• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.85-94
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of pharmacopuncture of Mori Cortex on galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; Normal, liver injury not induced and not treated group. Control, the liver injury-induced and not treated group. Saline group, the liver injury-induced and saline injection at $BL_{18}$. HA-1 and HA-2 group, the liver injury-induced and pharmacopuncture of Mori Cortex applied to $BL_{18}$, each $1.3{\mu}g/g$, $2.6{\mu}g/g$. Then we observed the changes of ${\gamma}$-GTP, GOT, GPT, LDH, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin. Results : Pharmacopuncture of Mori Cortex treatment significantly inhibited the activities of ${\gamma}$-GTP, GOT, total cholesterol, triglyceride and total bilirubin in HA-1 group. ${\gamma}$-GTP, GTP, LDH, ${\gamma}$-GTP levels were significantly inhibited in HA-2 group. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that the reduce of hepatic enzyme activation and lipid accumulation by pharmacopuncture of Mori Cortex may be by an antioxidant properties of Mori Cortex.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.48-52
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• 2012

Objective: This study was performed to analyze the single-dose toxicity of Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb. pharmacopuncture (AKRP). Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTRI), an institute authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Twenty (20) Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study. The animals were divided into four groups of five animals per group: group 1 (G1) being the control group with each animal receiving an injection of 0.3 ml of saline and groups 2, 3, and 4 (G2, G3, and G4) being the experimental groups with each animal receiving an injection of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 ml of AKRP, respectively. This study was conducted with the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths occurred in any of the 4 groups, and the $LD_{50}$ of AKRP administered via IV was higher than 1.77 ml/kg. Some changes in the weights of the male rates were observed between the control group and the experimental groups, but no significant differences were noted in the weights of the female rats. To check for abnormalities in organs and tissues, we stained representative sections of each specified organ with Hematoxylin & Eosin for light microscopic examination. The results showed no significant differences in any of the organs or tissues. Conclusions: The above findings suggest that Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb. pharmacopuncture is a relatively safe treatment. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidence.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.194-203
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the dose-dependent effects of bee venom (BV) pharmacopuncture on the serious ankle sprain in rats. Methods : The grade III ankle sprain was produced by surgically damaging the lateral ligaments complex of Sprague-Dawley rats. BV pharmacopuncture with the different doses($5{\mu}g/kg$, $10{\mu}g/kg$, $50{\mu}g/kg$) were treated on the different acupoints(GB34, GB39 and GB42) of the affected hind limb, respectively. By measuring foot weight bearing force ratio(FWBFR), the pain levels by ankle sprain and the pain recovery for 7 days were observed under BV pharmacopuncture on each acupoint. Results : In the normal and ankle sprained rat, the BV single administration decreased FWBFR in a dose - dependent pattern. The higher the BV dose, the higher the pain resulted in the normal and the sprained ankles. Especially, the dose - dependent effects of BV resulted in the most pronounced decrease in FWBFR in GB34. The recovery of FWBFR was shown at the low dose($5{\mu}g/kg$) BV and the effect was most remarkable in the BV of GB34, but the others showed no recovery effect compared with the control group. Conclusions : BV pharmacopuncture does not exhibit analgesic effects in acute phase of ankle sprain. However, the recovery of ankle sprain was more effective than the natural recovery in the case of low dose of BV repeated over time. Considering this, it is presumed that it would be important to select appropriate clinic guidelines for acute phase of ankle sprain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.238-244
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• 2019

Background: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim pharmacopuncture on disuse muscle atrophy in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. Methods: Thirty male 250 g Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The left hindlimb immobilization was performed with casting tape for 2 weeks, and no treatment was given to the right hindlimb. Rats received pharmacopuncture and were injected daily on the BL57 with either 2 mL of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim aqueous extract (ZM-W group), 1 mL pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim ethanol extract (ZM-E group), or 2 mL normal saline (control group). After 2 weeks of immobilization, the weight of the whole gastrocnemius muscle was measured, and the morphology of both the left and the right gastrocnemius muscles were assessed by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. To investigate the immobilization-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of BAX and Bcl-2 was carried out. Results: ZM-W and ZM-E significantly inhibited the reduction in weight of the left gastrocnemius muscle, the reduction in the left myofibrils, and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius, as compared with the control. Moreover, the ZM-W and ZM-E groups showed significantly reduced immunoreactivity for BAX, and increased immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in left gastrocnemius muscle compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim pharmacopuncture has protective effects against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the activity of apoptosis-associated BAX / Bcl-2 proteins in the gastrocnemius muscle.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Objectives : Alcohol-related liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was undertaken to determine whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture(GLP) could protect against chronic liver injury induced by ethanol intoxication in rats. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, control, normal saline pharmacopuncture(NP), and GLP, with 8 animals in each. Each group, except normal, received ethanol orally. The NP and GLP groups were treated daily with NP and GLP respectively. The control group was not treated. All rats except the normal group were intoxicated for 4 weeks by oral administration of EtOH(6 g/kg BW). Two acupuncture points were used: Qimen($LR_{14}$) and Taechung($LR_3$). Body weight, histopathological analysis, liver function, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and immunohistochemistry were assessed. Results : GLP reduced the histological changes due to chronic liver injury induced by EtOH and significantly reduced the increase in the alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) enzymes. It significantly reversed the superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the catalase activities(CAT). It also significantly decreased BAX and increased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity expression. Conclusions : This study showed the protective efficacy of GLP against EtOH-induced chronic liver injury in SD rats by modulating ethanol metabolizing enzymes activity, attenuating oxidative stress, and inhibiting mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate that effect of Angelica gigas NAKAI pharmacopuncture(AGN-Ph) by concentration at $ST_{36}$(足三里) and $BL_{23}$(腎兪) in Freund's adjuvant rats. Methods : The experimental model of arthritis was induced by injection of Freund's adjuvant into Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. After arthritis was induced, AGN-Ph was injected by concentration at $ST_{36}$ and $BL_{23}$ of rats every other day for 6 times. Thereafter, edema rate, body weight, IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, hematologic assay were measured. Results : The results were as follows, 1. After 3 times AGN-Ph treatment, the mean of edema rate was significantly decreased in AGN-Ph group 3 than control group. And after 6 times AGN-Ph treatment, the mean of edema rate was significantly decreased in AGN-Ph group 1, 2, 3 than control group. 2. The mean of body weight was significantly increased in AGN-Ph group 1, 3 than control group and saline group. 3. The mean of IFN-${\gamma}$ was significantly increased in AGN-Ph group 3 than control group. 4. The mean of TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly increased in saline group than control group. But the mean of TNF-${\alpha}$ in AGN-Ph group 2, 3 showed no significance compared with control group's. 5. In hematologic assay, levels of WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit showed no significance in all groups. Conclusions : These results are suggest that the Angelica gigas NAKAI pharmacopuncture(AGN-Ph) at $ST_{36}$ and $BL_{23}$ has a suppressing inflammation effect on Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Lumbricus pharmacopuncture (LP) on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in rat fed high fat diet. Methods : Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and experimental groups were divided into 4 groups as follows : Control, Lumbricus Jungwan ($CV_{12}$) pharmacopuncture (T I), Lumbricus Joksamni ($ST_{36}$) pharmacopuncture (T II), Lumbricus Jungwan ($CV_{12}$) and Joksamni ($ST_{36}$) pharmacopuncture (T III). Results : The levels of plasma FFA, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, TBARS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and liver total cholesterol, TG, TBARS, SOD, catalase, IL-6 in more than one LP group were significantly lower than those of Control groups. The level of IL-10 in one of LP groups was significantly higher than that of Control group. Conclusions : As the results were shown, LP treatment have considerable effects on lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in rat fed high fat diet.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.31-39
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the toxicity and to find the lethal dose of the test substance Water-soluble Carthami-flos pharmacopuncture (WCF) when used as a single intravenous-dose in 6-week-old, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Biotoxtech according to Good Laboratory Practices. 20 female and 20 male Spague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 female and 5 male animals per group. The rats in the three experimental groups received single intravenous injections with 0.125-mL, 0.25-mL and 0.5-mL/animal doses of WCF, Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and the control group, Group 1, received a single intravenous injection with a 0.5-mL dose of normal saline. Clinical signs were observed and body weight measurements were carried out for 14 days following the injections. At the end of the observation period, hematology, clinical chemistry, histopathological tests and necropsy were performed on the injected parts. Results: No deaths occurred in any of the groups. Also, no significant changes in body weight, hematological parameters or clinical chemistry test results between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. Visual inspection after necropsy showed no abnormalities. Histopathological tests on the injected parts showed no significant differences, except for Group 1 females; however, the result was spontaneous generation and had no toxicological meaning because it was not dose-dependent. Therefore, this study showed that WCF had no effect on the injected parts in terms of clinical signs, body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and necropsy. Conclusion: As a result of single intravenous-dose tests of the test substance WCF in 4 groups of rats, the lethal dose for both males and females exceeded 0.5 mL/animal. Therefore, WCF is a relatively safe pharmacopuncture that can be used for treatment, but further studies should be performed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.73-83
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate anti-allergic effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix(GR) pharmacopuncture and GR extract. Methods : In vivo, animals were gotten GR pharmacopunctures at both sides of ST36s three times for 5 days. Then, we investigated anti-DNP IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis of Sprague Dawley rats. In vitro, we measured cell viability, ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release, and the secretion of interleukin-4(IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$) in RBL-2H3 cells after treatment of various concentrations of GR extract. Results : In vivo, we observed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis after GR pharmacopuncture treatments at both sides of ST36s and optional points. In vitro, GR extract treatments did not affect cell viability, but inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release and the secretion of IL-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusions : These results suggest that GR pharmacopuncture and GR extract should be beneficial in the inhibition of allergic inflammatory response.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.42-48
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of water-soluble Carthami-flos and Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (WCFC) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The study was conducted at Biotoxtech Co. according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) after approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dosages for the control, high dose, middle dose and low dose groups were 0.5 mL/animal of saline and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 mL/animal of WCFC, respectively. WCFC was injected into the muscle of the left femoral region by using a disposable syringe (1 mL, 26 gauge). The general symptoms and mortality were observed 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first injection and then daily for 14 days after the injection. The body weights of the SD rats were measured on the day of the injection (before injection) and on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after the injection. Serum biochemical and hematologic tests, necropsy examinations, and histopathologic examinations at the injection site were performed after the observation period. Results: No deaths, abnormal clinical symptoms, or significant weight changes were observed in either male or female SD rats in the control or the test (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal) groups during the observation period. No significant differences in hematology and serum biochemistry and no macroscopic abnormalities at necropsy were found. No abnormal reactions at injection sites were noted on the topical tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this single-dose toxicity study show that WCFC is safe, its lethal doses in male and female SD rats being estimated to be higher than 0.5 mL/animal.