• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.105-152
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• 1973

Modern pharmaceutical scientists and medicinal chemists have shown only sporadic interest in mineral drugs of oriental medicine, although the use of minerals in medicine dates from early ancient cultures. The mineral, until recently, has been relatively neglected by the natural product and medicinal chemists. At this moment in time it is appropriate to review briefly the status of mineral oriental drugs in Korea, and eighty items of mineral drugs were listed in this review. This review is also concerned with those references, classic or current, pertaining to application, origin, and constituent of those mineral drugs. It is the aim of this review to facilitate presentation of useful informations in an attempt to entice the natural product and medicinal chemists to seek rediscovery and further application of mineral oriental drugs in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.55-74
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• 1975

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.12-35
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• 2011

Objectives: The two criteria to clarify the toxicity of a herbal diet are well known. Although mechanical analysis of effective ingredients, a western approach, is widely used, the toxicity presence classification through the herbal analysis from a viewpoint of a theory of the herbal medicine properties has been disregarded. This study is for the safe use of a herbal diet through classification and study of toxicity presence in the herbal diet from the view of a theory of herbal medicine properties, one of the methods of Oriental Medicine. Methods: We classified and studied the toxicity presence in four kinds of herbal diets, waters and grains, animals groups, fruits and vegetables, and herbs and trees, excluding mineral natural drugs, of 1,400 kinds of medicines in 16 chapters of Tang-aec-pyeon, Dong-ui-bo-gam, for which the herbal analysis from a viewpoint of the theory of the herbal medicine properties has been used. The criteria of the toxicity presence in the herbal diet have been largely classified into the toxicant and the non-toxicant, and the toxicant is in turn classified into the insignificant, the medium and the significant. The category to clarify herbal diet has been limited to simultaneous utilization of food and natural drugs. The main text is Dong-ui-bo-gam, although diverse other references have also been used. Results: There are toxicant diets: a kind of tortoise meat of animals groups; five kinds of grains part in fruits and vegetables: aengdo, peach, oyat, small apple and gingko nut; and 12 kinds of vegetables part in fruits and vegetables: ginger, oriental cabbage, lettuce, chongbaek, onion, garlic, leek, fern, houttuynia cordata (myeol), pyeongji, geundae, and spinach, which should be prohibited from long-term use both as food and medicine. Conclusion: If herbal diet is used as health food supplements or food, the toxicity presence should be considered on the grounds of an Oriental Medicine theory of the herbal medicine properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2010

We surveyed 821 children (ages 12-15 y) in Daejeon city and Cunngcheong province, Korea for their use of vitamin mineral supplements (VMS), either over-the-counter drugs and/or health functional foods (HFF). We also considered the significant variables of VMS use, including demographic characteristics, health-related variables, eating habits and nutritional beliefs of VMS by subjects. The frequency of VMS use was 24.8% and, in comparison to counterparts, it was higher in subjects attending middle school (p<0.001), in those living in a large city (p<0.001), in those with a high monthly family income (p<0.05), and in those with high concerns about school performance by parents (p<0.01). Selfhealth concerns by subjects (p<0.05) and concerns about health of offspring by parents (p<0.01) were higher in users than in nonusers. Eating habits of subjects did not affect the use of VMS. Users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefits of VMS than did nonusers (p<0.05). Most users took VMS when they were healthy (78.9%) and expected 'disease prevention and health maintenance' (44.6%). However, most users did not feel any special effects from VMS use (58.8%), and they got their information on VMS through family and relatives (53.9%). Users of VMS preferred vitamin C supplements (44.2%) and Ca-supplements (56.9%). Therefore, the results show that VMS use is widely spread among the subjects, and that use of VMS is influenced by multiple variables and subjective criteria. Therefore, practical guidelines on VMS use for children's health and growth should be given through nutritional education.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.25-55
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• 2011

The currently existing "Bonchojeonghwa (本草精華)" is a manuscript without the preface and the epilogue, composed of 2 books in 2 volumes. This book is a quintessence of knowledge on science of medicinal ingredients (medicinal phytology I herbal science) as well as an trial of new development in Chosun medical science. I.e. this book includes surprising change representing medical science in Chosun dynasty as a single publication on science of medicinal ingredients. It holds a value essential to clinician as a specialized book in medicinal ingredients, and Includes richer content on medicinal ingredients than any other books published before. In addition, it is away from boring list-up of superfluous knowledge as seen in "Bonchokangmok(本草綱目)" published in China, and well summarizes essential knowledge which can be used within a range of medicines available in Korea. This book has an outstanding structure that can be even used in today's textbook on science of medicinal ingredients, as it has clear theory, system and classification. Because it handles essential learning points prior to prescription to disease, it is possible to configure new prescription and adjustment of medicinal materials. Moreover, this book can play a good role for linguistic study at the time of publication, because it describes many drugs in Hangul in many parts of the book. "Bonchojeonghwa" includes a variety of animals, plants and mineral resources in Korea, like "Bonchokangmok" which was recently listed in UNESCO. As such, it has a significance in natural history as well as pharmacy in Korean Medicine. It has various academic relationships all in biologic & abiologic aspects. It has importance in sharing future biological resources, building up international potential, setting up the standard for biologic species under IMF system, and becoming a base for resource diplomacy. We should not only see it as a book on medicinal ingredients in terms of Oriental Medicine, but also make an prudent approach to it in terms of study strengthening Korea's national competitiveness. After bibliographical reviewing on the features & characteristics of the only existing copy of "Bonchojeonghwa" housed in Kyujanggak(奎章閣) of Seoul National University, the followings are noted. First, "Bonchojeonghwa" is a specialized book on medicinal ingredients voluntarily made by private hands to distribute knowledge on drugs in the desolate situation after Imjinoeran (Japanese Invasion in 1592), without waiting for governmental help. Second, it raised accessibility and practicality by new editing. Third, it classified 990 different kinds of drugs into plant, animal, and mineral at large, and dassified more in detail into 15 'Bu' and 48 'Ryu' at 258 pages. Fourth, the publication of this book is estimated to be around 1625~1633, at the time of Injo's reign in 17th century. Fifth, it contains the existing & up-to-date knowledge at the time of publication, and it is possible to see the supply-demand situation by Hangul descriptions in 149 places in the book. By the fact that there are many linguistic evidences of 17th century, explains well when the book was published.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find a reasonable solution to a current status of drug classification between the drugs of western conventional (allopathic) medicine and Korean medicine. A clear and distinct concept on the drugs of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine based on reasonable concepts and broad consensus is a pressing issue in Korea, and will facilitate the development of herbal medicinal products and pharmaceutical industry. Methods : Considering the issue of drug classification from domestic and international regulations, we reviewed the current Drug Law of Korea and China, Guidance for Industry, Botanical Drug Products of USA, Directive 2004/24/EC of the European parliament and of the council. Results : In Korea, the drug classification of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine is quite vague even though differential licensure system is enforced for the clinicians of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine field. According to the definition in the Drug Law, the scope of Korean medicine drug is so broad that even a drug made of single-compound material, as well as herbal extract of crude mixture, is regarded as a drug of Korean medicine, as long as the material may be separated from medicinal herbs, animal tissues, or mineral resources. Only new compound not found in natural resources are outside of the scope of Korean medicine drug. In USA and EU, medicinal products manufactured from herbs are approved by separate regulations for the herbs with special waivers. In China, the category of new medicine and the definition of allopathic medicine and traditional chinese medicine are clearly specified and classified. Conclusions : As medicines are validated therapeutic materials for efficacy and toxicity, we suggest that generally the concept of conventional medicines is based on a single compound that has been synthesized and individually validated and that of Korean medicines is based on a compound extracted from natural materials or a complex of compounds that has been validated as a whole in its totality.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2018

Objectives : In cases of osteoarthritis, the hypofunction of the cartilage and joint leads to a limited range of joint motion, swelling, and pain, which is generally treated using pharmaceutical drugs (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents, cartilage protectants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or replacement arthroplasty. However, long-term drug treatment is associated with adverse effects on the gastrointestinal systems. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of Giheolsotong-hwan to treat of osteoarthritis symptoms in the MIA-induced rat model based on histological analysis, and factors that are associated with inflammation and bone mineral metabolism. Methods : Giheolsotong-hwan was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before direct injection of monosodium iodoacetate ($3mg/50{\mu}{\ell}$ of 0.9% saline) into the intra-articular space of the rats' right knee. The rats subsequently received the same doses of oral Giheolsotong-hwan for another 4 weeks. We evaluated the treatment effects based on serum biomarkers and histopathological analysis of the knee joints. Results : Compared to those in control rats, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments significantly decreased the serum concentration of inflammation factors (i.e., $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$), and bone degrade factors (i.e., MMP-9, CTX-II, and COMP). In addition, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments significantly increased the concentration of glycosaminoglycans of bone defence factors, but no chage the TIMP-1. Furthermore, the Giheolsotong-hwan treatments effectively preserved the knee cartilage and proteoglycan. Conclusion : The results indicate that Giheolsotong-hwan treated osteoarthritis symptoms. Thus, Giheolsotong-hwan may be a novel oriental therapeutic option for the management of osteoarthritis.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.82-90
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• 2018

The term "hangover" refers to symptoms such as headache, heartburn, nausea, and dizziness caused by acetaldehyde created through alcohol decomposition in the body after alcohol intake. Many scientists have conducted research on diverse drugs, foods, and medicinal herbs aimed at eliminating hangovers. However, research on metabolism to objectively verify or measure their effects on hangover symptoms has been lacking. Accordingly, in this study, deep sea water minerals were administered orally at varying concentrations to rats that consumed alcohol, and changes in the levels of amino acids in their bodies were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to gauge the minerals' effects on hangover symptoms. Thus far, biochemical research on hangover cures has been confined to basic research measuring changes in the levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase as well as in the concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetate using spectroscopes such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits or gas chromatography-mass spectrometers. In comparison, this study presents pharmacokinetic research that simultaneously tracked biomaterials including amino acids and organic acids, metabolites associated with hangover, to clarify hangover mechanisms more specifically. In addition, this study examined hangover mechanisms without an external supply of tracked materials not overlapping with alcohol metabolism-related materials, such as external amino acids and sugars.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2020

[Purpose] Although physical activity is required to prevent or ameliorate osteoporosis, medicine prescription should precede it, since it may be limited in severe osteoporosis patients. Furthermore, osteoporosis has a great effect on physical activity disorders that accompany fractures and pain, and therefore, research on treatment or prevention to decrease the number of patients is required. The purpose of this study was to discover candidate substances from natural products with an effective pharmacological action and to prepare basic data to help patients. [Methods] To prepare the osteoporosis model, ovariectomy (OVX) was performed using surgical methods. The prepared prescription [Shinkiwhan (SKH), a Korean medicine] was administered orally at a dose of 210 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. After completion of the animal experiment, the bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed using double-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The analysis of the effect of drugs on bones was performed using histological analysis and immunostaining. [Results] SKH increased the BMD in the OVX rats. Furthermore, SKH significantly increased the expression of osteoprotegerin and downregulated receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinases in the bones of the OVX model. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest a protective effect of SKH against BMD loss in the OVX model.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2020

Cancer is one of the leading cause of mortality in India as well as worldwide. The management of cancer by conventional therapy has shown life threatening adverse effects. The researchers are now exploring the natural way of treatment. Unani system of medicine have rich literature for cancer and many compound formulations have been described in this system. Unani system of medicine is based on holistic approach and treat human being as a unit with natural herbs, mineral and animal origin drugs. An important compound Unani formulation (CUF) from the literature has been chosen to explore the Unani claim of its anticancer activity. The phytochemical constituents were assessed using standard phytochemical screening method. Antioxidant property of this formulation was assessed by DPPH assay. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay was carried out by colorimetric method and ascorbic acid was taken as a positive control. Three different extracts of CUF on different concentrations were used to screening on human breast cancer (BCC) MCF-7 cell line. For the estimation of in-vitro cytotoxic potency of the investigated extracts was assessed on MTT assay by using trypan blue method and paclitaxel was used as the standard. Hydro-ethanolic (HE) extract showed highest free radical scavenging activity among all extracts. DPPH Assay showed substantial antioxidant activity of these extracts in hydro-ethanol extract at 1㎍ concentration of CUF. The CUF showed antioxidant and anticancer activity. The claim made by Unani physician has been proved.