• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.242-245
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• 2011

Socheongryong-tang has been used for the treatment of inflammatory allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in Asian countries. This study was conducted to investigate the safety of Socheongryong-tang in rats. The safety of this tang on acute toxicity was evaluated by single dose toxicity study. Rats were orally administrated in a single dose of 0 and 2000 mg/kg (limited dose) Socheongryong-tang. There were 7 rats in each groups. All animals were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment. After single administration, mortality, clinlcal signs, body weight changes and gross pathological findings were observed for 14 days. Three parameters were tested: organ weight measurement, clinical chemistry, and hematology. In this study with rats, Socheongryong-tang treatment did not show any acute toxicity. No mortality was noted for 14 days of treatment. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, organ eight and gross pathological findings at all treatment groups. The clinical chemistry parameters attesting to liver and kidney functions as well as the hematological parameters were within the normal ranges. From single dose toxicity study with rats, it is considered that $LD_{50}$ of Socheongryong-tang is over 2000 mg/kg in oral administration. This finding of the safety on single dose toxicity study of Socheongryong-tang are expected to strengthen the position of Socheongryong-tang as nontoxic medicine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2019

Objective: Recent studies have demonstrated that lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B)/miRNA let-7 (let-7) plays a role in the regulation of pubertal onset in mammals. However, the role of LIN28B/let-7 in the onset of ovine puberty remains unknown. We cloned the Duolang sheep Lin28B cDNA sequence, detected the expression change of LIN28B, let-7a and let-7g in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary tissues at three different pubertal stages. Methods: The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to clone the cDNA sequence of LIN28B gene from Duolang sheep and the bioinformatics methods were applied to analyze the amino acid sequence of LIN28B protein. The mRNA expression levels of the LIN28B gene at different pubertal stages were examined by real time RT-PCR. Results: LIN28B cDNA of Duolang sheep was cloned, and two transcripts were obtained. The amino acid sequence of transcript 1 shares 99.60%, 98.78%, and 94.80% identity with those of goat, wild yak and pig, respectively. Strong LIN28B mRNA expression was detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, oviduct and uterus, while moderate expression was found in the liver, kidney, spleen and heart, weak expression was observed in the heart. No expression was found in the lungs. Quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) and western-blot analysis revealed that the LIN28B was highly expressed in the hypothalamus and ovary at prepuberty stages, and this expression significantly decreased from the prepuberty to puberty stages (p<0.05). Markedly increased levels of mRNA expression were detected in the pituitary from prepuberty to puberty (p<0.05) and then significantly decreased from puberty to post-puberty (p<0.05). The expression levels of let-7a and let-7g showed no significant changes among different pubertal stages (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results provided a foundation for determining the functions of LIN28B/let-7 and their role in the onset of sheep puberty.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2018

Backgrounds: The main purpose of this research was to assess changes in vegetation structure, wetland index, and diversity index for a 15-year-old created wetland in Jincheon, South Korea. The created wetland consists of four sub-wetlands: a kidney-shaped wetland, a ditch, an ecological pond, and a square wetland. Vegetation and water depth data were collected at each site in 1999 and 2013, and Shannon diversity and wetland indices were calculated. Results: The total number of plant species increased from 18 in 1999 to 50 in 2013, and the ecological pond in 1999 and the ditch in 2013 presented the highest diversity indices (2.5 and 3.2, respectively). Plant species were less diverse in 1999 than in 2013, presumably because these initial wetlands were managed periodically for water purification and installation of test beds. The proportion of wetland plants, including obligate wetland and facultative wetland species, decreased from 83 to 56%, whereas upland plants, including obligate upland and facultative upland species, increased from 17 to 44%. After ceasing water supply, water depth in all four sub-wetlands declined in 2013. Thus, upland plants established more readily at these sites, resulting in higher diversity and lower wetland indices than in 1999. Conclusions: The major floristic differences between 1999 and 2013 were an increase in the number of upland plants and a decrease in wetland species. Although wetland indices were lower in 2013, the created wetland performed important ecosystem functions by providing habitats for wetland and upland plants, and the overall species diversity was high.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.976-988
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to examine the memory and attention enhancement effect of YMG-1 and YMG-2, which are modified herbal extracts from Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ). YMJ, composing six herbal medicine, has been used for restoring the normal functions of the body to consolidate the constitution, nourishing and invigorating the kidney functions for hundreds years in Asian countries. A series of studies reported that YMJ and its components enhance memory retention, protects neuronal cell from reactive oxygen attack and boost immune activities. Recently the microarray analysis suggested that YMG-1 protects neurodegeneration through modulating various neuron specific genes. A total of 55 subjects were divided into three groups according to the treatment of YMG-1 (n=20), YMG-2 (n=20) and control (C; n=15) groups. Before treatments, all of subjects were subjected to the assessments on neuropsychological tests of K-WAIS test, Rey-Kim memory test, and psychophysiological test of Event-Related Potential (ERP) during auditory oddball task and repeated word recognition task. They were repeatedly assessed with the same methods after drug treatment for 6 weeks. Although no significant effect of drug was found in Rey-Kim memory test, a significant interaction (P = .010, P < 0.05) between YMG-2 and C groups was identified in the scores digit span and block design, which are the subscales of K-WAIS. The very similar but marginal interaction (P = .064) between YMG-1 and C groups was found too. In ERP analysis, only YMG-1 group showed decreasing tendency of P300 latency during oddball task while the others tended to increase, and it caused significant interaction between session and group (p= .004). This result implies the enhancement of cognitive function in due to consideration of relationship between P300 latency and the speed of information processing. However, no evidence which could demonstrate the significant drug effect was found in neither amplitude or latency. These results come together suggest that YMG-1, 2 may enhance the attention, resulting in enhancement of memory processing. For elucidating detailed mechanism of YMG on learning and memory, the further studies are necessary.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.795-803
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• 2013

Various endometrial genes in ruminant ungulates are regulated by conceptus interferon tau (IFNT). However, the effect of each IFNT isoform has not been carefully evaluated. In this study, the effects of 2 IFNT isoforms, paralogs found in utero, and interferon alpha (IFNA) on uterine epithelial and Mardin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were evaluated. Expression vectors of the bovine interferon (bIFNT) genes bIFNT1, bIFNTc1, and bIFNA were constructed, and recombinant bIFNs (rbIFNs) were produced by 293 cells. Bovine uterine epithelial or MDBK cells were cultured in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations of each rbIFN for 24, 48, or 72 h. Transcript levels of the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) ISG12, ISG15, MX1, and MX2 were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. These messenger RNAs were up-regulated by rbIFN in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In the epithelial cells, the ISG12 transcript level increased at 48 h after rbIFN treatment but slightly decreased at 72 h, whereas the transcript level of ISG15 increased at 24 h and was maintained through 72 h. Expressions of MX1 and MX2 increased at 72 h after rbIFN treatment. MX1 expression increased in all treatment groups, but MX2 increased only by bIFNTc1. In MDBK cells, the expression of ISG12 was increased by bIFNT1 and bIFNTc1 after 24 and 72 h; however, it was unchanged by rbIFNA. ISG15 increased following the same pattern as that seen in uterine epithelial cells, and MX1 showed a similar expression pattern. MX2 expression was increased by bIFNTc1 treatment in uterine epithelial cells, and its expression was increased by both bIFNT1 and bIFNTc1 in MDBK cells. These results show that epithelial and MDBK cell responses to IFNs differ, suggesting that IFNs possess common functions, but may have acquired different functions following gene duplication.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.31-46
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, the effects of Ja-eum-gang-hwa-tang (JGT) on the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats and ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells were investigated. Materials and Methods Hypersecretion of airway mucus was produced by exposure of $SO_2$ to rats for 3 weeks. The effect of orally-administered JGT for 2 weeks on increased epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was assessed by using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with Hematoxylin-eosin and PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of JGT was assessed by investigating the potential damage on kidneys and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN concentration of rats and the body weight gain during experiment. Also, the effect of JGT on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of JGT and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$) or PMA ($10ng/ml$) or EGF ($25ng/ml$) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24 hrs to assess the effect of JGT both on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results (1) JGT decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (2) JGT did not show any renal and hepatic toxicities, and did not affect body weights either. (3) JGT significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin productions from NCI-H292 cells. (4) JGT inhibited EGF-, and PMA-induced expression levels of MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells. However, ATP- and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC gene expression levels were not affected in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions The result from the present study suggests that JGT might control the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases which accompanied by mucus hypersecretion. Also, JGT did not show liver toxicity or impact on kidney functions. The effect of JGT should be further studied by using animal experimental models which can show proper pathophysiology of airway diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1391-1398
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• 2007

We performed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to determine whether Laminaria japonica extract (LJE) supplement modulates blood glucose, serum lipids and antioxidant systems in type II diabetic patients. We also measured critical parameters assessing safety in liver and kidney functions after LJE supplement. A total of 37 patients (18 males and 19 females) were randomized to either LJE group or placebo group. The treatment group received four 350 mg of LJE capsules (1.4 g, total) per day for 12 weeks. The placebo group received the same dose of cellulose capsules. Baseline characteristics regarding general life style and dietary intake pattern were similar between the two groups. There were no significant influences of LJE supplement except for waist circumference on anthropometric parameters. As the whole, 12 weeks of LJE supplement resulted in a little decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), but a significant decrease was not observed. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in LJE group. The antioxidant enzymes, glutathion peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were elevated in the LJE group (p<0.05) compared to the placebo. The increase of these enzymes was associated significantly with the decrease of MDA concentration (p<0.05). Furthermore, LJE supplement showed no adverse effects on the functions of liver and kidney. Findings from this study suggest that LJE supplement can help improve serum lipid status in type II diabetic subjects without adverse effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-187
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• 2005

This thesis study of the medical concept Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) is discussed in the Lei Jing Fu Yi (類經附翼), a book authored by Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) a medical doctor during the Chinese Ming (明) dynasty (1368-1683). The meaning of Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) is "searching for the rightness." In his book Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) intended to clarify Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) by delineating the concept into four categories. These are: Sanjiao Baoluo Mingmen Bian (三焦包絡命門 辨) the theory of the triple warmer, the Pericardium, the Gate of Life ; Da Bao Lun (大寶論) the theory of the great treasure of the human body; Zhen Yin Lun (眞陰論) the theory of true-yin fluid; and Shi Er Zang Mai Hou Bu Wei Lun (十二臟脈候部位論) the theory of the part of the pulse and its condition in regards to the twelve viscera. Sanjiao Baoluo Mingmen Bian (三焦包絡命門辨), the theory of the triple warmer, the Pericardium, the Gate of Life. The triple warmer (三焦: Sanjiao) is composed of three parts: the upper, middle, and lower. This concept is also connected with the functions and roles of the vital organs. The upper burner is related to the heart and lungs. The middle burner is related to the liver and spleen. Whereas, the lower burner is related to the kidneys. Bao-Luo (包絡) is the Pericardium, the envelope of the heart, serving as the protector of the heart. Ming-Men (命門) is the Gate of Life, reffering to the vitals of life. It functions as kidney-yang which is considered as the origin of yang-energy of the human body, and serves partly as the function of cortico-adrenal gland in modern medicine. Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) discussed the Da Bao Lun (大寶論) as the most important function in the human body because the Da Bao (大寶/great treasure) is the true-yang (眞陽) which is the affective force for physiological functions, and as the source of energy for life activities. Moreover, true-yang (眞陽) functions both as a heater and thermometer that warms the human body and indicates vitality by levels of body warmth respectively. The Zhen Yin Lun (眞陰論) theory states that if true-yang (眞陽) is energy, then true-yin (眞陰) is the source of energy. This can be likened to a tree with roots which absorbs nutrients from the ground (source), and spreads the nutrients (energy) through its branches. Thus, true-yin (眞陰) is the root cause for later functional activities of true-yang (眞陽). In Shi Er Zang Mai Hou Bu Wei Lun (十二臟脈候部位論) the theory of the pulse (脈 /Mai) and its condition in regards to the twelve viscera, Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) insisted that when a diagnoses by the pulse is made the five vital organs and the six viscera (五臟六腑) of a human body should be harmoniously arranged in accordance with its respective part of the pulse. Furthermore, Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) supported his theory with evidence from earlier Chinese medical doctors. And, by stating that human beings must cultivate and preserve their true-yin (眞陰) and true-yang (眞陽) energies he therefore created four new prescriptions called: Zuoguiyin (左歸飮), Youguiyin (右歸飮), Zuoguiwan (左 歸丸), Youguiwan (右歸丸). To further clarify his theory Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) considered that the function of true-yang (眞陽) and true-yin (眞陰) is expressed by Ming-Men (命門). This theory is that for humans to be spiritually and physically healthy they must live in accord with natural law. Also, within the framework of natural law, astronomical and geographical factors must be considered for complete, holistic, health. Thus, Ming-Men is the basis for healthy living in the modern world.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1000-1010
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• 2008

Objective : Hypothyroidism is a syndrome characterized by symptoms such as cold intolerance, or weight gain. Because of side effects of Western medicine treatment, interest in oriental medicine has been increasing. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of Evodiae fructus and histological modification in hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods : After inducing hypothyroidism in the rats by PTU injections, we divided the rats into four groups, the Evodiae fructus 100 500, control, and $LT_4$ (levothyroxine) groups. After 2 weeks Evodiae fructus and $LT_4$ were administered, respectively. The weight was measured once a week. After sampling the blood for biochemical analysis to check the levels of $T_3$, $T_4$ and TSH, the thyroid tissue was removed, stained with H&E, and an image was obtained using an optical microscope. Results : Compared with normals, controls showed low $T_4$ and high TSH. The Evodiae fructus group showed a statistically meaningful $T_3$ increase to be dose related. But the levels of TSH showed no meaningful difference between the Evodiae fructus group and normals. About the biochemical tests(liver, kidney etc) and weight change, there was no meaningful difference between the Evodiae fructus group and controls. In the biopsy, the Evodiae fructus group showed thyroid tissue improvement compared to controls. Conclusions : These results show that Evodiae fructus stimulates the decreased functions of the thyroid, and also has thyroid cell protecting effects. The lab results also showed that Evodiae fructus is a safe substance that doesn't cause hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. Therefore it is an effective substance in the treatment of hypothyroidism.