• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objective : Many patients take antihypertensive drugs as well as herbal medicines at the same time in order to treat other symptoms or to keep their well-being. In this study, interactions between herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs were analyzed. Methods : To investigate the interaction between herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs, three electronic databases, including OASIS, Mediline and Sciencedirect were searched. Experimental and clinical studies on the interaction between herbal medicines and antihypertensive drugs were independently reviewed and included. Results : Analyzing selected studies, twenty herbs were found to interact with antihypertensive drugs. Herbs found to increase the antihypertensive effect were Panax ginseng, Carthamus tinctorius, Magnolia officinalis, Silybum marianum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis, Sophora flavescens, Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, Ginkgo biloba, Juncus effuses and Hydrastis canadensis. In contrast, Commiphora myrrha, Rhodiola rosea, Hypericum perforatum, Eurycoma longifolia, and Daturae metel were found to inhibit the antihypertensive effect. Stephania tetrandra could increase or decrease the effect depending on the type of antihypertensive drug. Epedria sínica was suspected of pharmacodynamic interaction with antihypertensive drug. Glycyrrhiza uralensis has been reported to have serious side effects in combination with antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion : These results imply that when used in combination with herbal medicines and synthetic antihypertensive drugs, proper doses and herbs which are to avoid need to be informed to the patients. Despite concerns about interactions between herbal medicines and synthetic drugs, related research is very limited. More systematic researches are needed to give information on patient safety as well as to guide clinical practice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.713-720
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• 2019

Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype may cause a fatal brain infection known as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and the vision-threatening eye infection Acanthamoeba keratitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiamoebic effects of three clinically available antidiabetic drugs, Glimepiride, Vildagliptin and Repaglinide, against A. castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Furthermore, we attempted to conjugate these drugs with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance their antiamoebic effects. Amoebicidal, encystation, excystation, and host cell cytotoxicity assays were performed to unravel any antiacanthamoebic effects. Vildagliptin conjugated silver nanoparticles (Vgt-AgNPs) characterized by spectroscopic techniques and atomic force microscopy were synthesized. All three drugs showed antiamoebic effects against A. castellanii and significantly blocked the encystation. These drugs also showed significant cysticidal effects and reduced host cell cytotoxicity caused by A. castellanii. Moreover, Vildagliptin-coated silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and are shown to enhance its antiacanthamoebic potency at significantly reduced concentration. The repurposed application of the tested antidiabetic drugs and their nanoparticles against free-living amoeba such as Acanthamoeba castellanii described here is a novel outcome that holds tremendous potential for future applications against devastating infection.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2013

A study was performed to identify current drug shortages, assess impact of drug shortages on public hospitals and patients, and investigate needs of pharmacists for a drug shortage list. An e-mail survey was sent to the pharmacists of 13 national public hospitals. Total 61.5% of public hospitals has 10 or fewer drugs a year in short supply. Shortages involved mood drugs, anti-tumor drugs, analgesics, antibiotics and etc. in 2012. Among them 75.0% was prescription drugs and the other 25.0% was non-prescription drugs. 79.2% was domestic products and 20.8% was imported drugs. Only 12.5% was injections. Less than 3 pharmacists usually spent within 3 hours managing one drug shortage. Since a single item for a certain medicine may raise risk of drug shortages, it's needed to consider developing manuals, laying up medicine stocks and holding plural medicines for drug shortages in public hospitals. Main information resources of drug shortages are wholesalers or manufacturers. But the information appeared to be not only inadequate but also too late for appropriate activities. A survey of pharmacists revealed that overall 84.6% of respondents were in need of the drug shortage list. They expected it to be conducted to take proper measures for the drug shortage and to improve patient healthcare outcome and convenience. This study will contribute to improving public health by promoting stable supply of drugs and repairing the information delivery system.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.76-93
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• 1998

Three hundred sixty-two(male 131, female 231) elderly aged over 65 in Chungb- uk area were interviewed to determine the disease states and drug usage patterns. The prebalence of disease was 78% and women reported more chronic diseases(83%) than men(71%). Elderly who live with spouse and have an occupation have a lower rate of disease. Average number of diseases of the elderly was $1.8\pm{1.1}$, and women$(2.1\pm{1.3)}$ have significantly higher average number of diseases than that of men$(1.4\pm{0.7)}$. Also the elderly in urban areas$(2.1\pm{1.4)}$ have significantly higher number of diseases than that of the elderly in rural areas$(1.6\pm{0.9)}$. Arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular and gastric diseases were the most frequently listed chronic diseases in order for both men and women. Anemia and fracture of bone were relatively higher in women than in men. Particularly, the arthritis of the urban elderly have a rate of 1.5 times higher than that of the rural elderly. Fifty-two percent of the elderly were currently using drugs ; among drug users 71.2% used prescription drugs and 20.5% used nonprescription drugs. The average number taken per person was 2.1$\pm$1.4 and there was no sex or age difference. However, the elderly in rural areas $(2.7\pm{1.7)}$ consumed a significantly higher number of drugs than those in urban areas$(1.7\pm{0.7)}$. The average number of prescripti- on drugs taken was 2.0$\pm$1.4 while the average of nonprescription drugs taken was $(1.3\pm{0.6)}$. Analgesics and antihypertensive drugs were most commonly used. Vitamin and analgesics were the most frequently used self-prescribed drugs. It was noted that potential adverse drug interaction by concominant drug consumption for arthritis and antihypensive drug, abuse of digestants and antiacid without treatment of the underlying disease, and misuse of quick-acting bowel medications were problematic for the elderly. In addition drugs used for the elderly have some adverse effect on the digestive system. The types and composition of drugs used by the elderly were identified and presented. Medication compliance was poor and 13.5% reported adverse reactions such as edema, heartburn, nausea, and difficulty with eating. Seventeen percent of the elderly obtained drugs arranged by those other than medical staff. Also, even among those elderly who obtained drugs prescribed by a doctor, 69.1% of subjects had not receive instruction about potential adverse reactions. These results suggest that nutritional problems related to drug usage might exist and so dietitians, either individually or as members of health teams, need to have a better understanding of drug-nutrient interaction and closer supervision, and drug information/education service should therefore be provided to prevent or minimize adverse drug reaction in elderly users of medication.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2002

Polymer based physical mixtures or solid dispersions containing solubilizing compositions[OA, tween80 and SLS] were prepared using a spray-dryer. Lovastatin(LOS), simvastatin(SIMS), aceclofenac(AFC) and cisapride(CSP) were selected as poorly water-soluble drugs. Dextrin, poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA), poly(vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) and polyethylene glycol(PEG) were chosen as solubilizing carriers for solid dispersions. The solid dispersions containing solubilizing compositions without drug were prepared without using organic solvents or tedious changes of formulation compositions. This system could be used to quickly screen the dissolution profiles of poorly water-soluble drugs by simply mixing with drugs thereafter. In case of solid dispersion containing drug, organic solvent systems could be used to solubilize model drugs. The dissolution rates of the drugs were higher when mixed with drug and solid dispersions containing solubilizing compositions. However, solid dispersions of LOS, AFC, and CSP simultaneously containing drug and solubilizing compositions in organic solvent systems were more useful than physical mixtures of drug and solid dispersions without drug except SIMS. Based on solubilizing capability of polymer based physical mixtures in gelatin hard capsules, optimal solid dispersion system of poorly water-soluble drugs could be formulated. However, it should be noted that dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs were highly dependent on drug properties, solubilizing compositions and polymeric carriers.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2001

Legal permissible limit of herbal drugs metal level in Korea is define 'less 30.0ppm in total(except mineral drugs)' including Pb Hg Cd As Cr Ni etc. This limit has a lot of problems in several factors, that is, not divide hazard and essential elements, not consider high and low toxic effect in each metal, not calculate dose-response relationship and average health behavior in Korean etc. As a that result, It has strong limits and weakness in the basic toxicology and Oriental medicine. To improve and correct these factors, We need to several new approach as like below. It must be radical study following problems in short and middle-long period in the future, toxic metal and essential element must be divide to basic toxicology and also be diverse toxic effect. But mineral drugs that included a amount of severe toxic metals is being used as active prescription drug until now. If toxic, safety and side-effect of metals will be considered, mineral drugs must prohibit instantly or use at least after examined toxic effect. But one of the most important things about herbal drugs contamination, all people and department (government, farmer and trader, oriental medicine doctors and association) will be participate cooperative and collection for preventive or the least contamination in herbal drugs.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.341-347
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• 2010

The majority of forensic autopsies in Korea are performed by the National Institute of Scientific Investigation (NISI), and the NISI has carried out about 4,000 cases annually. Total 4,578 autopsies were performed by NISI in 2009, among them 2,918 cases (64%) were carried out at main office of NISI in Seoul, which is in charge of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi province. In this study we investigated pattern of drugs & poisons in autopsy cases for recent three years in Korea. Postmortem specimens (bloods, gastric contents, etc) from autopsy cases by main office of NISI during 2007~2009 were screened for drugs & poisons. Using laboratory information management system of NISI (iLIMS), the kinds of drugs & poisons and the frequency were investigated. As the results, 1,705 cases were negative to drugs & poisons, it occupied 58% of total 2,918 autopsy cases in 2009. During three years (2007~2009), the kinds of drugs & poisons detected in specimens were 206, 185 and 203, respectively, and top three drugs were atropine (anticholinergic), chlorpheniramine (antihistamine) and lidocaine (local anaesthetic/anti-arrythmic). These drugs were supposed to be used not so much for suicidal or homicidal purpose as for therapeutic purpose in hospital. Meanwhile cyanide showed the highest frequency of poisons during 2007~2009, and the frequency was 32 cases in 2009. In case of pesticides, poisoning by paraquat (herbicide, 17 cases) showed the highest frequency, and methomyl (insecticide, 9 cases) and glyphosate (herbicide, 7 cases) were followed. Finally we selected 62 drugs as target drugs for systematic toxicological analysis (STA) for Korea. Poisons such as pesticides, natural toxins, volatile compounds should be included for STA in further study.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1793-1796
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.22-24
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• 2003

This presentation briefly will be introduced on new drug approval process and the review of safety and efficacy of drugs in Korea. First, we will present the regulation related to new drug registration [Regulation of the Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Drugs, etc (Notification No. 2003-17), Standards for Toxicity Test of Drugs, etc(Notification 1999-61) and GLP Regulation for Nonclinical Laboratory Studies (Notification No. 2000-63)] and the regulation related to clinical trial [Guidelines to Clinical Study Authorization for Drugs (Notification No. 2002-65)] and [Korean Good Clinical Practice(KGCP, Notification No. 1999-67) Regulation]. (omitted)

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.144-156
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• 1992

The residue of drug in foods of animal origin has increasingly become of interest to the entire livestock industry as growing consumer health concerns. The current overvie of feed additives and veterinary drugs used in Japan and their residual analysis has been reviewed. High performance liquid chromatographic technique(HPLC) with various detectors can be expected to be successfully applied for the routine analysis of residual feed additives and veterinary drugs including anabolic agents in livestock products.