• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.460-468
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• 2022

Objective: In this case report, we address the case of a 22-year-old man complaining of generalized tonic-clonic seizures due to drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal medication, Shihogyeji-tang (SGT), and acupuncture. We evaluated improvements in symptoms using the Korean version of the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy Scale and quality of life. Results: After 37 days of Korean medicine treatment, there were improvements in the patient's quality of life and self-efficacy in seizure control. Conclusions: This case report suggests that SGT and acupuncture might be effective in drug-resistant epilepsy via action on neurons. SGT showed excellent tolerability for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Our experience provides evidence that SGT and acupunctue may be used as alternative treatment options when antiepileptic drugs do not work in epilepsy patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.88-99
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of acupuncture for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: Based on domestic and international papers reported until October 2020, experimental papers on "chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy", "mechanism", and "acupuncture" were set up to identify the mechanisms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. A total of seven papers were selected and searched: one pilot paper for people and six experimental papers for rats. Results: In the pilot paper studied by Bao, T., the effect of EA was demonstrated but no significant results were produced for the mechanism. Moon et al. derived the association between EA and plasma 𝛽-endorphin in rat experimental studies on oxalilatin-induced cold hypersensitivity. Meng et al. found relevance to 𝜇, 𝛿, and 𝛿 opioid through EA stimulation in paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Lee et al. studied the relationship between EA and muscarin and 5-HT in rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced coldness, associated with 5-HT and EA, especially with 5-HT3 receptors. Choi et al. revealed the association of adrenaline and opioid acting on 𝛼2- and 𝛽 adrenaline receptors with EA in rat experiments on paclitaxel-induced neuralgia. In rat experiments on oxaliplatin-induced neuralgia reported by Lee, 𝛽-endorphin and encephalin were studied to be mediated by EA. Zhang, T. et al. revealed in the paclitaxel induced rat experiment that EA activates 5-HT. Conclusion: It is inferred that peripheral neuropathy caused by anticancer drugs can be reduced by activating the action of 5-HT, 𝛽-endorphin, and encephalin through the descending inhibitory pathways. cell differentiation, herbal medicine, Pongamia, stem cells

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2022

Objectives: Depression is a highly prevalent disease, and the market for antidepressant drugs continues to grow at a steady rate. Although current antidepressants are reported to be effective, because of their low remission rate and side effects, new antidepressants are needed. The use of Banhahubak-tang (BHT) to treat the symptoms of depression is supported by experimental evidence. The proposed study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of BHT in treating depression. Methods: A randomized, waitlist-controlled, parallel clinical trial will be conducted to assess the efficacy of BHT in depression. A total of 84 participants with depression will be randomized into the intervention group or waitlist-control group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the intervention group will be administered BHT three times a day for four weeks and followed up for four more weeks after therapy completion. Patients in the waitlist-control group will undergo the same intervention and follow-up after a four-week waiting period. The primary outcome is change in the Korean version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) scores for major depressive disorders after four weeks. The secondary outcomes include scores on the K-HDRS, Korean Symptom Check List 95 (KSCL-95), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Korean version (STAI-K), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-Korean version (STAXI-K), and the Instrument on Pattern Identifications for Depression and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). Conclusions: This trial will provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of BHT in the management of depression.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2022

Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus(NCSE) refers to continuous epileptic condition with altered mental status and behavioral symptoms, but without convulsive movement at least 10 minutes. In Salzburg criteria, well known as the diagnostic criteria of NCSE, it is diagnosed with clinical symptoms, electroencephalogram (EEG), and effects before and after the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Commonly being used to treat NCSE, AEDs are likely to have adverse effects. In the present case, a 85-year-old female NCSE patient complaining delirium underwent combined Korean medical treatment by acupuncture and herbal medicine for 13 days. The effect of treatment was assessed with delirium scales including Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98(DRS-R-98) and Assessment Test for Delirium & Cognitive Impairment(4AT) per 2 days. After the treatment, both DRS-R-98 and 4AT scores decreased, and orientation and mental status of patient improved. This case report suggests that Korean medical treatment might be an effective option without side for those NCSE patients complaining delirium.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2022

Brady-arrhythmia is defined as an arrhythmia in which the heart rate slows to less than 60 beats per minute. Brady-arrhythmia reduces cardiac output and causes changes in blood flow. As a result, dizziness occurs because not only ischemia occurs in the central nervous system, but also blood flow in major organs decreases. The insertion of an artificial pacemaker is known as almost the only treatment alternative for patients with brady-arrhythmia with symptoms. This study reports a case of 85 year old male diagnosed with brady-arrhythmia complaining presyncope type of dizziness. The patient underwent complex Korean medicine treatments by herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. The daily average value of pulse rate, K-DHI score, NRS score and the patient's subjective expression of symptoms were used as evaluation tools. This study suggested a significant improvement in symptoms through complex Korean medicine treatments without the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs or insertion of an artificial pacemaker in the patient with brady-arrhythmia complaining dizziness.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.436-443
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• 2022

Objectives: This study examined the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of stroke and Alzheimer's disease who had been diagnosed with probable-rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (probable-RBD). Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (Ukgan-san, Ukgansangayonggolmoryeo-tang, and powdered Gamisoyo-san extract), Western medicine (clonazepam, antiplatelet, psychotropic agents, antihypertensive drugs, and others), and acupuncture. Their effects were evaluated by the frequency and severity of sleep-related behavioral symptoms. Results: After treatment, the observed frequency and severity of sleep-related behavior decreased. Conclusion: The results suggest that using traditional Korean medicine with clonazepam can be effective in the treatment of patients with probable-RBD.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2023

Objectives This study is designed to evaluate the safety of palmul-tang soft extract in healthy male volunteers. Methods Twelve healthy male volunteers were recruited. And this study was conducted in a single center. As a result of the laboratory test, the safety was evaluated by collecting vital signs of volunteers. Twelve subjects were assigned by serial number according to the registration order. For safety evaluation, blood samples were collected and vital signs were checked four times throughout the test period, including screening, pre-administration, post-administration (after 48 hours) and post-administration (after 7 days). The difference in variables was summarized as the mean±standard deviation. The normality was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test. If normality is satisfied, a paired t-test is applied. Otherwise, the Wilcoxon sign rank test, which is a nonparametric method, is applied. The significance was p<0.05. The incidence of all side effects is expressed as a percentage. Results In the case of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values, the result of normality test of variables for the difference value before and after administration is significant level p<0.05. However, all laboratory test values before and after administration did not deviate from the normal range. Also the deviations in the normal range could not be seen as significance related to this clinical trial. And no side effects related to clinical trial drugs were observed. Conclusions The soft extract of palmul-tang was considered safe for healthy male volunteers.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.194-204
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• 2009

Purpose: When pregnant women get symptom like pain, because of fear of using analgesic drugs and X-ray test during pregnancy, pain is nevertheless often left. This study was to report the clinical application and safety of oriental treatment to low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. Methods: We experienced seven patients who suffered from low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. During their admission, we treated with acupuncture, cupping therapy and herbal medicine. We checked the symptoms during admission at progress note, and follow up by phone call. Results: The degree of low back pain and pelvic pain were decreased or resolved. After treatment, no serious adverse effects were found on the patients, and there were no adverse effects at all on the infants. Conclusion: The results indicate that oriental treatment can be effective for the management of low back pain and pelvic pain caused by traffic accident during pregnancy. And these treatments are safe to both patients and infants.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.583-592
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• 2023

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Due to its addictive characteristics, many people struggle with the side effects of alcohol. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used to treat various health problems. However, the effects and mechanisms of KRG in alcohol-induced responses remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced responses. Methods: We investigated two aspects: alcohol-induced addictive responses and spatial working memory impairments. To determine the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced addictive responses, we performed conditioned place preference tests and withdrawal symptom observations. To assess the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairment, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and novel object recognition tests were performed using mice after repeated alcohol and KRG exposure. To investigate the potential mechanism of KRG activity, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis were performed. Results: KRG-treated mice showed dose-dependent restoration of impaired spatial working memory following repeated alcohol exposure. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms to alcohol were reduced in mice treated with KRG and alcohol. The PKA-CREB signaling pathway was activated after alcohol administration, which was reduced by KRG. However, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were increased by alcohol and decreased by KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG may alleviate alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairments and addictive responses through anti-neuroinflammatory activity rather than through the PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.216-224
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• 2023

Background: Smilax glabra has various pharmacological activities and is widely used as a herbal medicine. Although the incidence of oral cancer is low, the recurrence rate is high, and the 5-year survival rate is poor. It is necessary to search for anticancer drugs that increase the effect of cancer chemotherapy on heterogeneous oral tissues and reduce the side effects on normal cells. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of ethanol extract of Smilax glabra (EESG) as an anticancer drug for oral cancer. Methods: Smilax glabra root components extracted with 70% ethanol were used to analyze their effects on cancer cells. A 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide assay was performed for cytotoxicity analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the cell cycle phase distribution. To observe apoptotic cells, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and γH2AX were detected by fluorescence microscope. The protein levels of cleaved PARP and caspase were analyzed using western blotting. The activation of procaspase-3 was confirmed by measuring caspase-3 activity. Results: EESG was no cytotoxic to normal gingival fibroblast but was high in YD10B oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. EESG treatment increased the subdiploid DNA content of YD10B cells by assessing DNA content distribution. Chromatin condensation and DNA strand breaks increased in YD10B cells treated with EESG. EESG-treated YD10B cells had high Annexin V and low propidium iodide levels, confirming that early apoptosis was induced. In addition, increased levels of γH2AX foci, a marker of DNA damage, were observed in the nuclei of EESG-treated YD10B cells. The EESG-treated YD10B cells also exhibited decreased procaspase-3 and procaspase-9 levels, increased PARP cleavage and caspase-3 activity. Conclusion: These results indicate that EESG inhibited cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis in YD10B OSCC cells.