• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.27.1-27.5
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• 2014

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb known as Kutki. It is used as a remedy for diabetes by tribes of North Eastern Himalayan region of India. Present study was conducted to explore the mechanism of antidiabetic activity of standardized aqueous extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (PkE). PkE (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, for 14 consecutive days. Plasma insulin levels were measured and pancreas of rat was subjected to histopathological investigations. Glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT-4) protein content in the total membrane fractions of soleus muscle was estimated by Western blot analysis. Plasma insulin level was significantly increased along with concomitant increase in GLUT-4 content of total membrane fractions of soleus muscle of diabetic rats treated with extract. There was evidence of regeneration of ${\beta}$-cells of pancreatic islets of PkE treated group in histopathological examinations. PkE increased the insulin-mediated translocation of GLUT-4 from cytosol to plasma membrane or increased GLUT-4 expression, which in turn facilitated glucose uptake by skeletal muscles in diabetic rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse research trends about medical leech in the last 10 years. Methods: We searched the papers with key words of 'medical leech', '水蛭' in China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Korean traditional knowledge portal, DBPIA, KISS. We classified the papers by year and content. Results: 1. Result of the classification on the basis of the research methods, 50 studies are clinical case reports, 301 studies are experimental paper, 599 studies are clinical trial study, 219 studies are literature review. 2. Result of the classification on the basis of the research topics, 454 studies are the effect of anticoagulant research, 84 studies are diabetes and renal disease research, 194 studies are pharmacological properties research, and 43 studies are effect of allergic and anti-inflammatory research. 3. The proportion of the coagulation effect study tends to decrease every year since 2006. 4. Leech research tends to decrease in last 3 years. 5. Recently, there are many research in psychiatry, orthopedic diseases and beauty. 6. There are 10 studies related to leech in Korean. Conclusions: The researches of medical leech are actively done. The diversity of subjects is getting wider and richer.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 2012

In vitro tests were performed using CST to investigate its role on oxidative damages and inflammatory cytokines. 90% or higher cell viability was observed in CST treated groups from 25 to 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using Raw 264.7 cells. CST showed dose-dependent DPPH scavenging activity, with 91.3% and 92.2% scavenging activities at 400 and 800 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentrations, respectively. CST showed dose-dependent suppression activity of ROS production, especially at 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of 41.3%. CST decreased NO production activity, with significant decrease of 16.2% and 33.5% at 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentrations, respectively. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, MCP-1 production rate were significantly decreased by 30.0%, 27.2%, 22.1% when Raw 264.7 cells were treated with LPS and with CST of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Also, TNF-${\alpha}$ production rate was decreased by 28.6%. The results above indicated therapeutic effect of CST on the AD through anti-oxidative and immune modulatory effect. Various blending of drug substances with CST should be clinically tested.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2013

Objectives : The focus of the analysis was laid on changes in research pertaining to bee venom in regards to time progression. Methods : We collected 365 articles on Bee venom study result from OASIS system using the Keyword 'bee venom, apitoxin, apitherapy, bee sting'. We figured out number and percentage of theses according to year, study method, journal, subject. Results : Bee venom papers published in the journal of korean medicine from 1976. The classification of papers associated with bee venom, clinical studies outnumbered the other study types by a ratio of 1.3 to 1, followed by 138 for experimental papers, and 22 for literature studies. Proportion of Experimental Papers Classified According to the Theme, 16 for pain-killing, 14 papers concentrated on apoptosis anticancer, 13 for anti inflammatory, 11 for arthritis, and other disorders were followed. Type analysis of papers associated with bee venom in clinical trials, lumbar disorders comprised 38 out of 205 papers, 35 papers concentrated on upper limb disorders, 34 papers concentrated on systemic disease, followed by the effect on body. Conclusions : Bee venom is a treatment method based on the unique theory of Korean traditional medicine. Its effort and academical approach on bee venom are expected to receive positive evaluation through numerous research works.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.150-161
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• 2007

Acori graminei Rhizomn (AGR) is a perennial herb which has been used clinically as a traditional oriental medicine against stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. We investigated the effect of AGR on the modulation of gene expression profile in a hypoxic model of cultured rat cortical cells. Rat cerebrocortical cells were grown in Neurobasal medium. On DIV12, cells were treated with AGR $(10ug/m\ell)$, given a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$, 3 hr) on DIV14, and total RNAs were prepared one day after shock. Microarray analyses indicated that the expression levels of most genes were altered within the global M values +0.5 and -0.5, i.e., 40% increase or decrease. There were 750 genes which were upregulated by < global M +0,2, while 700 genes were downregulated by > global M -0.2. The overall profile of gene expression suggests that AGR suppresses apoptosis (upregulation of anti-apopotic genes such as TEGT, TIEG, Dad, p53, and downregulation of pro-apopotic genes such as DAPK, caspase 2, pdcd8), ROS (upregulation of RARa, AhR), and that AGR has neurotrophic effects (upregulation of Aktl, Akt2). These results provide a platform for investigation of the molecular mechanism of the effect of AGR in neuroprotection.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2016

Objectives: Asiasari radix (A. radix) is a traditional herb medicine that has been used as an analgesic, antitussive, or anti-allergic remedy. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of low concentration of the Asiasarum heterotropoides extract on the morphology and proliferation of the human mesenchymal stem cells derived from periodontal tissue. Methods: Stem cells derived from gingiva were grown in the presence of A. radix at final concentrations that ranged from 0.001 to $0.01{\mu}g/mL$. The morphology of the cells was viewed under an inverted microscope and the analysis of cell proliferation was performed by using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) on days 1 and 3. Results: The control group showed fibroblast morphology. The shapes of the cells in 0.001 and $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of A. radix were similar to that of the untreated control group. The cultures growing in the presence of A. radix at day 1 showed an increase in the CCK-8 value. The relative values of CCK-8 assays of 0.001 and $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of A. radix are $130.6%{\pm}1.8%$ and $129.3%{\pm}1.5%$, respectively, when the CCK-8 result of the untreated control group at day 1 is considered 100% (P = 0.051). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, low concentrations of A. radix seemed to increase the proliferation of the stem cells that were derived from the gingiva and did not have adverse effects on the morphology of the cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2016

Cryptotanshinone (CPT) is a natural compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In the present study, the regulatory effect and potential mechanisms of CPT on tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) induced lectin-like receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (LOX-1) were investigated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on LOX-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. The formation of intracellular ROS was determined with fluorescence probe $CM-DCFH_2-DA$. The endothelial ox-LDL uptake was evaluated with DiI-ox-LDL. The effect of CPT on LOX-1 expression was also evaluated with SD rats. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner in endothelial cells. $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced ROS formation, phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK, and LOX-1 expression, which were suppressed by rotenone, DPI, NAC, and CPT. $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor BAY11-7082 and ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression. CPT and NAC suppressed $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ LOX-1 expression and phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 and ERK in rat aorta. These data suggested that $TNF-{\alpha}$ induced LOX-1 expression via ROS activated $NF-{\kappa}B/ERK$ pathway, which could be inhibited by CPT. This study provides new insights for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of CPT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.143-152
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• 2001

Korean-style fermented soybean paste (KFSP), Doenjang, is a traditional food that is consumed as a protein source in Korea. Recently, efforts to identify biolgocial response modifiers (BRMs) have been focused on food products. Accordingly, this study which isolated abiologically active substance form KFSP, named KFSP-BRM, ws defined to be aheat-stable carbohydrate with a molecular weight of 2,000 kDa. The biological activity of KFSP-BRM was not inactivated by treatment with an anti-LPS antibody. The oral as well as intraperitoneal treatment of mice with KFSP-BRM significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG). Subsequently, an increased level of immunoglobulins in the sera was also observed. In vitro. KFSP-BRM was found to upregulate the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 by mactro phages and B cells but not the production of IL-2 by T cells. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the presence of a BRM in KFSP, which may provide an additional benefit to those consuming it is a food. KFSP-BRM is a novel B cellmitogen distinct from fresh soybean lectin or B cell mitogens, such as LPS and Streptococcus protein A. The major biological effects of KFSP-BRM would appear to be anincreased production of IL-1 and IL-6 by macrophages and B cells, thereby enhancing the function of mature B cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2006

Objectives : The effect of water extract of the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immuno-suppressive and immuno-activating Korean oriental medicine, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model was studied. Identification of common Nokyong capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. Methods : Nokyong has shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in experimental animals. In this study we determined the effect of DAE on collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Results : In three independent experiments mice given DAE in water exhibited significantly reduced incidence of arthritis (33% to 50%) as compared with mice given no DAE in water (84% to 100%). The arthritis index also was significantly lower in DAE-fed animals. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(INF-{\gamma})$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ in arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity was approximately 6-fold higher in arthritic joints of non-DAE-fed mice in comparison to nonarthritic joints of nonimmunized mice whereas it was only 2-fold higher in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Additionally, total IgG and type II collagen-specific IgG levels were lower in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Conclusion : Taken together our studies suggest that DAE may be useful in the prevention of onset and severity of arthritis.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.27-63
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• 1998

This paper focuses on the history of fisheries finance in Korea, especially the role of fisheries finance after the establishments of korean fisheries cooperative. We can say that our fisheries was influenced greatly by the fisheries finance. It may be preyed by the facts that our fisheries experienced a great growth right after the input of big fisheries finance. The products of fisheries has increased from 1962 to now And the structure of the fisheries has improved. But there were unequal development in the each sectors of fisheries. Though the deep sea fishery and farming has developed faster, coastal fishing that are absorbing nearly 90% of fisheries population has stagnated. Of course it was because of unequal financial assistance by Authority. So to improve fisheries evenly, it is very important to overcome various problems that have encountered including the new circumstances like the WTO. For this, lots of steps should be taken. They can be summarized as follows. 1) It may be inevitable to see a rising costs in the deep sea fishery because of the declaration of EEZ by almost every nation. 2) So coastal fishing should be getting more important. It is necessary to improve the structure of coastal fishing and we should be ready to prepare various alternatives far self-sustained growth in coastal fishing. 3) Especially fisheries finance should play more active role. 4) Self-sustainable growth means a fishery with full compatability. For full compatability it is necessary to give financial supports far making fishing ground and equipping anti-pollution system and labour saving apparatus etc. 5) Also to raise the ratio of self-support in fisheries products it is necessary to give financial support to traditional financial system. 6) Moreover it is necessary to guide utilization of finance supplied. For this the committee that is consists of professional people in that field is strongly asked. This committee should be entitled to decide and coordinate the selection of projects, allocation of finance, method of utilization and evaluation of projects etc.