• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.121-132
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• 2010

Inflammatory reaction is characterized by over-production of inflammatory mediators due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglantin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and nitric oxide (NO) in U937 cells. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts from Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and $PGE_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS- stimulated U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. Their combination extract also inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by focal loss of cartilage due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1(IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha($TNF-\alpha$), prostaglantin, and nitric oxide(NO). We investigated the anti-arthritic effects of water extracts from Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma in vitro and in vivo. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, $IL-1\beta$, $TNF-\alpha$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. The same results were also observed in the rat osteoblast sarcoma cell line ROS17/2.8 stimulated with $IL-1\beta$, $IFN-\gamma,$ and $TNF-\alpha$. Moreover, the combination of these water extracts significantly suppressed collagen-induced mouse arthritis. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Pellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizoma may be useful for therapeutic drugs against rheumatoid arthritis, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.591-595
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• 2007

There are eight kinds of formulas for invigorating the liver to cure its asthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas Began-tang, Boganhwan, Bogansan, Bogandan, Boganeum, Boganjoo, Boganjeon and Bogango. Another formula called Bocheonghwan is to invigorate the green colour of liver. There are 22 kinds of Bogan-tang, 12 kinds of Boganhwan, 25 kinds of Bogansan, one kind of Bogandan, one kind of Boganeum, one kind of Boganjoo, one kind of Boganjeon, one kind of Bogango, and two kinds of Bocheonghwan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for invigorating the liver, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Bogan-tang for curing the asthenic syndrome of liver through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Bogan-tang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Began-tang. This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Bogan-tang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Began-tang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients No.1 Radix Angelicas Sinensis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Rhizoma Chuanxiong (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radii Polygoni Multiflori (1don), No.4 Fructus Lycii (1don), No.5 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), No.6 Rhizoma Gastrodiae (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don). There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of liver according to the five elements doctrine invigorating the liver, invigorating the kidney and purging the lung. First, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to invigorate your liver. There are two available methods, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the pungent taste and the warm property invigorate the liver. In the case of taste invigoration, two herbal medicines with pungent taste, Radix Angelicas Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property invigoration, two herDal medicines with the warm property, Cortex Cinnamomi and Rhizoma Gastrodiae, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to invigorate your kidney which is mother in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the kidney, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the bitter taste and the cold property invigorate the kidney. Therefore, it is important to use bitter herbal medicines for taste invigoration and cold ones for property invigoration. Both Differ and cold herbal medicines, Radix Polygoni Multiflori and Fructus Lycii, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the liver, you need to purge your lung which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the lung, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to purge the lung with pungent taste and property invigoration to purge the lung with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use pungent herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both pungent and warm herbal medicines, Radix Angelicas Sinensis and Rhizoma Chuanxiong, were combined to invigorate and purge the lung. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of the liver, the methods of invigorating the liver and the kidney, and purging the lung should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herDal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Bogan-tangon is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2010

Cervi parvum cornu (Deer Antler) and Carthami tinctorii fructus (Also known as Carthami seed) are widely used for treating osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, We found out that the water extract of Cervi parvum cornu(WECPC), Carthami tinctorii fructus(WECTF) and their combination have effects of suppressing the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs) by means of RT-PCR. Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western blotting. then we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of WECPC, WECTF and their combination using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse. WECPC, WECTF and their combination showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. WECPC suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$. WECPC, WECTF and their combination down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that WECPC, WECTF and their combination rescued the bone erosion by LPS treatment. Thus, these results demonstrate that WECPC, WECTF and their combination can be efficacious remedies for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.203-206
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• 2018

Objectives: There is an increasing number of complex diseases that are progressively more difficult to be controlled using the conventional "single compound, single target" approach as demonstrated in our current modern drug development. TCM might be the new cornerstone of treatment alternative when the current treatment option is no longer as effective or that we have exhausted it as an option. Orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group study is one of the most frequently employed formulas to produce optimal herbal combination for treatment of multi-syndromic diseases. This approach could solve the relatively low efficacy single drug therapy usage and chronic adverse effects caused by long terms administration of drugs that has been reported in the field of pharmacology and medicine Methods: The present review was based on the Science Direct database search for those related to the TCM and the development of antihypertensive TCM herbal combination using orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group studies approach. Results: Recent studies have demonstrated that the orthogonal stimulus-response compatibility group study approach was most frequently used to formulate TCM herbal combination based on the TCM principles upon the selection of herbs, and the resulting formulated TCM formula exhibited desired outcomes in treating one of global concerned complex multi-syndromic diseases, the hypertension. These promising therapeutic effects were claimed to have been attributed by the holistic signaling mechanism pathways employed by the crude combination of herbs. Conclusion: The present review could serve as a guide and prove the feasibility of TCM principles to be used for future pharmacological drug research development.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2019

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the combination effects of Cinnamomi cortex Ethanol Extract (CcEE) and hyperthermia in the human AGS gastric cancer cell line. Methods : AGS cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of CcEE (0, 50 or $60{\mu}g/mL$) for 1h prior to hyperthermia. And then incubated for a further 30 min at the indicated temperatures (37, 42 or $43^{\circ}C$) in a humidified incubator containing 5% $CO_2$ or a thermostatically controlled water bath for hyperthermia. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, Morphology assay and Trypan blue assay. To investigate the possible molecular signaling pathways, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins (ERK, p38 and JNK) and expression of various anti-apoptotic proteins such as Caspase-3, Caspase-9, p53, Cyclin D1 and MMP-2 were assessed by Western blot analysis. In addition, Annexin V and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) staining was performed to examine the apoptotic mechanism. Results : Combination of CcEE with hyperthermia effectively suppressed the cell viability and changed cellmorphology compared with CcEE or hyperthermia treatment alone. Combined treatment also abated the expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Cyclin D1 and MMP-2. Whereas, the expression level of p53 was up-regulated by co-treatment. Moreover, combination treatment enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK. In addition, this combination increased anti-cancer effect by inducing cell death through the apoptosis. Conclusions : Taken together, all these findings suggest that the combination treatment with CcEE and hyperthermia may have therapeutic potential as a promising approach to patients with stomach cancer.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

Objectives: Donguibogam has helped progress of Eastern medicine across Asia and almost all of Korean medicine doctors still use the book as a classic reference. In this study, the prescriptions used in the treatment of stroke in Donguibogam are analyzed and the results are to be used for our subsequent studies. Methods: The frequency of use of prescriptions and the frequency of combination of medicines were analyzed from 89 prescriptions used in the Stroke chapter of Donguibogam, and it was intended to derive a combination prescription and a monosyllabic medicine that can be effectively used in the treatment of stroke for preclinical studies. Results: Ganghwalyupung-tang (羌活愈風湯) was the most mentioned prescription among 89 prescriptions, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, among 165 species of medicines used in the 89 prescriptions, mixed in 55 prescriptions. However, considering the ratio of frequently used medicines, Sagunja-tang (四君子湯) was the highest in terms of composition ratio. Conclusions: Through this study, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Sagunja-tang were selected as materials for our subsequent studies.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.199-211
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• 2019

Objectives : Present study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of various combinations of lemon balm and dandelion (LD) leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced acute liver injury. Methods : Mice were orally treated with 200 mg/kg of LD extracts [1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, or 8:1 (weight : weight)] for 7 days, and then intraperitoneally injected with $CCl_4$ (0.5 mL/kg). Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as reference drug. Body weight gain, relative liver weight, serum biochemistry, histopathologic analyses, and hepatic antioxidant system were examined to elucidate the fittest combination ratio of LD extract. Results : All varying combinations of LD extract significantly increased body weight gain and decreased relative liver weight by $CCl_4$. In addition, LD extract reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Histopathological analyses indicated that LD extract significantly decreased histological activity index score, degenerated hepatocytes, and infiltrated inflammatory cells induced by $CCl_4$. Moreover, LD extract reduced lipid peroxidation, and attenuated the reduction of hepatic glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase by $CCl_4$. Although there were no statistical differences in body weight gain between silymarin- and LD extract-treated groups, administration of 1:1, 2:1, and 4:1 combination of LD extract exhibited more favorable hepatoprotective effects than silymarin. Especially, 2:1 combination of LD extract showed the most potent hepatoprotective effects. Conclusion : Of various combinations of LD extract tested, present results suggest that 2:1 combination of LD extract would be a promising herbal formulation to protect liver from oxidative stress.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.251-260
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• 2002

The application of Shinkihuan umder the combination of configuration, color, pulse and symptoms leads to the following conclusions: 1. Shinkihuan is applied to the diseases related with lung, kidney and the spine: difficult urination of old people, shortness of breath, hematuria, loss of voice, distorted vision, deafness of deficiency, hemorrhoids, thirst, carbuncle, suppurative infection, children's retardation of walking and noma, etc... 2. The effect of Shinkihuan is as follows. It nourishes the lung, replenishes the kidney fluid, relieves the phlegm, tranquilizes fever due to deficiency of blood and reinforces the liver. 3. Shinkihuan is appropriate for the persons with the following characteristics in configuration: male, tall, thin, dam-typed, inverted-triangular, prominent nosed and dry.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2020

Objectives : To compare the herbal ingredients of the prescriptions in 「Newly Selected Twenty-four Key Formulas applied to Tae-eumin(新定太陰人病應用要藥二十四方)」 chapter of the Shinchuk edition of the 『Donuisusebowon』 and those from the texts of the Four Great Doctors of the Jin Yuan period. Methods : The herbal ingredients of the 『Donuisusebowon』 and those from 『Huangdisuwen Xuanminglunfang(黃帝素問宣明論方)』, 『Lanshimicang(蘭室秘藏)』, 『Suwenbingji Qiyibaomingji(素問病機氣宜保命集)』, 『Shanghan Biaoben Xinfaleicui(傷寒標本心法類萃)』, 『Piweilun(脾胃論)』, 『Neiwai Shangbianhuolun(內外傷辨惑論)』, 『Shanghanzhige(傷寒直格)』, 『Shanghanxinyao(傷寒心要)』, 『Sanxiaolun(三消論)』 were entered into the database. Next, formulas which included the herbal combination pattern of Tae-eumin formula were determined. Results : Among the 27 Tae-eumin formulas including edited versions, those that showed similar pattern among those in the JinYuan texts were the following 12: Gegenjiejitang(葛根解肌湯), Reduohanshaotang(熱多寒少湯), Gegenchengqitang(葛根承氣湯), Gegentaichengqitang(葛根大承氣湯), Gegenshaochengqitang(葛根小承氣湯), Mahuangpobiaotang(麻黃發表湯), Bufeiyuantang(補肺元湯), Zaojiaodahuangtang(皂角大黃湯), Guadisan(瓜蒂散), Shexiangsan(麝香散), Shichangpuyuanzhisan(石菖蒲遠志散), Maimundongyuanzhisan(麥門冬遠志散). Conclusions : Based on the finding that 44.4% of the Shinchuk edition's Tae-eumin formula patterns could be found in the texts of the Four Masters, Dongmu's assertion that about half of the Tae-eumin formulas has been clarified by the doctors of the Song, Yuan, Ming eras could be understood as true.