Pearson Correlation Coefficiency, t-test, ANOVA and Sheffe test as a post hoc, using SPSS. The results of analysis were as follows ; mean age of respondents was 31.9 years and mean number of children was 1.8. The most of family type was nuclear family and lived int apartment. Mean frequency of pregnancy was 2.7 times and most women delivered at local clinic, general or University hospital. Mean period of after delivery was 53.7 month. The level of importance and performance of traditional postpartal care (Sanhujori) was more higher than hospital postpartal care. The level of importance, performance of postpartum care and health status had significant relationship. The higher level of importance was, & the higher level of performance was higher, and the higher degree of health status. The factors related to health status were postabortal sahujori period after abortion, nuclear family, the evaluation of sahujori, whether women and followed the caregiver's advice well or not and whether they have physical symptoms or not, at the level of $5{\sim}0.1%$ of significance statistically. The factors related to the level of importance of postpartal care were the number of child, present health status and health status of pre-post of delivery, deliver place and the opinion of effective postpartum care method at the level of $5{\sim}0.1%$ of significance statistically. The factors related to the level of performance of postpartal care were delivery place, the opinion of whether they can do at the hospital or not and whether they have physical symptom or not at the level of $1{\sim}0.1%$ of significance statistically. In conclusion, this finding reconfirmed the relationship among women's health status and the postpartal care. It provides a challenge to the health professional caregivers to research continually and repeatedly and confirm the conceptual model of Sanhujori, reestablish effective and integrative postpartal caring system which contains oriental and western paradigm for women's life long health toward the 21C.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2006

Some natural products are able to inhibit radiation effects and exert an antitumor effect with fewer adverse reactions; however, their antitumor effects are less than those of widely-used synthetic drugs. Propolis is a natural material that has been attracting attention, and we extracted this material with water and investigated the effect of continuous propolis administration on radioactivity-induced reduction of hemocytes, in addition to the antioxidant and antitumor effects of propolis. Following a 1-week adjustment period, water-soluble propolis was administered intraperitoneally to male ICR mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks. Following administration, 2 Gy whole-body irradiation was performed and the counts of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes and monocytes in the peripheral blood were determined 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after irradiation. These cells were considered since they are closely associated with immunity to radioactivity. In a second experiment, water-soluble propolis was similarly administered to the mice for 2 weeks after a 1-week adjustment period, and 2 Gy whole-body irradiation was performed. The antioxidant effects in hemocytes were then investigated using 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a radical generator. In a third experiment, $1\;{\times}\;10^6$ Sarcoma-180 cells were inoculated into the right thigh of mice, which were divided into four groups: control, water-soluble propolis-treated, 6 Gy irradiated and water-soluble propolis-treated + 6 Gy irradiated groups, and changes in tumor size were measured for 20 days. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA for multiple groups. In the three experiments, administration of water-soluble propolis inhibited the reduction of hemocytes caused by whole-body irradiation, showed antioxidant effects against radioactivity, and inhibited tumor growth, respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that the antioxidant effect of watersoluble propolis inhibits hemocyte reduction caused by whole-body irradiation and enhances immunological inhibition of tumor growth.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.216-230
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• 2005

Although the field of study in immune enhancing compounds is relatively new, natural products from plants represent a rich and promising source of novel molecules with immunomodulating properties, Microglial cells, the main immune effector cells of the brain, usually display a ramified morphology and low expression levels of immunologically relevant antigens such as MHC class I and class II. Since any compound which participates in activation of phagocytic cells contributes to the production of potentially toxic factors, the search for convenient in vitro test-systems and study of mechanisms of action of these agents are of great interest. Human blood polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells and primary microglial cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were used as cellular screening tests for study of phagocytosis-stimulating action of immunomodulating agents. Numbers of phagocytic activity were evaluated by the phagocyte ingestion of yeast cells and NO-synthase activity, nitrite production, and nitroblue tetrazolium test were determined after phagocyte stimulation. It was possible to demonstrate that indexes of phagocytic activity can be used as quantitative indicators for measurement immunomodulating activity. As a positive control, Zymosan A-induced phagocytosis in both PMN cells and primary microglial cells was used. $IFN-{\gamma}$ (0.1 -1 U/ml) stimulated phagocytosis in PMN cells 1.2 times after 2 - 3 h incubation, although at higher concentrations (10 - 100 U/ml) it strongly inhibited phagocytosis. In a similar way, at higher concentrations, $IFN-{\gamma}$ (100 - 500 U/ml) suppressed phagocytosis in zymosan-A stimulated microglial cells. When Polypodium leucotomus, cambricum and vulgare extracts were tested alone, increased levels of phagocytosis were observed in PMN. In addition, microglial cells showed both increased phagocytosis and MHC class-II antigen expressions. Surprisingly, when PMN and microglia were treated with a combination of Polypodium and $IFN-{\gamma}$, phagocytosis was not inhibited. We did not find changes in NO-synthase activity and nitrite production in both microglia and PMN cells activated by different immunomodulating agents. These results indicate that primary microglial cell cultures as well as human PMN cells can provide reproducible quantitative results in screening phagocytic activity of different immunoactive compounds. Furthermore, both inhibitory or activation mechanisms might be studied using these in vitro experimental approaches.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.591-597
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• 2006

Aerial parts of Artemisia asiatica (Compositae) have been traditionally used as an oriental medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and ulcerogenic diseases. In the present study, artemisolide was isolated as a nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor from A. asiatica by activity-guided fractionation. Artemisolide inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages RAW 264.7 with an $IC_{50}$ value of $5.8\;{\mu}M$. The compound was also effective in blocking $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activities elicited by the expression vector encoding the $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 or p50 subunits bypassing the inhibitory kB degradation signaling $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. The macrophages markedly increased their $PGE_2$ and NO production upon exposure to LPS alone. Artemisolide inhibited LPS-induced $PGE_2$ and NO production with $IC_{50}$ values of $8.7\;{\mu}M$ and $6.4\;{\mu}M$, respectively, but also suppressed LPS-induced synthesis of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 or inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Taken together, artemisolide is a $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor that attenuates LPS-induced production of $PGE_2$ or NO via down-regulation of COX-2 or iNOS expression in macrophages RAW 264.7. Therefore, artemisolide could represent and provide the anti-inflammatory principle associated with the traditional medicine, A. asiatica.