• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.152-160
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• 2001

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Plantaginis Semen Aquacupuncture(PSA) has a protective effect against $CCl_4$ induced Hepatoxicity in Rats. Methods : The experimental group were divided into Normal group(untreated group), Control group, PSA group. Rats were administered orally $CCl_4$(0.1 ml/kg) for 4 days. In experiments for PSA effect, rats received 0.1 ml of PSA extraction in both sides of corresponding $G{\bar{a}}nsh{\bar{u}}$(BL18) of human body for 3 days after treated $CCl_4$. Variation of weight and biochemical assays(GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin) were performed. Results : In Control group, $CCl_4$ increased serum GOT, GPT, LDH, ALP and albumin and decreased weight, total cholesterol and triglyceride. PSA significantly decreased serum GOT, GPT, LDH and increased total cholesterol as compared with Control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that PSA could be used in prevention and treatment of hepatoxicity. However, precise mechanisms of PSA protection remain to be determined.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2004

Objectives : This study is performed for the purpose of proving the efficacy of the Oriental medicine of swollen leg. Edema is defined as an increase in the extravascular(interstitial) component of the extracellular fluid volume, which may expand by several liters before the abnormality is recognized. We treated one case of patient with a swollen leg. Methods & results : We examined DITI before treatment and after treatment. We measured the circumference of thigh and calf every morning, so we compared with the values day after day. So we found the fact that leg swelling considerably decreased after treatment for 14 days. We followed up after discharge. Conclusions : Acupuncture, Aquacupuncture and Herbal medicine is possible to be effective for treating patients with a swollen leg.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.88-99
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was performed to determine if Orostachys japonicus A. Berger aquacupuncture (OjB) provides the protective effect against the loss of celi viability and DNA damage induced by oxidant in renal proximal tubular cells. Methods : The cell viability was evaluated by a MTT reduction assay and DNA damage was estimated by measuring double stranded DNA breaks in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established proximal tubular cell line. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. Results : $H_2O_2$ increased the loss of cell viability in a time-dependent manner, which were prevented by 0.1% OjB. The protective effect of OjB was dose-dependent over concentration range of 0.05-0.5%. $H_2O_2$ caused ATP depletion and DNA damage, which were prevented by OjB and the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase. The loss of cell viability by $H_2O_2$ was not affected by the antioxidant DPPD, but lipid peroxidation by the oxidant was completely inhibited by DPPD. Conclusions : These data suggest that $H_2O_2$-induced death results from a lipid peroxidation-independent mechanism and the protective effect of OjB is not associated with its antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.128-139
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• 2003

Juglans sinensis Dode has been reported to have antioxidant activity. However, the effect of Juglans sinensis Dode aquacupuncture(JS) on reactive oxygen species(ROS)-induced alterations in membrane transport function in renal tubular cells. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of JS on the organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide(tBHP)-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-dependent phosphate($Na^+$-Pi) uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established renal proximal epithelial cell line. tBHP inhibited $Na^+$-Pi uptake in a time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of tBHP was prevented by JS over concentration range of 0.05-1mg/100ml in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic studies showed that tBHP caused an decrease in Vmax for $Na^+$-Pi uptake without any a significant change in Km. $Na^+$-dependent phosphonoformic acid binding, a irreversible inhibitor of renal $Na^+$-Pi uptake, was decreased by tBHP treatment. The reduction in Vmax and phosphonoformic acid binding by tBHP was prevented by JS. tBHP induced lipid peroxidation and its effect was completely inhibited by JS and antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. These data suggest that the oxidant inhibits phosphate uptake by a reduction in the number of active carrier across the membrane. JS may prevent oxidant-induced inhibition of membrane transport function by a mechanism similar to antioxidants in renal epithelial cells. Although the precise constituents remain to be explored, JS may be employed as a useful candidate herb for drug development to prevent and treat oxidant-mediated renal failure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2001

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SbG) extract exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced cell injury in renal proximal tubular cells. Methods : The cell injury was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in rabbit renal cortical slices and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA). t-Butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) was used as a model of oxidant. Results : tBHP at 1 mM increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were prevented by SbG in a dose dependent manner over concentration range of 0.001-0.1%. SbG provided the protective effect against oxidant-induced reduction in PAH uptake by renal cortical slices and microsomal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. SbG attenuated tBHP-induced depletion of reduced glutathione. 0.2 mM $HgCl_2$ increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were completely prevented by 0.05% SbG. Conclusion : SbG prevents oxidant-induced impairment in membrane transport function.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.150-160
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• 2001

Objectives ; This study was undertaken to determine whether Carthami-Flos aquacapuncture (CFA) exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity in cerebral synaptosomes. Methods and Results ; The enzyme activity was dependent on incubation time and enzyme protein concentrations. An oxidant t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) at 1 mM concentration caused a significant inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, which was prevented by addition of 0.01% CFA. tBHP inhibition and CFA protection were independent on incubation time or enzyme protein concentrations. The enzyme activity was increased by ATP in a dose dependent manner. Effects of tBHP and CFA were not affected by ATP cocentrations. tBHP (1 mM) produced a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in cerebral synaptosomes, which was prevented by 0.01% CFA. CFA decreased oxygen free radicals generated induced by the phorbol-ester in a dose-dependent manner in human neutrophil. Conclusions ; These results suggest that CFA exerts protective effect against tBHP-induced inhibition of $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase activity, which is due to by an antioxidant action resulting from a direct scavenging effect of oxygen free radicals in the cerebral synaptosomes.