• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-78
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• 2002

Kupunggibodan(KU), Gamisamul-tang(GA) and Whangryunhaedok-tang(WH) are clinically the most popular prescriptions as an herbal medicine in the treatment of ischemia. In order to compare and evaluate their protective effects on the ischema-induced cognitive deficits by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), we examined its ability to improve ischemia-induced cell loss and impairements of learning and memory in the Morris water maze and eight-arm radial arm maze. Focal cerebral ischemia produced a marked cell loss, decrease in acetylcholinesterase(AchE) reactivity in the hippocampus, and learning and memory deficits in two behavioral tasks. Pretreatment with WH (100 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a substantial increase in acquisition in the Morris water maze. Pretreatment with KU increased the perfomance of the resention test in the Morris water maze. WH, KU and GA caused a significant improvement in choice accuracy in radial arm maze test. WH was superior to KU and GA in perfomance of the radial arm maze test. Consistent with behavioral data, staining with cresyl violet showed that pretreatments with WH, but not KU and GA significantly recovered the ischemia-induced cell loss in the hippcampal CA1 area. In addition, pretreatments with WH and KU recovered the ischemia-induced reduction of AchE reactivity in the hippocampal CA1 area. These results demonstrated that KU, GA and WH have protective effects against ischimea-induced learning and memory impairments and that the efficacy was the order of WH>KU>GA in tratment of ischemia induced memory deficits. The present studies provide an evidence of KU, GA and WH as putative treatment of vascular dementia. Supported by a fund from the Ministry of Health and Welfare(HMP-00-OO-04-0004), and the Brain Korea 21 Project from Korean Ministry of Education, Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2013

Objectives : This study is to examine the effects of moxibustion at Junggeuk(CV3), Singwol(CV8) on women's urinary incontinence and quality of life. The study is a research based on the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Methods : The subjects of the study were 45 women who were using either of 2 health clinics located in Ulsan. They were sampled in accordance with predetermined standards and then divided into the experimental and control groups, respectively consisting of 22 and 23 members. In treating those women through moxibustion, this researcher applied 2 sheets of 'shingigu' to each of the women on 40 min, per time basis. This experiment was conducted 6 times in total for 2 weeks on every two day basis. Data from all of the measurements were statistically processed and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 12.0. Demographic characteristics of the subjects were examined and indicated in frequency and percentage. The homogeneity test of the two groups was conducted using $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test. Hypotheses set for the study were verified through t-test and Mann-Whitney U Test. Results : The experimental group who take moxibustion will be lower in the severeness of urinary incontinence than the control group who do not was supported(p<0.001). 2. The experimental group who take moxibustion will be higher in score for life quality than the control group who do not was supported(U=42.00, p<0.001). Conclusions : These findings suggest that moxibustion can be an effective intervention for women having urinary incontinence because it treats the symptom with no adverse effect and it is non-invasive and easily applicable.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.386-396
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• 2006

We implemented the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method in order to improve the conventional moxibustion therapy. This method is aimed to eliminate burning wounds and smoke, which are the defects of conventional moxibustion therapy. And we performed to verify the efficiency by comparing the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method with the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Therapy. We measured the body heat and the lasting time of blood circulation improvement using thermography. The moxibustion therapy has two kinds of effects: The formers are pharmacological effects of the Moxa's vasodilators and antioxidants. The latters are thermal effects which cause improvement of the blood circulation. To remove the demerits without omission of above therapeutic effects, we extracted the vasodilators and antioxidant compounds from the Moxa-$CH_2Cl_2$ fraction Moxa-EtOAc and composed the moxibustion kit with $(Ba_{0.8}\;Sr_{0.2})_{0.996}\;Y_{0.004}\;TiO_2+0.5_{WT}\;SiO_2%$ Positive Temperature Coefficients Thermistor. The experimental demonstrations have been made by the stimulating the spot which is CV4(Kwan-Won), CV8(Shin-Guel), CV12(Jung-Wan) acupuncture points of the conception vessel meridian(CV). And stimulating time was one hour. We divided the subjects into 5 groups such as no stimulation group, conventional Indirect Moxibustion group, only Drug-Pad stimulation group, only heat stimulation group, and Drug-Pad Moxibustion group. In the different cases, we have measured the body heat in pre-stimulation, just after stimulation, 2 hours after, and 4 hours after. The body heats of the group who were stimulated by the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method were increased by over the $2^{\circ}C$. And the body heats of the group who were stimulated by the Indirect Moxibustion Method were increased by average the $1^{\circ}C$. We have evaluated that the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method is improvement on the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Method by the heat-increasing rate is 200% and the lasting time is 150% with the body heat of the abdominal region. In the conclusions, We have implemented the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method and evaluated the efficiency of the Drug-Pad Moxibustion Method comparing with the conventional Indirect Moxibustion Method.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.157-164
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• 2001

Radix Asteris has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Radix Asteris on tracheal smooth muscle is not known. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Radix Asteris on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine $(10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M)$. Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Radix Asteris. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 120.5% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 135.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. Propranolol $(10^{-7}M)$ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Radix Asteris. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 44.6% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 18.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue$(10^{-7}M)$ did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Radix Asteris. These results indicate that Radix Asteris can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.165-170
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• 2001

A rapid increasing in cultivation area due to favorable price temporarily and decreasing in consumer's demands caused by economic depressions recently, lead the price of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley to decline sharply. Thus, it may give rises to weakening of cultivation bases in Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley. To investigate optimal mechanical peeling conditions of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, protruded rubber, plastic pad, diamond shape's steel and palstic brush were introduced as blades and artificial stone, sand and small pebble were done as abrasives. The main results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. It took 2 minutes per 1kg in mechanical peeling of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley's raw root whereas 36 minutes in manual peeling and values of lightness showed more higher in manual peeling than in mechanical peeling. 2. Yield in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and sand abrasive showed the lowest at 89.9% among treatments and peeling rates in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and small pebble showed the highest at 71.3% in mechanical peeling. 3. Lightness, one of the most important factors in determining quality of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, showed the highest in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and small pebble brasive at 61.90 in mechanical peeling. 4. As the speed of rotation gets faster, yields tend to lower in mechanical peeling. Peeling rates and lightness showed the highest at 66.8%, 57.96 respectively among treatments at 30 r.p.m. in mechanical peeling.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2016

Background: During the aging process, skin shows visible changes, characterized by a loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles due to reduced collagen production and decreased elasticity of elastin fibers. Panax ginseng Meyer has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases due to its wide range of biological activities including skin protective effects. Ginsenosides are the main components responsible for the biological activities of ginseng. However, the protective activities of an enzymatic preparation of red ginseng against human skin aging have not been investigated. Methods: The efficacy of an enzyme-treated powder complex of red ginseng (BG11001) in preventing human skin aging was evaluated by oral administration to 78 randomized individuals. All patients were requested to take three daily capsules containing either 750 mg of BG11001 or a placebo vehicle for 24 wk; at the end of the testing period, skin roughness, elasticity, and skin water content were measured. Results: BG11001 significantly reduced the average roughness of eye wrinkles and the Global Photo Damage Score compared with the placebo, although there were no significant differences in arithmetic roughness average between the groups. In addition, gross elasticity and net elasticity values increased, and transepidermal water loss level decreased, indicating improved skin elasticity and moisture content. Conclusion: In conclusion, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract significantly improved eye wrinkle roughness, skin elasticity, and moisture content. Moreover, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract would be useful substance as a bio-health skin care product.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.146-165
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this review is to overview and evaluate the trends of the studies in J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. Methods : All 186 articles' headlines and abstracts from voI.1(1996) to Vol.17(20l7) were evaluated and classified. The dataset was searched from the Hompage of the Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. Results : 1. In the type of study, the literature studies consisted of 67%(126studies), clinical studies 21%(39), experimental studies 12%(22) in order. 2. Gigong classification was 60.96%(114studies) while Non-Gigong classification was 37.04%(73studies). 3. In Gigong classification, General Gigong took the largest part and there were no Taoist Sexual Practices studies. 4. In Non-Gigong classification, Obstetrics & Gynecology & Pediatrics took the largest part by 25 studies(12.37%). An-Kyo-Hak was the second largest by 24 studies(11.88%). 5. Analysis Research(112 studies, 59.89%) took the largest part in study method. Conclusions : 1. The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong published average 8.9 studies per year(187 studies per 21 years). 2. Following the object of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong, 114 studies(60.96%) of total 187 studies, published by J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong, were associated to Gigong. 3. In Non-Gigong classification, 25 studies about Obstetrics & Gynecology & Pediatrics, 24 studies about An-Kyo-Hak, 16 studies about Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine and Meridian & Acupoint Study were published by J. of The Korean Academy of Medical Gi-Gong. 4. In Gigong classification, studies about Meditation and External Gigong Therapy were insufficient. There are even no studies about Taoist Sexual Practices. We need more studies about those categories to come.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-42
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• 2017

Objectives The goal of this review was to investigate clinical, experimental and literature studies of Korean medicine on atopic dermatitis (AD) of Korean children in Korean medicine literature, seeking for the better research methods for more effective treatments. Methods Electronic investigations were practiced on AKOP (The Association of Korean Oriental Pediatrics, http://www.akop.or.kr) to collect theses which were published by J Pediatr Korean Med. The key word 'Atopy' was used for searching to ensure that every related thesis was collected. The publication date was limited from 1996 to 2016. The selected literatures were assessed mainly according to distributions of study type, publication year, scale, treatment and its efficacy. Results 55 papers were selected from 59 studies. In these collected 55 related theses, there were 29 experimental studies (52.73%), 18 clinical studies (32.73%), 8 review studies (14.55%). In the 29 experimental studies, there were 20 studies (68.97%) using NC/Nga mouse as subjects. The mite antigen was used to trigger AD by 8 studies (27.59%). The studies have been utilizing DNCB and DNFB instead of mite antigen since 2011. All the experimental studies showed that the Korean medicine was effective in AD. In total 18 clinical studies, 3 studies (16.67%) were case reports, only 1 thesis (5.56%) was conducted by case control study and the rest were case series studies. 7 studies (38.89%) of 18 studies diagnosed AD according to Hanifin and Rajka's diagnostic criteria (1980), only 1 study (5.56%) according to the Korean standard and the rest 10 studies (55.56%) didn't mention diagnostic criteria. 12 clinical studies (66.67%) showed efficacy in treating AD. There were 10 studies (55.56%) only employing internal treatments and 1 thesis (5.56%) didn't mention the exact prescription. Naesowhajungtang-kamibang, Saenghyeoryunbue-um were used 3 times (16.67%) as the internal medicine respectively. 5 theses (27.78%) were combined with acupuncture therapy. Hegu (LI4), Sanyinjiao (SP6) were used in 4 theses, and Taichong (LR3), Quchi (LI11), Zusanli (ST36) in 3 theses. The number of acupoints chosen from The Spleen meridian of Foot-Taiyin was the largest. There were 8 review theses. 2 were about the foreign oriental medicine, 3 were about the external medicine or external treatment methods, and 3 other studies were about severity scoring systems, the methodological study in the latest clinical study, overview for pattern and results of herbal medicine-derived AD clinical researches. Conclusions The experimental studies and clinical studies showed the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatments. However, this study still needs improving by conducting more comparative studies and using better research methods, in order to find more effective treatments to improve clinical efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.122-130
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• 2013

Objectives : The fact that Primo vessel as a new circulatory system exists in the lymphatic vessels of the rabbits which were treated with sound wave vibration therapy is confirmed with the anatomy of rabbit. Isolated Primo vessel is investigated, particularly focused on morphological features. Methods : Before the anatomy, a rabbit in a cage box was laid on the sound wave vibrating apparatus and then is applied by various frequencies and intensities for 30 min with music that a rabbit likes. Results : Isolation and observation of Primo vessel was easier when the lymphatic circular system was applied at a certain frequency and intensity of 7 Hz and 50. The probability of observation for Primo vessel enhanced to 90%. Conclusions : The sound wave therapy by a vibration apparatus is considered necessary as major process to facilitate the reproducible isolation and observation of Primo vessel.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.52-70
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• 2018

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis(AD) and environmental factors are closely related, but there is lack of oriental medical examination. So we compared the relationship between AD and various environmental factors in Oriental medicine and Western medicine. Methods : We described the relationship between AD and environmental factors through the latest papers and a review of the oriental medicine literature. Results : The regional diversity of AD incidence implies a close relationship between climate factors and AD, and high altitude and low pH springs also have an effect on AD. Air pollutants from industrialization and urbanization aggravate AD. The increase in indoor residence time and the increase in room temperature and humidity have also increased the sensitization to allergens such as house dust mite. In oriental medicine, wind(風) is one of the environmental factors and is an inflammatory state due to external irritation. Wind-Humidity(風濕) refers to erythematous wetting dermatitis with itching and exudation, Wind-Fever(風熱) refers to acute inflammatory reaction with erythematous papules and plague, and Blood-Weakness(血虛) refers to aggravation and chronicization of inflammation due to persistence of skin barrier impairment. Conclusions : We examined the relationship between AD and various environmental factors. We also described the oriental medical viewpoints of the environmental factors in the occurrence of AD and skin barrier impairment.