• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.73-90
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• 2006

Objectives : The effects of water extract of deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS), prepared from the pilose antler of Cervus korea TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immunosuppressive and immune-activating Korean herbal- acupuncture, on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA:RA model) in mice was studied. Destruction of cartilage and bone are hallmarks of human rheumatoid arthritis, and controlling these erosive processes is the most challenging objective in the treatment of RA. Methods : We investigated the tissue protective effects of deer antler treatment using established murine collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) as a model. Potential synergy of low dosages of anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteroids and deer antler was also evaluated. Results : Treatment of established murine CIA with deer antler herbal-acupunture solution(DHS) $(10-50{\mu}g/day)$ suppressed disease activity and protected against cartilage and bone destruction. Although $10-50{\mu}g/day$ DHS had only a moderate effect on the inflammatory component of the disease activity, it strongly reduced cartilage pathology, as determined by histological examination. Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP) levels were significantly reduced, confirming decreased cartilage involvement. Histological analysis showed that bone destruction was prevented. DHS administration increased serum IL-1Ra levels and reduced anticollagen type II antibody levels. Treatment with low-dose $DHS(1{\mu}g/day)$ was ineffective in suppressing disease score, serum COMP or joint destruction. Synergistic suppression of both arthritis oseverity and COMP levels was noted when low-dose DHS was combined with prednisolone(0.05mg/kg/day), however, which in itself was not effective. Conclusion : DHS was shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption. These results indicated that the DAS is not only highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in bone resorption, but also it will be served as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents for treatment of human RA.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.2958-2962
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• 2010

We developed a Microcurrent acupuncture point treatment equipment using micro-controller AVR. This equipment can generate a sine wave, triangle wave, square wave and DC. The frequency range of waves like the sine wave and the triangle wave is 1 - 320 Hz and the output range of DC is $40-200\;{\mu}A$. The duration is controllable between a minute to 30 minutes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.141-150
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• 2001

Objective : This study is designed to find out the effects of Oak-mushroom Herbal acupuncture on osteoarthritis in knee joint. Methods : We investigated 33 cases of patients with osteoarthritis in knee joint that are visited in Hospital of Dong-Seo oriental medicine. We evaluated knee joint function that before and after its treatment by Lysholm score and satisfaction of treatment by Baumgaertner nine point scale and visual analog scale. Results : These results showed that female patients are 26 cases and these are more 19 cases than male patients. On the age of patients, above 61 are mainly distributed as 17 cases. According to Ahlaback's grading system, grade Ⅲ are more than others as 11 cases. We estimated effects of Oak-mushroom Herbal-acupuncture by Lysholm score, those results showed that the mean of Lysholm score before treatment is 51.42, and after treatment is 76.55. That showed statistically meaningful increase. In evaluating of satisfaction, excellent are 11 cases and good are 15 cases. The percentage of above good is 78.8%. Conclusion : According to the results, Oak-mushroom Herbal-acupuncture may be effects on the increase of knee joint function and the decrease of pain in osteoarthritis in knee joint.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2019

Background: This study was designed to investigate the potential effects of Galgeungyulpitang for whitening and elasticity treatment by examining its effect on melanoma cells. Methods: The effects of Galgeungyulpitang on B16/F10 melanoma cell viability, production of melanin, tyrosinase and elastase, were investigated. Cell viability was measured by colorimetric assay that assesses cell metabolic activity (MTT assay). Melanin was measured by Hosei's method, tyrosinase was measured by Yogi's method and elastase was measured by James's method. Results: At concentrations higher than $500{\mu}g/mL$ Galgeungyulpitang, cell viability was significantly reduced ($p{\leq}0.05$). At concentrations of $500{\mu}g/mL$ and lower, morphological changes were not observed. The rate of melanin synthesis was significantly reduced to $73.49%{\pm}2.92%$ at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$ Galgeungyulpitang compared with untreated cells (p < 0.05). Extracellular tyrosinase production was not significantly decreased in vitro, however, intracellular tyrosinase production was significantly reduced to $76.06%{\pm}2.17%$ when treated with Galgeungyulpitang at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$ compared with the control (p < 0.05). Elastase Type 1 production was significantly reduced to $74.98%{\pm}3.24%$ and $69.62%{\pm}4.66%$ at concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ Galgeungyulpitang, respectively (p < 0.05). Elastase Type 4 production was significantly reduced to $72.77%{\pm}3.52%$ at concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results in this study showed that Galgeungyulpitang may inhibit melanin and tyrosinase synthesis, and inhibit elastase production, suggesting that Galgeungyulpitang may be potentially beneficial for skin whitening and loss of skin elasticity treatments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.78-91
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of bee venom on melanoma in C57BL mice. Materials and Methods : For the induction of melanoma, C57BL mice were treated by DMBA(7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene). Each group of C57BL mouse was treated with DMBA $50{\mu}g$, $75{\mu}g$, $100{\mu}g$ respectively once a week for 15 weeks. Tumor generation in each group of 10 mice was observed. Cumulative curves were showed in the density and frequency of skin tumor generation. To know the effects of pre-treatment of bee venom on tumor generation by DMBA treatment(frequency of tumor generation), Each group of C57BL mouse was pretreated and treated with bee venom $5{\mu}{\ell}$, $25{\mu}{\ell}$, $50{\mu}{\ell}$ respectively once a week for 3 weeks, whereafter each mouse was treated with DMBA $100{\mu}g$ once a week for 15 weeks. Results and Conclusion (1) There was chemotherapeutic effect, but not chemopreventive effect. (2) Cpp32 activity was increased by $50{\mu}{\ell}$ bee venom treatment. (3) Bee venom treatment inhibited expression of cell-cycle regulating, growth-promoting genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and Cyclin Dl, and increased tumor suppressors p53 and p21/Wafl. (4) Bee venom treatment activated expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Objectives : Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) is an herbal medicine, which has been used for the treatment of fatigue, chills, and poor physical conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of AOF hot aqueous extract. Methods : The cytotoxicity of AOF extract was evaluated using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess reaction. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine production (IL-1tion co6, and TNF- F- was measured by ELISA. The anti-oxidative effect of AOF extracts was measured by the DPPH method. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and aluminum chloride, respectively. Results : AOF hot aqueous extract did not show toxicity at doses of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL.PGE_2$ production was inhibited by AOF extract treatment at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extracts reduced IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1ent maTNF- F- 1ent mannerd IL-6 production in uction at doses of 100 and ${\mu}g/mL$. The DPPH free radical scavenging capability was above 50% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : This study suggests that AOF hot aqueous extract may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are required for validating the safety and efficacy of AOF.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the influence of the period of disease on Bell's palsy patients Methods : We investigated 40 cases of patients with peripheral facial palsy who visited Yumin Oriental Hospital from 1st January to 31st August, 2008 with both oriental and western medical therapy and classified them as period of disease. The period of disease of Group A was within 3 days. The period of disease of Group B was from 4 to 10days. We evaluated the treatment effect of each group by House-Brackmann grade before treatment and 1, 2 week treatment. Results: 1. There was a statistical significant difference in period of disease between Group A and Group B. 2. After 1 week treatment, Group A showed more recovery compared with Group B. 3. After 2 week treatment, there was no statistical significant difference in House-Brackmann grade between Group A and Group B Conclusions : These results suggest that early treatment could be more effective in recovery of Bell's palsy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.137-146
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• 2008

Objectives : The leaves of Artemisia argyi L. have been used for the treatment of bleeding-related diseases in traditional korean medicine. But the immunological activities with macrophage have not been sufficiently reported. This study is to investigate the immunological bioactivities of the herbal acupuncture solution obtained from leaves of Artemisia argyi L. (AAAS). Methods & Results : Against Nicotine and Acetaldehyde, AAAS increased significantly the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) within mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells above the concentration of 10 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against EtOH. And AAAS increased significantly the production of nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264. 7 cells above the concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ against Nicotine, Acetaminophen, and Acetaldehyde. Conclusions : These results suggest that AAAS could be thought to have the immunological activities related with the production of hydrogen peroxide and NO in macrophage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.220-225
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• 2004

Objective : Electroacupuncture is one of the primary remedies in oriental medicine. Elecroacupuncture was applied on a nocturia patient. Improvement of the symptoms was experienced. This case is reported in order to derive further studies evaluating the effectiveness of this treatment. Methods : Electroacupuncture on the Ciliao acupoint(BL32) was performed twice daily for 1 week. Results : After about 1 week of electroacupuncture on the Ciliao acupoint(BL32), there was a remarkable decrease of nocturia frequency. Conclusion: We present the case of a mao with an overactive bladder who had several stokes as well as hypertension. Electroacupuncture treatment performed on the Ciliao acupoint(BL32) remarkably improved nocturia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.53-58
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• 2005

Methods : This study was conducted to carry out quantitative evaluation using HPLC Content analysis was done using HPLC Results : According to HPLC analysis, each BVA-1 contained approximately $0.36{\mu}g$ melittin, and BVA-2 contained approximately $0.54{\mu}g$ melittin. But the volume of coating was so minute, slight difference exists between each needle. Conclusions : Above results indicate that the bee venom acupuncture can complement shortcomings of syringe usage as a part of Oriental medicine treatment, but extensive researches should be done for further verification.