• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.74-86
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine search trends and their meanings for major uninsuired Korean medicine (KM) treatments through analysis of an online portal search results. Methods: Keywords searches were performed using Naver Datalab on 4 July 2023. From January 2016 to June 2023, monthly relative search volume (RSV) for keywords 'pharmacopuncture', 'Chuna', and 'needle-embedding therapy', and 'herbal decoction' were extracted with a score between 0 and 100. For the obtained RSVs, longitudinal changes over time, characteristics according to sex and age group, and correlations between them were investigated. Results: The ranking of RSV for each keyword has changed from 'Chuna', 'herbal decoction', 'needle-embedding therapy', and 'pharmacopuncture' to 'Chuna', 'herbal decoction', 'pharmacopuncture', and 'needle-embedding therapy' after 2019. Overall, the RSV of needle-embedding therapy continuously decreased, while that of pharmacopuncture continuously increased. In 2019, a rapid increase in the RSV of Chuna was observed, and in 2020, a rapid increase in the RSV of herbal decoction was observed. There was a difference in the longitudinal change pattern of RSV for the keywords by age group. Importantly, in the elderly, changes in RSV were observed in a favorable pattern to KM treatment. Conclusion: Our findings enable estimation of the public's interest and its changes for the four uninsuired KM treatment, and can be used as basic data to strengthen health insurance coverage in Korea. Specifically, changes in interest in KM treatments according to sex and age can be referred to.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2010

1. Objectives: To compare the contents of hazardous substances such as crude, washing solution, crude after washing, decoction and remnant. 2. Methods: The heavy metal contents of each step were measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer and mercury analyzer (MA-2). In order to analyze pesticides in Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang we used simultaneous multi- residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide (SO2) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. 3. Results: 1) The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) for each steps in Yanggeoksanhwa-tang were as follows: crude (Pb; 1.87, As; 1.29, Cd; 0.28 and Hg; N.D.), washing solution (Pb; 1.98, As; 1.13, Cd; 0.10 and Hg; N.D.), crude after washing (Pb; 1.90, As; 1.40, Cd; 0.22 and Hg; N.D.), decoction (Pb; 1.90, As; 1.14, Cd; 0.11 and Hg; N.D.) and remnant (Pb; 2.39, As; 1.29, Cd; 0.25 and Hg; 0.01). 2) Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides in crude and decoction were not detected. 3) Contents (mg/kg) of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in crude, crude after washing and remnant exhibited 3.00, 2.00 and 2.00 mg/kg, respectively. However, contents of sulfur dioxide in washing solution and decoction were not detected. 4. Conclusions: These Results: will be used to establish a criterion of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide of each step in Yanggeoksanhwa-tang.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1281-1289
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• 2018

Objectives: This study is the first report on a case of subclinical hypothyroidism treated with Modified Er-Xian Decoction, which is rarely used in Korea. Methods: Patients were treated for 3 months with Modified Er-Xian Decoction and their therapeutic effects were evaluated through thyroid function tests and Spleen-Kidney deficiency Questionnaire. Results: Initial improvement was apparent after the administration of Modified Er-Xian Decoction. After 3 months of treatment, the patient 's Spleen-Kidney deficiency index improved significantly, and thyroid hormone levels returned to normal. Conclusions: In this case report, symptoms and biochemical improvement were confirmed based on a single herbal medicine prescription for subclinical hypothyroidism. It is necessary to verify the effect of this prescription through well - established clinical trials.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.437-443
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• 2021

Objective: This study explored the clinical usefulness of Nangan-jeon decoction to treat refractory functional dyspepsia. Methods: A 61-year-old female had been suffering from severe functional dyspepsia for about 40 years, but the dyspeptic symptoms rapidly improved after taking Nangan-jeon decoction. The clinical outcome was assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the self-reporting method. Result: After there was no improvement from various herbal treatments in a department of a Korean college hospital, the patient moved to the author's clinic. She had been diagnosed with the pattern identification of "liver-kidney deficiency cold" and prescribed with Nangan-jeon decoction. This herbal drug rapidly improved her dyspeptic symptoms, from NRS 10 to NRS 2 (after 3 weeks) and NRS 1 (after 7 weeks). Conclusion: This case report is the first to present the potential of Nangan-jeon decoction to improve refractory functional dyspepsia.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.172-181
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• 2018

This study was designed to investigate the stability for chemical contents and biological activities of Mahwang-tang (MT) depending on the preservation temperature and periods. MT decoction pouches were preserved for 3 months at room temperature (RT, $23{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) and refrigeration ($4^{\circ}C$). To evaluate the stability of MT decoction, pH and sugar content were estimated. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis were performed to quantify the contents of marker compounds in MT. Anti-inflammatory effects of MT were evaluated to suppress the generation of nitric oxide, prostaglandin $E_2$ and cytokines (tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin-6) in the RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Total antioxidant capacity of MT was determined by ABTS radical scavenging activity. The pH of storage method and period showed a tendency to decrease gradually with time. There were no changes in sugar content depending on the preservation temperature and periods of MT decoction. Among the major components of MT, cinnamaldehyde was reduced time-dependently for 3 months of storage at RT. The inflammatory effect and antioxidant capacity of MT were reduced time-dependently at both RT and $4^{\circ}C$. Our results suggest that the preservation period of MT decoction is recommended in refrigeration within 3 months or less rather than at RT.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2009

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the stability of a decoction using three herbal plants and their major components according to the storage conditions and periods. Materials and Methods: A three-herb mixture (1:1:1) of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer, Artemisia capillaris Thunberg, and Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesqui was decocted and kept at room temperature ($25{\pm}2^{\circ}C$) or cold temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) for 0, 2, 4 or 8 weeks in liquid form in a plastic pack under dark conditions. At time points given, they were lyophilized. 200 mg of powdered samples were dissolved in 1 mL of 90% methanol and then applied to a high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) with glycyrrhizin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin or poncirin for quantitative or qualitative analysis. Results: There were no gross changes in HPTLC-based compositional band-patterns of the three herbal mixture according to the storage conditions and period. The major components of each herb, glycyrrhizin, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin and poncirin, showed slight time-dependent reduction in their contents both at room and cold temperature for 8 weeks. Conclusion: We could conclude that the current herbal decoction is generally safe for the stability at both RT or CT for at least 8 weeks. Nevertheless, we proposed that further advanced studies are required for more multiple herbal mixtures and longer storage periods.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.13-20
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• 2009

Objectives: To compare the contents of hazardous substances before/after a decoction. Methods : The heavy metal contents before/after a decoction were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) and mercury analyzer. In order to analyze pesticides in 6 samples we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide (S02) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. Results : 1. The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) for the samples were as follows: Socheongryong-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.115, Cd; 0.179, As; 0.069 and Hg; 0.028, after decoction - Pb; 0.110, Cd; 0.011, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.002), Insampaedok-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.207, Cd; 0.148, As; 0.171 and Hg; 0.026, after decoction - Pb; 0.075, Cd; 0.006, As; not detected and Hg; O.OOD, Oryung-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.955, Cd; 0.430, As; 0.063 and Hg; 0.027, after decoction - Pb; 0.083, Cd; 0.013, As; 0.006 and Hg; 0.002), Hwangryunhaedok-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.825, Cd; 0.210, As; 0.050 and Hg; 0.009, after decoction - Pb; 0.107, Cd; 0.010, As; 0.005 and Hg; O.OOD, Bangpungtongseong-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.740, Cd; 0.162, As; 0.585 and Hg; 0.018, after decoction - Pb; 0.041, Cd; 0.006, As; 0.022 and Hg; not detected) and Oyaksungi-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.199, Cd; 0.183, As; 0.321 and Hg; 0.031, after decoction - Pb; 0.096, Cd; 0.008, As; 0.021 and Hg; 0.0004). 2. Contents (mg/kg) of sulfur dioxide (S0$_2$) before a decoction in Socheongryong-tang, Insampaedok-san, Oryung-san, Hwangryunhaedok-tang, Bangpungtongseong-san and Oyaksungi-san exhibited 3.2, 5.7, 4.5, 49.8, 7.8 and 22.4, respectively. However, contents of sulfur dioxide after a decoction in all samples were not detected. 3. Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides before/after a decoction in all samples were not detected. Conclusions : These results will be used to establish a criterion of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.29-35
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• 2012

Objectives : To provide the information of preservation method for herbal decoction, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects according to preservation temperature and period of Pyungwi-san (PWS, Ping wei-san) decoction. Methods : The anti-inflammatory activity of PWS was investigated by carrageenin-induced paw edema in SD rats. At 0 month, PWS extract was administrated 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day orally for seven days prior to induction of edema. Edema was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1% carrageenin into the right hind paw. The paw volume was measured at 4 hr following carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. At 6 and 12 months, PWS extracts according to preservation temperatures (room temperature, $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$) were administrated in rats and then carrageenin-induced paw edema volume was measured. Results : PWS showed inhibitory effect on carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats and the optimal dose was 1000 mg/kg/day at 0 month of storage. At 6 month of storage, PWS storaged at $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$ were inhibited paw edema but that storaged at room temperature was not reduced paw edema in rats. Conclusions : These results suggest that PWS decoction pouch has anti-inflammatory activities at both $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$ during 6 month storage.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.103-113
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• 2015

Objective : Five most generally adopting basic oriental prescriptions (yookmijihwangtang, ojeoksan, sipjeondaebotang, samultang, bojoongikgitang) samples were collected from 10 oriental hospitals nationwide and the transferring ratio to aqueous phase (TRAP) were calculated. Method : The samples are grounded evenly and the decocted at $120^{\circ}C$ for 12 min on hot plate and then filtered. The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr and Pb in before and after decoction were measure by ICP/MS and the TRAPs were calculated. Results : The concentrations of As, Cr and Pb in the ground samples before decoction were all below criteria level, and TRAP values were also very low (<10%). For Cd, although some ground samples before decoction showed relatively high concentration level compare to the criteria level, because of their low TRAP (~3%), the actual concentrations in the decoction were quite low compare the criteria level. The Co's concentrations in the ground samples before decoction were all relatively low level. However, the TRAP of Co was astonishingly high value of around 40% average. Conclusion : The toxic heavy metal concentrations in the decoction were very low compare to the criteria level. The TRAPs are less than <10% except Co. The toxic heavy metals in the prescriptions are mainly remained in the residue and the only very small fraction may transferred to the decoctions. Therefore the toxicity of the oriental herbal medicine about the toxic heavy metal may be overstressed. The Co's TRAP turned out to be quite high value (40% average). Since the criteria level wes not established yet, the safety of decoctions according to Co was not fully confirmed.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.33-45
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• 2020

Objective : The present study aimed to evaluate the change of the content of 7 active components in decoctions produced by various proportional pairs of Coptis chinensis Franch and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in 'Mixed decoction (MD)' and 'Single decoction mixture (SDM)'. Methods : The samples of MDs were prepared by decocting C. chinensis : S. baicalensis with the ratios of 10 g:10 g, 10 g:20 g, and 20 g:10 g. Those of SDMs were prepared by blending each single decoction from C. chinensis and S. Baicalensis with the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The samples were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with statistical analyses. Results : The analytical methods, which were optimized and validated, were reliably applied to present research. The content of all components in both MDs and SDMs at C. chinensis : S. baicalensis = 1:1 ratio were reduced compared with single herb decoction. The components from each compositional herb in MDs were proportionally increased with the ratio of original herb increased, but inversely proportional to paired herb. The contents of components in MDs were significantly lower than those in SDMs at all ratios, except for high content of baicalin at C. chinensis : S. baicalensis = 2:1. Conclusion : It was concluded that MDs and SDMs as well as the proportions of herbs could affect the contents of the components from original herbal medicines. These results provide the information for the quality control of herbal medicine combined C. chinensis with S. baicalensis.