• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.140-149
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study is to report the effect of herbal medicine and acupuncture on a breastfeeding woman's postpartum urticaria which was unresponsive to a 1st generation antihistamine and a topical steroid. Methods : Wheals and pruritus occurred to a 36-year-old breastfeeding woman 2 days after the parturition. Symptoms were unresponsive to about a week of systemic antihistamine and topical steroid treatments. GamiSamul-tang herbal decoction was administered three times a day for the first 21 days and twice a day for the next 10 days of the treatment. Acupuncture treatment was applied to 12 acupoints (both sides of LI04, LR03, ST36, LI11, SP10, SP6) for 15 minutes once a week, 5 times in total. The patient's symptom was evaluated with Weekly Urticaria Activity Scale (UAS7) and Visual Analogue Scale for Worst Pruritus within 24 hours ($VAS_{Pruritus}$) each time the patient visited out-patient department. Results : The scores of UAS7 and $VAS_{Pruritus}$ at the baseline were 38 and 8.2 respectively. 10 days after the herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment began, both decreased to 0 and wheal, pruritus, erythema didn't appeared again for the rest of the follow up periods. Conclusions : This study shows the possibility of using GamiSamul-tang and acupuncture to treat postpartum urticaria.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objectives : Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRHDT) is one of the well-known prescription herbal drugs of Korean herbal medicine, which has been widely used for the treatment of various bacterial and inflammatory diseases. This study was conducted in order to develop the tablet formulations of HRHDT and compare its efficacy with the other commercial formulations. Methods : Corresponding herbal medicines comprising of HRHDT were extracted with water for 3 hr at $95{\sim}100^{\circ}C$ and then vacuum dried. Subsequently, some pharmaceutical excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, etc were used to prepare the HRHDT tablets. The contents with characterizing components of HRHDT tablet was compared with the HRHDT decoction. The contents of characterizing components were analyzed with HPLC. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative abilities of two different commercial HRHDT granules (HJP-1 and HJP-2) and were compared with that of the formulated HRHDT tablets. The anti-oxidant properties of HRHDR were studied using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, contents of total flavonoid and polyphenol. In addition, based on this result the anti-inflammatory effects have verified by mechanism from LPS- treated Raw264.7 macrophages. Results : The results demonstrated that HRHDT tablets showed more anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects than HJP-1, HJP-2. Moreover, it showed more superior effects in terms of dose, usability and stability than the granules. Conclusion : Hence, we concluded that in order to improve the quality and efficacy of the Korean herbal medicine, it is necessary to develop appropriate methods and establish standardized techniques for the development of good formulations.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1045-1062
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the latest clinical studies on Korean medicine treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. Methods: We searched the last 6 years of clinical studies discussing Oriental medicine-based treatments for ITP in the CNKI database. A meta-analysis of 13 RCTs was performed by synthesizing the outcomes, including the measured platelet count and total effective rate. The quality of the studies was assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB) tool. RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 15 selected studies, 1 was a non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), 2 were case series, and 12 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatments in all studies included oral herbal medicine. The most frequently used herbal decoction was the Liangxue Jiedu prescription (凉血解毒方), and the most commonly used herb was Agrimonia pilosa (仙鶴草), Astragali Radix (黃芪), Fossilia Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (甘草), and Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz ex Steudel (地黃). The meta-analysis showed significantly better improvement in platelet counts and total effective rate for ITP in the treatment group than in the control group. Conclusion: Treatment with herbal medicine was effective in treating ITP. However, the significance of this conclusion is somewhat limited due to the low quality of the available studies. Multifaceted and scientifically designed clinical studies are required to develop treatments for ITP based on Korean medicine. The results of this study could be used as basic data for further ITP studies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1124-1131
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• 2015

Consumer interest in the stability of medicinal herb extracts during storage has increased. Although the advent of new technologies has improved preservation conditions, increasing the storage time, there are few studies on the preservation of herb extracts. The purpose of this study was to perform microscopic observations of Samul-tang decoctions under various preservation conditions. The storage temperature (a high temperature, room temperature, with or without light, refrigeration, or cryopreservation) and storage time (0, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days) were given to each condition Macroscopic morphology, pH, UV absorption, HPLC, and bacteriological studies were performed to determine microscopic changes in Samul-tang decoctions. The biological activity (tyrosinase inhibition) of the Samul-tang decoctions was also examined. There were no major changes in the indicated observation items when the extracts were stored in each condition. However, at higher storage temperatures and longer storage times, microscopic changes increased, although no bacteria were detected. Furthermore, the higher the storage temperature was and the longer the storage time was, the bigger the change was, despite of minor microscopic changes. Therefore, to maintain the stability of herbal extracts during storage, it is recommended to keep the Samul-tang decoction in the preservation condition of refrigeration and cryopreservation or without light rather than high temperature and room temperature as possible.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.45-50
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• 2015

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the 4-week repeated-dose oral toxicity of gami-jakyak gamcho buja decoction (Mecasin) to develop safe treatments. Methods: In order to investigate the 4-week oral toxicity of Mecasin, we administered Mecasin orally to rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of Mecasin of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg of body weight were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution of 10 mL/kg was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rate, weight, clinical signs, and gross findings for four weeks. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths occurred in any of the four groups. No significant changes in weights or food consumption between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. Serum biochemistry revealed that some groups showed significant decrease in inorganic phosphorus (IP) (P < 0.05). During necropsy on the rats, one abnormal macroscopic feature, a slight loss of fur, was observed in the mid dosage (1,000 mg/kg) male group. No abnormalities were observed in any other rats. In histopathological findings, the tubular basophilia and cast of the kidney and extramedullary hematopoiesis of the spleen were found. However, those changes were minimal and had occurred naturally or sporadically. No other organ abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: During this 4-week, repeated, oral toxicity test of Mecasin in SD rats, no toxicity changes due to Mecasin were observed in any of the male or the female rats in the high dosage group. Thus, we suggest that the doses in a 13-week, repeated test should be 0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.130-137
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• 2022

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, appropriate management of sequelae and treatment of infectious symptoms became increasingly important healthcare issues. Although the practice guidelines and treatment cases based on the East Asian traditional medicine have been reported, there are rare studies on the use of Korean medicine in Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to present the progress of non-contact Korean medical treatment for infected patients at a local public health center using retrospective chart review. A total of 18 patients were prescribed with 5 days of herbal decoction and medicine extract covered by the national health insurance. With the questionnaire form, the progression and improvement of symptoms before and after treatment were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS), and the treatment satisfaction and opinions were obtained. The symptoms such as cough (5.56±2.23 to 2.89±2.14), sputum (6.11±1,75 to 3.28±2.47), sore throat (6.06±2.70 to 1.47±1.62), anorexia (5.56±2.63 to 1.94±2.21), nausea (3.75±1.71 to 1.17±1.11), diarrhea (3.40±2.63 to 1.50±1.51), chest tightness (4.93±2.46 to 2.29±2.30) and fatigue (6.44±1.79 to 2.67±1.88) all improved according to the NRS, and the satisfaction with herbal medicine treatment on a 5-point Likert scale was 4.24±0.90. No side effects and adverse reactions were reported. Thereupon non-contact Korean medical treatment can be concluded that it effectively reduces the COVID-19 infection mild symptoms in restrictive extent. Since the retrospective data does not include a control group, the more confirmative data is needed by multicenter and large-scale controlled clinical study afterwards.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2020

This case study reports the effect of Korean medicine treatments on a 73 year-old female who had a cerebellar infarction. She was hospitalized for 120 days (without visiting Western medicine hospital) where she was treated with acupuncture, herbal decoction, pharmacopuncture, chuna, moxibustion and physiotherapy. Following treatment, her symptoms of dizziness were evaluated using the numeric rating scale and showed pain had reduced (3 to 0). The K-Modified Barthel, showed that life performance had improved (15 to 74), and the Berg balance scale showed an improved balance (2 to 32). Steps per minute and gait posture at stance phase for ataxia also showed improvement. This case report shows that Korean medicine treatment is effective in alleviating dizziness and improved gait instability caused by cerebellar infarction.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.33-41
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• 2010

Patterns are symbolic expressions of life style or sentiment of people as a product of culture. Furthermore, it is a type of language that the shape or implication does not change much over time. Patterns shown on the Korean medical containers are related to human life and health that they are not very diverse and splendid but closed used in real life. The medical containers include the alcohol container or tea-ware in broad sense, but under this study, it would be handled only for the Korean medical containers directly used to protect human health and treatment of diseases. They would be the Medicine Mortar and Pestle that is used to grind the herbal medical ingredients, pots that hold the liquid decoction, containers to keep the medical ingredients in general conceptual use for medical purposes. The patterns inscribed are classified in animal pattern, plant pattern or alphabet pattern. Turtle, crane, ginseng, and life patterns have the contemplation to pray for long life without disease or good fortune, while plum pattern, dragon pattern and the like are used in the medical containers used mainly in royal families with the social status and dignity shown. As such, patterns have not only ornament elements but also the symbolic implication to represent long life without illness for human. It provides the basic data of medical wisdom contained in the pattern and willingness of human to protect life from illness. On the basis of such research, it would require ensuing studies to make comparison and analysis with the medical containers with the patterns in the adjacent countries in the days to come.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.110-118
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• 2004

Objectives : Based on the changes of quality of life and pulmonary function test, we aimed to identify the effects and side-effects of Gamichuongsangboha-tang and in asthmatic patients. Methods : The subjects consisted of 30 patients with asthma who were treated with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks. Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract is the extracted powder form of the modified herbal decoction Chuongsangboha-whan, which has been used as the traditional therapeutic agent for asthma. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was checked before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Quality of Life QuestionnaireQ for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA) was checked before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Unpleasant symptoms were checked in all patients at 2 weeks and 4 weeks from the beginning of treatment. Results : Treatment with Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract for four weeks resulted in significant increase in $FEV_{1.0}%$, PEFR%, and QLQAKA. The total efficacy rate of QLQAKA in the patient group was 53.3% after 4 weeks. The QLQAKA of the step 2, step 3, and step 4 groups (n=18, 55.6%) classified by global initiative for asthma (GINA) consistently increased, and significant improvement of QLQAKA occurred in the step3 group. In the step 4 group, FEV1.0%, and PEFR% were significantly increased. A total of 15 patients experienced unpleasant symptoms during the first 2 weeks of treatment, but these symptoms disappeared in all but 2 cases with no need of further treatment during the 2nd 2-week period. Conclusions : This study shows that Gamichuongsangboha-tang extract has effects on improvement of pulmonary function and quality of life, especially in persistent symptomatic asthmatics. Obviously further study concerning all these is still necessary.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-126
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of inpatients who were admitted to Korean medicine hospital due to traffic accident. Methods : We analyzed statistical study in 137 patients, who had admitted to M korean medicine hospital, in Gimpo city, Gyeonggi Province from January 1st, 2017 to June 31th, 2017 according to medical charts. Results : 1. In distribution according to age and sex, people in their 50s numbered the most. The 137 inpatients comprised of male (46.0%) and female (54.0%). 2. In distribution according to types of accident, Rear-end collision accident numbered the most (34.3%), followed by Frontal collision (21.2%) and Lateral collision (14.6%). 3. In distribution according to duration of treatment, most (54.7%) patients discharged within 1 week, followed by 1 week to 2 weeks(37.2%) 4. In distribution according to mean elevation of symptoms, Neck pain was the most (75.9%) symptom, followed by Low back pain (67.2%), Shoulder pain (46.0%) and Headache (37.2%). 5. In distribution according to treatment results, symptom improvement was the most (62.8%), followed by excellent (19.7%), mild improvement (14.6%). 6. In distribution according to duration of treatment, Most frequently prescribed herbal decoction was Tongdosan (45.7%), followed by Dangguijakyaksangagam (29.6%), and most frequently prescribed extract powder was Yunkyopaedocksan and Ojeoksan (12.7%). Conclusions : This study shows that aftereffects from the traffic accident tend to occur with various symptoms in various age groups. Korean medicine treatments are effective in patient who were admitted to Korean medicine hospital due to traffic accident.