• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate safety of postpartum herbal medicine by assessing the effect of taking herbal medicine of postpartum period on liver function. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 167 mothers who underwent liver function tests (LFT) within 3 months before and after childbirth among mothers who gave birth at ○○ Hospital between January 1, 2016 and May 31, 2018. Mothers with abnormally elevated LFT during pregnancy were excluded. Among 167 women, 6 women are herbal-medicine-group took herbal medicine for 5-6 weeks during postpartum period, and 161 patients are general -group who did not take herbal medicine. LFT Variation of Subjects before and after childbirth were compared between the two groups. And subjects who had elevated liver levels above the normal range after delivery were classified separately, the characteristics and causes of changes in liver levels were analyzed, and the presence or absence of drug-induced liver damage was confirmed. Results: Among a total of 167 subjects, there were 5 women in the herbal-medicine-group and 150 women in the general-group who had changes in liver values within the normal range after childbirth. Aspartate transaminase (AST) change before and after childbirth in the herbal-medicine-group was 3.40±1.82, and AST change in the general-group was 2.92±8.59, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.901). Increase of Alanine transaminase (ALT) before and after childbirth in the herbal-medicine-group was 5.60±3.65, and ALT change in the general-group was 8.01±11.81, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.651). There were 12 subjects who had elevated AST, ALT above the normal range after delivery, including 1 in the herbal-medicine-group and 11 in the normal mothers group. Valuation of 1 Subject of the herbal-medicine-group before and after delivery was 17 IU/L of AST and 52 IU/L of ALT. Because results of AST, ALT is under the standard to diagnose to liver damage, she was observed without any treatment. However the cause of AST, ALT elevation was not found in the chart, she was receiving treatment for diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The general-group had an average increase of AST 35.64±22.67 IU/L and ALT 53.00±26.80 IU/L. As a result of analyzing the cause, there were direct causes such as autoimmune hepatitis, chronic hepatitis B, and acute pyelonephritis. Abnormal elevations in liver levels were also found in mothers with hypothyroidism, diabetes, and fever of unknown cause, although they were not direct causes. Conclusions: To investigate the safety of taking herbal medicines, we assess the variation in AST and ALT within 3 months before and after delivery in the herbal-medicine-group and general-group. There was no significant difference between two groups.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.1-22
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze randomized controlled trial, which studied the effect of herbal medicine treatment on Antiphospholipid antibody positive recurrent abortion. Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trial of last 20 years based on Antiphospholipid antibody positive recurrent abortion and herbal medicine. The paper search was conducted through 7 online databases on July 16, 2022. Results: 9 studies were selected after selection and exclusion criteria. 5 studies compared combined treatment of herbal and western medicine, with western medicine alone. 4 studies compared herbal medicine alone with western medicine. Comparing with control group, the treatment group showed much improvement on conversion rate of anti-phospholipid antibodies, serum hCG and progesterone levels, pregnancy duration or fertility rates, and various symptoms. Conclusions: In this study, we found out benefit of herbal medicine with Antiphospholipid antibody positive recurrent abortion. For reliable evidence, further research is needed to establish safety of herbal medicines, standardize symptom criteria and specify the treatment course.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.93-102
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• 2012

Objectives : Traditional medicine Gumiganghwal-tang (GT) has been used in Asia to treat inflammatory diseases including common cold, pain, fever, and algor. In this study we investigated the acute toxicity and safety of GT and fermented GT (FGT). Methods : Acute toxicity and safety were evaluated in male and female ICR mice orally administered 0 (control) and 2,000 mg/kg of GT and FGT. After the administration of GT and FGT, we observed mortality, body weight, clinical symptoms. After necropsy, organ weights were measured and blood analysis was performed. Results : There was no mortality and clinical symptoms according to the administration of GT and FGT. Comparing with control group, there were no significant alterations on the organ weight, complete blood cell count and biochemical parameters. Conclusions : Median lethal dose of GT and FGT considered to be over 2,000 mg/kg in both male and female mice, and recognized as safe with no toxicity.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.34-39
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of Korean herbal, western and combination medicine use in patients with abnormal liver function tests. Methods: We investigated nerve disease patients with abnormal liver function tests who were treated with Korean herbal, western and combination medicine at Dong-Eui University Oriental Hospital from January 2011 to August 2011. We compared aspartic aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (T-bil) levels before and after taking medicine and excluded patients who had liver-related disease when admitted. Results: AST and ALT were decreased significantly in patients who had taken herbal, western medicine. AST, ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken combination medicine. Compare to herbal medicine, AST, ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken western medicine, and ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken combination medicine. There were no significant differences between western and combination medicine. Conclusions: This study suggests that prescribed Korean herbal medicine, at least, does not injure liver function for patients', moreover, it was shown to be effective in patients with abnormal liver function tests.

• 셀메드
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.8.1-8.4
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• 2011

Medicinal plants and their products are popular in Estonia. There are two approaches to use of herbal products: first, that based on traditions and practical experience and, second, that supported by scientific evidence. It is important to marry these two approaches. One place where traditions and new knowledge could meet is the pharmacy. In this study we evaluated knowledge about the use and safety of herbal products of pharmacy customers in South-Estonia. A convenience sample of pharmacy customers in south Estonia (n = 196) participated in the study. Of the survey participants, 76% were frequent or occasional users of herbal products and considered these products safe (75%) and effective (73%). Herbal products were mostly (91%) consumed for prophylaxis or treatment of minor illnesses. Main information sources about herbal products were pharmacists (75%) and package information leaflets (65%). Mode of action (95%), administration (81%) and indication (77%) were the information details more frequently sought from the pharmacy about herbal products. Of the survey participants, 22% described some problems connected with the use of herbal products. Herbal products are popular in Estonia and pharmacists have an important role in counselling on these products. Despite knowledgeable use of herbal products and infrequent experience of side effects with these products, safety issues should be more stressed in the providing of information details to pharmacy customers.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.133-142
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• 2013

Objectives: To identify effects and safety of Korean traditional herbal medicine and auricular acupuncture for hyperemesis gravidarum patients. Methods: Korean traditional herbal medicine and auricular acupuncture were applied to 4 hyperemesis gravidarum patients, and we investigated changes of symptoms, continuance of pregnancy, and whether they delivered or not. Results: Hyperemesis gravidarum symptom was improved in 3 patients, and 1 patient showed complete recovery. Among them, 2 patients had children by natural childbirth, 1 patient had a repeat cesarean due to previous cesarean section, and 1 patient has been maintaining pregnancy well for 25weeks. Conclusions: It is confirmed that symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum patients were improved by Korean traditional herbal medicine and auricular acupuncture, and these medical interventions are safe.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.397-401
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• 2016

The quality control is a fundamental procedure for the standardization of herbal medicine to guarantee the consistency of efficacy and safety. For a long time, the quality analysis of herbal medicine has been largely dependent on the routine sensory evaluation, such as taste, smell, color, and shape. However, with the recent development of analytical instruments, various scientific approaches have been introduced in this field. On the basis of the theory that the biological activities of herbal medicine are mainly contributed by its chemical compositions, several types of chemical markers have been suggested for the quality evaluation. In addition to the analytical methods for the specific marker compound(s), including analytical marker and active marker, recently, chemical fingerprinting, a method comparing the chromatographic pattern of the whole chemical components, has been developed and widely accepted as a reliable approach for the quality control of herbal medicine. Moreover, in order to exactly understand the relationship between complex compounds and their holistic biological activities in herbal medicine, unique strategies, such as "BECCs (bioactive equivalent combinatorial components)" and "PhytomicsQC" have been established. In this article, we give an overview of the several categories of chemical markers and the recent research trends for the quality evaluation of herbal medicine.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.95-100
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and safety of $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) and fermented $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) extract. Methods : To evaluate their acute toxicity and safety, 0(control group), 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg of $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) and fermented $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) extracts were orally administered to 35 male and 35 female ICR mice. After a single administration, we observed survival rates, general toxicity, changes of body weight, and autopsy. Results : Compared with the control group, we could not find any toxic alteration in any of treated groups (1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg). Conclusions : $LD_{50}$ of $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) and fermented $Leejung$-$tang$($Lizhong$-$tang$) were over 5000 mg/kg and it is very safe to ICR mice.

• 혜화의학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.53-57
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• 2008

These day, herbal drugs have been widely used in all over the world, as primary therapeutics or supplements for treating various diseases. Herbal drugs are generally regarded as non-toxic due to their natural origin and long history traditionally used without serious adverse reactions. However, plenty warnings have been reported, particularly about the potential hepatotoxicity of herbal products. This report would be helpful for understanding theory of toxicology and prevent from herbal drug-derived hepatotoxicity in Oriental medicinal field.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.141-152
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• 2011

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and safety of Insampaedok-san and Fermented Insampaedok-san. Methods : SPF ICR male and female mice were administered orally with Insampaedok-san and Fermented Insampaedok-san. of 0(control group), 1,250, 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg. After single administration, we daily examined number of deaths, clinical signs, gross findings and changes of body weight for 14 days. Hematological parameters and isolated organ weights were determined after 14 days of administration. Results : No dead animal and no significant changes of body weights were found during experimental period. In addition, no differences were found between control and all of treated groups in clinical signs, organ weights, hematology, and other findings. Conclusions : Insampaedok-san and Fermented Insampaedok-san. did not show any toxic effects and oral $LD_{50}$ values of the extracts was over 5,000 mg/kg in ICR mice.